GBA Case History Series – Case History #41 - Don't Worry. We Don't Plan to Build There

Summary

The Member Firm performed a geotech study for a housing development and observed grading of the site during the construction of ten buildings. Six years after construction, the developer built two additional units but, because the Member Firm could not provide a representative to monitor the earthwork construction, they recommended another geotech firm. The second geotech firm monitored the placement of at least four feet of fill but without reviewing the Member Firm’s report. Four years after the second phase was completed, settlement problems arose and the developer sued the two geotechs, the civil engineer, and the earthwork constructor. After claims were dropped against the civil engineer and constructor, the geotechs settled with the developer for nearly $1,000,000.

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:

Small Projects Can Create Big Risks
Geoprofessionals Who Act as Their Own Attorneys Have Fools as Their Clients
Operating without Professional Liability Insurance Is Foolhardy
Understand the Risks and Take Appropriate Preventive Measures:
If It Isn’t in Writing It Didn’t Happen
Use Caution When Serving Housing Developers
Assume Nothing
Provide Effective Guidance
Experience Pays
Don’t Trust What You Don’t Check

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

#41 - Case History - Don't Worry. We Don't Plan to Build There