This practice manual examines the Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) which establishes a contractual statement of geotechnical conditions anticipated during underground and subsurface construction. Emphasis is placed on large underground projects such as tunnels, underground chambers, shafts, subway stations, mine development, and deep foundation excavations that have a significant anticipated risk of differing site condition claims. Guidelines for what should be included in the GBR are provided, in addition to a checklist of items to consider, recommendations for the content and wording to be used in baseline statements to improve their clarity and precision, and examples of problematic and improved practice in stating baselines. The importance and benefit of ensuring compatibility between the GBR and other elements of the Contract Documents, with emphasis on the specifications, drawings, and payment provisions is also discussed.

This book examines the role of the geotechnical baseline report (GBR) as a means of allocating and managing subsurface risks associated with subsurface construction.

MOP 154 explains the role of the geotechnical baseline report (GBR) in allocating and managing risks associated with subsurface construction.

Underground construction is more complex than ever. Demand for space is increasing, new technologies are constantly evolving, and more stakeholders are asserting influence. Yet one of the most challenging and frustrating characteristics of underground construction remains: often, contract language does not account for the unique nature of building underground. Recommended Contract Practices for Underground Construction is the first industry-wide effort to improve contract procedures in more than 30 years. Commissioned by the Underground Construction Association of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, this manual is an indispensable resource for contractors, consultants, suppliers, and owners anticipating underground projects. The authors suggest better practices during all stages of a project, when decisions are made that can affect the contract positively or negatively. Part one focuses on the practices and disciplines that build the foundation for effective contracts during the early phases of a project. Part two discusses best practices for contract provisions, payment mechanisms, and dispute resolution. By following these recommendations, you'll reduce the mistrust and costly disputes that often arise from the contract process. The result will be improved relationships, better contracts, and, most importantly, projects that are most cost-effective for owners and more profitable for contractors.

A successful underground project is one where relationships are strong, the objectives as understood by each party are met or exceeded, and the work product serves its stakeholders and is maintainable in a way that fits with the project vision. High-level metrics for project success relate to safety, quality, schedule, and budget. The first edition of Recommended Contract Practices for Underground Construction has become a valued resource for the underground industry, serving as a concise guide for drafting and implementation of contract provisions. It provided improvements to underground contracting practices during all project stages. It also presented clear roles and responsibilities for project participants to promote better contracts. This second edition was undertaken by the UCA of SME because the industry has undergone numerous changes over the last decade. Changes in tunneling technology, more common use of design-build as a contracting mechanism, and many lessons learned have sparked some creative contract approaches. The recommendations contained in this edition are intended to guide owners and their engineers in developing and administering contracts and to give contractors a better understanding of the rationale behind contract provisions. The goal is that more underground projects in this country can be best projects, where improved relationships and fair contracts enable all project participants to personally invest in cost-effective, profitable projects, ensuring the continued health of the underground industry.

For thousands of years, the underground has provided humans refuge, useful resources, physical support for surface structures, and a place for spiritual or artistic expression. More recently, many urban services have been placed underground. Over this time, humans have rarely considered how underground space can contribute to or be engineered to maximize its contribution to the sustainability of society. As human activities begin to change the planet and population struggle to maintain satisfactory standards of living, placing new infrastructure and related facilities underground may be the most successful way to encourage or support the redirection of urban development into sustainable patterns. Well maintained, resilient, and adequately performing underground infrastructure, therefore, becomes an essential part of sustainability, but much remains to be learned about improving the sustainability of underground infrastructure itself. At the request of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Research Council (NRC) conducted a study to consider sustainable underground development in the urban environment, to identify research needed to maximize opportunities for using underground space, and to enhance understanding among the public and technical communities of the role of underground engineering in urban sustainability. Underground Engineering for Sustainable Urban Development explains the findings of researchers and practitioners with expertise in geotechnical engineering, underground design and construction, trenchless technologies, risk assessment, visualization techniques for geotechnical applications, sustainable infrastructure development, life cycle assessment, infrastructure policy and planning, and fire prevention, safety and ventilation in the underground. This report is intended to inform a future research track and will be of interest to a broad audience including those in the private and public sectors engaged in urban and facility planning and design, underground construction, and safety and security.

Subsurface projects can spell tremendous liability and risk concerns for geotechnical engineers, who pay among the highest liability insurance rates among A/E/C professionals. Written for a non-legal audience by a recognized liability authority, this helpful book brings together the information and expertise needed to manage the non-technical aspects of such projects. Discusses the implications of errors and omissions, applicable law, bid and contract document disclosure, and much more. Filled with relevant case studies.

Your timely source for more cost-effective and less disruptive solutions to your underground infrastructure needs. The North American Tunneling Conference is the premier biennial tunneling event for North America, bringing together the brightest, most resourceful, and innovative minds in the tunneling industry. It underscores the important role that the industry plans in the development of underground spaces, transportation and conveyance systems, and other forms of sustainable underground infrastructure. With every conference, the number of attendees and breadth of topics grows. The authors—expert and leaders in the industry—share the latest case histories, expertise, lessons learned, and real-world applications from around the globe. Crafted from a collection of 92 papers presented at the conference, this book takes you deep inside the projects. It includes sections on technology, planning, design, and case histories.

GSP 126 contains 223 papers presented at Geo-Trans 2004, held in Los Angeles, California, July 27-31, 2004.