GTA’s York, PA Office Moves to a Larger Location to Accommodate Its Soils and Concrete Laboratory Expansion

April 7, 2014, 5:00 am

≫ Next: GTA Opens new Fredericksburg, VA Office

York, PA – Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. (GTA), a national geotechnical engineering and environmental consulting firm, has announced that their York, Pennsylvania office, managed by Jonathan D. Raab, P.E., and Andrew J. Zmoda, P.E., P.G., has moved to a larger location to accommodate the expansion of their soils and concrete lab. Their AMRL certified soils lab is equipped to test soils and road materials for a variety of engineering tests, including lime and Portland cement stabilization, and full depth reclamation (FDR).

GTA’s new home is just less than two miles from its previous site. Jon Raab first opened GTA’s York office in April of 2005. Over the years, the office has grown from a one-man office to a staff of geotechnical engineers, geologists, laboratory technicians, and field technicians.

GTA’s York office’s new address is:

2292 Industrial Highway, York, PA 17402

Telephone and fax numbers remain the same: P) 717-318-5451; F) 717-318-5460.

GTA’s York team specializes in a variety of geotechnical services including subsurface explorations, stormwater infiltration testing, foundation design, retaining wall design including construction drawings, sinkhole investigation and repair design, road and subgrade stabilization, pavement design, slope stability analysis, natural gas well pad design, construction observation and materials testing, and environmental engineering.

Founded in 1985, GTA offers cost-efficient and creative solutions in the planning, design, and construction of commercial, industrial, residential, mining and reclamation, and infrastructure projects. GTA has a staff of over 230, with experience in nearly all areas of geotechnical and environmental consulting, drilling, construction observation and testing, and engineering. Strategically placed offices in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, North Dakota, and North Carolina allow for effective coverage throughout the mid-Atlantic region, Dakotas, and Carolinas.

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GTA Opens new Fredericksburg, VA Office

October 28, 2014, 5:42 am

≫ Next: GTA Frederick office moves to new location

≪ Previous: GTA’s York, PA Office Moves to a Larger Location to Accommodate Its Soils and Concrete Laboratory Expansion

arahman As a national geotechnical engineering and environmental consulting firm, we are pleased to announce the opening of our new Fredericksburg, Virginia office. Established as an extension of our Sterling office, this new location further supports GTA’s clients’ commercial and residential developments in central Virginia.

Our firm specializes in services such as geotechnical design and subsurface exploration, geotechnical and foundation engineering, construction observation and materials testing, and environmental engineering. We also assist clients through risk identification and management as a client advocate.

Amin Rahman, P.E., a Vice President of the firm, with more than 29 years of experience in a broad range of geo-environmental engineering and construction management projects, is Principal-In-Charge of the new location. His technical areas of expertise include in-situ testing with DMT and CPT, shallow and deep foundations, geosynthetics, slope stabilization, design of rigid and flexible pavement, concrete and geosynthetic retention structures, potential issues with shrink/swell and acidic soil, groundwater control, underpinning, construction testing, contaminated sites, leachate collection systems, landfill volume computations, life expectancy, liner design, closure plans and in-situ testing during landfill construction.

Some of the current projects the office is working on include Embry Mill, Heritage Woods, Shelton Woods, Whitson Woods, and Woodstream.

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GTA Frederick office moves to new location

October 31, 2014, 5:20 am

≫ Next: Mike Smith, P.E., Heads up Charlotte Environmental Group

≪ Previous: GTA Opens new Fredericksburg, VA Office

scutter Vice President Stephen Cutter heads up GTA’s Frederick office, which has moved to a larger location just a few miles away from its previous site.

While telephone and fax numbers remain unchanged (P: 301-682-5226; F: 301-682-9254), GTA’s Frederick office’s new address is:

5104 Pegasus Court, Suite J, Frederick, MD 21704

Stephen opened GTA’s Frederick office in 1996 to provide subsurface exploration, geotechnical engineering and environmental consulting, and construction observation and testing services from Carroll County to western Maryland. Stephen specializes in evaluating sinkhole activity and providing recommendations for associated remedial work. His experience also entails performing site feasibility studies, observation and testing services for placement of controlled fill, stormwater management ponds, recharge facilities, subgrade stabilization, asphalt placement, foundation inspections, slope stabilization, settlement studies, retaining walls, and other various geotechnical and construction observation and testing activities.

Current projects that the Frederick office is working on include: Landsdale, a 1100 planned unit development; Clarksburg Village, named 2014 Residential Community of the Year by the Maryland Building Industry Association; and several other projects including Linton Farms, Brengle Manor, and Manors at Ballenger Creek.

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Mike Smith, P.E., Heads up Charlotte Environmental Group

December 1, 2014, 2:23 am

≫ Next: “BUBBY” WILLIAMS – PROMOTION TO ASSOCIATE

≪ Previous: GTA Frederick office moves to new location

GTA

ASSOCIATES, INC.

