Electronic Storage and
Interchange of Geotechnical
Engineering Data
Jennifer D. McPhail
Geotech XML (GML) Project
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What the GML Project is.
Why the GML Project is so important.
The capabilities of the GML Project.
Fruition of the GML Project.
Contributions to the Project
• Provided a global review of the current state of affairs concerning
geotechnical data processing.
• Established a need for a standard concerning the storage and transfer of
geotechnical engineering data.
• Identified geotechnical data sources and the geotechnical data
interchange process.
• Established design goals.
• Proposed a standard.
• Identified the logical structure of geotechnical data.
• Identified core tags of the GML language.
• Recognized privacy and authenticity issues concerning geotechnical
data.
• Proposed the method to continue the GML language by adding “fourth
level tags”.
XML
Geotechnical Data Sources
• Office
• Field
• Laboratory
Office
• Bid proposals
• Project planning and
scheduling
• Work delegation
• Project design
• Decision-making
• Computations
performed
Field
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Plans implemented
Progress takes place
Site characterization
Investigations
performed
• In-situ soil tests
performed
• Samples obtained
• Tests conducted
Laboratory
• Data generated
• Data analyzed
• Data produced
The Geotechnical Data Interchange Process
• The “Three-Plus-Site” Model of Data Interchange
Future Scenario
Better Judgements for the Continuation
of the Project
Data Made Publicly Available
Data Captured for Research
The Proposed Standard
• Design Goals
• A First Step into the
Proposed Standard
• A Tagged Data
Scheme
• “<“ and “>” Identify
a Tag
• “</” and “>” Identify
Closing of Tag
<Project>
<Client> City of Stillwater </Client>
<Engineer> Prime Geotechnical </Engineer >
<Consultant> Geotechs-R-Us </Consultant >
</Project>
Logical Structure of Data
• The “Three-Plus-Site”
Model Used
• Categories Established
• First Level of
Geotechnical Data
Structure
• Second Level of
Geotechnical Data
Structure
Geotechnical Data Structure:
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SITE 1. The typical tasks performed in the
office include:
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SITE 2. The typical tasks performed in the
field include:
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Preparations <Prep>
– Reconnaissance survey with maps and
available reports
– Site visit records and report
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Borings <Borings>
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Sampling <Samples>
– ID, location, depth, diameter, method
– Borehole ID, depth, method, day/time,
company, technician names,…
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Field tests <FieldTests>
– SPT
– CPT
– GWT
– Dilatometer
– Pressuremeter
– Cross-hole, etc.
Plate Load Test (historic)
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Plans and Specs <Specs>
– Boring locations and depths
– Sampling locations and sample types
– Tests to be performed in the field
– Tests to be performed in the laboratory
Results/ Reports <Reports>
– Field work reports
– Lab work reports
– Analyses, including consultants' work
Recommendations / Final Report
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Geotechnical Data Structure:
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SITE 3. Some tasks performed in the laboratory are
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Index property tests <Index>
– Sieve analysis
– Hydrometer analysis
– Atterberg Limits
– Natural water content
– Specific gravity
– Void ratio
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Engineering/Mechanical Property Tests
<Mechanical>
– Compaction and relative density determination
by the standard Proctor
compaction test
– Permeability tests
– Shear strength determination
– Direct shear test
– Unconfined compression test
– Triaxial tests
Compressibility and consolidation tests
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Special tests <Special>
Chemical tests and special triaxial tests and others
<GML>
<Prolog>
<Project>
<Name> </Name>
<Date>
<SecurityLevel>
</Project>
<Authorization>
<AuthorizationCode code/>
<AuthorizedBy> </AuthorizedBy>
<Security> </Security>
</Authorization>
</Prolog>
<Office>
<Prep>
</Prep>
<Specs>
</Specs>
<Reports>
</Reports>
</Office>
<Field>
<Borings>
<boring>
(ID, depth, method, day/time, company, responsible
technician name)
</boring>
</Borings>
<Status>
<Samples>
<sample>
(HoleID, depth, type, method)
</sample>
</Samples>
<FieldTests>
(SPT, CPT, GWT, etc.)
</FieldTests>
</Field>
<Laboratory>
<Index>
(LL, PL, SL, PI, w, etc.)
</Index>
<Mechanical>
(Triaxial, direct shear, consolidation, permeability, etc.)
</Mechanical>
<Special>
(Chemical tests, etc.)
</Special>
</Laboratory>
</GML>
Privacy and Authenticity of Data
• Maintaining Privacy
by Using Public Key
and Private Key
System
• Maintaining
Authenticity by Using
a Digital Signature
• Examples of Tags
Prolog>
<Project>
<Name>
<Date>
<SecurityLevel>
<Status>
</Project>
<
<Authorization>
<Signature>
<AuthorizationCode>
<AuthorizedBy>
</Authorization>
<Security>
<SecurityMethod>
<PublicKey>
</Security>
</Prolog>
The Future Possibilities
• How Fourth Level GML Tags Can Be
Selected
• Definition Process of New Tags
• Dr. Toll’s Work at Durham College
Computer Integration with Geotechnical Equipment