Engineering in the Bay Area: Exploring Variable Site Conditions – Ep 048

In this episode, we talk to Tom W. Porter, P.E., Principal Engineer at Romig Engineers, Inc., and Christina Tipp, PG, CEG, a professional geologist from SHN, about variable site conditions in the Bay Area. We also talk about what it is like to work for a small engineering firm and discuss some of the best methods of training entry-level staff. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Tom and Christina: What makes engineering in the Bay Area different from other areas? What are some of the geological hazards that you have seen in the Bay Area? How do groundwater conditions affect a project? How do you test for groundwater levels in your projects? Is the Bay Area more at risk of liquefaction during an earthquake than others? What are some of the benefits you have experienced working in a small firm? How do you work yourself up from a management position to being a principal at your firm? What are some of the best methods of training entry-level staff, and what are some of your favorite parts of training new staff? What advice would you like to give to our young engineers out there? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Engineering in the Bay Area:  The conditions in the Bay Area are extremely variable and diverse. The Bay Area is one of the most variable geologic areas in the country. Engineers must be prepared to see changing geologic from day to day and site to site. The Bay Area has many different geological hazards, such as landslides, debris flows, rock falls, liquefaction, settlement, and tremors. It makes the area a fun place for engineers to work and find solutions to a diverse array of problems. The groundwater conditions vary from shallow groundwater in the Bay Area to deep and perch groundwater conditions in the foothill and mountain areas. When designing projects, you must understand what the groundwater conditions currently are, and the potential for variability in the groundwater conditions in the future. Many building owners are putting in multi-level basements below their buildings in the Bay Area. It makes it essential to understand the groundwater conditions when designing the basements. When groundwater is of concern in a project, monitoring wells and piezometers are used to monitor the static groundwater levels over a few months to more than a year. The fluctuation of the groundwater is measured from the dry to the rainy seasons. A database of the groundwater in projects close by is also used to determine the fluctuation in groundwater levels. There is a lot of liquefaction around the Bay because there is a lot of ground fill placed along the Bay margins. They are making more areas to develop on, so they are pushing more ground fill further into the Bay. You cannot put anything onto the Bay mud and expect it to hold well in a seismic event. Wherever the groundwater is high and there are younger Bay deposits present, the chances are high for liquefaction to take place. Everyone knows what everybody else is doing in a small firm because it has a team environment. Everyone must be on their toes and offer support where they can. It allows for more training, oversight, and mentoring for the younger staff. To work yourself up from a management position to being a principal, you must work hard and put the hours in. Focus on getting your professional license and gain a lot of experience. Taking the opportunities that are presented to you will grow your experience level tremendously. When training new staff members, show them what you want them to do, watch them do it, and then let them do it on their own. Check their work, keep communication open, and let them know what you expect from them. If you communicate with people,