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IMPORTANT INFORMATION <br />ABOUTYOUR <br />GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT <br />^ ! <br />Mof e constiuctlon problems are caused by site subsurface <br />conditions than any other factor, ^ troublesome as sub- <br />surface problems can be. their frequerKy and extent have <br />been lessened considerably In recent years, thanks to the <br />Association of Soil and Foundation Ensineers (ASFE), <br />When A5FE was founded In 1969. subsurface problems <br />were frequently being resolved through lawsuits. In fact, <br />the situation had grown to such alarming proportions that <br />consulting geotechnical engineers had the worst profes­ <br />sional liabllily record of all design professionals, fly I960. <br />ASFE-mrmfvr roaiiifliag uil aarf fcmndatlcn rn^rlnmi had the tot <br />nt/rttfonuf fidWfy rrcflnf This dramatic turn-about can be <br />atliibuted directly to client acceptance of problem-solving <br />programs and materials developed by ASF E for Its mem­ <br />bers’ application. IMi autplanu w ^infd haattst ckrrrrf <br />fmdirJ Ifir ASF E drrmflif* I*) ht fn Ifrdr run ^r Inlrmfi. <br />Disputes benefit only those who earn their living from <br />olhets’ disagreements. <br />The following suggestions and observations arc offered to <br />help you reduce the geotcchnlcal-ielalcd delays, cost-over­ <br />runs and other costly headaches that can occur during a <br />construction pru|cct. <br />A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING <br />REPORT IS BASED ON A UNIQUE SET OF <br />PROIECT-SPEanC FAaORS <br />A gcotcctinkal englnectlne repott Is based on a subsuilace <br />exploiailon plan designed In Incorporate a unique set ol <br />prolecl-spccillc factors Ihcsc typically Include the general <br />nature of the structure Involved. Its site and conligurallon; <br />the location of the structure on the site and Us oricnlnllon; <br />physical toncornllaiUs such as access roads, parking lots, <br />and underground utilities, and the level ol additional risk <br />which the client assumed by virtue ol limilallons Impmed <br />upon the exploratory program To help avoid costly prob­ <br />lems. consult the geotechnical engineer lo determine how <br />any factors which change subscf|ucnl lo the date of his <br />icpoil may alicci his recommendations <br />Unless yourconsultlrrggcolec'.nical engineer indicates <br />otherwise (rout im’IrdiiilailrttgintvHn() rrrorl shouU not bt iisnl <br />• Wlicn the nature of the proposed structure Is <br />clianged. for example, if an office building will be <br />eteclcd Instead of a parking garage, or il a lefilgct- <br />ated warehouse will be built Instead of an unrcfrlg- <br />crated one, <br />• wlien the she or conliguralion of the proposed <br />sliuclurelsalteied; <br />• when the location or orientation of the proposed <br />sliuctuic Is modilied; <br />• when there Is a change of ownership, or <br />• lorappIlcaliontoanadlaccnlsUc. <br />A (rmtnfirtiral rn^riivv hinnel atari trspontililily /or gruf’Irrni ufmh <br />m.iji cfmfiy if fir it not tcntullfJ a/tniadns lomUarJ In hit npotls <br />tfrvrky'mml fimr dianjrnf <br />MOST GEOTECHNICAL "RNDINGS" ARE <br />PROFESSIONAL ESTIMATES <br />Site exploration Identifies actual subsutlace conditions <br />only at those points where samples are taken, when they <br />are taken Data derived through sampling and subsecfuent <br />laboratory testing are extrapolated by the geotechnical <br />engineer who then renders an opinion aberut overall sub* <br />surface conditions, their likely reaction lo proposed con* <br />struction activity, and appropriate foundation design. Even <br />under optimal circumstances actual conditions may differ <br />horn those o|ilned lo exist, because no geotechnical en* <br />ginccr. no matlei how qualified, and no subsurface explo­ <br />ration program, no matter how comprehensive, can reveal <br />what Is hidden by earth, texk and time, for example, the <br />actual Interface between materials may be far more <br />gtadir.il or abrupt than the report Indicatirs. and actual <br />conditions In areas not sampled may dlllet from predic* <br />lions Nolkliiir can bt dent lo pwml Ikr unanlirtfwirri. ^1 slrys tan <br />bt labfn la hrlr fninitnht IkHr Imfad. For this reason, moil <br />nmirnitii im-nrrr rrldin Ikdr gratnkiiiul ((imultonl Ikrouafi Ikr <br />iiNniruclion to Identify variances, conduct ailditlonal <br />tests which may be necdcri. and lo recommend solutions <br />lo prolitems encountered on site <br />SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS CAN <br />CHANGE <br />Subsurface conditions may be modified by constantly- <br />changing natural forces because a geotechnical engineer* <br />Ing icpoil Is Isised on c> mditlons which existed at the lime <br />of siibsuihice exploration, loiulriidion dnisions skouM net bt <br />batfJ OM a (inilormiuil ntgiMrrriitii nporl tthou adtamy may havt <br />bem allaifil f'u lime Speak with the geotechnical consultant <br />lo learn If addilional tests are advisable before construe* <br />lion starts <br />Conslrucllon operations at or adjacent to the site and <br />natural events such as llocxls earthquakes or groundwater <br />lluctuatlons may also allect subsurface conditions and. <br />thus, the continuing adcqu-icy of a geotechnical report, <br />lire gcotccfinical engineer should be kept apprised of any <br />such events, and should be consulted lo determine If <br />additional tests are necessary <br />A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING <br />REPORT IS SUBIECT TO <br />MISINTERPRETATION <br />Costly problems can occur when other design profession­ <br />als develop their plans based on misinterpretations of a <br />geotechnical engineering report 1b help avoid these prob­ <br />lems. the geotechnical engineer should be retained lo work <br />with other appropriate design professionals lo explain <br />relevant geotechnical findings and lo review the adequacy