GBA Case History Series – Case History #10 - It Can Be A Costly Dam, Shame If Clients Won't Take Your Advice

Summary

The local governmental agency asked the GBA Member Firm to assist during final design and construction of a recreational lake system but then restricted the Member Firm’s scope to only geotechnical engineering. A variety of problems plagued the project and the recommendations of the Member Firm were routinely rejected. Ultimately the governmental agency filed suit against the designers and constructors culminating in a 5½-year legal ordeal with the Member Firm settling for just short of $1MM.

Our Hosts:

Elizabeth Brown, PE - Principal Geotechnical Engineer/JLT Consultants

Elizabeth is the Principal Geotechnical Engineer at JLT Consultants in Boise, Idaho. Elizabeth has performed and/or assisted with numerous geotechnical investigations throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming managing projects, providing geotechnical design, project quality control, cost and value engineering, and evaluating geotechnical constructability issues.

Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME.

Abi is a Project Consultant at SME experienced in managing a variety of steel, concrete, coatings, and nondestructive testing projects. She specializes in managing projects related to DOT fabrication quality assurance reviews but also supports project managers throughout SME’s various service groups.

Lessons Learned:

Trust Your Gut Instincts
Be Wary When Geoprofessional Services are Assigned to or Assumed by Others
Protect Yourself; Don’t Rely on Others

Calls-to-action:

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This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME.
Elizabeth Brown, PE - Principal Geotechnical Engineer/JLT Consultants
Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Apex Companies, LLC