Geotechnical Baseline Report

1257 Words3 Pages

It seems that in the past few years, the Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) has perhaps turned into the key document for construction. The GBR not only assigns much of the risk involved with the work, it serves as the basis for bid prep and is used widely in resolving disputes during construction. The use of GBR’s for contractually defining anticipated ground conditions has become a widely accepted practice in the construction business. The importance and the significant nature of these reports have increased the inquiry they receive to unparalleled levels. The basic premise of a contractual GBR has been well developed and corresponded to the industry. Despite the acceptance of GBRs, there is always opportunity for improvement. Engineers and geologists struggle to develop specific numerical baselines from a many of geotechnical properties. This especially where the geologic environments are highly inconsistent. Contractors are frustrated because they feel they are not constantly provided with the baselines they need. Owners feel taken advantage of when baselines are used to validate their claims in a manner not intended or the baselines are not valued in the dispute resolution process. It seems that there are four areas or categories the GBR’s. These could result in for a better, more useful product. These are (1) Establishing baselines (2) Ground behavior/performance assessments (3) Construction considerations (4) Use of the GBR during construction for establishing the baselines there are two considerable challenges. These would be to determine the condition of the ground that are needed to be baselined and how to quantify them. The goal of a GBR is to convert what the geotechnical engineers found into an easy to read product for...

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...osal. Some contractors keep an engineering geologist or geotechnical engineer to help them in evaluating the GBR during their proposal preparation. Others only review the GBR well into the construction and then keep engineering geology or geotechnical engineering help when they want to track a DSC claim. Perhaps this has to do with the narrow period for preparing the bid. No matter what the reason, this latter approach is counterproductive and is not in keeping with the goal of the GBR. In a reasonably short time GBRs have become an established practice within the industry. Therefore, it is essential to make these reports as effective as possible. Logical baselines need to be included into the GBR. Stay away from unnecessary or redundant baselines. In addition, conservative baselines or efforts to place unnecessary risk on the contractor may not be successful.

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