Michael O. Smith, P.E., a 35-year veteran of the environmental community, joins GTA as an Associate to manage environmental services performed out our of Charlotte, North Carolina office. With the presence of a local in-house environmental group, we are able to provide clients with a wider array of more cost-efficient and coordinated environmental and geotechnical services to clients on projects throughout the Carolinas.

Mike Smith has worked as an environmental engineer on hundreds of projects throughout the United States, as well as several overseas locations. His areas of specialization include hazardous waste management, site assessments, soil and groundwater remediation, voluntary cleanups, risk evaluations, regulatory compliance and Brownfields. Mike is a registered Professional Engineer in eight states, including North and South Carolina, as well as a Registered Site Manager for the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. He earned his Master’s and Bachelor of Science Degree from Clemson University, and prior to joining GTA, was a Principal with AWARE Environmental, Inc. for 26 years. Mike will be responsible for managing environmental consulting services, and for developing new clients and project opportunities.

Some environmental projects the Charlotte office is working on include Phase I and Phase II site assessments, as well as groundwater remediation activities and preparation of stormwater and spill control and countermeasures plans.

GTA Associates, Inc. (GTA), a subsidiary of Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. (GTA), performs geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and construction observation and materials testing services throughout North Carolina.

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“BUBBY” WILLIAMS – PROMOTION TO ASSOCIATE

January 20, 2015, 5:39 am

≫ Next: Getting the Lead out

≪ Previous: Mike Smith, P.E., Heads up Charlotte Environmental Group

ewilliams-headshot

Edwin “Bubby” F. Williams, IV has recently been promoted to Associate with GTA. Bubby joined GTA in 1999 and currently serves as a Construction Observation & Testing Services (COTS) Group Leader at our New Castle, Delaware office.

As an Associate and Group Leader, Bubby supervises COTS for geotechnical quality assurance & quality control, and special inspections in accordance with IBC specifications, as well as provides construction phase consultation. Specific services include field inspections for structural steel, masonry and concrete observations, deep foundation systems, soil stabilization, and project oversight of subsurface explorations. Bubby is actively involved in geotechnical projects for our industrial and commercial clientele, and is also active with regional and national homebuilder clients in the Delaware and Pennsylvania markets.

Bubby is a graduate of the University of Delaware and holds dual Bachelor of Science Degrees in Environmental Science and Geology. He is currently enrolled in the Master’s Program at Missouri Science & Technology (formerly Missouri Rolla University) with an expected graduation date in 2015.

He is an active member of several professional and industry organizations including the Delaware Chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), where he serves as their Activities Chairperson, and is past-President of the Chapter’s Younger Member Forum. In addition to ASCE, Bubby is a member of the Board of Director for American Concrete Institute (ACI), Eastern Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter. Bubby is an active member of the Young Executives Committee at the Delaware Contractors Association, and is a member of Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists.

Some notable COT projects that Bubby has managed include: Amazon Distribution Facility, Johnson Controls Manufacturing Center, and Westin Hotel and Justison Landing Apartments, in the City of Wilmington. Bubby is currently providing geotechnical evaluations and project management for a variety of upgrades to the Delaware City Refinery, including the recent Loop Track. Additionally, he has recently completed two warehouse projects for Restaurant Depot.

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Getting the Lead out

January 29, 2015, 3:00 am

≫ Next: GTA OPENS BALTIMORE CITY OFFICE

≪ Previous: “BUBBY” WILLIAMS – PROMOTION TO ASSOCIATE

Published in Maryland Building Industry Association’s, Build Maryland Magazine, Jan/Feb 2015

by Samuel J. Stevenson, Geo-Technology Associates, Inc.

January 1, 2015 marks a new era in Maryland’s Lead-Based Paint (LBP) registration process for residential rental properties. Although the new registration process is simpler than the old process in many ways, it also entails mandatory registration for a wider range of properties. And simpler does not necessarily mean cheaper; the overall compliance costs will likely increase, especially for properties that have LBP. Owners and operators need to understand the nuances of the new regulations in order to manage the costs and liabilities.

The new registration process applies to all residential rental dwelling units built prior to 1978 (i.e., 12/31/1977 or earlier). The old rules differentiated between units built prior to 1950 (registration was required) and units built between 1950 and 1978 (registration was optional). The new rules eliminate that distinction; all residential dwelling units built prior to 1978 must be registered.

Rental properties will fall into one of several categories. The following simplified summary presents the options.

Unit is “Lead-Free”
1. The property was inspected by an MDE-accredited inspector and meets the MDE’s “Lead-Free” standard. This means that the entire property is free of LBP.
2. The units still must be registered for a fee of $10 per unit.
3. The registration fee is paid one time, and no other registration fees are required.
4. No lead risk reduction measures are necessary.
5. Relatively speaking, the long-term financial obligation regarding LBP is low in this category.

