Ethical Obligation to inform
Ethical Obligation to inform
(OP)
I work in the fairly specialized field of concrete formwork and shoring.
With the down turn of the economy, a number of projects in my working area have stalled, stopped, had their initial contracts terminated and have come up for subsequent rebid.
On one such project, the structure was 75% complete at the time of shutdown and shoring and formwork were left installed, waiting for concrete placement.
My company was not initially involved with this project, but we wre asked to come out and complete a bid for continuing the work.
In the process of reviewing the in place work, the details used to install the temporary work was shared with us and upon review, I found the system to be installed in the wrong principle direction and the materials used to be of a lower grade than that specified in the stamped details.
While the pricing of my company included the cost of having me redesign the in place system to carry the applied loads through supplemental shoring, a number of our competitors do not maintain in house engineering and use the same consultant for design that originally provided the shoring details which are not installed correctly.
Regardless, I feel some sense of obligation to notify the EOR of the temporary works of the issue or notify the EOR of the structure.
Am I off base or does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations to share?
I do appreciate any advice you may offer.
Daniel
With the down turn of the economy, a number of projects in my working area have stalled, stopped, had their initial contracts terminated and have come up for subsequent rebid.
On one such project, the structure was 75% complete at the time of shutdown and shoring and formwork were left installed, waiting for concrete placement.
My company was not initially involved with this project, but we wre asked to come out and complete a bid for continuing the work.
In the process of reviewing the in place work, the details used to install the temporary work was shared with us and upon review, I found the system to be installed in the wrong principle direction and the materials used to be of a lower grade than that specified in the stamped details.
While the pricing of my company included the cost of having me redesign the in place system to carry the applied loads through supplemental shoring, a number of our competitors do not maintain in house engineering and use the same consultant for design that originally provided the shoring details which are not installed correctly.
Regardless, I feel some sense of obligation to notify the EOR of the temporary works of the issue or notify the EOR of the structure.
Am I off base or does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations to share?
I do appreciate any advice you may offer.
Daniel





RE: Ethical Obligation to inform
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Ethical Obligation to inform
Why was his work terminated?
Dik
RE: Ethical Obligation to inform
If this is correct, then you would seem to be legally obligated as a PE to raise this issue with the EOR.
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Ethical Obligation to inform
He works as a consultant for most of the other operations in town and we have even considered using him for things I felt to be beyond our scope.
I just hope he doesn't take it as an attack.
From his position, I would think he has a limited ability for oversight and such.
I would certainly rather cry wolf than have someone hurt. Any shoring problem reflects poorly upon the industry and indifference on the part of engineers is shameful.
Thanks to all for telling me what I already knew.
Daniel
RE: Ethical Obligation to inform
It wasn't that long ago that we had a shoring collapse here in Denver on a buidling under construction. Thankfully no one hurt on that one.
RE: Ethical Obligation to inform
RE: Ethical Obligation to inform
The last one stings entirely differently than the first two. Though it assumes non ethical behavior to our competition (who do not employ a in house P.E. for design work), I do believe those bidding against us will likely plan to use the previously submitted shoring details as their own, regardless of their validity and without regard to the fact the shoring currently installed is installed incorrectly (short of the engineer I contacted following up, which I believe he will).
As to the actual detailing of the project, I think my typical designs are more efficient, but I can't really fault what he has on paper. The fact that the installation is 90 degrees out from what is specified was my big issue.
So should I do anything further?
RE: Ethical Obligation to inform
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies