#73 - Case History - The Professor Did Not Do His Homework

GBA Case History Series – Case History #73 - The Professor Did Not Do His Homework

Summary

The Member Firm conducts a forensic investigation of duct bank concrete that was “spaded” instead of vibrated to consolidate. A professor, hired by the other side, alleged that the Member Firm’s project manager was negligent in her forensic assessment. The professor’s lack of field experience and the fact that he developed his own Standard of Care damaged his credibility affecting the outcome of the case.

Our Hosts:

Elizabeth Brown, PE - Principal Geotechnical Engineer/JLT Consultants

Elizabeth is the Principal Geotechnical Engineer at JLT Consultants in Boise, Idaho. Elizabeth has performed and/or assisted with numerous geotechnical investigations throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming managing projects, providing geotechnical design, project quality control, cost and value engineering, and evaluating geotechnical constructability issues.

Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME.

Abi is a Project Consultant at SME experienced in managing a variety of steel, concrete, coatings, and nondestructive testing projects. She specializes in managing projects related to DOT fabrication quality assurance reviews but also supports project managers throughout SME’s various service groups.

Lessons Learned:

Experts Should Perform the Way Experts Are Supposed to Perform

One Good Test Is Worth a Thousand Expert Opinions

An Expert Should Visit the Construction Site