#41 - Case History - Don't Worry. We Don't Plan to Build There

#41 - Case History - Don't Worry. We Don't Plan to Build There

From GBA Podcast by Geoprofessional Business Association

January 13, 2026 · 17 min

About this episode

The episode discusses a geotechnical case history involving construction issues and legal ramifications.

GBA Case History Series – Case History #41 - Don't Worry. We Don't Plan to Build There Summary The Member Firm performed a geotech study for a housing development and observed grading of the site during the construction of ten buildings. Six years after construction, the developer built two additional units but, because the Member Firm could not provide a representative to monitor the earthwork construction, they recommended another geotech firm. The second geotech firm monitored the placement of at least four feet of fill but without reviewing the Member Firm’s report. Four years after the second phase was completed, settlement problems arose and the developer sued the two geotechs, the civil engineer, and the earthwork constructor. After claims were dropped against the civil engineer and constructor, the geotechs settled with the developer for nearly $1,000,000. 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…

People in this episode

Hosts: Elizabeth Brown, Abi Corbett

Topics covered

  • geotechnical engineering
  • construction
  • legal issues
  • settlement problems
  • case history

Keywords

  • geotech study
  • housing development
  • earthwork construction
  • settlement problems
  • geotechnical firm

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: JLT Consultants, SME, GBA

Places: Boise, Idaho, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming

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