Project Delivery Issues and Challenges â Geotechnical ... - ictpa-scc

Project Delivery Issues and Challenges 

– Geotechnical Design 

Prepared for: 

International Chinese Transportation 

Professionals Association Southern California Chapter 

國際華人交通運輸協會南加州分會 

Prepared by: 

Ted Liu, Ph.D., P.E., G.E. 

Senior Transportation Engineer 

Office of Geotechnical Design South 1, Branch C 

Geotechnical Services 

Division of Engineering Services (Division 59) 

100 South Main Street, 11th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90012



Outlines: 

1.Project delivery issues 

2.Caltrans Geotechnical Services mission and outcomes 

3.Caltrans Geotechnical Services organization 

4.Caltrans Project Management in Geotechnical Engineering 

related work 

5.Caltrans geotechnical design deliverables 

6.Caltrans Geotechnical Services design manuals 

7.Contract specifications and construction considerations 

8.Project delivery challenges



1. Project delivery issues

Project Delivery Isues 

1. Drilling – Reduce risk and prevent different site conditions during 

construction (numbers of borings and boring locations) 

2. Samples – Obtain undisturbed samples for laboratory testing 

3. LOTBs – Follow latest guidelines and prevent different site conditions 

during construction 

4. Deliverables ‐ Caltrans geotechnical design deliverables 

5. Contact ‐ Caltrans Geotechnical Services organization 

6. Process ‐ Caltrans Project Management in Geotechnical Engineering 

related work 

7. Duration –Quality review time 

8. Manuals ‐ Caltrans Geotechnical Services references related to most 

recent design manuals 

9. Plans – match with foundation recommendations 

10. Construction ‐ implement Construction considerations in contract 

specifications



2. Caltrans Geotechnical Services 

mission and outcomes

http://www.dot.ca.gov/ 

Division of Engineering 

Services

Division of Engineering Services 

(Division 59) 

Geotechnical Services


(Last updated on April 2010)

Mission and Outcomes 

n Geotechnical Services provides planning, design, 

construction and maintenance recommendations to 

achieve project engineering objectives. Our 

recommendations help clients 

Effectively manage the scope, schedule, cost, and 

risks of project delivery and construction. 

And meet the overall performance objectives of the 

project.

Objectives to achieve outcomes 

Implement a Geotechnical Quality Management 

Program. 

Maintain a high level of Geotechnical Expertise. 

Enhance Client Interaction & Service. 

Enhance Industry Partnerships.




organization

Geotechnical Design 

Office of Geotechnical 

Design South 1

Office of Geotechnical Design South 1 

Single Focus 

Point 

Requests 

(will be updated 

soon) 

Branch C


(Last updated on April 2010) 


Quick Links

Quick Links 

Organization Chart 

Technical Teams 

Client Requests 

Memos to GS Staff 

Geotechnical Manual 

Soil and Rock Logging Manual 

Foundation Reports 

Geotechnical Design Reports 

GS Discussion Board 

2006 FHWA Review 

Specifications 

Photo Galleries 

Geotechnical Education 

Industry Related

GS REQUESTS 

Soil and Rock 

Logging Manual 

Geotechnical 

Guidelines

New 2010 Version will be 

available to download 

soon.

GDR & FR Guidelines



4. Caltrans Project Management in 

Geotechnical Engineering 

related work 

‣ Project Management Handbook, 5th ed., October 2007 

‣ Workplan Standards Guide for the Delivery of 

Capital Projects, Release 10.1, July 2009

Project Management Handbook 

5th ed., October 2007





Workplan Standards Guide for the 

Delivery of Capital Projects 

Release 10.1, July 2009 

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/projmgmt/documents/wsg/wsg_ 

r101_july_31_2009.pdf 

This guide includes the Work Breakdown Structure 

(WBS), Standard Cost Centers, Standard 

Milestones and their use to plan and control work 

content of capital projects. Also provides guidelines 

for preparing, understanding, and presenting a 

WBS for a given capital project.

Primary GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES WORK 

PRODUCTS IN THE WORKPLAN STANDARDS 

GUIDE 

Project Phase WBS for Structures Design Products WBS for District Design Products 

Planning – “K” 

150.15.30 - Structures Advance 

Planning Study (APS) 

Prepare Structures Preliminary Geotechnical Report (SPGR) 

150.15.20 - District Preliminary Geotechnical 

Report (DPGR) 

Prepare District Preliminary Geotechnical Report (DPGR) 

Project Initiation – “0” 

Design – “1” 

160.10.85 - Structures Advance 

Planning Study (APS) 

Prepare or update Structures Preliminary Geotechnical 

Report (SPGR) 

240.65 - Preliminary Foundation 

Reports 

Prepare Preliminary Foundation Report (PFR) 

240.80 - Foundation Reports 

Prepare Foundation Report (FR) 

160.10.80 - Updated Geotechnical Information 

Prepare or update District Preliminary Geotechnical Report (DPGR) 

185.20.15 - Preliminary Geotechnical Design 

Report (PGDR) 

Prepare Preliminary Geotechnical Design Report (PGDR) 

230.05.70.15 - Geotechnical Design 

Report (GDR) 

Prepare Geotechnical Design Report (GDR)

WBS Code 

Appendix D (Modified) 

WBS Description 

0.100 PROJECT MANAGEMENT 

1.150 DEVELOP PROJECT INITIATION DOCUMENT [PID] 

1.150.15 ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS 

1.150.15.05 RIGHT OF WAY DATA SHEETS 

1.150.15.20 DISTRICT PRELIMINARY GEOTECHNICAL REPORT [DPGR] 

1.150.15.30 STRUCTURES ADVANCE PLANNING STUDY [APS] 

2.160 PERFORM PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING STUDIES AND DRAFT PROJECT REPORT 

2.160.05 UPDATED PROJECT INFORMATION 

2.160.05.05 APPROVED PID REVIEW 

2.160.05.10 GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION REVIEW 

2.160.10 ENGINEERING STUDIES 

2.160.10.80 UPDATED GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION 

2.160.10.85 STRUCTURES ADVANCE PLANNING STUDY [APS] AND PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING 

2.160.15.20 DRAFT PROJECT REPORT 

2.160.45 BASE MAPS AND PLAN SHEETS FOR PA&ED DEVELOPMENT 

2.170 PERMITS AGREEMENTS AND ROUTE ADOPTIONS DURING PA&ED COMPONENT 

2.175 CIRCULATE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT AND SELECT PREFERRED PROJECT ALTERNATIVE 

2.180 PREPARE AND APPROVE PROJECT REPORT AND FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT 

3.185 PREPARE BASE MAPS AND PLAN SHEETS DURING PS&E DEVELOPMENT 

3.185.05 UPDATED PROJECT INFORMATION 

3.185.10 ENGINEERING AND PHOTOGRAMMETRIC SURVEYS 

3.185.15 PRELIMINARY DESIGN 

3.185.20 ENGINEERING REPORTS 

3.185.20.15 PRELIMINARY GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN REPORT [PGDR] 

3.230 PREPARE DRAFT PS&E 

3.230.05 DRAFT ROADWAY PLANS 

3.230.05.70 ENGINEERING REPORTS 

3.230.05.70.15 GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN REPORT [GDR] 

3.235 MITIGATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND CLEAN‐UP HAZARDOUS WASTE 

3.240 DRAFT STRUCTURES PS&E 

3.240.50 OVERALL DRAFT STRUCTURES PS&E 

3.240.55 FOUNDATION PLAN 

3.240.65 PRELIMINARY FOUNDATION REPORT 

3.240.70 PRODUCTS REQUIRED TO READY SITE FOR SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION 

3.240.75 DRAFT GENERAL PLANS 

3.240.80 FOUNDATION REPORT 

3.240.85 DRAFT STRUCTURE PLANS 

3.240.90 DRAFT STRUCTURES SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND COST ESTIMATE 

3.250 FINAL STRUCTURES PS&E PACKAGE 

3.255 CIRCULATE REVIEW AND PREPARE FINAL DISTRICT PS&E PACKAGE 

3.260 CONTRACT BID DOCUMENTS “READY TO LIST” 

3.265 AWARDED AND APPROVED CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT 

5.270 CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND GENERAL CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION 

