CIRIA 1106 Geotechnical Baseline Reports - Industry viewpoint survey

Mott MacDonald and GCG have been appointed as Research Contractor by CIRIA to prepare a new UK industry guidance document for Geotechnical Baseline Reports. This short questionnaire is to help us understand the current status of knowledge and experience in UK practice, views on whether GBRs have been beneficial and what lessons have been learned.

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The personal data that you provide by completing this online survey shall be used for gaining industry insights and lessons learned to assist in preparation of a CIRIA good practice guide for Geotechnical Baseline Reports (the “Purpose”). Personal data provided to Mott MacDonald Limited (“Mott MacDonald”) in this online survey is subject to the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679) and any national implementing laws, regulations and secondary or successor legislation as amended or updated from time to time. Mott MacDonald will retain your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy which can be found on our website or by clicking this link. By providing us with your personal data, you consent to the collection and use of any personal data you provide in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the Purpose.

By responding to the survey the data including recipient contact details will also be shared with CIRIA. Here is a link to CIRIA’s Privacy policy.

Question Title

* 1. What is the nature of your business?

Project owner / developer

Engineering Consultancy

Main Contractor

Specialist sub-contractor

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. Are you (your business) familiar with the concept of Geotechnical Baseline Reports (GBRs)?

Not familiar with GBRs

Heard of GBRs but never used them

Used GBRs but do not have in-house expertise in their preparation or use

Have used GBRs and have in-house expertise in their preparation or use

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* 3. How many projects with GBRs has your business had involvement with?

N/A

1 or 2

Between 2 and 5

Between 5 and 20

More than 20

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* 4. Have you experienced the use of GBRs for construction other than underground works? (e.g. for piling, deep excavations, earthworks, offshore etc)

N/A

Yes (please specify nature of project)

Question Title

* 5. Have you experienced the use of GBRs through to completion or significant completion of construction and how successful do you believe the GBR was at clearly allocating ground risk and helping to avoid or resolve disputes?

Not used through to completion or significant completion of construction

Yes but generally with no clear benefit to the project

Yes with benefit generally skewed towards client

Yes with benefit generally skewed towards contractor

Yes with equitable share of risk and benefit to whole project team

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* 6. Do you think that the GBR concept (clearly defined allocation of ground risk between client and contractor) would be beneficial in other areas of construction? (select multiple answers)

Retaining structures and deep excavations

Foundations

Earthworks

Contamination

Offshore

No, GBRs should be restricted to underground works

No opinion

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* 7. In your experience what are the greatest benefits of using a GBR? (select multiple answers)

Even playing field at bidding stage

More competitive tender prices by minimising risk premium

Dispute avoidance and contractual clarity

Allows appropriate risk allocation to party best placed to manage the risk

Other (please specify)

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* 8. In your experience, what are the most significant drawbacks or pitfalls to be aware of when preparing or using GBRs? (select multiple answers)

Subtleties of drafting baseline statements and ambiguity

Attempting to baseline too much or in too much detail

Baselines that are difficult or ambiguous to measure

Level of competence and experience in preparing GBRs

Lack of appreciation by one or both parties for monetary value of risk allocation

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. Do you have GBR related lessons learned or case studies that you would be willing to share for the forthcoming CIRIA publication and are you willing to be contacted to discuss further?

Yes, if anonymised

Yes

No but willing to be contacted to discuss general lessons learned

Please provide email contact if happy to be contacted about lessons learned

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* 10. Are there any topics that you would like to see covered by the CIRIA GBR guide or particular comments on the format, length, or target audience? Please provide details below.