#73 - Case History - The Professor Did Not Do His Homework

GBA Case History Series – Case History #73 - The Professor Did Not Do His Homework

Summary

The Member Firm conducts a forensic investigation of duct bank concrete that was “spaded” instead of vibrated to consolidate. A professor, hired by the other side, alleged that the Member Firm’s project manager was negligent in her forensic assessment. The professor’s lack of field experience and the fact that he developed his own Standard of Care damaged his credibility affecting the outcome of the case.

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:

• Experts Should Perform the Way Experts Are Supposed to Perform
• One Good Test Is Worth a Thousand Expert Opinions
• An Expert Should Visit the Construction Site
• Relevant References Are Essential
• Establish the Standard of Care the Right Way
• Experts Must Not Be Advocates
• Be Prepared for the Hired Guns’ Clichés

Calls-to-action:

• Download Case History #73
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• Contact us at info@geoprofessional.org with any podcast-related questions or comments

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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