5.270.20 CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING WORK 

5.270.20.30 CONTRACTORS' TRENCHING AND SHORING SUBMITTALS REVIEW 

5.270.20.50 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 

5.270.25.15 PRE‐CONSTRUCTION MEETING 

5.270.25.99 OTHER CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION WORK PRODUCTS 

5.285 CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER ADMINISTRATION 

5.290 RESOLVE CONTRACT CLAIMS 

5.295 ACCEPT CONTRACT/ PREPARE FINAL CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE AND FINAL REPORT



5. Caltrans geotechnical design 

deliverables

Report Titles

Caltrans Geotechnical Design 

Deliverables 

‣ Important Internet Sites 

‣ GS Requests (will be revised soon) 

‣ SPFP Manual (Information and Procedures Guide) 

‣ Highway Design Manual

Important Internet Sites 

Caltrans 

Division of Engineering Services (DES) 

Geotechnical Services (GS) 


Office of Geotechnical Design - South 1 (OGDS1) 

GS Requests (will be revised soon) 

Structure Design Services (Earthquake Engineering) 

Office of Special Funded Projects

Highway Design Manual 


Topic 113 ‐ Geotechnical Design Report 

Topic 114 ‐ Materials Report (District Material Branch) 

Topic 203 ‐ Horizontal Alignment 

Topic 208 ‐ Bridges, Grade Separation Structures, and 

Structure Approach Embankment 

Topic 210 ‐ Reinforced Earth Slopes and Earth 

Retaining Systems 

Topic 802 ‐ Drainage Design Responsibilities 

Topic 805 ‐ Preliminary Plans

Highway Design Manual (Last Updated 7/24/2009) 

CHAPTER 100 BASIC DESIGN POLICIES 

Topic 113 - Geotechnical Design Report 

113.1 Policy 

•The Project Engineer must review the project initiation 

document and District Preliminary Geotechnical Report 

(DPGR), if any, to ascertain the scope of geotechnical 

involvement for a project. 

•A Geotechnical Design Report (GDR) is to be prepared by 

the Geotechnical Services of the Division of Engineering 

Services (DES-GS) (or prepared by a consultant with 

technical oversight by DES-GS) for all projects that involve 

designs for cut slopes, embankments, earthwork, landslide 

remediation, retaining walls, groundwater studies, erosion 

control features, subexcavation and any other studies 

involving geotechnical investigations and engineering 

geology.



Topic 113 - Geotechnical Design Report 

113.2 Content 

The GDR is to conform to the “Guidelines for Geotechnical 

Reports” which is prepared by the Geotechnical Services. 

113.3 Submittal and Review 

•Final copies of the GDR are to be submitted to the District 

project design office... 

•For consultant developed reports, the GDR is to be 

submitted to DES-GS for review and approval. DES-GS will 

then transmit the approved GDR to the District project 

design office…



Topic 114 - Materials Report 

114.1 Policy 

A Materials Report must be prepared for all projects that involve any of 

the following components: 

nPavement structure recommendations and/or pavement studies 

nCulverts (or other drainage materials) 

nCorrosion studies 

nMaterials disposal sites 

nSide prone areas with erosive soils 

The District Materials Engineer will either prepare the Materials Report 

or review and accept Materials Report(s) prepared by others.



Topic 114 - Materials Report 

114.2 Requesting Materials Report(s) 

The Project Engineer (or equivalent) is responsible for requesting a Materials 

Report. The District Materials Engineer can assist the Project Engineer in 

identifying what components need to be addressed, when to request them, and 

what information is needed. At a minimum, the following information needs to 

be included in all requests: 

(1) Project location. 

