Geotechnical Engineering Firms---IBC Special Inspection 1

[henri2]

In your neck of the woods, do these firms typically engage in special inspection of structural materials(concrete, masonry, steel) per IBC Chapter 17?

 

[jdonville]

henri2,

Pure geotechnical engineering firms typically, in my experience, do not perform these inspections.

However, many firms engaged in geotechnical engineering also perform construction materials testing and inspection services (CMT).

My current employer has personnel trained to inspect a range of materials, including structural steel and coatings. Previous employers have not had such personnel.

Typical CMT testing and inspection (with regard to structures) is generally limited to testing fresh concrete and concrete specimens (as well as mortars and grouts), testing compaction and/or bearing strength of soils, and (possibly) inspecting the type and placement of reinforcing steel for cast-in-place work.

Hope this is helpful,

Jeff


Jeffrey T. Donville, PE
TTL Associates, Inc.

http://www.ttlassoc.com

 

[jgailla]

In the Southeast US, it seems that almost all of the geotechnical firms (except the one or two person firms) have associated CMT departments and do the threshold and other testing. CMT seems to flow naturally from geotech, as a large portion of many projects is sitework. I frequently have people call for CMT because they want the firm who did the geotech to do the CMT to avoid problems with misinterpretation, etc.

 

[henri2]

jdonville and jgaillai,

Thank you so much for the valuable information.

Henri2

 

[Mazzman]

Geotechnical/construction materials testing firms sometimes provide the Special Inspections described in the Code. A local structural engineer has recently asked for qualifications from geo/CMT firms to provide such services. He requires that persons conducting the Special Inspections have at least the following certifications:

Concrete: ACI Inspector Program or International Code Council (ICC) Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector

Masonry: ICC Structural Masonry Special Inspector

Steel: ICC Structural Steel and Welding Special Inspector or AWS certification

A description of the ICC certification requirements can be found at

http://www.iccsafe.org