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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT I~tore construction problers are caused by s}te subsur- face condltions than any other factor As troublesome as subsurface problems can be, their frequency and extent have be=en lessened considerably in recent years due in large measure Co programs and publications of ASFE,~ The ,4ssociatlun 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 project. A GEOTECHN[CAL ENGINEERING REPORT [S 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 svucture 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 [he 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 [o the date of the report may affect its recommendations. Unless yourconsuiting geotechnical engineer indicates otherwise, your geateciinical engineering report should not tie used: • When the nature of the proposed structure is changed, for example, if an office building will be erected instead of a parking garage, or if a refriger- ated .varehouse will be built instead of an unre- frig?rated one: • when the size or configuration of the proposed structure is altered: . when [he location or orientation of the prcpo=_ed str~ct:re i<- modified: • when there is a clang? of ownership, or • fcr application to an adjacent site. Gaotetlin!aii engineers cannot nc[eot resanxsi6ility for probiems svnidi mau ~?eveloo if "~eu are net cona~fted after Factors consin.- ~±rerl ur b~e~r -caort's cieveioement IIaCe ;;ianaed. MOST GEvTECHNICAL "FINDINGS" ARC PROFESSIONP.L ESTIMAT;=S =lie E:•:c:oraccn ~cenn~ ~s .c_~~ai ~~csurcce cct•oin.cns :^!' -t -.,.c Ir~ ~a.-~~cs ci°'o YE n_^ 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 [hose 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. No[hina can be dente to prevent the tu~antiupated, but ceps can 6e taken to 4ielp minimize their impact. For [his reason, most e.eperienced owners retain their geotedinical connd[ants lhrauyn the 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 farces. Because a geotechnical engi- neering report is based on conditions which existed at the time of subsurface exploration, construction decisions s6iould oat be hased'rn a geotedinical engineering resort whose adequacu mau Hnve lean a~(ected hu tune. Speak with the geo- technical consulr~nt to learn if additional tests are advisable before construction starts. Construction operations at or adlacent to the site and natural events such as floods, earthquakes or ground- water fluctuarons may also 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 con_ulted to determine if additional tests are necessary GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES ARE PERFORMED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES AND PERSONS GEOtechnicai engineer= reports are prepared to meet me specific needs of specific Individuals. A report pre- pared fcr ~ consulting civil engineer may not be ade- ~eate for a c~nsruction contractor, or Even some omen consulting c,vll enslneer. Unle_s Indicated other:vi_e. r,ls ie^ort :~..-- eoareo exressiv for tie e!ient involved _.~~. E:.,ore_sl~~`c~ .. ~ocss incicatEd by'..ecaent.'Le c. ~ ~ttner r rscns `or any urpcs=. ~. cv 'ne _iient -. _ :Ir,"~._. -;u:ocs?. n=~~ .__,... .. .-: o-cicros. _•~r, i;mi- . ~[Idl „.._. ~11%Iil :d_v. 9tlt :~lOLfut _„!'1 i%IG-=^Orr ~-. _ ~.nee_~ ~ _. -_,_ .souse ,.- - -~r .tnu cur^~.--- ..~ I i.. ar. n+r. Ir: .1 ,IC~ , Y.' Yn : r!;iti