(2) Scope of work. Project Engineer should spell out the type of work to be 

done that will affect materials. If pavements are involved, state type of 

pavement work. Provide type of project, such as new construction, widening, or 

rehabilitation. Note if culverts will be installed, extended, or replaced. Note if 

material or disposal sites are needed, see Topic 111 for criteria. 

(3) Proposed design life for pavements and culverts. 

(4) Design Designation. Include for projects involving pavement structural 

enhancements. Does not apply to pavement preservation activities. 

(5) Special Considerations or Limitations. Include any information that may 

effect the materials recommendations. Examples include traffic management 

requirements or environmental restrictions.


CHAPTER 200 

GEOMETRIC DESIGN AND STRUCTURE 

STANDARDS

Highway Design Manual

Highway Design Manual


CHAPTER 800 - GENERAL ASPECTS 

Topic 802 - Drainage Design Responsibilities 

802.1 Functional Organization 

(2) Division of Engineering Services (DES). The DES is responsible for: 

(a) The hydraulic design of bridges, bridge deck drains, and special 

culverts. 

(b) The structural adequacy of all drainage facilities. 

(c) The adequacy of pumping plant characteristics and temporary 

storage. Refer to Topic 839 for further discussion on pumping stations. 

(d) Compliance with Federal-Aid Policy Guide, Transmittal 1, G 6012.1 

and submittal of preliminary hydraulic data as outlined under Topic 805. 

(e) Geotechnical (soil mechanics and foundation engineering) 

considerations.


Topic 805 - Preliminary Plans 

805.6 Geotechnical 

The District shall submit preliminary plans and technical data for major 

or unusual geotechnical features to the California FHWA Division Office 

for approval. Major geotechnical features include unusually deep cuts 

or high fills where the site geology is potentially unstable, landslide 

corrections, and large retaining walls (cantilever, permanent ground 

anchor, and soil reinforcement). FHWA Headquarters Bridge Division 

approval is required for unusual geotechnical features, such as new or 

complex retaining wall systems or ground improvement systems. 

805.7 Data Provided by the District 

(e) Foundation report: 

Embankment design for fills functioning as dams. 

(f) Subsurface investigations.

Structure Foundations 

SPFP Manual 

Information and Procedures Guide

Division of Engineering Services 

(Division 59) 

Structure Design Services

Structure Design Services 

Office of Special Funded 

Projects

Office of Special Funded Projects 

Office of Special Funded 

Projects

Office of Special Funded Projects 

OSFP Manual

OSFP Information and Procedures Guide

STRUCTURE PRELIMINARY 

GEOTECHNICAL REPORT (SPGR) AND 

PRELIMARY FOUNDATION REPORT (PFR) 

2.1. Scope of Work 

2.2. Project Description 

2.3. Exceptions to Policy 

2.4. Field Investigation and Testing Program 

2.5. Laboratory Testing Program 

2.6. Site Geology and Subsurface Conditions 

2.7. Scour Evaluation Report pertinent scour 

information including the potential and 

magnitude of scour.

STRUCTURE PRELIMINARY 

GEOTECHNICAL REPORT (SPGR) AND 

PRELIMARY FOUNDATION REPORT (PFR) 

2.8. Corrosion Evaluation 

2.9. Preliminary Seismic Recommendations and 

seismic slope instability, as applicable 

2.10. As-Built Foundation Data 

2.11. Preliminary Foundation Recommendations 

2.13. Additional Field Work and Laboratory Testing 

2.14. Report Copy List

OSFP Information and Procedures Guide 

Project Approval/Environmental Document (PA/ED) phase 

2-3 Foundation Report 

n A Preliminary Foundation Report (PFR) is used 

during the early stages of a structure project, 

and shall be included as part of an Advance 

Planning Study (APS) and Type Selection 

submittal. The PFR is used to document existing 

foundation conditions, make preliminary 

foundation recommendations, and identify the 

need for additional investigations and studies.



