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A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT iS SUBJECT TO MISINTERPRETATION Costly problems can occur when other design profes- sionalsdevelop their plans based on misinterpretations of a geotechnical engineering report. To Help avoid these problems. the geotechnical engineer should be retained to work with other appropriate design profes- sionals to explain relevant geotechnical findings and to review the adequacy of their plans and specifications relative to geotechnical issues. BORING LOGS SHOULD NOT BE SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINEERING REPORT Final boring logs are developed by geotechnical engi- neers based upon their interpretation of field logs )assembled by site personnel) and laboratory evaluation of field samples. Only final boring logs customarily are included in geotechnical engineering reports. These logs should not under any circumstances be redrawn for inclusion in architectural or other design drawings, because drafters may commit errors or omissions in the transfer process. Although photographic reproduction eliminates this problem, i[ does nothing to minimize [he possibility of contractors misinterpretlng the logs during bid prepara- tion. When this occurs. delays. disputes and unantici- pated costs are the all-too-frequent result. To minimize the likelihood of boring log misinterpreta- tion, give contractors ready access to the complete geotechnical engineering report prepared or authorized for their use. Those who do not provide such access may proceed un- der the mistaken impression that simply disclaiming re- sponsibility for the accuracy of subsurface information always insulates them from attendant liability Providing the best available information to contractors helps pre- vent costly construction problems and the adversarial attitudes which aggravate them to disproportionate scale. READ RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSES CLOSELY Because geotechnical engineering is based extensively on judgment and opinion. i[ is far less exact [hart other design disciplines. This situation has resulted in wholly unwarranted claims being lodged against geotechnical consultants. To help prevent this problem. geotechnical engineers have developed model clauses for use in w;ic- ten transmittals. These are not exculpatory clauses designed to foist geotechnical engineers liabilities onto someone else. Rather, they are definitive clauses which identify where geotechnical engineers' responsibilities begin and end. Their use helps all parties involved rec- ognize their individual re:ponsibilitiesond take appro- priate action. Some of these definitive clauses are likely to appear in your geotechnical engineering report. and you are encouraged to read them closely Your geo- technical engineer will be pleased to give full and frank answers to your questions. OTHER STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE RISK Your consulting geotechnical engineer will be pleased to discuss other techniques which can be employed to mit- igate risk. In addition. ASFE has developed a variety of materials which may be beneficial. Contact ASFE for a complimentary copy of its publications directory Pu6tislitd by i .ASFE ASSOCL4TION OF SOL AND FOUNDATION ENGWEERS 8811 Colesiille Raad/Suite 225 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 30!/565-2733 Furnished by: ~.atrt~bert anb ~g~otiate~ CONSULTING GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS AND MATERIAL TESTING P. 0; Box 3986 rand Junction ,CO 81502 970-245-6506 P. 0. Box Montrose, CO 970-24 214 Bodo Drive Durango, CO 81301 970-259-5095 0045 81402 -2154