Unit is “Limited Lead-Free”
1. The property was inspected by an MDE-accredited inspector, and the interior meets the MDE’s “Lead- Free” standard, but LBP is present on exterior surfaces.
2. The units still must be registered for a fee of $10 per unit.
3. The registration fee is paid one time, and no other registration fees are required.
4. The exterior areas must be re-inspected every two years, on or before the date of the original inspection.
5. Relatively speaking, the long-term financial obligation regarding LBP is moderate in this category, due to the biannual inspection requirement.

Unit Contains LBP
1. The property was inspected by an MDE-accredited inspector and the interior contains LBP.
2. The units still must be registered for a fee of $30 per unit.
3. The registration fee must be paid every year ($30 per unit).
4. The unit must meet the “Full Risk Reduction Standard” at each change of occupancy of the unit, meaning that prior to each change in occupancy, an MDE-accredited inspector must inspect for lead dust. In order to pass the inspection, the unit must be free of defective paint on the interior and exterior of the property.
5. In special cases where paint defects are reported, or an elevated blood level is reported in a child or pregnant woman, an affected unit must meet a “Modified Risk Reduction Standard,” which is a further complication.
6. Relatively speaking, the long-term financial obligation regarding LBP is high in this category, because of the following:
  1. the relentless annual registration fees of $30 per unit,
  2. the costs of re-inspections that are needed prior to unit turnover (with potential rental income lost due to delays to accommodate the re-inspection), and
  3. the additional maintenance costs and management challenges associated with operating and renting a unit with LBP.

Additionally, note that new owners must register within 30 days of acquisition. And all owners must register on or before December 31 of each year. Furthermore, nuances exist in interpretation of special situations, such as when properties were constructed in phases that span before and after 1978, properties that have been renovated, and other special circumstances.

What are some of the take-away points for the residential rental community?

If your property or specific units have not yet been tested, it will be necessary to perform an inspection to determine which category applies.
The long-term costs for compliance will be significantly lower for Lead- Free or Limited Lead-Free properties. Therefore, it may be worth the front-end costs of lead abatement in order to obtain the Lead-Free or Limited Lead-Free designation.
Engage a knowledgeable LBP consultant to evaluate your registration and compliance options. For many properties, a cost-benefit analysis will provide important insight.

Sam Stevenson is an Associate with Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. (GTA) and has over 20 years of environmental consulting experience.

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GTA OPENS BALTIMORE CITY OFFICE

February 23, 2015, 12:00 am

≫ Next: SAFETY FIRST!

≪ Previous: Getting the Lead out

Paul Hayden 200x280px GTA keeps growing. As a means to better serve the needs of our Baltimore City clientele, we are excited to announce the opening of our new office located at:

1414 Key Highway, Suite 201P, Baltimore, MD 21230

Principal Paul Hayden, P.G., L.R.S., heads up this new office. Paul has more than 21 years of professional experience, most of it working on Brownfield Redevelopment projects that have changed the image of Baltimore (e.g., Tide Point, Bond Street Wharf, Canton Crossing Retail, Union Mill, etc.). He works with clients to facilitate the voluntary environmental cleanup process in conjunction with regulatory agencies to complete the redevelopment of Brownfield and in-fill sites. In conjunction with Brownfield redevelopment, Paul has performed and managed numerous environmental site assessments (ESAs), remediation projects, asbestos and lead-based paint surveys, and building decommissioning projects. Paul is also active in professional organizations. Paul is on the Board of Directors for MBIA Baltimore City Chapter and on the Program Committee for ULI Baltimore. He is also a member of GBA (Geo-Professional Business Association), International Council of Shopping Centers, Environmental Bankers Association’s Technical Committee, and National Brownfields Coalition’s Brownfields Leadership Circle.

Paul can be reached at 443-865-8274

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SAFETY FIRST!

June 3, 2015, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. Turns 30

≪ Previous: GTA OPENS BALTIMORE CITY OFFICE

mike-headshot GTA focuses on safety and has been successful at developing a company-wide culture of safety. To further entrench our commitment to safety, we have hired a full-time dedicated Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS). We are pleased to announce that Michael V. Whiteman has joined GTA!

As our Director of Safety, Mike manages all aspects of GTA’s safety program and is responsible for the health, safety, and training for 275+ employees within a seven state area. Mike conducts site safety audits, job hazard analyses, and ongoing safety and safety stand down meetings.

Mike has 18 years of experience as a safety officer working for industrial and construction companies in the residential, commercial, industrial, and energy markets. In addition to his COSS certification, Mike holds numerous and varying National Safety Council certificates and Competent Person Certificates. He is a TWIC Card Holder, is OSHA certified, has received training and certifications in other pertinent industry related courses, and receives ongoing training, as necessary.

