Kentucky Geotechnical Database
Creators: name: Hopkins, Tommy C.
name: Beckham, Tony L.
name: Sun, Liecheng
name: Pfalzer, Bill
Publisher: name: Kentucky Transportation Center, University of Kentucky
Year: 2005
Subjects: subject: Transportation Engineering

description: Development of a comprehensive dynamic, geotechnical database is described. Computer software selected to program the client/server application in windows’ environment, components and structure of the geotechnical database, and primary factors considered in constructing the database are discussed. Oracle ®8i, PowerBuilder ®8, and Map Object ® software were used to construct the database, build graphical user interfaces (GUI), and embed roadway maps, respectively. Any number of users may use the database simultaneously. Twelve highway district offices and several central offices of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet are connected to the database. Data may be entered and retrieved dynamically in the client/server structure.  This report is the fourth of four, recently completed, research studies. It summarizes all studies and describes the integration of major components of the database. Components include rock slope, landslide, and soil and rock engineering data. The first two studies, conducted in the mid 1990’s, focused on potential rock slope hazards and the development of a rock slope management system. The rock slope component of the database provides procedures for gathering field data and rating the hazardous conditions of rock slopes. About 2100 of about 10,000 observed rock slopes were classified as potentially hazardous and rated numerically using the Oregon DOT’s Rock Slope Hazard Rating System. The third research study and report, which was published in 2003, focused on landslides. The landslide database provides programmed procedures for gathering field data, rating the severity of a landslide, and describes a management system. About 1,400 landslides were identified and rated using a simple system devised by the University of Kentucky Transportation Center and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Latitudes and longitudes of rock slope and landslide sites were determined using Global Positioning System equipment (sub-meter accuracy). Attributes, including JPEG-format photographs and latitudes and longitudes, of rated rock slope and landslide sites are stored in the comprehensive database. A priority list of hazardous rock slopes and landslides can be generated rapidly.  The main focus of the fourth, and current, study focused on soil and rock engineering data generated during geotechnical investigations and testing. This report dealt more with developing specific database features, simplifying data entry schemes, and expanding retrieval capabilities and flexibilities. A large amount of additional soil and rock geotechnical engineering data was entered during the current study. Information in this report is presented in three parts: rock slopes, landslides, soil and rock engineering data, which reflects the historical accumulation of these components under separate studies. Several schemes for retrieving data and generating reports are described.  Secondary components of the database include statistical analyzers and engineering applications for performing “on-line” analysis of data, developing correlations between different soil parameters, and performing engineering analysis and designs. Procedures for entering historical soil and rock engineering data have been developed and programmed. Issues concerning database security, engineering units, and storing and displaying maps, graphics, and photographs are discussed. The database contains procedures for dynamically overlaying the locations of landslides, rock slopes, and borings onto embedded roadway and digitized geological maps. Strategies and illustrations of graphical user interfaces for data entry and retrieval are described.