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Appendix B <br /> Geotechnical Report Limitations and Gnidelines for Use <br /> Report No.01-05798 <br /> B.2.5 Most Geotechnical Findings Are Professional Opinions <br /> Site exploration identified subsurface conditions only at those points where subsurface tests aze conducted or samples are taken. <br /> Geotechnical engineers review field and laboratory data and then apply their professional judgment to render an opinion about <br /> subsurface condirions throughout the site.Actual subsurface conditions may differ,sometimes significantly,from those indicated <br /> in yow report. Retaining the geotechnical engineer who developed yow report to provide construction observation is the most <br /> effective method of managing the risks associated with unanticipated conditions. <br /> B.2.6 A Report's Recommendations Are Not Final <br /> Do not overrely on the construction recommendations included in your report. Those recommendations are not fmal, because <br /> geotechnical engineers develop them principally from judgment and opinion. Geotechnical engineers can finalize their <br /> recommendarions only by observing actual subsurface conditions revealed during construction. The geotechnicai engineer who <br /> developed your report cannot assume responsibility or liability for the report's recommendations if that engineer does not <br /> perform construction observation. <br /> B.2.7 A Geotechnical Engineering Report Is Subject to Misinterpretation <br /> Other design team members' misinterpretation of geotechnical engineering reports has resulted in costly problems. Lower that <br /> risk by having your geotechnical engineer confer with appropriate members of the design teatn after submitting the report. Also <br /> retain your geotechnical engineer to review pertinent elements of the design team's plans and specifications.Contractors can also <br /> misinterpret a geotechnical engineering report. Reduce that risk by having your geotechnical engineer participate in prebid and <br /> preconstruction conferences,and by providing construction observation. <br /> B.2.8 Do Not Redraw the Eagineer's Logs <br /> Geotechnical engineers prepare fmal boring and testing logs based upon their interpretarion of field logs and laboratory�ata.To <br /> prevent errors or omissions, the logs included in a geotechnical engineering report should never be redrawn for inclusion in <br /> architectural or other design drawings.Only photographic or electronic reproducrion is acceptable,but recognizes that separating <br /> logs from the report can elevate risk. <br /> B.2.9 Give Contractors a Complete Report and Guidance <br /> Some owners and design professionals mistakenly believe they can make contractors liable for unanticipated subsurface <br /> conditions by limiting what they provide for bid prepararion. To help prevent costly problems, give contractors the complete <br /> geotechnical engineering report,but preface it with a clearly written letter of transmittal. In the letter,advise contractors that the <br /> report was not prepared for purposes of bid development and that the report's accuracy is limited;encourage them to confer with <br /> the geotechnical engineer who prepared the report(a modest fee may be required) and/or to conduct additional study to obtain <br /> the specific rypes of information they need or prefer. A prebid,conference can also be valuable. Be sure contractors have <br /> sufficient,time to perform additional study. Only then might you be in a position to give contractors the best information <br /> available to you, while requiring them to at least share some of the financial responsibilities stemming from unanticipated <br /> conditions. <br /> B.2.10 Read Responsibility Provisions Closely <br /> Some clients, design professionals, and contractors do not recognize that geotechnical engineering is far less exact than other <br /> engineering disciplines. This lack of understanding has created unrealistic expectations that have led to disappointments,claims, <br /> and disputes. To help reduce the risk of such outcomes, geotechnical engineers cotnmonly include a variety of explanatory <br /> provisions in their report. Sometimes labeled "limitations" many of these provisions indicate where geotechnical engineers' <br /> responsibilities begin and end,to help others recognize their own responsibilities and risks. Read these provisions closely. Ask <br /> questions.Your geotechnical engineer should respond fully and frankly. <br /> BZ.11 Geoenvironmental Concerns Are Not Covered <br /> The equipment, techniques, and personnel used to perform a geoenvironmental study differ significant�y from those used to <br /> perform a geotechnical study. For that reason; a geotechnical engineering report does not usually relate any geoenvironmental <br /> findings, conclusions, or recommendations; e.g., about the likelihood of encountering underground storage tanks or regulated <br /> contaminants. Unanticipated environmental problems have led to numerous project failures. If you have not yet obtained your <br /> own geoenvironmental information, ask your geotechnical consultant for risk management guidance. Do not rely on an <br /> environmental report prepared for someone else. <br /> Appendix B—Page 2 of 2 AIvIERICAN ENGINEERING TESTING,INC <br />