3-2 Advance Planning Studies 

n 

Advance Planning Studies (APS) are required in 

Project Study Reports (PSR) and Project Reports 

(PR) to document the scope and cost of structure 

work in projects. An APS consists of one plan sheet 

for each structure showing the basic structure 

layout details and cost estimate. Unless otherwise 

determined by the OSFP Liaison Engineer, APSs 

must be prepared for all structure work including 

bridges, culverts, tunnels, retaining walls, pumping 

plants, structure modifications, and any nonstandard 

or special design structures.




n The APS shall be prepared in accordance with 

guidelines set forth in Memo to Designers. 

Consultants shall be responsible for developing 

feasible structure alternatives, costs, and controls 

appropriate for the specific location.




n Seismic evaluation of existing structures is required 

to ensure conformance with current standards or to 

determine the extent of retrofit required. Evaluation 

and analysis shall be done as specified in the 

Memo To Designers. Early consultation and 

coordination between OSFP, the District, 

consultants, and the sponsoring agency is 

necessary to achieve early convergence on the 

scope of design effort required and eliminate 

wasted effort on unnecessary analysis.




n Discussion of Deliverables 

The following deliverables are required for review at the Advance Planning 

Study stage: 

1) the APS, 

2) Preliminary Foundation Report (including seismic design criteria and 

preliminary ARS curves, 

3) Preliminary Hydraulic reports, 

4) APS Checklist, 

5) Design Memo, and 

6) Itemized Cost Estimate. 

Pre-Approved by 

GS before Type 

Selection Meeting 

The last five deliverables are required to identify site parameters that could 

have a significant impact on the scope or cost of the structure proposed 

by the APS. Addition information on the deliverables is discussed below.


Preliminary Design Phase (Type Selection) 


n Prior to conducting boring explorations in the 

field, consultants are encouraged to submit a 

boring plan for comment. This submittal is not 

mandatory but is recommended as an attempt to 

ensure the planned number, location, depths of 

borings, types of borings, soil tests, testing 

frequency, etc. appear sufficient. The review 

time for the boring plan will normally be less 

than two weeks.



4-2 Structure Type Selection 

The Structure Type Selection process is a fundamental 

step in the design of structures on State Right-of-Way. 

This step must be completed before extensive structure 

design work is performed. The Type Selection process 

involves the following primary elements: 

1) Preparation and Submittal of Type Selection Documents, 

2) Type Selection Meeting and Approval, and 

3) Updated General Plan Submittal and Distribution.




n 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparation and Submittal of Type Selection Documents 

The initial stage of the Type Selection Process involves 

discerning all parameters that govern the design of a 

bridge. These parameters are contained in the following 

which must be submitted before a Type Selection 

Meeting is scheduled: 

Bridge Site Data Submittal Package (BSDS) 

Hydrology/Hydraulics Report 

Preliminary Foundation Report (with optional Boring 

Plan) 

Draft Foundation Plan 

Type Selection Report. 

Pre-Approved 

by GS




n 

The Draft Foundation Plan only need be a working draft 

of the most current foundation plan the consultant has 

available. As a minimum, the draft plan should show the 

site’s topography, existing utilities, centerlines of the 

proposed supports, and other features that may create 

potential issues or may need to be discussed at the Type 

Selection Meeting.




n 

The Type Selection report should follow the format 

described in the Memo to Designers. The report must 

include a discussion of the structure types considered 

and reasons for selection of the proposed structure and 

the following: 

Type Selection Memo 

Vicinity Map 

Pre-Approved 

General Plan 

by GS 

General Plan Estimate 

Project Seismic Design Criteria 

Preliminary Foundation Recommendations 

A statement that indicates which Agency will advertise, award, and 

administer the construction contract.




n 

In the case of modifying or widening existing structures, 

the Type Selection Report shall also include a summary 

of the seismic evaluation of the existing bridge, the 

potential retrofit strategies with supporting 

documentation, and associated costs.




