Strategies for Tackling Challenges and Mitigating Risks in Small Geotechnical Engineering Firms – Ep 076

In this episode, I talk with Pedram MolkAra, M.Sc., M.Eng., P.Geo., P.Eng., geotechnical lead for Canadian Buildings & Infrastructure, Mining, and Environmental Services at Jacobs, about the present status of geotechnical engineering. Pedram sheds light on the hurdles faced by small geotechnical engineering firms, the risks and liabilities involved, and the critical skills required for project management in the field of geotechnical engineering. ***You can view the video version of this episode here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Pedram: Have you noticed any changes in the university systems for training young engineers in geotechnical and geological engineering? How can a small geotechnical engineering firm differentiate itself to succeed in the industry when competing with larger firms? What are the main risks and liabilities that geotechs must take into account when carrying out their work? How do you effectively manage high-stakes projects in project management and geotechnical engineering, and what are some essential skills for achieving success? Can you share your experience in rehabilitating and reviewing over 50 earth dams and conducting multiple dam safety inspections, and could you explain the significance of conducting regular dam safety inspections? As the founder of the Canadian Geotech group at Jacobs, can you elaborate on how you maintain quality and consistency across all geotechnical projects and manage to stay up to date with all the latest developments in the field? Can you share how your basketball league and triathlon involvement help you maintain a work-life balance? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Strategies for Tackling Challenges and Mitigating Risks in Small Geotechnical Engineering Firms: Universities need to invest in teaching the fundamentals of geological and geotechnical engineering through site investigation work to strike a balance between advanced courses and basics. This investment will prepare young engineers for the industry's increasing reliance on sophisticated software, avoiding poor designs and unreliable data. Collaboration between universities and the industry can help address this issue. Investment in young engineers and providing quality solutions to clients is crucial for success in the industry, rather than solely focusing on making money. Smaller geotechnical engineering firms can set themselves apart by not cutting corners and investing in their staff, ultimately leading to repeat clients and a good reputation. Proper site characterization is crucial to reducing the risks and liabilities in geotechnical engineering, as it can help identify potential issues like organic layers or the need for more boreholes. Cutting corners on the on-site investigation can lead to construction claims and change orders that could have been avoided. Every structure requires its approach to site characterization, and it's important not to skimp on this crucial step in the design process. Being organized is essential to manage high-stake projects in geotechnical engineering. It involves having a clear scope of work, proper archiving and documentation, risk mitigation planning, and communication with the client. Predicting and addressing unexpected challenges is critical to the success of the project. Routine safety inspections and reviews are crucial to monitor the behavior of dam structures and how external elements are impacting them to prevent the risk of dam failure. Operation and maintenance, water levels, spillways, and design considerations related to global warming and mining practices also need to be considered during these inspections. Building a new geotechnical discipline within an existing company was challenging but rewarding.