1984-09-01 Soil Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT More construction problems are caused by site subsurface conditions than any other factor As troublesome as sub- surface problems can be their frequency and extent have been lessened considerably in recent years thanks to the Association of Soil and Foundatiun Engineers tASFE) When ASFE was founded in 1969 subsurface problems were frequently being resolved through lawsuits In fact, the situation had grown to such alarming proportions that consulting geotechnical engineers had the worst profes- sional liability record of al! deign professionals By 1980 ASFE-member consulting stl and Mundotion enainem had the best p►*ssionaf Withty ►Alvd This dramatic turn -about can be attributed directly to client acceptance d problem -solving programs ar.d materials developed by ASFE for its mem- bers application Thnoii.rtonceins01nedfrcuustdW?1l$ ri'►rnsrd the ASiE appriv,N to be in thnr,�i•n kst inleresrs Disputes benefit r•nl, th( •,e who earn their living from others disagreements The following suggestions and observations are offered to help you reduce the geotechnical-related delays. cost -over. runs and other costly headaches that can occur during a ,-on,truction project A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT IS BASED ON A UNIOUE SET OF PROJECT -SPECIFIC FACTORS Ageotechnical engineering report is based on a subsurface exploration plan designed to incorporate a unique set of protect -specific factors These typically include the general nature of the structure imalved its sut and configuration the location M the structure on the site and its onentation physical concomitants such as access roads parking lots and underground utilities and the level of additional nsk which the client assumed by virtue of limitations imposed upon the exploratory program Te help avoid costly prob lens ccm,ult the geot �chnical engineer to determine how any factors which change subsequent to the date of his report may affect his recommendations Unless your consulting gtotechnical engineer indicates otherwise engrnrenng rrrwi Avid not iw used • When the nature cif the proposed structure is changed. for example if an riffice building will be erected instead of a parlung garage or if a refriger- ated warehouse will be built instead of an unrefng- erated one. • when the sire or configuration of the proposed structure is altered • when the location or orientation of the proposed structure is modified • when there is a change of ownership or • for application to an adjacent site A Wankmcal engtnrrr canny auepr mWmukktV br prublrms usi ch mwp Jew4op it he r, rill caiwGed aid factors cowsi,![eerl in his reports devektpment note (howm MOST GEOTECHNICAL "FlNDINGS" ARE PROFESSIONAL ESTIMATES Site exploration identifies actual s!-hsurface conditions only at those points where samples are taken. when they are taken Data derived through sdmphng and suusequent Laboratory testing dre extrapolated by the geotechrucal engitsrer whu then renders an opinion aho A uve►all sub- urt.,c r• conditions their likely reaction to proposed con• struction activity and appropriate foundation design Even under optimal circumstances actual conditions may differ from those opined to exist because nc get techrucal en- gineer no mattui how qualified and no subsurface cxplo- ratios program no matter how comprehensive, wri reveal what is t+idden by earth. rock and time For example the actual interface between materials may be tar more gradiml or abrupt than the report indicates and actual condition, u, areas not sampled may differ from predic- tions NMh;ng can fir done to p►ornt the unantinpatr! but ster+s can br rhos tr hdr Pr,nimrr thin impart For this reason most exp "mciti,wno, mar, !hnrgroteihnual,onsufrant ih.rouuh the ,.arshumon rt.we to identify vanances conduct additional tests which mar be needed and to recommend ,olunons if pro,.hlems en.-tintered on site SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS CAN CHANGE Sul,%urface:onditiuns may he modified by constantly- char.ging natural force, lsecause a geotechnical engineer- ing report v, based on c +nditions which existed at the time of subsurface exploration comartimm decisions sknuk: n,+l be I Jse: ,+rt a ,N, trehnital fegrnrrrtiW report %how adegua; y may how fern a►!.-aed hu lime Speak with the geotechnical consultant to learn It additional tests are advisable before construc- tion starts Construction operations at or adjacent to the site and natural events such as floods earthquakes or groundwater fluctuations may ZINC) affect subsurface conditions and thus the continuing adequacy of a geotechnical report the geotechnical engineer should be kept apprised of any such events and should be consulted to determine if additional tests are necessary A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT IS SUBJECT TO MISINTERPRETATION Costly problems can occur when other design profession. 31s develop their plans based on misinterpretations of a ec,technical engineering report To help avoid these prob- lems thegeotechnical engineer should be retained to work Kith other appropnate design professionals to explain relevant geotechnical findings and to review the adequacy