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I agree with msucog about geotechs without probe rods. However,my wife can't understand why I leave my probe rod in the truck when we drive on vacation - I feel naked without it!

Like most tools, it depends on how you use it. We typically use a probe rod for footing inspections to give an idea of general soil conditions in the footing. Then, we follow up with dynamic cone penetrometer testing in any questionable areas as well as at least one test in critical or firm...

This may seem like a silly question, but you would not believe how many times I've seen this problem. How long are you letting each proctor point set to equalize moisture content? With gravelly clay soils, I've seen it take several days to obtain a uniform moisture content. We actually just...

Wow! Who'd a thunk that my little ole Georgia Tech degree would top the pack with a 14.2% ROI.

Why do people give up engineering? Back in the recent boom years, it was hard watching developers put a contract on a piece of land, hire a civil for a small percentage to do the layout for the development and then sell the development for a huge sum. The engineers typically did most of the...

To reiterate brandoncdg's point, the fieldwork is very important. When I started 25+ years ago, a rookie engineer could expect to spend his first two years performing essentially field tech work. The next two years integrated the engineer into more relevant design work while still having a...

I have been hired once and received offers several times by using a recruiter. Unless the company hires only through a recruiter, then it is often best to go it on your own. On my last job hunt (two years ago), I had four offers. Two of the offers were on my own and two were through...

In my area of the Southeast US, if a lawyer is suing a company, there is no extra cost or effort to add the PE to the lawsuit. The PE is often added not to actually collect any money, but to provide the threat that they may actually go after your personal assets. This is often done in hopes of...

After twenty-five years of practice, I love engineering as much now as when I started. I would gladly recommend the field to anyone who truly has a love for problem solving. I am in a field where on rainy days I can sit in the office and prepare reports and on sunny days I can schedule trips...

You can exclude third party reliance in the limitations sections of your reports (as per our lawyer). That way, by accepting the report, the third party also acknowledges and accepts the limitations. This is very common in Phase I Environmental Site Assessments where the property owner has the...

This is definitely a question for the lawyers. If your contract specifically excludes third-party liability, or you have an adequate hold-harmless clause, you may be safe. However, I have found that residential homeowners tend to be emotional about these issues and rational cost analysis does...

idecharlotte - I once thought that way, until I was sued over a $2500 job. I had performed the work in accordance with the clients wishes and the client dictated all of the parameters of the work. My contract was solid and my lawyer told me the client had no case. I just did not tell him what...

To add to my previous post, a small diameter pier or pile, especially of wood, will not provide significant bending resistance at depths over 12 feet, likely resulting in unacceptable lateral deflections.

The code does not restrict the maximum embedment depth to 12 feet for the non-constrained case, only the lateral load calcs are limited to 12 feet. For an axial loaded pier, the depths can be greater. In addition, effective lateral resistance will decrease with depth, so 12 feet is likely an...

I was generally able to find e&o insurance through the same agent that provided my general liability and workman's comp insurance. I had policies through CNA and DPIC that were reasonable (for a geotech) that cost in the range of 3% of total revenues. For protection of earlier work, I was also...

We share your pain - just remember, as Stanley put it in his book "The Millionaire Next Door" - when you work for someone else, you essentially have one client. If he lets you go, you have no work. As a business owner, the more clients you have obviously means more job security. Most of the...

Another note on the IBC Special Inspections. The SER usually issues the Statement of Special Inspections (occasionally the Architect, but that is another issue). The Statement of Special Inspections details what inspections are to be performed and who the authorized agents are to perform those...

The discussion notes that increased CO2 results in increased plant growth. However, all plant growth is not equal. Research at the University of Georgia has shown that the growth rate of certain plants increases significantly with CO2 concentrations,(such as Kudzu, an extremely invasive weed)...

We perform Special Inspections (IBC 1704) as part of our materials testing business. On these inspections, we only inspect and verify compliance with project plans and specifications and deliver a deficiency report which is then reviewed by the EOR. We do not make recommendations or approve...

I've had insurance through CNA and DPIC, neither would give individual project coverage. Also, I know that times are lean and insurance is expensive, but the builders and developers are feeling the economy too. I am seeing a much greater readiness in this community to sue (especially on the...