The added level of safety awareness that Mike brings to GTA personnel on a regular basis will strengthen our ability to make work sites safer for us and our clients.

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Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. Turns 30

August 12, 2015, 5:22 am

≫ Next: GTA Opens Its Second Office in North Carolina

≪ Previous: SAFETY FIRST!

August marks the 30th anniversary of business for Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. (GTA). GTA took root in a small office in Bel Air, MD under the leadership of John Wirth, PE. Originally founded as a local Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Observation and Testing firm, John and the leaders who followed him recognized that growth and diversity were necessary ingredients for GTA to persevere through economic setbacks and to thrive in the upturns. Since 1985, GTA has grown its service areas to include Environmental Consulting, Natural Resources Planning, Subsurface Exploration, and Groundwater / Wastewater Consulting to many of our office locations, and we presently employ nearly 300 people in 16 offices and 7 states. Talk about growth!

Our strength remains the ability to provide excellent customer service, underpinned by technical competence. We particularly want to thank our clients, who look to us as part of their team and continue to entrust us with challenging and diverse projects. And we’re also grateful to our employees, whose hard work, expertise, and drive to fulfill our client’s needs inspires each of us to be better.

Here’s to the next 30 years!

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GTA Opens Its Second Office in North Carolina

August 17, 2015, 8:18 am

≫ Next: RETAINING WALLS – WHY ARE SO MANY PLAGUED WITH PROBLEMS OR FAIL?

≪ Previous: Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. Turns 30

GTA Associates, Inc. (GTA) is pleased to announce the opening of its Raleigh, North Carolina office at 5605 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 112, Raleigh, NC 27607.

GTA has had a presence in North Carolina since the opening of its Charlotte office in 2006. Craig T. Rodano is Principal-In-Charge of both North Carolina offices, and Shawn Sullivan, P.E., is a geotechnical engineer and office manager for GTA’s Raleigh office.

Craig, a Professional Geologist, became a Vice President with GTA in 1998. He has 27 years of experience in geotechnical explorations, hydrogeologic investigations, subsurface and geologic studies, wastewater disposal evaluations, environmental contamination studies, and construction monitoring and materials testing for sites located in North and South Carolina and throughout the mid-Atlantic region. His responsibilities include quality assurance, directing the Engineering Divisions at GTA’s branch offices, and providing technical assistance during construction of a wide array of institutional, commercial, and residential projects.

Craig specializes in preparing design and/or design recommendations for shallow foundations, deep foundations, lateral earth pressures and retaining walls, slope stability, rigid and flexible pavements, stormwater management structures, earthwork and other geotechnical and construction related tasks. He received his bachelor of science in geology from Millersville University, and is a member of the following professional and industry organizations: Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists; GBA; International Council of Shopping Centers; National Association of Industrial and Office Properties; Urban Land Institute; National Association of Home Builders; and Building Congress & Exchange.

W. Shawn Sullivan, P.E., has joined GTA as a Senior Geotechnical Engineer and Construction Observation and Testing (COT) Project Manager. He will also be responsible for client development and office management. Shawn has 11 years of experience providing geotechnical engineering, and managing subsurface exploration and COT projects for commercial and industrial facilities, low- and high-rise buildings, and single and multi-family residential buildings. His experience also includes performing limited Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and Property Condition Assessments.

Shawn is a North Carolina registered professional engineer, and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Geo Institute, Mecklenburg County Land Development Council, and Society of Marketing Professional Services. He graduated from University of North Carolina at Charlotte with bachelor of science degree in civil engineering and a minor in mathematics. Shawn is on track to receive a master of science degree in geotechnical engineering from the University at the end of this year.

GTA has been working throughout the Raleigh area for the past several years and has provided services for numerous residential, commercial, and industrial structures.

Services provided out of the Raleigh office include: Geotechnical and environmental engineering and consulting, as well as construction observation and testing services. GTA plans to grow its Raleigh office quickly and add to its professional staff over the next several months.

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RETAINING WALLS – WHY ARE SO MANY PLAGUED WITH PROBLEMS OR FAIL?

December 22, 2015, 11:10 am

≫ Next: STEVENSON, HENDRICKS, STANSFIELD, & WILLE NAMED GTA VICE PRESIDENTS

≪ Previous: GTA Opens Its Second Office in North Carolina

Originally published in Maryland Building Industry
Association’s (MBIA’s) Build Maryland, Sept/Oct 2015 magazine.

Written by: Ravi Malviya, P.E.

With the high cost and cutthroat competition for available land, there is an increasing push to maximize the usable area available for development. This frequently results in the need for retaining walls to provide grade transitions at the property line or within the site. Geogrid-reinforced walls (a.k.a. MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth) walls) or grouted and stacked stone gravity walls are very commonly utilized due to their relatively low cost, ability to use on-site soils, and ease of construction. Multiple research studies have documented a failure rate of up to six to eight percent for such retaining walls.

