Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
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Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
@rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
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Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer is a structural and foundation engineering practice specializing in below-ground construction in the urban environment and assessment of in-service structures.

www.richardjdriscoll.com
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Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer @rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social · May 23
Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer provides consulting #structural and #foundation #engineering and #construction #riskmanagement services to project stakeholders in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions.
#structuralengineering #geostructural #SiteStructural #design
www.richardjdriscoll.com
Welcome | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer (RJDCE) provides consulting structural and foundation engineering and construction risk management services to construction project stakeholders in the northea...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
"I have certainly seen my share of projects with incomplete, overly conservative, uncoordinated or even erroneous #foundation #engineering and perhaps you have too, but it doesn’t have to be that way." www.richardjdriscoll.com/2015/10/does... #structuralengineering #geotechnial #civilengineering
Does Your Project Need a Foundation Specialist? | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
When I talk with people in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction industry, I often find that a lot of people working on building projects have complaints about the foundation engineering on those ...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:10 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Pier underpinning is relatively expensive and high-risk. So what are the alternatives?
#structuralengineering #geotechnicalengineering #foundation #geostructural #SiteStructural #engineering #design #construction #riskmanagment #consulting #underpinning #rjdce
What are the Alternatives to Pier Underpinning? | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
A common application of underpinning is maintaining the stability of the foundations for adjacent structures during excavation on urban sites. If the excavation is deeper than the foundation depth for...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:15 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
RJDCE provided underpinning specialty engineering services for the renovation of Lebanon (NH) City Hall, which presented technical and practical challenges.
#underpinning #foundation #geostructural #SiteStructural #engineering #design #construction #rjdce
From the Files: Lebanon City Hall Underpinning | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Last week, Lebanon Opera House, the nonprofit arts and culture organization that operates the performing arts venue of the same name, kicked off its celebration of the theater's centennial with a gran...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:27 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
When no one is clearly responsible for problems that commonly arise in #urbanconstruction, they are likely to be overlooked, increasing the cost and risk of the project. #SiteStructural #engineering #design #construction #risk #riskmanagment #rjdce
site-structural.com/missing-scop...
Missing Scope for Urban Construction Projects – Site-Structural Engineering for the Urban Environment
site-structural.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:43 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
All #design decisions have trade-offs associated with them, but arbitrary conservatism in lieu of appropriate professional services is a misguided and, in some cases, a risky strategy.
#engineering #architecture #construction #riskmanagment #consulting
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2021/04/cons...
Conservatism Cannot Substitute for Appropriate Services | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Engineers and architects are sometimes asked by their clients if a conservative approach to design can be taken to reduce or eliminate the cost of professional services, especially the costs of specia...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:39 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Build-design is not a real #construction delivery method. Yet, situations arise that resemble what a build-design delivery method might look like if it was real.
#structuralenginnering #SiteStructural #engineering #design #contractors #architects #rjdce
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2021/01/avoi...
Avoiding Build-Design Construction | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Ordinary construction projects usually follow some variant of one of two delivery methods: design-bid-build or design-build. In the design-bid-build delivery method, the owner retains design professio...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
September 18, 2025 at 9:56 AM
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#RJDCE has a #blog! Click here for original content about #structural and #foundation #engineering and #construction #riskmanagement --->>> www.richardjdriscoll.com/blog
Blog | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Structural & Foundation Engineering / Construction Risk Management
richardjdriscoll.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:31 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
#Underpinning is a type of specialty #construction with unique risks that can threaten the success of a project. Knowledge and experience with best practices are crucial for designers and constructors alike. #sitestructural #foundation #engineering #rjdce www.richardjdriscoll.com/services/und...
Underpinning | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Underpinning is the term applied to a variety of techniques used to re-support the foundation system for an existing structure when it is compromised or needs additional capacity, or if foundation sup...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
September 9, 2025 at 9:48 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Two recent investigations from the files of #RJDCE are examples of the risks presented by underground utility #construction.
#utilityindustry #utilities #utilityconstruction #civilengineering #SiteStructural #risk #riskmanagment #infrastructure
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2020/09/redu...
Reducing Risk to Adjacent Properties from Underground Utility Construction | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
In populated areas, underground utilities are the lifeblood of the community. These utilities require periodic maintenance, expansions and replacement. Therefore, underground utility construction is c...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
September 4, 2025 at 11:14 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Have a happy and safe Labor Day!

#labordayweekend #laborday #laborday2025 #structuralengineering #civilengineering #geotechnicalengineering #constructionengineering #foundation #geostructural #SiteStructural #engineering #design #construction #risk #riskmanagment #buildings #consulting #rjdce
Workers on a construction site
September 1, 2025 at 9:45 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Usually, some combination of #design problems, inappropriate #construction methods, poor quality work and inadequate oversight combine to cause a serious failure.
#structuralengineering
#engineering #buildings #forensicengineering #constructionengineering
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2021/12/shou...
Should a Building Blow Down During Construction? | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
After an unseasonably warm day, a cold front passed through the New York City metropolitan area on the evening of Monday, 06 December 2021. Along with much colder temperatures, the cold front brought ...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:27 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Insights from Site-Structural Desk Studies for Urban Construction
#structuralengineering #civilengineering #foundation #geostructural #SiteStructural #engineering #design #construction #risk #riskmanagment #buildings #infrastructure #urbanconstruction
www.site-structural.com/insights-fro...
Insights from Site-Structural Desk Studies for Urban Construction – Site-Structural Engineering for the Urban Environment
www.site-structural.com
August 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
For your summer reading needs, the 2025: 7th Annual Mid-Summer Reading - Content Special Newsletter (although first year on Bluesky!)
#structuralengineering #civilengineering #forensicengineering #foundation #geostructural #SiteStructural #engineering #design #construction #RJDCE