Deliverables 

Type Selection Submittals 

14 copies of the Type Selection Report 

1 copy of the approved Bridge Site Data Submittal package 

1 electronic copy of the General Plan .DGN file 

Pre-Approved 

2 copies of the Draft Foundation Plan 

by GS 

2 copies of the Final Hydraulics Report 

4 copies of the Preliminary Foundation Report


PS&E Phase 


n A Foundation Investigation is required for all 

structures (bridges, tunnels, retaining walls, 

sound walls, tie-back walls, overhead signs, 

maintenance stations, culverts, pumping 

plants/stations, toll plazas, etc.) when new, 

widening, retrofit, or modifications to existing 

structures are proposed.


PS&E Phase 


n A separate Foundation Report for each structure 

shall be developed in accordance with Caltrans 

requirements, including the Guidelines for 

Foundation Investigations and Reports.


PS&E Phase 


n A Foundation Report is required to summarize 

the findings of the investigation and to provide 

foundation recommendations for the structure 

design and construction.


PS&E Phase 


n LOTB sheets shall be drafted and submitted as 

part of the Foundation Report and Contract 

Plans. As-Built LOTB sheets shall also be 

included as part of the Foundation Report and 

Contract Plans.


PS&E Phase 


n The Foundation Report shall contain foundation 

recommendations that are complete, concise 

and definite. The recommended foundation 

systems shall be cost-effective, performanceproven, 

and constructable. However, alternative 

foundation types shall be briefly discussed and 

the reasons for those being excluded clearly 

stated. When construction problems for the 

recommended foundation types are anticipated, 

solutions to these problems shall be discussed.


PS&E Phase 


n It is imperative that the structure Project 

Engineer, geotechnical professional, 

engineering seismologist, corrosion engineer, 

hydrology and hydraulics engineer, and 

specification engineer maintain close 

communication during the development of the 

Foundation Report, Contract Plans, and Special 

Provisions. Foundation recommendations as 

shown on the Foundation Report, Contract 

Plans, and Special Provisions must be 

adequate, consistent, complete, and made with 

the Design Engineer’s concurrence.


Construction Phase 


n Any construction contract change orders that 

revise, modify, or affect original foundation 

recommendations shall be submitted to Caltrans 

for review and approval prior to any action taken 

by the contractor. Upon completion of 

construction, As-Built structure foundation 

documentation, including pile driving logs and 

construction notes, shall be submitted to 

Caltrans for record keeping.




design manuals

Caltrans Geotechnical Services References 

Most Recent Design Manuals 

Geotechnical Manual (Coming soon) 

Soil and Rock Logging Manual (2010) 

Foundation Reports (December 2009) 

Geotechnical Design Reports (December 2006) 

GS Discussion Board (Coming soon) 

Bridge Design Aids 

Bridge Design Details 

Bridge Design Practice (Under Construction) 

Bridge Design Specifications(LFD Version ‐ April 2000) 

Bridge Memo To Designers 

Seismic Design Criteria 

Structural Detailing Standard 

California Amendments (to the AASHTO LRFD Bridge 

Design Specifications ‐ V.4)



SEISMIC DESIGN CRITERIA 

Seismic Design Criteria (Appendix B) 

Preliminary spectral acceleration and displacement 

curves 

DETERMINISTIC PGA MAP AND CALTRANS ARS ONLINE 

Deterministic PGA Map and Caltrans ARS Online Report 

Deterministic PGA Map 

2007 Fault Database 

Fault Errata Report 

Fault Errata File



SEISMIC DESIGN CRITERIA 

GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES DOCUMENTS AND TOOLS 

Geotechnical Services Design Manual 

Fault & Site Data Input Sheet 

Deterministic Response Spectrum Spreadsheet 

Probabilistic Response Spectrum Spreadsheet 

GS ‐ Implementation of QC/QA for the 2009 Seismic 

Design Procedure 

QC/QA Checklist 

DES ‐ Implementation of the 2009 Seismic Design 

Procedure

LRFD 

 

Other Geotechnical Design References 

The AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 4th 

Edition. 