Below are photos of several retaining walls from the Baltimore-Washington corridor that experienced failures in the spring of 2015.

Such a high failure rate is very unusual and unacceptable for engineered structures! What is the reason for such high failure rate for MSE walls in particular and retaining walls in general? Based on published studies and Geo-Technology Associates, Inc.’s own experience during more than 30 years of practice, the contracting methods for both design and construction of walls are a big contributing factor to the high failure rate of the walls.

Lack of attention to details/setbacks during site layout and grading and procurement practices that push the design responsibilities to the wall contractor are significant contributing factors. The wall contractors frequently utilize high-volume, low-cost, out-of-town (frequently out-of-state), small engineering firms that operate more as “wall design factories” with limited manpower and expertise. The cutthroat competition for the work leads to incorrect and/or optimistic assumptions in the design. Therefore, some of the critical design issues (e.g., global stability of the wall, site-specific soil conditions, and available backfill materials) are not addressed properly or left for others to address. Use of low-quality backfill, inadequate quality control/testing during construction, and locating utilities or temporary/permanent stormwater management (SWM) facilities too close to the wall, further increases the potential for problems or failure of the walls.

We recommend the following dos and don’ts to reduce the risk of problems and failures of retaining walls:

Do not be penny wise and pound foolish! Allocate and invest adequate budget for the design and construction of walls that will last for the useful life of the development.
The civil engineer should account for the wall thickness; face batter; minimum setbacks for railing and guardrails; and setbacks from curbs, utilities, and SWM structures during the site layout and grading.
Retain a local and experienced geotechnical engineer to perform borings and design the retaining wall. The project geotechnical engineer is generally in the best position to design walls for the site.
Use design-bid-build process for construction of the wall. Retain a local and experienced contractor to build the wall.
The wall designer should take into account the site-specific soil and groundwater conditions, planned utilities, and other facilities in the vicinity of the wall. The designer should perform global stability analysis of the wall using site-specific and meaningful soil parameters.
Retain the project geotechnical engineer/wall designer to provide full-time observation and testing services during construction.
Assess and incorporate measures to improve surface and subsurface drainage in the vicinity of the wall.
Use nonclayey, sandy soils for wall backfill. Well-graded soils form better backfill and improve drainage. Avoid beach sands (poorly graded sands classified as SP per the Unified Soil Classification System) as wall backfill. Beach sands are prone to washouts and resulting settlement and failures.
Use open-graded backfill for the portions of the walls subjected to permanent or periodic flooding (e.g., walls adjacent to or within SWM ponds).
Avoid temporary sediment traps or concentrated water discharge in the vicinity of the walls.
Stabilize the areas near the top and bottom of the wall immediately after wall construction.
Inspect and maintain the wall drainage system and ground around the wall on a regular basis.

Happy walling!

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STEVENSON, HENDRICKS, STANSFIELD, & WILLE NAMED GTA VICE PRESIDENTS

January 12, 2016, 12:45 pm

≫ Next: ANDREW J. ZMODA, P.G., P.E., PROMOTED TO ASSOCIATE

≪ Previous: RETAINING WALLS – WHY ARE SO MANY PLAGUED WITH PROBLEMS OR FAIL?

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ANDREW J. ZMODA, P.G., P.E., PROMOTED TO ASSOCIATE

January 21, 2016, 5:35 am

≫ Next: SAFETY IN MOTION – GTA’S “NEAR MISS” PROGRAM

≪ Previous: STEVENSON, HENDRICKS, STANSFIELD, & WILLE NAMED GTA VICE PRESIDENTS

We are pleased to announce that Andrew J. Zmoda, P.G., P.E., has been promoted to the position of Associate in our York, Pennsylvania office.

Andy has been with GTA for five years, has a total of 28 years of experience, and specializes in geotechnical and materials engineering. In addition to helping to manage the 11-person York office, Andy provides geotechnical analysis and design recommendations for a wide variety of challenging development projects throughout Central Pennsylvania. These projects typically include recommendations for shallow and deep foundations, stormwater management facilities, earthwork, rock excavation, flexible and rigid pavement, geologic studies, damage studies, groundwater and drainage, retaining walls, and slope stability. He also manages Construction Observation and Testing services, including on-site consultation, supervision of field personnel, report review, and budget monitoring; and oversight of GTA’s AMRL accredited soils laboratory.

Andy received his Master of Science degree in Geology from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from State University of New York, College at Cortland. He is a licensed professional geologist in Pennsylvania and Virginia, and a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania and Maryland. He currently serves as the President of the Engineering Society of York, and is a member of the York County Economic Alliance, and the Harrisburg Area Geological Society.