conta.cc/4fKUpcs
7th Annual Mid-Summer Reading - Content Special
Email from     Should Temporary Structures be Designed with Higher Allowable Stresses? Traditionally, designers of temporary structures for use in construction had little guidance binding on their des
conta.cc
August 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Contractors’ personnel may not be experienced clients personally. This can lead to a variety of avoidable problems.
"What #Contractors Should Know About Retaining #Engineers"
#Engineering #design #construction #riskmanagement
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2019/06/what...
What Contractors Should Know About Retaining Engineers | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Construction contractors sometimes need to retain engineers or other design professionals as consultants. They may require engineering support to design temporary works used as part of the means and m...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
August 15, 2025 at 8:28 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Happy Professional Engineers Day!
Licensed Professional Engineers apply science, mathematics and technology to make the world a better place.
#LicensedPEday #structuralengineering #civilengineering #geotechnicalengineering #constructionengineering #SiteStructural #engineering #design #construction
Professional Engineers Day | National Society of Professional Engineers
www.nspe.org
August 6, 2025 at 9:45 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Perhaps #engineering and #riskmanagement for #construction on #urban sites would be better appreciated if it had a name: "Site-Structural Engineering for the Urban Environment"
#structuralengineering #civilengineering #foundation #geostructural #SiteStructural #design #risk
Site-Structural Engineering for the Urban Environment | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Having projects in the urban environment representing a large proportion of my career experience, I am always a little surprised when I encounter design professionals and contractors who do not fully ...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:04 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Construction often exposes nearby #structures and facilities to hazards, which may require #monitoring. Technology has reduced the cost and increased the options, but the full benefit of #construction monitoring is often not realized.
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2018/09/what... #RiskManagement
What’s Wrong with Your Monitoring Plan | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Construction, particularly in the urban environment, often exposes nearby structures and facilities to hazards. These hazards are difficult to predict precisely and manifest as the work progresses. Im...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
There are public policy choices regarding #earthquake #risk and recovery that would benefit from an informed public. It is important to know certain things about earthquakes and how #structures resist them.
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2018/11/what... #structural #engineering #riskmanagement
What Everyone Should Know About Earthquakes and Structures | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Most people understand that earthquakes can produce catastrophic damage to the built environment. However, given that large earthquakes are relatively rare, and that the television news cameras typica...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
July 17, 2025 at 7:05 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
"Why the Design Team for Urban Projects Should Consider Support of Excavation"
#excavation #SOE #Urban #geostructural #SiteStructural #engineering #structuralengineering #geotechnicalengineering #civilengineering #design #construction #riskmanagement
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2016/10/why-...
Why the Design Team for Urban Projects Should Consider Support of Excavation | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
A while back, I looked at a small support of excavation project in a major city that illustrated some of the issues that can arise when excavation support and underpinning are not considered during th...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
July 10, 2025 at 9:28 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
"When to Use Soil-Structure Interaction for Excavation Support Design" #civilengineering #structuralengineering #geotechnical #engineering #design #construction #riskmanagement #soil-structure #excavations #soe #excavationsupport
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2018/07/when...
When to Use Soil-Structure Interaction for Excavation Support Design | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
When structural systems are used to retain in-situ soil during excavation, the resulting soil pressures are difficult to accurately predict. In addition to the uncertainty inherent to soil materials, ...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
July 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
RJDCE provides #engineering investigations, analysis and #design and #construction #riskmanagement services in the Northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions.
#structuralengineering #foundation #geostructural #SiteStructural
www.richardjdriscoll.com/services/
Services | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer provides engineering investigations, analysis and design, and construction risk management services to a variety of stakeholders in construction projects, exis...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
July 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
Thoughtful, project-specific #foundation #design parameters and recommendations can help contain #construction cost and manage #risk. If your #geotechnical report does not provide this, perhaps a second opinion is warranted. www.richardjdriscoll.com/2016/02/shou... #engineering #construction
Should You Have Your Geotechnical Report Peer Reviewed? | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
The foundation is one of the most critical components of any structure. Poor foundation design and construction can impair the serviceability of the entire structure and put adjacent structures at ris...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
June 26, 2025 at 5:40 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
In the #residential and light commercial #construction sectors, some contractors do not seem to know what to do with #structural drawings. This doesn’t always end well.
#structuralengineering #SiteStructural #engineering #design #buildings
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2021/11/will...
Will Your Contractor Read the Drawings? | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
To the uninitiated, a lot of everyday building construction with wood framing and concrete foundations looks pretty similar. However, from a structural engineering design perspective, they could be qu...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
June 25, 2025 at 10:36 PM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
"What a Building Owner Should Know About Underpinning" www.richardjdriscoll.com/2016/02/what...
#structuralengineering #civilengineering #underpinning #foundations #geostructural #SiteStructural #engineering #design #construction #constructionengineering #riskmanagement
What a Building Owner Should Know About Underpinning | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
An environmental consultant I know once showed me a photograph of a deep excavation he had visited on a site tour. The excavation had required underpinning of a couple of brick, bearing wall buildings...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
June 12, 2025 at 8:21 AM
rjdriscollcengr.bsky.social
"While a useful concept, the bearing capacity is not a real physical parameter." Blog: Your Building is Probably Weightless
www.richardjdriscoll.com/2016/03/your... #foundation #geotechnical #geostructural #SiteStructural #engineering #construction #riskmanagement #buildings
Your Building is Probably Weightless | Richard J. Driscoll, Consulting Engineer
Well, not really...some explanation is in order. The bearing capacity is the primary design parameter for proportioning shallow foundations (i.e. footings and mats). If the average pressure applied by...
www.richardjdriscoll.com
June 10, 2025 at 10:18 AM