PERMFILE128824 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT IS SUBJECT TO MISWTERPRETATION Costly problems can occur when other design profes- sionals develop 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 indusion in architectural or other design drawings. because drafters may commit errors or omissions in the transfer process. Although photographic reproduction eliminates this problem. it does nothing to minimize the possibility of contractors misinterpreting 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 [o the complete geotechnical engineering report prepared or authorized For their use. Those who do not provide such access may proceed un- Publtshe! by E ASSOCrATiC)N OF SOL AND f-0UNDATION ENGINEERS 881! Colesville Road/Suite 225 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 301/565.2733 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- ventcostly 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, it is far less exact than 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 dauses for use in writ- ten transmittals. These are not exculpatory dauses 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 responsibilities and take appro- priate action. Some of these definitive dauses are likely to appear in your geotechnical engineering report. and you are encouraged to read them dosely. 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. I Furnished by: ~.artt~ert'ailtb ~g~otiateg CONSULTING GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS AND MATERIAL T~; -I f'.` 0,; Box 3986..; 214-Bodo f)rive rand Junction,CO 81502 Durango, CO 81301 970-245-6506 970-259-5095 P. ~0. Box 0045 Montrose, C0 81402 __., _~.. ...ter.