Some notable projects that Andy has managed include: Citterio meat processing building (Freeland, PA), Johnson Controls Lab and Office buildings, (Shrewsbury, PA), Walmart building settlement, (Morehead, KY), Star Barn relocation, (Elizabethtown, PA), and several, 1M- to 2M-square-foot warehouse projects in York and Cumberland Counties. Prior to joining GTA, Andy managed prominent projects in Baltimore, Maryland including McHenry Row residential and retail development, JHU Gilman Hall basement expansion, Stadium Place Senior Development, and office buildings and parking garages at Sinai Hospital, Anne Arundel Medical Center, and Edenwald Retirement Center.

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SAFETY IN MOTION – GTA’S “NEAR MISS” PROGRAM

February 5, 2016, 8:22 am

≫ Next: Robert Howard, E.I.T., Promoted to Associate

≪ Previous: ANDREW J. ZMODA, P.G., P.E., PROMOTED TO ASSOCIATE

Since May 2015, when GTA hired Mike Whiteman as the Director of Safety, our EMR (Experience Modification Rate) has dropped below 1.00, and our OSHA Total Incident Recordable Rate has been lowered by 0.14.

One of the newest initiatives Mike has developed for GTA, which is sure to lower these rates even further, involves our “Near Miss Program.” A near miss is any type of accident in which a person was not injured, or any circumstance which increases the potential for an injury, if not avoided. The reporting of near misses is a vital component in promoting safety and reducing injuries.

In the trending and tracking world of safety “Near Miss” reporting is crucial and provides multiple benefits. It is used as a valuable leading indicator to identify reoccurring scenarios of poor judgement, and the day and/or time patterns when events are most likely to occur. It can also help to project expected number of first aid and OSHA recordable incidences. With this information, Mike can identify areas of concern in GTA’s safety program to focus future educational programs for the staff in these areas.

In an effort to further entrench the value of and encourage staff to report near misses, GTA has designed a “safety sticker” which is given to staff who report their near misses. Previously, near misses were reported infrequently. Since the establishment of this new incentive, which started in January 2016, near miss reporting has increased 75% from 2015.

It is all about safety in motion…our ongoing effort to keep our staff safe.

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Robert Howard, E.I.T., Promoted to Associate

March 10, 2016, 7:29 am

≫ Next: Managing Risk of Slope Instability for Marlboro and Potomac Clays

≪ Previous: SAFETY IN MOTION – GTA’S “NEAR MISS” PROGRAM

We are pleased to announce that Robert Howard, E.I.T., has been promoted to the position of Associate in our Quakertown, Pennsylvania office.

With 27 years of experience, Rob’s responsibilities include management of construction observation and material testing services (COTS) performed by the office, overseeing the quality assurance and quality control on a variety of commercial, academic, and residential projects; on-site project management and representation; providing training and supervision of field and lab technicians; reports and special inspection letter preparation; and preparing proposals and budgets for a variety of construction projects and work scopes.

Rob received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Drexel University. As member of the Pennsylvania Aggregate and Concrete Association (PACA), he provides class instruction for the ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician-Grade I Certification. Rob serves as the 2016 Vice Chair of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) Lehigh Valley Council and is an active member of their Regional Business Development Committee. Rob also serves as the Chair of GTA’s COTS Committee which works to provide increased safety awareness; uniform hiring, training, and testing guidelines; a forum for group discussion, problem solving and member opinion in decision making; team building strategies; and training for future leadership for our 16 offices.

GTA was established in 1985 and specializes in geotechnical engineering, geoscience and environmental consulting, and materials testing engineering. GTA has a staff of more than 300, including 19 in our Quakertown office.

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Managing Risk of Slope Instability for Marlboro and Potomac Clays

September 7, 2016, 6:48 am

≫ Next: David R. Mazorra P.E., Joins GTA

≪ Previous: Robert Howard, E.I.T., Promoted to Associate

Originally published in Maryland Building Industry
Association’s (MBIA’s) Build Maryland, Sept/Oct 2016 magazine.

Written by: Andy McKeen, P.E.

What is considered a stable slope? A slope with a factor of safety (FOS) of less than 1.0 is considered unstable. The FOS is a measure of the ultimate strength of a system to the actual applied load. So when the applied load is greater than the overall strength, the slope will fail, and the FOS will be less than one. In engineering practice, a slope with a factor of safety of 1.2 to 1.5 is considered stable. What attributes to the stability? There are many factors that contribute, but primarily the soil weight, strength, groundwater, and the overall slope geometry.

In soil mechanics, soil can be assigned an internal angle of friction, and cohesion to measure strength. Generally speaking, the friction angle is the angle at which a soil can “stand up” without sliding over itself. To put it in perspective, picture a large stockpile of soil. For gravelly soils, the pile can be placed at an angle ranging from 38 to 45 degrees before slides and sloughing of soil will occur under its own weight. For sands, this angle can range from 28 to 38 degrees, and for clays 15 to 28 degrees. The second component, cohesion can be thought of as the “glue” that holds soil particles together through cementation in sandy soils or by attraction in clay soils. While shearing under a confining pressure, the shear stress in soil will increase to a certain peak strength level. This peak strength level is typically reached within relatively small displacements. As shear deformation continues past the peak strength, the shear stress drops to a residual strength level and will remain constant, even for large deformations. Internal friction angles at the residual strength level can be as much as 40 to 50 percent less than the typical friction angles at the peak strength, as mentioned above.

