Geological-Geotechnical Database from Standard Penetration Test Investigations Using Geographic Information Systems

Abstract

The study describes applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) associated with Standard Penetration Test (SPT) reports as a support tool for planning and deci- sion-making in public and private spheres. The chapter begins with a bibliography com- pilation showing recent applications carried out around the world. Following this, the description of the geological-geotechnical method using SPT information applied in two case studies is presented in particular. For that, an extensive detailing of SPT reports treatment is done to enable the composition of a geological-geotechnical database. Two cases are shown to exemplify the method application and its results, including the char- acterization of the topographic relief through Digital Elevation Model (DEM), slope and hydrographic map and the development of soil, groundwater and foundation maps using a geological-geotechnical database composed basically by SPT data. The cases approach a larger scale using 507 SPT boreholes to analyze a university campus with 1 km2 and on a smaller scale using 537 SPT boreholes to analyze a city with 207.2 km2 of urban area. Different possibilities of applications for information management are dis- cussed over the chapter.