IMPROVING LEVEE CERTIFICATION BY MANAGING GEOTECHNICAL DATA WITH AN ENTERPRISE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

摘要

Recent catastrophic flood events and levee failures point to heightened need to improve the analysis of data regarding levee system integrity. Historically, geotechnical data management relied on log books, paper maps, and CAD drawings. To aid in effective geotechnical data management for levee certification projects, we moved to a GIS based data management system. The development of the geotechnical data management system resulted from collaboration between the Geotechnical and Water Resources departments. This paper addresses how we transitioned from traditional practices to an enterprise GIS data management processes. It highlights our efforts on a levee system that encompassed approximately 100 miles of levee and required data collection on hundreds of borings, test pits, and cone penetrometer test soundings. To manage the tremendous amount of information, a database was developed to compile and standardize bore hole data. The database includes an easy to navigate interface to guide the user from data entry through report production. The accuracy of data entry is enhanced by the quality control measures built into the system, and the data querying features help the user to quickly retrieve pertinent data within seconds. The structure of the database permits a customizable output that is not software specific for further analysis.rnThe data was brought into the GIS environment by plotting the exploration coordinates, and elevations were derived from high resolution LIDAR data. Geologic cross-sections were easily and quickly prepared from the database using advanced modeling software. The quality controlled data was migrated to an enterprise geodatabase, which permits multiple users to connect to the data simultaneously.rnA GIS based web application was developed as a portal for all interested parties to view the subsurface information, which increased the effectiveness of communication among team members. The web application gives novice GIS users the ability to view project information in an intuitive collaborative website. Secure network access was built into the website such that the project data could be viewed by the client from their office. While the system contains multiple projects, a team member can only view projects they are assigned to.