Due to low shear strength, clays can be problematic for slopes. In many cases cracks and old slide planes (known as slickensides) are present within clayey soil stratums. Such “slickensided” clays are present throughout Maryland. In particular, the Arundel or Potomac Clay, present throughout central and northern Maryland and Marlboro Clay present primarily in Prince George’s County. Considering the slides and movement, it is more appropriate to utilize the residual friction angle in Marlboro and Potomac Clay.

Slopes constructed in or on top of these formations require careful analysis, and if not analyzed and designed properly, can result in an unstable slope potentially leading to failure. Roadways, buildings and other structures should not be located within a shear plane with inadequate FOS. To perform a proper analysis of a proposed slope or retaining wall, geotechnical information including soil borings to delineate the top, bottom, and thickness of the clay layers, and laboratory testing to estimate the residual strength of the clay should be performed. Enough information should be obtained to fully characterize the clay both up and down slope.

Every given situation is unique, but some general rules of thumb are highlighted below:

Avoid slopes steeper than 5H: 1V on top of the clays.
If possible, “bury” the clay, and keep it as deep and far behind the slope as possible.
Minimize excavation or “unloading” of soil in front of the slope when adding fill behind or on top of the slope.
Keep water away! The buildup of water will reduce stability of the slope.

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David R. Mazorra P.E., Joins GTA

September 16, 2016, 11:27 am

≫ Next: Got Dirt? (Soil Import/Export)

≪ Previous: Managing Risk of Slope Instability for Marlboro and Potomac Clays

GTA is pleased to announce that David R. Mazorra, P.E., has joined our Charlotte office as a Senior Engineer responsible for managing environmental consulting services, and for developing new clients and project opportunities in North and South Carolina.

David has 12 years of experience in environmental engineering, civil engineering, and construction management. He has a strong background in environmental site assessments and remedial action plan design, installation, operation and maintenance for contaminated sites utilizing industry standard and innovative technologies; preparation of construction drawings, bid packaging, project time line management; and contaminated site management for petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, herbicides and pesticides. Mr. Mazorra also has extensive experience in pollutant/petroleum storage tank removal, installation, and maintenance. His experience includes the engineering and management of large-scale construction projects. Prior to joining GTA, David was a Principal with Environmental Compliance Services of North Carolina, PC.

David attended Florida State University, and earned dual degrees in Engineering: Bachelor of Science in Civil and in Environmental Engineering. He is a licensed professional engineer in multiple states including: North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Texas, and Michigan. He is also a Certified Pollutant Storage System Contractor in Florida.

GTA Associates, Inc. (GTA), a subsidiary of Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. (GTA), performs environmental consulting, geotechnical engineering, and construction observation and materials testing services throughout North and South Carolina.

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Got Dirt? (Soil Import/Export)

November 1, 2016, 11:40 am

≫ Next: Scott A. Jacobs, P.E., Joins GTA as an Associate

≪ Previous: David R. Mazorra P.E., Joins GTA

With the economy returning and construction projects ramping up, it seems we receive calls on a weekly basis requesting environmental sampling of soil in need of import or export at construction projects. Import or export of soil in New Jersey is generally not regulated except through some local municipal ordinances or when the soil is imported/exported from a property undergoing remediation. Nevertheless, evaluating the environmental quality of soil imported/exported should be considered to protect the liability of both the sending and receiving parties. This typically involves due diligence to evaluate whether the soil has the potential to be contaminated and/or collection of soil samples for laboratory analysis.

For most development projects, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and/or Preliminary Assessment (PA) is the first step in evaluating the potential for contamination at a property. If potential environmental concerns are identified during the Phase I ESA or PA, soil or groundwater sampling is often performed. This data should be considered when evaluating the environmental quality of soil that may be imported/exported.

In some cases, a Phase I ESA or PA may not identify environmental concerns associated with a property; however, that does not eliminate the potential that soil may contain contaminants above strict New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) standards. A Phase I ESA or PA typically focuses on evaluating whether a release of petroleum products or hazardous substances has occurred. But there are other sources that may result in elevated concentrations of contaminants in soil. For example, arsenic is naturally occurring and is often found in New Jersey soil at levels that exceed the NJDEP standards. Other contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) originate from diffuse anthropogenic sources (i.e., from widespread manmade sources such as combustion of fossil fuels) and may exist at levels exceeding the standards, particularly since NJDEP lowered the standards for these contaminants in 2008. While contaminants from these sources may not be regulated by NJDEP, they could impact the ability to import the soil to a site and significantly affect soil export costs. Considering these issues and the potential liability, it is generally good practice to sample the soil that is planned for import/export regardless of the findings of a Phase I ESA or PA.

