The systematic use of geotechnical data for characterization of transportation routes

Abstract

An integrated system approach is presented describing the acquisition, organization and development of route geotechnical data/information for use in planning, analysis and design of complex transportation facilities in geo-technically variable terrain. A unified landform-based approach to geotechnical route characterization is conceptually delineated and formalized. Geotechnical functions required to process data are identified, defined, and integrated into a system within the overall facility design process. Probabilistic techniques used within the characterization approach can objectively consider geotechnical variability and uncertainty including limitations in available geotechnical data/ information. Procedures presented here provide geotechnical tools for project planning, analysis and design of transportation routes.