THE DISCIPLINE FILE
framing, the engineers provided instructions to continue as per the plan and left the site. - On March 15, 2015, girders 4 through 6 were installed, but with only temporary bracing — the permanent bracing was not installed. The drop- in girder installation procedure was not followed in the same sequence as girders 1 through 3. Specifically, the permanent diaphragm frame installation was not completed. - At approximately 1:30 A.M. on March 16, lateral torsional buckling of girders 4 and 5 was noted and by 2:15 A.M. extensive buckling had occurred between girders 4, 5 and 6. j. An independent report (“the Report”) was completed on June 22, 2015, regarding the causation of damages during erection. The Report was completed at the request of [Supreme’s insurer], by [Engineering Company D]. The intent was to apply forensic engineering principles to address the most probable cause of the damages that occurred during the drop-in girder installation. The Report indicates that a procedural mistake was made by the experienced Supreme site foreman who did not fully understand the importance of the diaphragm frame installation. Specifically, it states: “…the primary cause of the girder deflection and damages is as a result of the Supreme site foreman not following the unique stamped and sealed Supreme erection drawing procedures…” Further: “…the cause of damages to the drop-in girders would be as a result of faulty workmanship due to the Supreme erection procedures not being followed…” k.Supreme utilized Professional Members appropriately with respect to managing change orders, modifications and/or alterations related to the bridge girder erection. l. Supreme did not have constant, professional supervision at the site; however, they demonstrated there were adequate policies and procedures in place intended to ensure the girder erection process was followed accurately and as required by design. Having designed an appropriate erection scheme and passed it on to an experienced crew there would be no requirement for the engineer to be continuously on site to ensure his directions were being followed.
Case No. 17-005-RDO continued
c. Supreme was the engineer of record responsible for girder erection drawings and girder erection scheming. d. Supreme was required to use the services of Professional Engineers throughout the process required to erect the bridge girders. e. Supreme, through the bridge girder erection process, did encounter change orders, modifications and/or alterations. f. Supreme had in place, at the relevant time, a Professional Practice Management Plan (PPMP) created in 2004 entitled, SSL PPMP SP-02 Design and Drafting , which had been created in response to the requirements made by APEGA at that time. g. Supreme failed to provide an appropriately labelled and updated PPMP manual to APEGA’s Investigation Panel. The documents provided by Supreme did not meet APEGA’s Guideline for Professional Practice Management Plans, V1.4, February 2013 , specifically Section 2.4 which states, “Each permit holder should review its Plan at least annually to verify its suitability and effectiveness.” h. Supreme, despite failing to provide an appropriate PPMP, had in place adequate policies and procedures intended to ensure the erection process of the girders was followed accurately and as required by design. i. Supreme issued 5 final erection drawings for the Project, one of which (Drawing EP140312-R3, revised March 13, 2015) included the details on the delivery, erection sequence, stability requirements and step-by-step installation procedures as well as crane locations for the 7 drop-in girders between the west and east abutment girders. - On the morning of March 14, 2015, Supreme’s two engineers (Professional Member A, P.Eng., and Professional Member B, P.Eng.), and [Engineering and Construction Company Engineer C] involved with the Project were on site as the first of the drop-in girders was installed. - At 7:00 P.M., after the 3rd girder was installed, which included the permanent diaphragm
68 | PEG SUMMER 2017
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