Learn from others. Don't repeat the mistakes of the past! GBA  Case Histories are being used by our  members for loss prevention discussions in support of professional development and mentoring. That is why GBA case histories are so valuable, and why GBA is updating them all, while adding new ones, too. We are halfway there as five more case histories have been re-issued. CASE HISTORY NO. 46 (download) Conducting an error-free ESA is not enough. Eighteen months after the client purchased the site, its representative called the Member Firm’s project manager to report that state regulators were claiming they had discovered exposed, friable asbestos at the site. The exposure constituted an unlawful release of hazardous material, the regul...

GBA Releases Five More Case Histories: 41-45   GBA Case Histories are being used by our members for loss prevention discussions in support of professional development and mentoring. Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeating mistakes of the past which is why GBA case histories are so valuable, and why GBA is updating them all, while adding new ones, too. Five more case histories have been re-issued. CASE HISTORY NO. 41 (download) When two geotechnical engineering firms failed to collaborate on a Southern California apartment project, the result turned a $3,500 fee into a $1 million uninsured loss. CASE HISTORY NO. 42 (download) A Member-Firm, working on a new highway alignment in     mountai...

GBA Releases Five More Case Histories: 36-40 GBA Case Histories are being used by our members for loss prevention discussions in support of professional development and mentoring. Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeating mistakes of the past which is why GBA case histories are so valuable, and why GBA is updating them all, while adding new ones, too. Five more case histories have been issued. CASE HISTORY NO. 36 (download) A Member-Firm conducted a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facility assessment – generally referred to as a RCRA facility assessment or RFA – to check for release of hazardous substances at a manufacturing facility. Read how the site owner threw up legal and physical road...

GBA Releases Five More Case Histories: 31-35 GBA Case Histories are being used by our members for loss prevention discussions in support of professional development and mentoring.  They are also being used in universities to bring “real-world” lessons into the classroom.  Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeating mistakes of the past which is why GBA case histories are so valuable, and why GBA is updating them all, while adding new ones, too. Five more case histories have been issued. CASE HISTORY NO. 31 (download)                   An architect requested a proposal from the geotechnical-engineering firm whose office was next door to the site of a proposed newspaper plant. The architect...

GBA Releases Five More Case Histories: 26-30 Refreshed GBA Case Histories have been downloaded over 2,000 times since May 1, 2017 and they are being used by GBA members for loss prevention discussions in support of professional development and mentoring.  Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeating mistakes of the past which is why GBA case histories are so valuable, and why GBA is updating them all, while adding new ones, too. Five more case histories have been issued. CASE HISTORY NO. 26             PROJECT MANAGEMENT The Client A multi-disciplinary consulting-engineering firm retained by an electric utility The Project A 12,000kW, fast-tracked, power-generating facility comprising a 110-foot-high rockfill dam, powerhouse, tra...

Refreshed GBA Case Histories have been downloaded almost 1,000 times since May 1, 2017 and they are being used by GBA members for loss prevention discussions in support of professional development and mentoring. Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeating mistakes of the past which is why GBA case histories are so valuable, and why GBA is updating them all, while adding new ones, too. Five more case histories have been reissued. Case History 16: The GBA-Member Firm completed about 150 exploratory borings, excavated test pits, and conducted seismic surveys in support of design and construction of a new building and campus for a state-owned college. Lessons Learned Include: Take an Active Interest in the Project Bedrock Contour Maps Should Includ...

The word is out: GBA’s redevelopment of its case histories is a smashing success! Possibly the most important of all GBA loss-prevention/risk-confrontation resources is its unique series of case histories; over 100 examples of how projects begun with optimism can unexpectedly end in dispute. Each provides details of the project, its background, the role of the GBA-Member Firm, the problems encountered, and lessons learned. They’re sometimes painful lessons, but better to learn from others’ lessons than your own. GBA has overhauled the first ten case histories.  Each has been refreshed and updated to reflect contemporary methods and dollars. The format of the case histories has been changed to make it easier to read and to emphasis the lessons learned. Consider using GBA...

