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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT ~btore construction problems are caused by site subsur- face conditions than any other factor As troublesome as subsurface problems can be. their frequency and extent have been lessened considerably in recent years. due in large measure to programs and publications of ASFE/ The Association of Engineering Firms Practicing in the Geosciences. The following suggesrons and observations are offered to help you reduce the geotechnical-related delays. cost-overruns and other costly headaches that can occur during a corstruction project A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT IS BASED ON A UNIQUE SET OF PROJECT-SPECIFIC FACTORS A geotechnical engineering report is based on a subsur- face exploration plan designed to incorporate a unique set of project-specific factors. These typically include: the general nature of the structure involved. its size and configuration: the location of the structure on the site and its orientation: physical concomitants such as access roads, parking lots, and underground utilities, and the level of additional risk which the client assumed by virtue of limitations imposed upon the exploratory program. To help avoid costly problems. consult the geotechnical engineer to determine how any factors which change subsequent to [he date of the report may affect its recommendations. Unless your consulting geotechnical engineer indicates otherwise. your aeotechnicnl engineering report should not be used: • yy'hen the nature of the proposed structure is chanoed. for example. if an office building will be erected instead of a parking garage. or if a refriger- ated warehouse will be built instead of an unre- frigerared ore. • when the sire or configuration of the proposed svucture is altered. • when the location or orientation of the proposed structure is modified: • when there is a change of ownership, or • for applicaron to an adjacent site. Geotechnical engineers cannot accept rzsponsibility far problems which may develop if thzy are not consulted after factors consid- ered in their reports dzvelopment have changed. MOST GEOTECHNICAL "FINDINGS" ARE PROFESSIONAL ESTIMATES Site exploration identifies actual subsurface conditions only at those points where samples are taken, when they are taken. Data derived through sampling and sub- sequentlaboratory testing are extrapolated by geo- technical engineers who then render an opinion about overall subsurface conditions. their likely reaction to proposed construction activity, and appropriate founda- tion design. Even under optimal circumstances actual conditions may differ from those inferred to exist. because no geotechnical engineer. no matter how qualified. and no subsurface exploration program. no matter how comprehensive. can reveal what is hidden by earth, rock and time. The actual interface between mate- rials may be far more gradual or abrupt than a report indicates. Actual conditions in areas not sampled may differ from predictions. Nothing can be done to prevent tke unanticioated. but steps tan 6e taken to help minimize their impact. For this reason, most experienced owners retain their geotechnical ronsultnnts through [he construction stage, to iden- tify variances, conduct additional tests which may be needed. and to recommend solutions to problems encountered on site. SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS CAN CHANGE Subsurface conditions may be modified by constantly- changing natural forces. Because a geotechnical engi- neering report is based on conditions which existed at the time of subsurface exploration, construction dzcision> should not he based nn a geotechnical engineering report whose adequacy mau Mace been affzcted by time. Speak with the geo- technicalconsultant to learn if additidnal tests are advisable before construction starts. Construction operations at or adjacent to the site and natural event; such as hoods, earthquakes or ground- water fluctuations mavalso 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. GEOTECHN[CAL SERVICES ARE PERFORMED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES AND PERSONS Geotechnical engineers' reports are prepared to meet the specific needs of specific individuals. A report pre- pared for a consulting civil engineer may not be ade- quate for a construction contractor, or even some other consulting civil engineer Unless indicated otherwise. this report was prepared expressly for the client involved and expressly for purposes indicated by the client. Use by any other persons for any purpose. or by the client for a different purpose. may result in problems. No indi- vidualother than the client should apply this report for its intended purpose without first conferring with the geotechnical engineer. No person should apply this report for any purpose other than [hat originally contemplated without first conferring with the geotechnical engineer.