2 ENGINEERING GEOLOGY/Site Classification Figure Engineering geologists generally work with already flawed earth materials This weak rock of Pennsylvanian age at Little Rock, Arkansas, needs to be ripped on excavation, yet it is wholly discontinuous and platy site characterization are addressed in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the engineered works Table assesses the typical goals and components of the site characterization of a variety of engineered works Areas Subjected to Site Characterization In reality, no two parties engaged in planning and conducting a site characterization will produce identical pieces of work The quality and applicability of every site characterization reflects the experience and competence of its leadership Strictly speaking, the basic (minimal) characterization must assess the site within the property boundaries There are many circumstances, however, in which additional areas of ground should be considered in order fully to address the client‘s needs Table presents some of these considerations Pitfalls of Site Characterization There are no hard and fast rules or standards that can be applied to all site characterizations It is incumbent on the engineering geologist to inform the owner of those elements of the work that may best meet the needs of the design engineers and the owner‘s goals for the project If the owner chooses to underfund the site characterization or selects characterization activities on a price-sensitive basis, there are numerous ways in which the end product may fail to give adequate design-related information Where price has not been a determining factor in the scope of the site