GBA Case Histories #1 through #5 Are Refreshed Possibly the most important of all GBA loss-prevention/risk-confrontation resources is its unique series of case histories; 101 examples of how projects begun with optimism can unexpectedly end in dispute. Each provides details of the project, its background, the role of the GBA-Member Firm, the problems encountered, and lessons learned. They’re sometimes painful lessons, but better to learn from others’ lessons than your own. BIG NEWS! GBA Executive Director Joel Carson has announced that GBA is committed to update and expand the Case History Series. The original cases all will be refreshed, with new graphics and keywords for efficient searches. According to Joel, “The first five updates are complete and they look fantastic!” ...

GBA has a tradition of collaborating on issues that impact the geoprofessions. One of the ways we work together is by providing lessons learned through GBA Case Histories. GBA Case Histories provide unprecedented real-world learning examples related to project and business management.

As the holiday season arrives and many of us hit the road or take to the skies, GBA is excited to share three new episodes in the GBA Podcast Case History series—perfect listening for your travels! These episodes offer valuable lessons, practical insights, and engaging storytelling from the field. Each episode features Elizabeth Brown, P.E., Principal Geotechnical Engineer at JLT Consultants, and Abi Corbett, Project Consultant at SME. With decades of combined experience across geotechnical investigations, project management, and construction quality assurance, Elizabeth and Abi bring expertise, candor, and a touch of humor to every Case History discussion. Case History #65 – Treat a Big Deal Like a Big Deal A city’s “showcase” brownfields project takes an unexpected turn ...

In a new episode of the GBA Podcast Case History series, hosts Elizabeth Brown, P.E. (JLT Consultants) and Abi Corbett (SME) unpack the lessons of GBA Case History #107, where a supervisor’s failure to recognize and act on implied mental health disclosures led to costly legal consequences. This case highlights essential risk management insights for every geoprofessional firm. It’s a reminder that technical excellence must be matched by leadership and empathy—especially when navigating the human side of business. Brown and Corbett walk listeners through the real-world challenges faced by a GBA member firm that navigated a difficult employee performance issue involving the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Their conversational style and thought...

GBA has a long history of sharing the painful and sometimes expensive lessons its member firms have learned through its popular GBA Case History Series. Member firms can also learn from one another from projects that turned out successfully. As described in our newest Case History, #117, a GBA member firm was hired to peer review the geotechnical exploration report completed by a non-member firm at the site of a new warehouse with a mezzanine level. The GBA member firm’s review revealed the original report – completed by the non-member firm’s inexperienced engineer, who lacked senior staff support – used limited consolidation tests at shallow depths and a reliance on correlations to estimate ground settlement. The GBA member firm noted th...

GBA has a long history of sharing the painful and sometimes expensive lessons its member firms have learned through its popular GBA Case History series. Member firms can also learn from one another from projects that turned out successfully. In the newest Case History – #116 – a GBA member firm was hired to evaluate and design the repair of  a sheet pile dock at a food processing plant. The owner was pleased with the design but did not have the capital to construct the full repairs and tasked the engineer with devising a temporary solution. In the early morning hours on the first day of mobilization for the project, the dock collapsed and the project immediately shifted from repair to replacement. Through the extraordinary efforts of the contractor and trust from the owner, the ...

GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee GBA has a long history of sharing the painful and sometimes expensive lessons its Member Firms have learned through its popular GBA Case History series. Member Firms can also learn from one another on projects that turned out successfully. In this Case History, a GBA-Member Firm was hired to assess whether a proposed facility was “buildable” in a rock quarry with reclaimed fill material, prior to purchase. The project scope did not include final design or construction observation services. The relationship was complicated in its early stages because a third-party acted as an intermediary between the client and Member Firm. After construction began, the Member Firm was again contracted to assess the exposed subgrade at the project site, where s...

GBA Geotechnical Business Committee GBA has a long history of sharing the painful and expensive lessons its Member Firms have learned through its popular GBA Case History series. Member Firms can also learn from one another on projects that turned out successfully. In this Case History, a school district hired a non-GBA Member Firm to assess subsurface conditions at the proposed location for a new campus structure. Initial exploratory borings suggested the area contained adverse geologic conditions consisting of shallow basalt bedrock containing large voids. The preferred location for the structure was judged to be “un-buildable.” The school district hired a GBA-Member Firm for a second opinion. The Member Firm suggested a new approach an...