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A ReporCs Recommendatlons Are Not Fin� <br />Do not overreiy on the construction recommendations included <br />in your report. Those recommendations are not final, because <br />geotechnical engineers develop them princi�,ally from judgment <br />and opinion. 6eotechnical engineers can finaiize their recortf <br />mendations only by observing actual subsurface conditions <br />revealed during construction. The geotechnical engineer who <br />developed }rour report cannot assume responsibility or liability (or <br />the report's recommenda6ons if that engineerdces not per/orm <br />construction observation. <br />A 6eotechnical Enyineering Report Is SuGjec� <br />To MisinterpretaUon <br />Olher design team members' misinterpretation of geotechnical <br />enginee�:ng reports has resulted in coslly problems. Lower <br />that risk by having your geotechnical engineer confer with <br />appropriate members of the design team after submitting the <br />report. Also retain your geotechnical engineer to review perti- <br />nest elements of the design team's plans and specifications. <br />Contrac[ors can also misinlerpret a geotechnical engineering <br />report. Reduce that risk by having your geotechnical engineer <br />par[icipale in prebid and preconstruction con(erences, and by <br />providing construction cbservation. <br />Do Not Redraw the Engineer's logs <br />Geotechnical engineers prepare fnal boring and testing logs <br />based upon their interpretation of field �ogs and laboratory <br />data. To prevent errors or omissions, tlie logs included in a <br />geo[echnical engineering report should never be redrawn foi <br />inclusion in architeclural or other design drawings. Only photo- <br />graphic or electronic reproduction is acceptable, but recognize <br />tliat separafing logs (rom the reporf can elevate risk. <br />6ive Contractors a C�mpiete <br />Report and 6uidance <br />Some owners and design professionals mistakenly believe they <br />can make contractors liable for unanticipated subsurface condi- <br />tions by limiting what they provide for bid preparation. To help <br />prevent costly problems, give contractors the complete geotech- <br />nical engineering report, but preface it with a cleady written let- <br />ter of transmiltal. In that letter, advise conlracto:s that lhe repor[ <br />was not prepared for purposes of bid developmen[ and that the <br />reporYs accuracy is lim;ted; encourage them to confer wRh the <br />geotechnical enginee� who prepared the report (a modest fee <br />may be required) and/or to conduct add'Rional sludy tu obtain <br />the specific typss of information they need or prefer. A prebid <br />conference can also be valuable. Be sure ca�tractors ha� suffi- <br />cien[ time ro perform add'Nonal study. Oniy then might you be in <br />a position � give conUactors the best information available to <br />you, while requiring them to a[ least share some of the financial <br />responsibiliUes stemming from unanlicipffied cond'Rions <br />Read ResponsEbility Prorisions Closely <br />Some clients, design professionals, and contractors do not <br />recognize that geotechnical engineering is far less exact than <br />olher engineering disciplines. This lack of understanding has <br />created unrealistic expectations that have Ied to disappoint- <br />ments, claims, and dispules. To help reduce such risks, geot- <br />echnical engineers commonly include a variety of explanatory <br />provisions in their reports. Someiimes labe�ed "limitations", <br />many of these provisions indicate where geotech�ical engi- <br />neers responsibilities begin and end, lo help olhers recognize <br />their own res�onsibilities and risks. Read these provisions <br />closely. Ask questions. Your geotechnical engineer should <br />respond fully and frankly. <br />6eoenufronmental Concerns Are Not Covered <br />The equipment, techniques, and personnel used to perform a <br />geoenvironrnenta! study differ significantly fror those used to <br />perform a geotechnical study. For that reason, a beotechnical <br />engineering report does not usually relate any geoenvironmen- <br />tal findings, condusions, or recommendations; e.g., about the <br />likelihood of encountering underground storage tanks or regu- <br />lated rontaminants. Unanticipated environmental problems have <br />led to numerous project (�ilures. �f you have no[ yet obtained <br />your own geoenvironmen[al information, ask your geotechnical <br />consultant for risk management guidance. Do not rely on an <br />environmental report prepared tor sonteone e�se. <br />Rely on Your 6eotechnlcal Eng�naer ror <br />Additional Assistanae <br />Membership in ASFE exposes geotechnical engineers to a�vide <br />array of risk management techniques that can be of genuine G°n� <br />eft for everyone involved with a conslruclion project. Confer wich <br />your ASFE-member geotechnical engineer fo� more information. <br />ASFE IN HE GEOSCIENCES <br />8811 Colesville Road Suite G106 Silver Spring, MD 20910 <br />Telephone:301-565-2733 Facsimile:301-589-2017 <br />email: info@as(e.org www.asfe.org <br />Coqright 1998 6y �SfE. Inc Unless ASFE Erants written permission �o do so, EuO�ica�ion al this Ooniment by a�y means whatscever Is eipessy proN�ited. <br />R� use of Ihe wortliA� in t�is �oameni, in wholc or in part, elso is eepressly pro�ibi;ed, auA may lre �one only with lhe e�Wress permission ol ASFE or lor purposes <br />. cf review or 5choiahy �eseart�. <br />IIGER069B3.5M O <br />