By Johnny F Flores P.E. (TX).  Developers and Owners  from across all  sectors engage geotechnical engineers on a regular basis.  For a successful project, there are 5 things that developers and owners  need to provide the geotechnical consultant to deliver a responsive proposal and report.  Without these 5 items, the geotechnical consultant is forced to make assumptions which may cost money and time.

1)A Site Layout Plan.  This sounds simple enough, but for some fast track projects, a site plan could be an ever changing thing.  The site plan should clearly show  property lines and the limits of the proposed improvement to scale.  And, at such a scale that can be easily read and used by the reader.

2) A Grading Plan.  The grading plan shows vertical relationship of the  existing ground surface to the proposed finished lines and grades.  This plan should include all planned improvements, including finish floor elevations for the structures, and also cross sections for planned civil structures such as ponds, berms, embankments.

 3) Structural Loads.  In the early stages of project development, the structural loads may not be clearly known.  Often times the structural engineer for the project may not have been retained.   At the very least, for a preliminary study, order of magnitude structural loads should be provided.  Subsequently, before final design, structural loads should  be provided to the geotechnical engineer prior to the finalization of the geotechnical report.

4) Schedule. A realistic schedule for the design and construction phase of the project is necessary.  Geotechnical consulting most often includes field investigation by drilling, which, similar to construction, may be limited by site constraints and the weather.  Working around the site constraints may take days or weeks.  Most long delays are due to a refusal of some property owners to grant right of entry, right to clear trees, or right to operate during normal business hours.

5) Budget.  People have been taught in an negotiation, not to be the first to reveal the price they are willing to pay.   Negotiation theory aside,  establishing a realistic  budget will assist the geotechnical consultant in scoping the services to fit.  Here is one big caution.  A geotechnical budget established  for a high rise   project  in Atlanta, may not work in Austin because of differing site conditions.

Johnny F Flores, P.E (TX) is a practicing geotechnical engineer in Austin, Texas.