When soil is to be imported/exported for use during remediation of a contaminated property in the State’s Site Remediation Program (SRP) (for instance, to cap contaminated soil), evaluation and sampling of the soil pursuant to NJDEP guidance is required. The NJDEP published the Alternative and Clean Fill Guidance for SRP Sites (December 29, 2011), which included conservative sampling requirements, including laboratory analysis of samples collected from virgin sources such as quarries. In April 2015, NJDEP published a revised version (Fill Material Guidance for SRP Sites) that slightly relaxed the sampling requirements. The guidance outlines a sampling frequency based on soil volume with a full suite of analytical parameters typically needed unless due diligence research suggests otherwise. The cost to collect and analyze soil samples pursuant to the guidance can be significant. Analytical results must also meet strict criteria.

For projects where import/export of soil is not dictated by the NJDEP guidance or local ordinances, the level of sampling to be performed is typically established following an environmental due diligence review, and is based on 1) the likelihood that the soil is contaminated, 2) the volume of soil to be exported, and 3) the requirements of the receiving property owner/developer.

The need for soil import/export should be evaluated during project planning, prior to initiating construction. This will allow time to assess potential sources of imported soil, or to sample soil planned for export. Discovery of unanticipated contamination during construction can lead to project delays and cost overruns. Exceptional project planning does not eliminate the possibility of generating soil in need of export from a construction project. Soil suitability, weather, and other factors often contribute to the generation of excess soil.

It is recommended that project specifications detail the level of sampling (and what standards will apply) for imported soil so contractors can properly bid projects. The developer and contractor should also be made aware that an environmental professional or a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) for a remediation project may need to review the analytical data prior to soil import. A developer/contractor could be faced with project delays and increased costs associated with importing soil if finding an acceptable clean fill source proves troublesome. Likewise, a developer or contractor can expect premium costs to manage and export to an approved facility excess soils that contain contaminants above NJDEP’s standards. NJDEP guidance permits the reuse of marginally contaminated soil (a.k.a., alternative fill) at properties undergoing remediation provided that certain conditions are met. Soil that contains elevated concentrations of naturally occurring elements such an arsenic can also remain on site, and remediation of naturally occurring elements is normally not required. The ability to reuse soil that is considered alternative fill or that contains naturally occurring elements is typically evaluated by the LSRP.

Due diligence and project planning are key to managing costs associated with the import/export of soil. A qualified environmental professional should be consulted to assist with these efforts since each site is unique.

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Scott A. Jacobs, P.E., Joins GTA as an Associate

November 18, 2016, 6:35 am

≫ Next: Trade Partner of the Year Award

≪ Previous: Got Dirt? (Soil Import/Export)

We are pleased to announce that Scott A. Jacobs, P.E., has joined GTA as an Associate in our Charlotte, North Carolina office. With 15 years of geotechnical experience, Scott is responsible for managing geotechnical engineering projects, as well as developing new clients and project opportunities in the Carolinas.

Scott will plan subsurface explorations and provide geotechnical analysis and design recommendations for a wide variety of projects requiring shallow, intermediate, and deep foundations, earthwork, ground improvement, retaining walls, slope stability, and other geotechnical and construction related tasks. His technical areas of expertise include specialty insitu testing with the electronic cone penetrometer (CPT), dilatometer (DMT), and pressuremeter testing (PMT), shallow and deep foundation design, load testing, retaining wall design, foundation installation in karst, and temporary construction support. Mr. Jacobs has developed and supervised rock strength testing programs for major bridge, high-rise building, and power-plant projects. He has also managed and installed instrumentation on bridges and buildings to monitor stability during remediation and construction work.

Scott earned dual degrees from University of Florida: a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and a Master’s focusing on Geotechnical Engineering. He is a licensed professional engineer in North and South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Home Builders Association, and Urban Land Institute.

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Trade Partner of the Year Award

December 22, 2016, 11:15 am

≫ Next: Robert Dykstra, P.E., Named Vice President

≪ Previous: Scott A. Jacobs, P.E., Joins GTA as an Associate

GTA is honored to receive Lennar Maryland/Delaware Division’s Land Development Trade Partner of the Year Award.

The award was presented on December 21st by Lennar Vice President, Joe Fortino, and accepted by GTA's Greg Sauter, P.E., V.P./Geotechnical Engineer/Construction Observation and Testing Manager on behalf of the firm.

Lennar Division President, Ryan Houck, expressed his sincere appreciation of GTA’s staff and the valued services that GTA provides to Lennar in all facets of land development acquisition and during construction.

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