What Is a 3rd Party Peer Review and Why Is It Important?

I get this question a lot. A third-party peer review is an independent technical check of a design performed by someone who was not involved in creating it. In my case, that means I review geostructural systems such as aggregate piers, rigid inclusions, soil mixing, compaction grouting, permeation grouting, helical piles, and similar specialty systems.

The goal is to confirm that the proposed design is technically sound, constructible, and appropriate for the actual ground conditions. These systems often fall in the gray area between geotechnical and structural engineering, which is where most project risks tend to hide. A good peer review can catch design assumptions that do not fit the site soils, prevent over or under design, and identify constructability issues before they turn into field problems.

In short, it reduces risk, improves performance, and saves money by finding potential issues early, before concrete, grout, or stone go into the ground.

Why Should We Hire You for a 3rd Party Peer Review When We Already Have a Structural and Geotechnical Engineer?

That is a fair question and one I hear often. Your structural and geotechnical engineers are key members of the design team, but geostructural systems sit in the overlap between their two disciplines. That overlap is where things can go wrong if the details are not coordinated.

I bring a different perspective. I have more than three decades of experience in both the design and construction of specialty geostructural systems. I understand how design decisions affect installation, performance, cost, and schedule. I have seen what works, what does not, and why.

Many times, I am called in after a project has experienced unexpected settlement, heave, or installation problems. More often now, I am brought in early to help prevent those issues in the first place. In fact, more and more General Contractors are retaining us from the conceptual phase through completion—a cradle-to-grave approach that ensures the geostructural system is coordinated, cost-effective, and technically sound at every stage.

My role is to make sure the design will perform as intended, that the assumptions and calculations make sense, and that the system can be built efficiently in the ground that actually exists. That is the value of an independent peer review: practical, experienced judgment focused on preventing problems before they happen.

Ready to Discuss Your Project?

If your project involves aggregate piers, rigid inclusions, grouting, or other ground improvement systems, an independent peer review can add real value and peace of mind. Contact Garbin GeoStructural Group, LLC to discuss how a third-party review can help confirm design integrity, improve constructability, and reduce risk before construction begins.