During the Bi-Lateral Meeting on April 23, 2025 ACEC-SK members expressed concern about Geotechnical Analysis on Bridge Projects. At that time there was no formal exception process if the ministry directed the consultant to forgo boreholes or if there was any deviation from the original design.
Bridge engineers from ACEC-SK and MoH met a couple of times and as a result there is now a Design Exception Form for Bridge Design and clauses added to the PSA and Design Plans.
- PSA Wording – The Ministry recognizes that field-driven pile lengths may differ from those specified in the design. The Ministry shall bear all costs and risks associated with these differences.
- The Construction Administration Consultant shall verify and confirm the field pile capacities and provide a signed and sealed report to the Ministry confirming that the installed piles meet the required load capacities.
- Plan Notes: Driven Pile lengths may differ from those in design due to field conditions. A change in lengths may be required. Field verification of pile capacity shall be in accordance with the Ministry Short Span Bridge Design Guidelines BD 200.”