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A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING <br />REPORT IS SUBJECT TO <br />MISINTERPRETATION <br />Costly problems can occur when other design profes- <br />sionals develop their plans based on misinterpretations <br />of a geotechmcal rng+neermg report. To help avo+d <br />these problems. the seotechmcal engineer should be <br />retained to work w+[h other appropriate design profes- <br />s+onals to explain relevant geotechnical findings and to <br />review the adequacy of their plans and specifications <br />relative to geotechnical issues. <br />BORING LOGS SHOULD NOT BE <br />SEPARATED FROM THE <br />ENGINEERING REPORT <br />Final boring logs are developed by geotechnical engi- <br />neers based upon their interpretation of field logs <br />)assembled by site personnel) and laboratory evaluation <br />of field samples. Only final boring logs customarily are <br />induded in geotechnical engineering reports. These logs <br />should not under any circumstances 6e redrawn for indusion in <br />architectural or other design drawings, because drafters <br />may commit errors or omissions in the transfer process. <br />Although photographic reproduction eliminates this <br />problem, it does nothing to minimize the possibility of <br />contractors misinterpreting the togs during bid prepara- <br />tion. When this occurs. delays, disputes and unantici- <br />pated costs are the all-[oo-frequent result. <br />To minimize the likelihood of boring log misinterpreta- <br />tion. give contractors ready access to the ronrplete geotechnical <br />engineering report prepared or authorized for their use. <br />Those who do not provide such access may proceed, un- <br />Pu[~iskal 6y <br />I <br />ASSOCIATION OF SOl AND FOUNDATION ENGWEER$ <br />8811 Colesville Road/SUite 225 <br />Silver Spring. Maryland 20910 <br />301/565-2733 <br />der the miitn ken ~mpress+on [hut simply disda+mms+ re- <br />sponsibility for the accuracy of subsurface information <br />always insulates them from attendant habrl+ty Prov+dmg <br />the best available information [o contractors helps pre- <br />vent costly construction problems and the adversarial <br />attitudes which aggravate [hem to dispropnnionate <br />scale. <br />READ RESPONSIBILITY <br />CLAUSES CLOSELY <br />Because geotechnical engineering is based extensively <br />on judgment end opinion. it is far less exact than other <br />design disciplines. This situation has resulted in wholly <br />unwarranted claims being lodged against geotechnical <br />consultants. To help prevent this problem, geotechnical <br />engineers have developed model clauses for use in writ- <br />ten transmittals. These are not exculpatory douses <br />designed to foist geotechnical engineers liabilities onto <br />someone else. Rather. they are definitive clauses which <br />identify where geotechnical engineers responsibilities <br />begin and end. Their use helps all parties involved rec- <br />ognize their individual responsibilities and take appro- <br />priate action. Some of these definitive douses are likely <br />[o appear in your geotechnical engineering report. and <br />you are encouraged to read them closely Your geo- <br />technical engineer will be pleased [o give full and frank <br />answers [o your questions. <br />OTHER STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO <br />REDUCE RISK <br />Your consulting geotechnical engineer will be pleased [o <br />discuss other techniques which can be employed [o mi[- <br />igate risk. In addi[ion. ASFE has developed a variety of <br />materials which may 8e beneficial. Contact ASFE for a <br />complimen[ary copy of its publications directory <br />Furnished by: <br />lambert anb ~ggactate~ <br />(:OnSUITtNG GE07ECr+rv+Cat. ENGINEERS ANO MaTERtAI TES ~ ~' <br />P. 0. Box 3986 214 Bodo Drive, <br />Grand Junc[ion,CO 81502 Durango, CO 81301 <br />970-245-6506 970-259-5095 <br />P, 0. Box 0045 <br />Montrose, CO 81402 <br />970-249-2154 <br />