GEO-TECH study?
GEO-TECH study?
(OP)
Sorry for a dumb question, but I am working with a group of people on the development of a power plant located near a lagoon. We need to conduct a geo-tech study, and I need to understand the basics as to what all is involved in a geo-tech study (high level snapshot of activities). Any help appreciated





RE: GEO-TECH study?
1. Client and geotechnical engineer discuss the project.
2. Engineer provides a proposal with a plan of investigation. Client approves or the plan is revised until it is approved.
3. Engineer does a review of avialable informaiton, this should be started as part of the proposal preparation.
4. Field investigations are performed. This will likely be borings, but could include test pits, feild recon., cone penetrometer tests, and others.
5. Laboratory testing is performed.
6. Data is analyized and specific recommendations developed for the site and the proposed construction.
7. Report is issued.
There could be verious meetings and steps 4, 5 and 6 can be repeated based on the data collected, the complexity of the proposed construction, and the site conditions.
Time frames can be as little as a month for the whole process or as much as several years. You indicate that the investigation would be for a power plant, I would expect a couple month effort at least. If there are exist improvements in the area, there is likely a geotechnical report for those improvements around somewhere. I would suggest that you find it, look it over, then contact the company that did that original work as a starting place.
RE: GEO-TECH study?
For the two power plants that I have been involved in, the geotechnical investigation was very thorough and detailed. I would recommend a qualifications based selection, rather than competitive bidding. (I recommend this for any project, actually.)
A geotech firm should have prior experience with power plants.
RE: GEO-TECH study?
I guess a follow up question would be if we can do an initial fact finding study, and based on the results, do a final detailed study. Any cost estimates? The site is about 60 hecters and we were thinking about initially doing like 6 soil samples (I think you call it core boring?)
thanks again for replying
RE: GEO-TECH study?
The outline I gave above can be used to do an initial site review. This may only ential a short review of existing information and a site visit by the engineer. This would be followed by a report discussing the site, potiential problems, etc. and a recommendation for the next phase.
Without much much much more information, no one could even begin to give a cost range.
RE: GEO-TECH study?
RE: GEO-TECH study?
As stated above, some states have laws (mini Brooks bill) specifically not allowing professional services to be selected based upon cost. See the following link
http://www.nspe.org/govrel/gr2-4022.asp
RE: GEO-TECH study?
As cvg states, geotechnial investigation is often considered "Professional Services" and is exempt from bidding requirements. We would request proposals from qualified firms and do detailed and lengthy evaulations... pricing was just a small part of the selection process.
About the number of borings... 6 sounds like too small a number for a "bad" site. I would expect to see maybe 60. Our firm would issue a small preliminary contract to a local geotech firm to perform this initial investigation. This information would be made available to the qualified firms to prepare their proposals.
The final investigation (by the selected qualified firm) would not only cover the whole site, but also be focused on the locations planned for specific structures, such as turbine/generator, cooling tower, coal handing, water intake, etc.
www.SlideRuleEra.net
RE: GEO-TECH study?
Unless you or someone on your team is an experienced Geotechnical Engineer, you shouldn't attempt this, even for preliminary siting studies. A preliminary geotech investigation might be more important than the final....and both require seasoned evaluation based on experience and specialized education.
Hire a consultant (but don't bid it)
RE: GEO-TECH study?
Based on the responses and our team's own assessments, we have hired an experienced geo-tech engineer (in-house resource) who has thoroughy worked in the area to lead this effort.
Plan going forward is to do a site topo and an initial geo-tech survey as means of due diligence before we buy the land (before we start negotiating with the local community for land, this is Africa).
Thanks again
RE: GEO-TECH study?
"Preliminary explorations should be conducted at pratically every site which is considered for a structure of any importance; . . . Unless the underground conditions are well known and are of favorable nature, preliminary borings usually should be obtained even before the purchase of the site. They should be made by a reputable firm, and the expense involved may be considered money well spent."