[Raj Venugopal]

An engineer may be better to deal with this, but if you're thinking of ISO type QC checks, a few re stonework could be:

1. a PSI based rutting test for driveways and walkways. For example, on a driveway packed to 95% proctor an average tire should be able to exert "x" amount of pressure psi on a driveway without rutting.

2. a wall topple test. For example, imagine a winch being able to pull on a 4 foot stretch of retaining wall without it moving, with different pull loads based on wall height, setback, etc.. We've replaced walls that could be pulled over with one hand....

3. standards for cut pieces, wedges, circular steps and coping pieces, etc....that establish quality controls over the types of cuts that separate amateurs from pros. For example, curved coping pieces that reflect radius based cutting instead of random cuts.

4. Minimum and maximum slopes for driveways and walkways with consideration for hilly properties.

5. Min and max riser heights...

6. Wall base coursing (20-25% global wall height to a max of 4') after which geogrid useage is standardized based on load and surcharge forces. Along the same, standards on rebarring, deadmen, draintile, fill, fabric, footings, materials under base course (remember that cool thread about using wet mix under the base course?), etc, etc...

7. Basework and excavation standards based on subgrade type (loam, clay...)

Is this along the lines of the stuff we're talking about?

[Stonehenge]

For the most part, I'd say yes. I think it's going to be what it'll be, but much of what you listed would be things I'd like to see in it. Also, some simple jobsite safety/logistics/common sense things, like how to park a trailer and tractor/skid steer when they will be left at a site overnight, and what to check on a truck each morning and how to check it, and what to do if the check reveals a problem.

Enough so that you could hand the manual to a crew of three and they could do a project from start to finish.

[James Mugrage]

I would love to be a part of this. Sounds like an extraordinary idea that will go down in landscape history as the biggest single event that revolutionized the landscape industry and made many a landscapers successful business owners.

I was invited to be a part of a group similar to this idea a few years ago. This particular group already had all of the answers and an expensive membership fee of something like $3000 per month plus royalties.

I also would not object to starting a research and development fund that would be strictly used to advance this idea. Reason being ( Let the experts be the experts in there collective fields. ) If Jeff (Stonehenge), needs to hire somebody just to get a particulare area rolling, I'm all for it. I'd even be willing to bet that some consultants and industry experts would volunteer or give reduced rates just because they see the potential in it. Count me in ! and let me know if, when and where I need to send the money.

[Malrex]

I'm not sure where I would fit in for helping out as I probably have the least experience, but I'll throw my hat in. I don't mind proofreading/editing or perhaps adding 2 cents in on pond construction.

If you think a section of erosion control methods along streams and rivers using plant material and other "soft" methods would be beneficial for any reason, I'd be happy to write something up .

[Hamons]

I wanted to put this bug in peoples ear again at the BEGINNING of the "getting fat" season where we might actually have time to work on this.

Lets put a plan together.

[Stonehenge]

Just when I was ready to table this thing indefinitely....

Truthfully, it's just about ready to launch, I just need to decide on the right security measures, then put together a tutorial on how to use the thing - it's much more difficult (or at least less intuitive) than this forum is to create new pages and move around in the site, so creating the tutorial is going to take a little time.

Then again, I could just have it hosted somewhere other than the GTX server and let everyone go wild with it, figuring it out as they go.

[Hamons]

You know I love adding to your plate Jeff!

[musclecarboy]

This would be a pretty cool tool. I want to be able to give employees a list so they can do everything themselves with little input from me.

[Stonehenge]

I agree, that it would be a fantastic tool. But it will require hundreds of hours of work from hundreds of members before it will begin to be useful.

Just want to make sure everyone knows what they'll be in for.

[musclecarboy]

You are so right. TONS of hours will need to be put in, but I think once something gets going, compensation could be organized for founding contributors.

[Stonehenge]

Compensation might be possible, but it would likely be a long, long way away, and may not take the form of currency. Right now I want to just make sure there's enough interest in this project that if I invest the time in getting it off the ground, others will spend the time to build the content. Compensation at this point is a non-issue for me, and others shouldn't participate thinking there's a payday waiting at the end of this. If they do, they'll more than likely be disappointed.

[musclecarboy]

I did not intend currency compensation or anything within the next short while. I'm somewhat new to the landscape industry but still feel I have knowledge to contribute. Count me in for anything you need help with.