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IN' -,ORTANT 1NFORMATIOI ' <br />ABOUT YOUR <br />GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT <br />More construction problems are caused by site subsur- <br />face conditions than any other factor. As troublesome as <br />subsurface problems can be. their frequency and extent <br />have been lessened considerably in recent years. due in <br />large measure to programs and publications of ASFE/ <br />The Association of Engineering Firms Practicing in <br />the Geosciences. <br />The following suggestions and observations are offered <br />to help you reduce the geotechnical-related delays, <br />cost -overruns and other costly headaches that can <br />occur during a construction project. <br />A GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING <br />REPORT IS BASED ON A UNIQUE SET <br />OF PROJECT -SPECIFIC FACTORS <br />A geotechnical engineering report is based on a subsur- <br />face exploration plan designed to incorporate a unique <br />set of project -specific factors. These typically include: <br />the general nature of the structure involved. its size and <br />configuration: the location of 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 assumed <br />by virtue of limitations imposed upon the exploratory <br />program. To help avoid costly problems, consult the <br />geotechnical engineer to determine how any factors <br />which change subsequent to the date of the report may <br />affect its recommendations. <br />Unless your consulting geotechnical engineer indicates <br />otherwise. your geotechnical engineering report should not <br />be used: <br />. When the nature of the proposed structure is <br />changed. for example. if an office building will be <br />erected instead of a parking garage. or if a refriger- <br />ated warehouse will be built instead of an unre- <br />frigerated one: <br />• when the size or configuration of 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 />• for application to an adjacent site. <br />Geotechnical engineers cannot accept responsibility for problems <br />which may develop if they are not consulted after factors consid- <br />ered in their report's development have changed. <br />MOST GEOTECHNICAL "FINDINGS <br />ARE PROFESSIONAL ESTIMATES <br />site exploration identifies 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 laboratory testing are extrapolated by geo- <br />technical 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 actual <br />conditions may differ from those inferred to exist, <br />because no geotechnical engineer. no matter how <br />qualified. and no subsurface exploration program. no <br />matter how comprehensive. can reveal what is hidden by <br />earth. rock and time. The actual interface between mate- <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. Nothing can be done to prevent the <br />unanticipated. but steps can be taken to help minimize their <br />impact. For this reason. most experienced owners retain their <br />geotechnical consultants through the construction stage. to iden- <br />tify variances. conduct additional tests which may be <br />needed, and to recommend solutions to problems <br />encountered on site. <br />SUBSURFACE 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 exploration. construction decisions <br />should not be based on a geotechnical engineering report whose <br />adequacy may have been affected by time. Speak with the geo- <br />technical consultant to learn if additional tests are <br />advisable before construction starts. <br />Construction operations at or adjacent to the site and <br />natural events such as floods. earthquakes or ground- <br />water fluctuations may also affect subsurface conditions <br />and. thus, the continuing adequacy of a geotechnical <br />report. The geotechnical 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 specific needs of specific individuals. A report pre- <br />pared for a consulting civil engineer may not be.ade- <br />quate for a construction contractor. or even some other <br />consulting civil engineer. Unless indicated otherwise. <br />this report was prepared expressly for the client involved <br />and expressly for purposes indicated bythe <br />he tlient. Use <br />he client <br />by any other persons for any purpose. <br />for a different purpose. may result in problems. No indi- <br />vidual other than the client sh.ald apply this report for its <br />intended purpose without first conferring with the geotechnical <br />engineer. No person should apply this report for any purpose <br />other than that originally contemplated without first conferring <br />with the geotechnical engineer <br />