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IIV~ORTANT INFORMATION •• ABOUT YOUR GEOTECHN[CAL ENGINEERING REPORT' More construction problems are caused by si[e subsur- face conditions than any other factor. As troublesome as subsurface problems can be. they 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 suggestions and observations are offered to help you reduce the geotechnical-related delays. cost-overruns and other costly headaches that can occur during a construction prolect. A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT IS BASED ON A UNIOUE SET OF PRO-ECT-SPECIFIC FACTORS A geotechnical engineering report is based on a subsur- face exploration plan designed to incorporate a unique set of prolect-specific factors. These typically indude: the general nature of the swcture 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 diem 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 the dale of the report may affect its recommendations. Unless your consulting geotechnical engjneer jndi;ates otherwise. your ytottchnical rngrnrrriny rtport shaulJ not br used: . When the nature of the proposed structure is changed. for example. if an office building will be erec[ed instead of a parking garage. or if a refriger- ated warehouse will be built instead of an unre- frigerated one: .when the size or configuration of the proposed structure is altered. . when [he location or orientation of the proposed structure is modified. • when there is a change of ownership. or • for applicatjon to an adjacent site Gtotrrhmcal rnyinrns canna uccrpt rrsponstUddy (or problems Which muy dtvelop i(thty tier not consulted ullir (actors c~nsid- rrrd m thnr report S devrlopmtnt (tour ihunyed MOST GEOTECHNICAL "FINDINGS" ARE PROFESSIONAL ESTIMATES Site exploration identif+es actual subsurface conditions only ~[ thole points where samples are taken. when they are taken. Data derived through sampling and sub- sequent laboratory 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. rode 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. Notliiny can br done to pmrnt t(u unanticipated. but steps can br ta4rn to hrly mi+iimi:r Nair impact. For this reason. most rxprrtrncrd oiuners retain tbrir grotrchnical consultants Through tfir construction stays. 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 lsased on conditions which existed at the time of subsurface explora;ion. ionstruction dtcisrons should not hr f:ased.vi a grotechnicul niyuirrnn~ 4part Wflptr adtquacy muu host I~enr u/(tclyd I~u time Speak with the geo- technical consult:+nt to learn ~f additional tests are advisable before t onstruc[ion starts Consruction operations at or adjacent to the site and natural events such as floods. earthquakes or ground- water fluctuatjons may also affect subsurface conditions and. thus. the continuing adequacy of a geotechnical report. The geotechnical engineer should be kept apprised of any such evens. and should be consulted to determine if additional tests are necessary GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES ARE PERFORMED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES AND PERSONS Geotechnical engineers reports are prepared to meet the specific needs of specific individuals..4 report pre- pared for a consulting evil engineer may not be ade- quate for a construction contrac[or. or even some other consulvng 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 diem for a dilferen[ purpose. may resul[ in problems Nu indi- viJuul olhtr than flit chrnt should applu This report for as mtrndrJ purpose W+mout first nm(ernnu u dh uir ~ri4ahnicul enyinrfr Np ppSJn slluulJ ripply Ihif .fN'rt IaI Jnu ryrpafe uthtr tlimi Uua onymdllu cantemplutrJ v dliout best ,unfunny Wnh the JrPltihnli ul i+iJlntrr