raghu satyanarayana, ph.d. geotechnical/software … · 2002-02-17 · network of well-documented...

By

Raghu Satyanarayana, Ph.D.Geotechnical/Software Consultant

ESC, Inc.

Jean Benoît, Ph.D.Professor & Chair, Dept. of Civil Engineering

University of New Hampshire

NGESWhat is NGES ?

Network of well-documented geotechnical test sites available to the geo-community for the purpose of advancing the state-of-the-art in areas such as in situ testing, field instrumentation, prediction of soil behavior, and foundation prototype testing.

NGESPURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES

•Stimulate development of new geotechnical tools

•Evaluate new and existing techniques

•Improve geotechnical practice and enhance research

•Provide educational opportunities

•Foster cooperation and information exchange

•Provide easily accessible database for all NGES data

NGESWhy Does NGES Matter ?

• Research conducted in and with real world conditions

• High quality site characterization already available

• Each site offers unique geological conditions

• Data from prior testing invaluable for future testing

• Cost-effective and efficient use of resources

NGESTHE DATABASE

• Heart of the NGES system

• Contains testing results from all sites

• Complete profile for each site available

NGESDATABASE PLANNING

• Database should be expandable

• Data files should follow standard format for input

• Users should be able to download the data in ASCII format

DATA STRUCTURES&

FORMATTING

NGES

NGESDATA STRUCTURES & FORMATTING

• Initial literature search (late 80’s)•AGS’* model as a starting point

• Developed comprehensive data dictionary (over 1000 fields)

• Fields formatted based on available standards and expertise

* AGS – Association of Geotechnical Specialists, UK

Group Name: SPT Standard Penetration Test – Results

Status Heading Unit Description Example

* SITE_ID Site identification CATIFS * HOLE_ID Exploratory hole identification number ABC.12 SPT_SSID mm Split-spoon sampler internal diameter 35 SPT_LINR Liner was used T (true)/F (false) SPT_BASK Basket retainer was used T (true)/F (false) SPT_LGTH mm Split-spoon sampler length 450 SPT_RODT Type of rods AW SPT_RODD mm Drive rod external diameter 41.2 SPT_RODW kN/m Drive rod weight per meter SPT_HAMT Hammer type Donut/Safety/Trip SPT_HAMW kg Hammer mass 63.5 SPT_HAMF m Free fall height of hammer 0.76 SPT_HAMR Hammer release mechanism Rope/Trip/Semi-Auto/Auto SPT_CATD cm Diameter of cathead SPT_ROPE Number of rope turns 2 SPT_AVLD cm Diameter of anvil SPT_ENEQ Equipment used to measure energy

#1 SPT_TOP m Depth to top of test 13.50 #1 SPT_CAS m Casing depth at time of test 12.00 #1 SPT_CASD mm Casing diameter at test level #1 SPT_WAT m Water depth in casing at time of test 2.50 #1 SPT_NPEN mm Total penetration 450 #1 SPT_REC mm Total recovery 430

#1 SPT_INC1 Number of blows for 1st 150mm (6 in.) 6 #1 SPT_INC2 Number of blows for 2nd 150mm (6 in.) 8 #1 SPT_INC3 Number of blows for 3rd 150mm (6 in.) 8

#1 SPT_INC4 Number of blows for 4th 150mm (6 in.) 9

#1 SPT_NVAL SPT uncorrected N value (blows/0.3m); max 100 16 #1 SPT_ENER Measured energy ratio 65.4

SPT_REM Remarks related to the test and equipment

NGESDATA DICTIONARY: SPT EXAMPLE

NGESDATABASE STRUCTURE

LAB TESTS

SPECIMEN IN SITU TESTS

BOREHOLES

NGES SITES

NGESDATABASE STRUCTURE: IN SITU & LAB TESTS

SPT CPT PMT DMT VST etc...

IN SITU TESTS

GRAD LIMITS SP GR TRIAXIAL CONS etc...

LAB TESTS

NGESDATABASE STATUS

• Six NGES sites

• Over 340 boreholes

• Hundreds more ready for input

• Thirteen different in situ tests (SPT, CPT, etc.)

• Nine different laboratory tests (Limits, Gradation, Consolidation, etc.)

NGESDATA INPUT

• Manual input into the database

• Input using data capture application

• Excel Templates developed for all tests� Enables logical data input� Saves data into ASCII format� ASCII data needs to be uploaded into database

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – Intro Screen

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Cone Selection

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Updated Template

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Filter Element (F.E.) Selection

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT F.E. Updated Template

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Test Profile

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Data File Selection

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Addl. Measurements

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Addl. Measurement Title

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Addl. Measurements Units

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Cone Profile

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Missing Info (M.I.) Error

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT M.I. Updated Template

NGESDATA INPUT: EXCEL TEMPLATES – CPT Saving to ASCII File

NGESFHWA’s Automated Geotechnical Information and Design-aid System

(AGIDS)

AGIDS - System of Databases

• Deep Foundations Load Test Database• Shallow Foundations Load Test Database• National Geotechnical Experimentation Sites Database• Ground Improvement Database• Geotechnical Publications Database• National Bridge Inventory Database

DATA STORAGE&

DISSEMINATION

NGES

NGESDATA STORAGE

• ODBC compliant

• Initially designed in dBase

• Sybase RDBMS running under UNIX environment

• New fields and tables can be easily added

• Tape backups periodically performed

• Secure environment/restricted access

NGESDATA DISSEMINATION: IN THE PAST

• Standalone query applications under DOS and MS Windows OS

• Applications distributed via diskettes, CDs, etc.

• Later version allowed data download from NGES website

NGESDATA DISSEMINATION: PROBLEMS

• When new data was added to the database, the entire database had to be re-distributed (downloaded)

• An application bug fix meant re-installing the entire application

• As operating systems evolved, applications needed to be upgraded

• Tech support was necessary to assist in installation in many cases

NGESDATA DISSEMINATION: SOLUTIONS

• Java (applets) based internet user interface application developed• independent of the users’ OS• full-fledged web application running under web browser

• Users need a java plug-in and need to download class files

• Users can • search/query the database based on various parameters• plot the various data (e.g., depth vs. spt blow counts, etc.)• download the data in spreadsheet format

NGESDATA DISSEMINATION: FUTURE DIRECTIONS

• Query interface - need to:• sign the applets so they can be seamlessly downloaded to the

user’s computer when changes are made to the application• fix bugs in the program & add new screens• create site plans so user can click on a borehole to get the

required information• develop printable screens using XML or similar formats

• Data maintenance application:• preparing to release this application for site managers and/or data

producers for direct data input over the internet

NGES DATABASE REPOSITORY

Please Standby for User Interface Application Demonstration

NGES DATABASE USER INTERFACE APPLICATION

NGESFEEDBACK AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• NGES database has been demonstrated at various venues: • received very favorably by geotechnical engineers, researchers,

and others at educational institutions• positive feedback on ease of use and usefulness of database

Would like to acknowledge Mr. Al DiMillio of FHWA for his continued and enthusiastic support of the development of geotechnical databasesand in particular the NGES database

NGES DATABASE USER INTERFACE APPLICATION

Questions ?

raghu satyanarayana, ph.d. geotechnical/software … · 2002-02-17 · network of well-documented...

Documents