Geodata management system, a computerized data base for geotechnical engineering

Abstract

This paper describes the Geodata Management System, a data base system for the management of large quantities of geotechnical data. Borelogs, in-situ tests, laboratory tests and geophysical data can be handled by the system. The advantages of such a system for the planning of urban developments and industrial projects are discussed. They include:

• Convenient storage of all the relevant geotechnical and geological parameters, including borehole, laboratory and in-situ testing data.

• Capability to model and present the data in two or three dimensions, in a variety of fence diagrams, contour maps and graphs allowing correlations between borehole and cone penetration tests (CPT) locations.

The creation of comprehensive geotechnical data base systems has become essential for the planning of urban developments and industrial projects. The large number of boreholes and CPTs made in densely populated lowland areas, result in excessive paper files of soil data. Poor accessibility of these files often prohibits their efficient reference and may reduce the quality of the consultation of valuable data.

On the other hand data bases may be consulted for many different types of projects and access to the original soil data is easily achieved. This allows the engineer to make correlations with new data and re-evaluate earlier engineering assessments. Definition of geological formations or geotechnical soil units and addition of engineering parameters to the data base will lead to thematic maps and diagrams related to foundation design.