CEE Seminar: Real Solutions in an Imperfect World – Geotechnical Failures and Successes

Abstract: In the geotechnical world, no two problems are exactly alike, and no two solutions behave exactly the same. In this presentation, we will walk through a few failures and talk about the problem starting from the top: How did this happen? What does our client need? How should I think about the problem? Recent coastal landslides in San Clemente and a new-construction bridge experiencing extreme settlement in San Diego County will be explored as case studies. We will show how to start at the high level before going into details, how to narrow down the problem, and how to think creatively and logically about nuanced and seemingly complex problems to develop the right solution.

Bio: Jim Starick is a geotechnical project manager and PE at HDR Engineering, Inc. with over 18 years of geotechnical experience. He obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cal Poly Pomona. His work has spanned a wide range of geotechnical projects from pavement and foundation design to emergency bridge repairs, landslides and very large pile foundation design. He has experience in ground improvements, tiebacks, retaining walls, seismic design and liquefaction, and many other specialty aspects of geotechnical engineering.