Your project site has been identified as having liquefaction potential. The geotechnical report recommends deep foundations. As the contractor, you notice the plans still show shallow footings. What should you do?
Correct Answer
C) Request clarification from the engineer before proceeding
Discrepancies between geotechnical recommendations and structural plans must be resolved by the design team before construction proceeds.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
When there is a conflict between the geotechnical engineer's recommendations and the structural engineer's plans, the contractor must not proceed. Only the engineer of record has the authority and professional responsibility to resolve the discrepancy, issue revised plans, and obtain any required plan check approval. Proceeding with either foundation system without resolution exposes the contractor to liability and may produce an unsafe structure.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Notify the owner but proceed with shallow footings
Notifying the owner is appropriate communication, but proceeding with the shallow footings as shown is not. The contractor cannot unilaterally decide which conflicting professional recommendation to follow — doing so would constitute practicing engineering without a license.
Option B: Follow the plans as designed
Following the plans as designed ignores a documented safety hazard identified by a licensed geotechnical engineer. Blind adherence to plans when a known conflict exists makes the contractor partly liable for resulting structural failures.
Option D: Install the deep foundations without plan revisions
Installing deep foundations without revised plans and permits violates the building permit. Even though the geotechnical report supports deep foundations, unauthorized deviations from approved plans are illegal and will fail inspection.
Memory Technique
When plans conflict with site conditions or other professional reports, the contractor's job is to STOP and COMMUNICATE — not to solve engineering problems independently.
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