SPECIAL RISK :ISSUE Deep Foundations DFI Panel on Geotechnical Risk Allocation — Uncertainty in the Subsurface So, a lawyer, an owner During the 42 Annual Conference on Deep Foundations held in New Orleans in October, DFI took advantage of the large gathering to introduce something new to the attendees. A distinguished panel of experts, representing a diverse cross section of industry professionals, was convened to hold a rational discussion on r i sk. The di scus s ion highl ighted uncertainty in subsurface conditions and the impacts realized by the various stakeholders associated with deep foundations projects. The panel comprised the following industry experts: nd and a few engineers walk into a conference… Sounds like the start of a “good” joke, right? However, this “start” is the assembly of informed participants who felt that the start of any good, collaborative effort must deal with the perspectives of disparate entities who should establish principles upon which we could agree. Brown set the stage for • Doug Gr ansbe rg , Ph.D. , P.E. (Researcher), Iowa State University • Jon Bischoff, P.E. (Owner), Utah DOT • Rick Kalson, Esq. (Attorney), Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP • Steve Saye, P.E. (General Contractor), Kiewit Engineering Group • George Burke, P.E. (Special ty Subcontractor), Hayward Baker • Vic Donald, P.E. (Geotechnical Engineer), Terracon Consultants Panel discussions, themselves, are nothing new, but, as Dan Brown, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, cur rent DFI president and panel moderator, said, “This panel discussion is a kick- off to an industry-wide collaborative effort for years to come.” Undoubtedly, a kick-off is a sure sign of something new; something teeming with energy and motivation. This article will preview what this effort promises for each of us engaged in the deep foundations industry by reviewing the topics addressed during the panel discussion. AUTHOR FEATURE ARTICLE the panel discussion with a pertinent point. Recalling his time as a professor at Auburn University, he suggested that the technical training that prospective geotechnical engineers receive does not equip them for real-world problems. Although engineers are trained rigorously to solve technical problems by applying appropriate equations, defining the problem is the biggest problem facing our profession. This is where uncertainty makes the Defining the problem is the biggest problem that our profession faces. Dan Brown simple complex. Engineering is intertwined with business issues as well as technical issues. In addition, project schedule and constructability are also critical, but rarely addressed in the classroom. When we fail to define the subsurface conditions pro- perly, adverse impacts to the construction schedule and cost are likely. Such problems affect credibility and, consequently, faith in our public institutions, all of which may jeopardize the funding of much needed improvements to the various aspects of our infrastructure system. Panel Members: (front row, l-r) Bischoff, Burke, Gransberg, (back row, l-r) Donald, Saye, Kalson, and Brown The Researcher’s Perspective Doug Gransberg, Ph.D., P.E., Donald F. and Sharon A. Greenwood Professor in the department of civil, construction and environmental engineering at Iowa State University, provided the researcher’s perspective by reviewing recent research projects conducted for the Transportation Research Board (TRB). TRB is a nonprofit organization that provides independent, objective and interdisciplinary research- based solutions to improve transportation. Gransberg’s perspective focused on the design-build (DB) project delivery approach, and the need to learn to accelerate delivery in a more collaborative environment. In our industry, an owner’s effort to reduce risk with a project should begin with an ade- quate characterization of the subsurface. Of similar importance, the various participants in the project need to bring the “A” team. A DB project requires that both the owner and the bidders engage their best professionals, who should devote their attention, actively collaborate and be highly responsive throughout the selection process. Victor R. Donald, P.E., Terracon Consultants DEEP FOUNDATIONS • JAN/FEB 2018 • 83
