Xin Peng, Ph.D., PE (Georgia) will discuss “Evolving Project Delivery with Advanced Geotechnical Data Management, Visualization and Data Analytics” in a webinar titled “Geotechnical Data Applications and Visualization for Transportation” hosted by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. EDT on June 23, 2022.

His co-presenters are Matt Lato of BGC Engineering, Inc., Houda Jadi of Geosetta, and Derrick Dasenbrock of the Federal Highway Administration.

Xin Peng is a Geotechnical Engineer based in Georgia who focuses on data management, data visualization, and data analytics. He develops tailored digital solutions that help practitioners manage, visualize, and interpret large datasets as they characterize sites and perform engineering designs. The web-based platforms he has worked to develop are already being used for several large geotechnical design and construction projects for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD). These solutions incorporate many types of geotechnical and geoenvironmental data, including lab testing data from soil borings, cone penetration testing (CPT) data, LiDAR data, geophysical data, deep foundation field load testing data, and instrumentation data. He also contributes to the field through involvement in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Geo-Institute’s (GI’s) Data Interchange for Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (DIGGS), the ASCE GI Grouting Committee, and the Deep Foundation Institute’s (DFI’s) Project Information Management Systems (PIMS) Committee. He is also leading work to develop practical tools and packages using DIGGS to advance geotechnical data management and engineering practice.

A part of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) within the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, the TRB provides leadership in transportation improvements and innovation through trusted, timely, impartial, and evidence-based information exchange, research, and advice regarding all modes of transportation. Committees, researchers, and staff are advance resilient infrastructure, explore transformational technology, and care for the public’s health and safety.

Founded in 1964, NAE is a private, independent, nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership in service to the nation. The organization has more than 2,000 peer-elected members and international members, senior professionals in business, academia, and government who are among the world’s most accomplished engineers. The NAE provides leadership and expertise to promote projects focused on the relationships between engineering, technology, and the quality of life.

Webinar Description

Geotechnical data modeling and presentation along with geospatial tools are all advancing fields that are evolving rapidly. This webinar will explore recent developments. Presenters will address surface change detection data collection, artificial intelligence (AI) predictive tools for informed “filling in” of data gaps, and statistical data interpretation of downhole measurement methods. They will also examine new geospatial tools and their potential to assess performance and resilience of transportation earthworks and other structures. Applications related to the use of large measurement datasets (wide area, borings, and measurements within borings/soundings) and tools/utilities will be featured. The webinar will present an example of web-app based development work for geotechnical data management and visualization to characterize the statistical features of geospatial soil boring data and to facilitate geotechnical site characterization and design.

Abstract

As advanced data-rich techniques and methodologies are developed for geotechnical site characterization, including those recommended by the Advanced Geotechnical Methods in Exploration (A-GaME) program from Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), there are opportunities for geo-professionals to advance their geotechnical data and project delivery. This presentation will focus on innovative practices to improve geotechnical data management, highlighting the development and implementation of a web-based platform to efficiently visualize and interpret geotechnical data to eventually facilitate project delivery. This web-based platform can incorporate multiple types of geotechnical and geoenvironmental data for data visualization and interpretation. “Dense” geotechnical datasets that can be captured and utilized on the platform include lab testing data from soil borings, cone penetration testing (CPT) data, LiDAR data, geophysical testing data, instrumentation data, and deep foundation field load testing data. The web-based platform has been implemented by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) for several large highway and bridge design and construction projects. Project case histories will be presented that focus on the ability to interactively visualize and interpret data from soil borings, CPTs, geophysical data, and conventional field survey data. The presentation will also demonstrate how geotechnical engineers and consultants can efficiently quantify the uncertainty of site conditions and develop soil design models based on statistical analysis of soil boring data. The model uncertainty model can be interactively evaluated based on the methods presented in the FHWA’s Geotechnical Engineering Circular (GEC) No. 5 – Geotechnical Site Characterization. In addition, the presentation will demonstrate how Data Interchange for Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (DIGGS) was implemented into the web-based platform for standardized geotechnical data exchange. The implementation of DIGGS will be shown to efficiently increase the quality of geotechnical data deliverables as a digital asset. Other benefits of implementing DIGGS in geotechnical data management, visualization and geotechnical design process will also be discussed.

More Information

About the event: https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/06-23-2022/trb-webinar-geotechnical-data-applications-and-visualization-for-transportation
About TRB: https://www.nationalacademies.org/trb/about
About NAE: https://www.nae.edu/19580/About
For consultation regarding geotechnical data modeling, contact Xin at Xin.Peng@Geosyntec.com.
Learn more about Xin Peng: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xpeng-phd-ut/