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

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:

• Download Case History #99
• Visit the following link to access all of GBA’s Case Histories: https://www.geoprofessional.org/gba-case-histories/
• An account is required to download the individual Case Histories, which are free for GBA Member Firms.
• Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.
• Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes
• 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:

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