Abstract Construction in desert arid areas imposes many challenges to geotechnical engineers due to the difficult problematic nature of the ground. The challenges could be faced during the pre and post construction phases. Those additional challenges are due to the fact that water/ground water is missing during the investigation phase. After construction, water is introduced due to planting causing many problems to the constructed facilities. This lecture provides many examples of the challenges faced during investigation, miss-characterization and post constructions. Many of the examples are supported with field monitored performance of the constructed facilities. The examples provide evidences that many types of soil or rock could surprisingly cause serious damages to the constructed structures. The lecture provides alternative foundations and solutions to the observed problems.