Advancing Subsurface Explorations Beyond the Borehole
Geotechnical site characterization sometimes fails to fully characterize the below-ground bedrock surface and hydrologic conditions using conventional borings. By combining geophysical and boring data analysis, transportation projects can produce a more thorough and accurate representation of geotechnical subsurface conditions, reducing the disruption work plans, forced revision of designs, and cost increases from schedule delays, claims, or change orders. The need to bring more geophysics into transportation projects is recognized by the Federal Highway Administrations EDC-5: Advanced Geotechnical Methods in Exploration (A-GaME) initiative. The proposed research will test a number of established geophysical techniques and their correlation with established geotechnical assessments used by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT). Passive Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) seismic and multi-frequency electromagnetic induction geophysical methods can be rapidly deployed and are well suited to enhance geotechnical cross sections generated with conventional borings and compliment other geophysical methods already in use by DOTs. Measurements of specific conductance of and depth to water along with direct-current resistivity of split spoon samples from borings will be used to help calibrate interpretations of geophysical data where feasible. This effort will contribute to the overall goal of improving efficiency of NHDOT increasing delivery time of subsurface conditions and decreasing the time it takes to complete.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Proposed
- Funding: $170000
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Contract Numbers:
42372G
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Sponsor Organizations:
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
John O. Morton Building
P.O. Box 483
Concord, NH United States 03302-0483 -
Managing Organizations:
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
John O. Morton Building
P.O. Box 483
Concord, NH United States 03302-0483 -
Project Managers:
Nash, Deirdre
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Performing Organizations:
United States Geological Survey
New England Water Science Center
Pembroke, New Hampshire United States -
Principal Investigators:
Degnan, James R
- Start Date: 20201101
- Expected Completion Date: 20230930
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Boreholes; Geotechnical engineering; Subsoil
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01771082
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: New Hampshire Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 42372G
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: May 3 2021 10:39AM