Geotechnical Data Acquisition and Computerized Analysis

Hill, Jean S.; Slakey, Douglas M.; ,

Geotechnical Data Acquisition and Computerized Analysis

by Jean S. Hill, Woodward-Clyde Consultants, Houston, TX, USA,
Douglas M. Slakey, Woodward-Clyde Consultants, Houston, TX, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Computing in Civil Engineering

Abstract:

In 1983 and 1984, an exploratory tunnel was constructed as part of the geotechnical exploration program for two highway tunnels to be constructed for the improvement of Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. The geotechnical data obtained during construction of the exploratory tunnel consisted of: rock and rock mass descriptions, including physical properties such as strength and elasticity (or deformability); descriptions of rock mass discontinuities, including orientations and frequencies, aperture widths, and infilling material; and measurements relating to the rock mass behavior during and after construction. The construction data obtained included: rates of production, blast data, and overbreak measurements. The geotechnical and construction data were manually entered on an onsite microcomputer, through project-developed software, as the data were acquired. The on-site availability of the microcomputer permitted the efficient evaluation of the overall geotechnical investigation program to ensure that it is proceeding toward its goal of acquiring data for use in the design of the full-size tunnels.

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