Geotechnical Data Management System

Abstract

For many geotechnical projects in both the field and the laboratory, there is a trend toward using automatic data acquisition systems to collect information. This usually leads to the generation of a large volume of data, which can be effectively handled and processed only through the use of a data management system. This paper describes a data management system for capturing data from geotechnical projects. The system is developed using a relational concept, so as to make use of available microcomputer‐based relational data‐base management software. A special feature of the system is the dual use of a characteristics file to store attributes of the instruments and tests, as well as to serve as an index for accessing data in the numerous files that will exist. The system is implemented using the dBASE III Plus data‐base management software. Three examples illustrate the input of data into the system, the protection of system integrity, and the retrieval of data from the system.