Construction 

Construction Manual 

Trenching and Shoring Manual 

Foundation Manual


USGS PROBABILISTIC SEISMIC HAZARD ANALYSIS AND 

TOOLS 

2008 USGS National Seismic Hazard Map 

2008 USGS Interactive Deaggregation Tool 

SHEAR WAVE VELOCITY CORRELATIONS 

Guidelines for Estimating Vs Based on In‐Situ Test – UC 

Davis, 2007 

Correlations between seismic wave velocities and 

physical properties of near‐surface geologic materials 

in the southern San Francisco Bay region, California – 

Fumal, 1978. 

Mapping Shear‐Wave Velocities of Near‐Surface 

Geologic Materials – Fumal & Tinsley, 1985.


NEXT GENERATION ATTENUATION (NGA) PROJECT 

EERI ‐ Earthquake Spectra 24:1, The Next Generation 

Attenuation Special Issue 

PEER ‐ Next Generation Attenuation of Ground Motions 

(NGA) Project 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BASIN MODELS 

SCEC – 3D Velocity Model for Southern California 

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BASIN MODELS 

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program ‐ Improved Three‐ 

Dimensional Velocity Models and Earthquake Locations 

for California 

GOOGLEMAPS ACCURACY 

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program ‐ Using Quaternary 

Fault KMZ Files



7. Contract specifications and 

construction considerations

Contract Specifications 

1999 Standard Specifications (Metric) 

1999/2004 Standard Special Provisions ‐ SSPs (Metric) 

1999/2004 Structure Reference Specs (Metric) 

2006 Standard Specifications (English) 

2006 Standard Special Provisions ‐ SSPs (English) 

2006 Structure Reference Specs (English) 

Building Specifications 

Dual Unit SSPs 

Dual Unit Structure Reference Specs 

Bridge Reference Specifications 

2004 Reference Specs 

2006 Reference Specs 

Updated Metric Specs 

Overhead Sign and Pole Structure Specs

Contract Specifications 

Geotechnical Special Specifications 

Cellular Soil Reinforcement 

Class 3 Permeable Material 

Geocomposite Drainage Blanket 

Geomembrane (Gasoline Resistant, use with LWF EPS) 

Geosynthetic Reinforced Embankment 

Imported Borrow ‐ Lightweight Aggregate 

Lightweight Fill (EPS Block) 

Rockfall Barrier 

Segmental Retaining Wall 

Subgrade Enhancement Fabric

Construction Considerations 

Discuss Possible Construction Issues 

Groundwater measurement and data (historical high) 

Groundwater encountered at the bottom of footing 

excavation 

Driven piles (Drivability) 

Pile driving adjacent to existing utilities 

Pile minimum spacing 

Connection between different types of retaining walls 

CIDH (construction methods – wet/dry/casing) 

Crude oil encountered during excavation 

Bridge construction staging 

Temporary trenching and shoring during construction 

Foundation testing methods (eg. Pile Load Testing, Pile 

Dynamic Analysis, Gamma‐Gamma Logging, Crosshole Sonic 

Logging, Sonic Caliper Logging, Downhole Camera, Wave Equation 

Analysis, Geotechnical Testing Consultation, etc.)



8. Project delivery challenges

Project Delivery Challenges 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mission and Outcomes 

Effectively manage the scope, schedule, cost, and risks 

of project delivery and construction 

Meet the overall performance objectives of the project 

Objectives to achieve mission and outcomes 

Implement a quality geotechnical drilling plan 

Maintain a high level of Geotechnical Expertise 

Understand geotechnical design criteria 

Understand project process 

Maintain interaction with functional reviewers 

Enhance Project Partnerships

Thank you!

Project Delivery Issues and Challenges â Geotechnical ... - ictpa-scc

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?

Project Delivery Issues and Challenges â Geotechnical ... - ictpa-scc