Evaluation
When damage occurs for example to homes, buildings and infrastructure, it’s annoying for the parties involved. It requires knowledge of the underground and geohydrology, of foundation and construction techniques and of the construction process to arrive at a proper analysis of the cause and give direction to a solution.
SOCOTEC not only advises on geotechnical matters, but is also regularly asked to assess advice from other parties or to test contractors’ plans. On the one hand, of course, to gain certainty about the reliability of the designs, and on the other hand to check whether optimisations are still feasible with the same level of reliability but at lower costs. Experience shows that the latter is often the case. With the current evolution in construction prices, the thorough review of a design is always useful. The costs of a second opinion are often only a fraction of the potential cost savings.
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Second opinion
SOCOTEC not only advises on geotechnical matters, but is also regularly asked to assess advice from other parties or to test contractors’ plans. On the one hand, of course, to gain certainty about the reliability of the designs, and on the other hand to check whether optimisations are still feasible with the same level of reliability but at lower costs. Experience shows that the latter is often the case. With the current evolution in construction prices, the thorough review of a design is always useful. The costs of a second opinion are often only a fraction of the potential cost savings.
A practical example of the above is a project in which, in order to obtain sufficient stability of a quay body around a water feature, a measure would be applied in the form of soil nailing with wooden piles. Further detailing and optimisation of the geotechnical design by SOCOTEC revealed that it was possible to omit the aforementioned provision.
We can also carry out a review of a design with the aim of far-reaching optimisation on the basis of No Cure – No Pay.
SOCOTEC also regularly works as an independent expert for the judiciary. We are also often involved in arbitration and insurance cases in the area of geotechnical engineering.
