Development of a Geotechnical Information Database

The purpose of this project was to create a database for existing, current, and future geotechnical records and data. The project originated from the Geotechnical Design Section at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) and their need to review historical geotechnical data prior to new design decisions. The database could benefit the Department by reducing or eliminating the need and time necessary to conduct new soil borings and test their samples. The database would also serve as a valuable reference resource to the design and other sections. Initially researchers believed the project would require its own computer server to store the vast amounts of data. Upon further review of existing LADOTD databases and storage capabilities, only an interface was necessary to access different existing databases. Content Manager, an Enterprise Document (Object) Management System, already used within the Department is key to the capture, storage, retrieval, and printing of online documents within the Department. The project created a Global Information System (GIS) with a user friendly interface and additional links to existing databases within (and outside) the Department to speed access times, compared to hardcopy searches, consolidating vast amounts of information into one online resource. The data will be accessed mainly by Headquarters’ Geotechnical Design Section but also by the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) and district laboratory offices. This project has already benefited the design section. Specifically, the GIS Web site application has been implemented to “...enhance the Geotechnical Design Section’s ability to select proper boring depths. Additionally, the information attached to the database such as load test data, pile driving logs, and other activity logs will greatly improve the pile resistance prediction. The better pile length prediction may ultimately reduce the cost of foundation construction.” (Ching Tsai, LADOTD Geotechnical Design Section).

• Record URL:
  http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2009/fr_446.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2009/ts_446.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/5677
• Corporate Authors:

  Louisiana Transportation Research Center

  4101 Gourrier Avenue
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70808

  Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

  1201 Capitol Access Road, P.O. Box 94245
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70804-9245

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Gautreau, Gavin P
  • Bhandari, Pallavi
• Publication Date: 2009-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References;
• Pagination: 65p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Databases; Design; Development; Geographic information systems; Geotechnical engineering; Websites (Information retrieval)
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Geotechnology; Highways; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01146770
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/LA.09/446
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 22 2009 12:03PM