GBA Case History Series – Case History #99 - How Did That Get There?

Summary

Member Firm provides geotechnical engineering services and CoMET for a new project on the site of an existing shopping center. CoMET services were provided “as needed” for demolition of the shopping center. A few years after the completion of construction, one of the three new retaining walls deflected significantly. Investigation of the backfill led to some surprises. On cue, the owner sued to reclaim the repair costs.

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.

Tim Rodriguez – COO/BSK Associates

Tim is the Chief Operating Officer of Geoprofessional Services at BSK Associates, an employee-owned engineering firm. With over 30 years in materials testing and inspection, he oversees six Northern California offices and chairs BSK's Board of Directors. Tim is Past-President of the California Council of Testing and Inspection Agencies.

Lessons Learned:

Value of a go/no-go analysis
Learn about your client
Make sure your project managers are qualified
Understand and explain the standard of care for your professional services
Respond to red flags whenever they pop up
Be aggressive about solving problems
Do not relax your client and project acceptance criteria
Quality always wins
Part-time construction materials testing and inspection services leads to part-time quality
Beware of complacency
If it isn't in writing it didn't happen
Demonstrate your financial fortitude

Calls-to-action:

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This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Tim Rodriguez – COO/BSK Associates
Elizabeth Brown, PE - Principal Geotechnical Engineer/JLT Consultants
Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Apex Companies, LLC

#99 - Case History - How Did That Get There?