Geotechnical Seminars

[BearcatEngineer]

Good morning everyone, I am looking for a seminar or class in the geotechnical field. Primarily dealing with interpretting soils reports and different methods for correcting poor soils. I feel as though I am simply as the mercy of our geotech engineer and would like some more background to discuss different options. I am not sure he always has out best interest (cost) in mind. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[VAD]

University of Wisconsin at Madison I believe run a number of short courses on a variety of geotech and other topics. You may wish to check the website and register your name. They ususlly send you correspondence on these courses.

Your concern is age old and as well, the same is often said of the structural end. I advocate that both parties have some understanding of each other's work, but some things on both side are specialized and requires experience. In discussing on both topics there is a need to understand that aspect as well. I know that in the North American practice everyone stays to his or her own area as a result of liability etc.

Rember as well geotechnical engineering is not always clear cut and solutions,recommendations and decisions are derived at all times from calculations. This also applies to other dsciplines as well. Cost is always some thing that geotechs face criticism. As one of my colleagues put it "Pay now or pay later" is often the result.

Regards

 

[BigH]

Cost is not always the best "interest". It might be cheap but doesn't work. Do you buy the cheapest phone set? the cheapest TV; the cheapest cut of beef?

 

[emmgjld]

To play devils advocate, not that I disagree with BigH & VAD
Cost encourages thought. Cost encourages innovation.
Knowledge of long-term cost oftentimes encourages a very different mindset than short term considerations.

I encourage you to learn enough to ask the 'right' questions. It is my experience that being able to ask the 'right' question means that you already have most of the answer.

I am sorry to say that few Structurals have really asked me the 'right' questions.

 

[BearcatEngineer]

BigH, I understand that cost is not always the main driving force, however I am just trying to get to the point, like emmgjld said, so that I can ask the right questions. It is not my intention to become a geotechnical engineer, just become better educated.

It seems as though our geotech recommends the same solution regardless of the soil type. Just trying to get some more insight on what I should be looking or asking for. Appreciate the responses and looking into seminars at Univ. Of Wis.-Mad. Any other reputable seminars to mention would be great.

 

[jdonville]

BearcatEngineer,

You can always ask your geotech why they give the same recommendations all the time. Is it the loads, settlement limits or the soils that seem to lead to the similar conclusions?

If you don't like the answers you get, you can always take your money elsewhere if you feel that you are being given poor service.

Jeff


Jeffrey T. Donville, PE
TTL Associates, Inc.

http://www.ttlassoc.com

 

[BigH]

BearcatEngineer:
I was just questioning your comment that you think the geotechnical engineering doesn't have your "best interest (cost)" at heart. What I was implying is that a good geotechnical engineer will always have the "project's best interest" at heart when he carries out his investigation, provides his recommendations, and follows up with you. If he doesn't, as jdonville says, you've got the wrong geotechnical engineer.
I always like when my clients have an understanding of geotechnical engineering - I am not say "being" a geotechnical engineer, but having a grounded base on what the art is about. I have had clients who know a few buzz words and when in meetings with their uppers, when I am trying to explain a complex situation, they interject and throw about an explanation that is spurious at best. They don't have a clue (don't know squat) about preconsolidation pressures, porewater coefficients, nuances of undrained shear strength - they make a mess of things thinking that geotechnical engineering is simplistic and, sadly, convince their uppers they are right.
I think that it is great you want to develop that grass roots basis. I would suggest that you get a copy of Tschebotarioff and glance through it; or Peck Hanson and Thornburn. I also suggest that you might be find an "on-line" lecture series on geotechnical engineering by Prof John Atkinson at the University of West of England (

http://fbe.uwe.ac.uk/public/geocal/geoweb.htm

) of interest. This is a very good basic series and takes you through all the basics from soil mechanics to foundations to retaining walls etc.
Good luck with your pursuit. I have done this exercise myself for highways design, etc. when I find things don't seem as they should (e.g. specifying heavy riprap slopes in areas where normal turfing would be more than adequate.)

 

[DRC1]

Uniersity of Florida offers a series on 1 week seminars on varoius aspects of geotehcnical. I have taken the deep foundation and the dewatering. They also offer a shallow foundation, which may intrest you. I have not taken that course. ASCE also offers many short courses. For a basic over view of foundation design I like Joesph E. Bowles book "Foundation Design".

 

[BigH]

By the way - Atkinson's "on-line" series is free.