The Devil's in the Details

Because soils can sometimes behave in unexpected ways, this statement is an axiom that most geotechnical engineers come to recognize during their careers, and it forms the premise for this article. Here, I present two case histories that were painful experiences for those involved. I've learned valuable lessons from these and other investigations, and use this article to point out potential problematic design or construction processes that should be carefully considered when designing similar structures. Geotechnical and structural engineers are responsible for understanding site conditions and possible problems that may arise during a specific project. Hopefully, the experiences I share will help you look at a project or problem in a different way, or consider potential problems you might not have considered before, so you can avoid the pain of a similar failure.