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Ir "°ORTANT INFORMATIO�' ` <br />ABOUT YOUR <br />GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT <br />More construction problems are caused by site subsur- <br />face conditions than any other ;actor As troublesome as <br />subsurface problems can be. their frequency and extent <br />have 6een lessened considerably in recent years, due in <br />large measum to programs and publications of ASFE/ <br />The Association of Engineering Firms Practicing in <br />the Geosciences. <br />The following suggestions and observations are oiferc:d <br />to help you reduce the geotechnical-related delays. <br />cost-overruns and other costly headaches that can <br />ocar during a construction project. <br />A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERiNG <br />REPOF�T IS BASED ON A UNIQUE SET <br />OF PROJECT-SPECIFIC FACTORS <br />A geotechnical engineering report is based on a subsur- <br />face explora:ion plan designed to incorporate a unique <br />set of project-specific factors. These typically include <br />the general namre of the structure involved, its size and <br />wnfiguration: the locatio� o( the structure on the site <br />and its orientation; physical concomitants such as <br />access roads. parking lots. and underground utilities. <br />and the level of additional risk which the client as�umed <br />by virtue of limitations imposed upon the explorarory <br />program. To help avoid costly problems. consult the <br />geotechnical engineer ro determine how any factors <br />which change subsequent ro the date of the report maq <br />affect its recommendations. <br />Unless your consulting geo[echnical engineer indicates <br />otherwisz. your geotec(uiical enaineering reporl shmdd nat <br />Ge used: <br />.\4hen the nawre o( the proposed structure is <br />changed. (or example, if an o(fice building will be <br />erected instead of a parking garage, or if a re(riger- <br />ated warehouse will be built instead o( an unre- <br />frigerated one: <br />. when the size or configuration ot the proposed <br />structure is altered; <br />• when the location or orientation of the proposed <br />structure is modified: <br />. when there is a change of ownership. or <br />•(or application to an adjacent site. <br />Geo!edmical engineers caiuiot accept respauibilitu �or prohlems <br />wGich may develop i( Ihey are not mnsulled a(ter (actors consid- <br />ered in tfieir report's developn�eiit have chanqed. <br />MOST GEOTECHNICAL "FINDII�IGS" <br />ARE PROFESSIONAL ESTIMATES <br />Site exploretion identi(ies actual subsurface conditions <br />only at those points where samples are taken. when <br />they are taken. Data derived through sampling and sub- <br />sequent laborarory testing are extrapolated by geo- <br />rechnical engineers who then render an opinion about <br />overall subsurface conditions, their likely reaction to <br />proposed construction activity, and appropriate founda- <br />tion design. Even under optimal circumstances acwal <br />conditions may dif(er from those inferred to exist, <br />because no georechnical engineer, no matter how <br />qualified, and no subsurface exploration progrem. no <br />matter how comprehensive, can reveal what is hidden by <br />earth, rock and time. The acwal interface between ma�e- <br />rials may be far more gradual or abrupt than a report <br />indicates. Actual conditions in areas not sampled may <br />differ from predictions. Nolhing can 6e dorie to prevent the <br />unanticiPated. 6ut sleps can be taken to help minimize their <br />inipact. For this reasan, most experienced owners retain lheir <br />geo(ech�iical consul(ants through the construction stage, to iden- <br />tify variances, conduct additional tests which may be <br />needed, and to recommend solutions to problems <br />encountemd on sire. <br />SUSSURFACE CONDITIONS <br />CAN CHANGE <br />Subsurface conditions may be modified by constantly- <br />changing natural forces. Because a geotechnical engi- <br />neering report is based on conditions which existed at <br />the time of subsurface exploretion, tmuVucfim� decisions <br />slimdd �int f�r 6ased on a geotec(inical en9ineering report wliosr <br />aArquncu mau h��vr heen a((ecteA 6y lime. Speak with [he geo- <br />technical consultant to learn if additional tests are <br />advisable be(ore construction starts. <br />Construction operations at or adjacent ro the sire and <br />natural events such as floods. earthquakes or ground- <br />water (luctuations may also affect subsurface tonditions <br />and. thus. the continuing adequacy o( a geo[echnical <br />report. The georechnical engineer should be kept <br />apprised of any such events. and should be consulted to <br />determine if additional tests are necessary. <br />GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES ARE <br />PERFORMED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES <br />AND PERSONS <br />Geotechnical engineers' reports are prepared to meet <br />the speci(ic needs of specific individual<_. A report pre- <br />pared for a consulting civil engineer may not be ade- <br />quate for a construction contrattor, or even some other <br />consulting civil engineec Unless inuicated otherwise. <br />this report was prepared expressly for the client involved <br />and expressly for purposes indicated by :he client. Use <br />by any o[her persons for any purpose, or by the cl;ent <br />for a different purpose, may result in problems. No indi- <br />vidual olher Uian Ihe dien! s6ould apDly this repart (or its <br />inle�ided purpose withaut �irsl ton(ening widi the geoteduiical <br />¢ngineer. No persan shauld aOVly this reporl (or an� purpose <br />o(her than t(iat originall� rmitemvlatzd u�ilfiout �irst cmi�erri�ig <br />wilh lhe geotecfuiiral engineec <br />