WDP Office: Manassas
With over 30 years of practical experience for a diverse portfolio of public and private sector projects, Rob’s geotechnical expertise has provided innovative, cost-efficient solutions for foundations and slabs, retaining systems and slopes, utilities, pavements, SWM/BMP (stormwater management/best management practices) facilities, and earthwork quality control guidelines and recommendations. He routinely performs design-phase geotechnical investigations for new project design support. In addition, his expertise involves him in forensic geotechnical engineering services for a variety of clients involved in claims, disputes, and litigation matters nationwide. Rob is actively involved with ASTM D-18 Committee for Soil and Rock, which develops and reviews new and existing standards for the geo-professional field. He also participates in the ASCE Geotechnical Section – National Capital Chapter and is a member of the ASCE Forensic Engineering Division’s Committee on Practices to Reduce Failures.
“I like challenging conventional wisdom. Employing alternative field exploration methods as opposed to more traditional methods to find a way to confidently utilize shallow foundations versus a deep foundation system can save hundreds of thousands of dollars and months of work; it’s well worth the effort. It’s equally important to me to work closely with the site contractors or specialty geotechnical contractors to execute the tasks of dewatering, excavation and embankment, or sheeting and shoring. The forensic side of the profession is even more interesting, as that work gives me lots of opportunity to help people. As an amateur astronomer disguised as a geotechnical engineer, I have found that the earth is just as mysterious and three-dimensional as the skies are.”
Technical Papers & Publications & Presentations
Rob has authored several journal articles on the subject of Geotechnical Engineering and Slope Stability for The Construction Specifier magazine. He has made presentations at CSI’s Annual Convention and also the International Flat Dilatometer Conference. Rob also presents WDP’s course on Geotechnical Investigation Methods and Site Characterization.
