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101 How to Write a Geotechnical Report

Courses > Soil Mechanics > Geotechnical Laboratory and In-Situ Testing Methods > 101 How to Write a Geotechnical Report

Introduction
Upon completion of the field investigation and laboratory testing program, the geotechnical engineer will compile, evaluate, and
interpret the data and perform engineering analyses for the design of foundations, cuts, embankments, and other required facilities.
Additionally, the geotechnical engineer will be responsible for producing a report that presents the subsurface information obtained
from the site investigations and provides specific technical recommendations. 

Concepts and Formulas

TYPES OF REPORTS
Generally, one or more of three types of reports will be prepared: A geotechnical investigation (or data) report; a geotechnical design
report; or a geoenvironmental report. The choice depends on the requirements of the highway agency (owner) and the agreement
between the geotechnical engineer and the facility designer. The need for multiple types of reports on a single project depends on the
project size, phasing and complexity.

Geotechnical Investigation Reports

Geotechnical investigation reports present site-specific data and have three major components:

1. Background Information: The initial sections of the report summarize the geotechnical engineer's understanding of the facility for
which the report is being prepared and the purposes of the geotechnical investigation. This section would include information on
loads, deformations and additional performance requirements. This section also presents a general description of site conditions,
geology and geologic features, drainage, ground cover and accessibility, and any peculiarities of the site that may affect the
design.
2. Work Scope: The second part of the investigation report documents the scope of the investigation program and the specific
procedures used to perform this work. These sections will identify the types of investigation methods used; the number, location
and depths of borings, exploration pits and in situ tests; the types and frequency of samples obtained; the dates when the field
investigation was performed; the subcontractors used to perform the work; the types and number of laboratory tests performed;
the testing standards used; and any variations from conventional procedures.
3. Data Presentation: This portion of the report, generally contained in appendices, presents the data obtained from the field
investigation and laboratory testing program, and typically includes final logs of all borings, exploration pits, and piezometer or
well installations, water level readings, data plots from each in-situ test hole, summary tables and individual data sheets for all
laboratory tests performed, rock core photographs, geologic mapping data sheets and summary plots, subsurface profiles
developed from the field and laboratory test data, as well as statistical summaries. Often, the investigation report will also include
copies of existing information such as boring logs or laboratory test data from previous investigations at the project site.

The intent of a geotechnical investigation report should be to document the investigation performed and present the data obtained.
The report should include a summary of the subsurface and lab data.nterpretation and recommendations on the index and design
properties of soil and rock should also be included. This type of report typically does not include interpretations of the subsurface
conditions and design recommendations. The geotechnical investigation report is sometimes used when the field investigations are
subcontracted to a geotechnical consultant, but the data interpretation and design tasks are to be performed by the ownerís or the
prime consultantís in-house geotechnical staff. An example Table of Contents for a geotechnical investigation report is presented below
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1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK

3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

4.0 FIELD INVESTIGATION PROGRAM & IN-SITU TESTING

5.0  DISCUSSION OF LABORATORY TESTS PERFORMED

6.0 SITE CONDITIONS, GEOLOGIC SETTING, & TOPOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

7.0 SUMMARY OF SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS AND SOIL PROFILES

8.0 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

   8.1 GENERAL

        8.1.1 Subgrade & Foundation Soil/Rock Types

        8.1.2 Soil/Rock Properties 

   8.2 GROUND WATER CONDITIONS/ OBSERVATIONS

   8.3 SPECIAL TOPICS (i.e., dynamic properties, seismicity, environmental).

   8.4 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS 

9.0 FIELD PERMEABILITY TESTS

10.0 REFERENCES

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A - Boring Location Plan and Subsurface Profiles

Appendix B - Test Boring Logs and Core Logs With Core Photographs

Appendix C - Cone Penetration Test Soundings

Appendix D - Flat Dilatometer, Pressuremeter, Vane Shear Test Results

Appendix E - Geophysical Survey Data

Appendix F - Field Permeability Test Data & Pumping Test Results

Appendix G - Laboratory Test Results

Appendix H - Existing Information

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES

Geotechnical Design Reports

A geotechnical design report typically provides an assessment of existing subsurface conditions at a project site, presents, describes and
summarizes the procedures and findings of any geotechnical analyses performed, and provides appropriate recommendations for
design and construction of foundations, earth retaining structures, embankments, cuts, and other required facilities. Unless a separate
investigation (data)  report has previously been developed, the geotechnical design report will also include documentation of any
subsurface investigations performed and a presentation of the investigation data.  An example table of Contents for a geotechnical
design report is presented below:

1.0 INTRODUCTION

   1.1 Project Description (Includes facility description, loads and performance requirements)

   1.2 Scope of Work

2.0 GEOLOGY

   2.1 Regional Geology

   2.2 Site Geology

3.0 EXISTING GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION

4.0 SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION PROGRAM

   4.1 Subsurface Exploration Procedures

   4.2 Laboratory Testing 

5.0 SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS

   5.1 Topography

   5.2 Stratigraphy

   5.3 Soil Properties

   5.4 Groundwater Conditions

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BRIDGE FOUNDATIONS

   6.1 Design Alternatives

   6.2 Group Effects

   6.3 Foundation Settlement

   6.4 Downdrag
   6.5 Lateral Loading

   6.6 Construction Considerations

   6.7 Pile Testing

7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EARTH RETAINING STRUCTURES

   7.1 Suitable Types

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   7.2 Design and Construction Considerations

8.0 ROADWAY RECOMMENDATIONS

   8.1 Embankments and Embankment Foundations

   8.2 Cuts

   8.3 Pavement

9.0 SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONS

   9.1 Seismicity

   9.2 Seismic Hazard Criteria

   9.3 Liquefaction Potential

10.0 CONSTRUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS

LIST OF REFERENCES

LIST OF FIGURES

APPENDICES

Appendix A Boring Logs

Appendix B Laboratory Test Data

Appendix C Existing Subsurface Information

Since the scope, site conditions, and design/construction requirements of each project are unique, the specific contents of a
geotechnical design report must be tailored for each project. In order to develop this report, the author must possess detailed
knowledge of the facility. In general, however, the geotechnical design report must address all the geotechnical issues that may be
anticipated on a project. The report must identify each soil and rock unit of engineering significance and must provide recommended
design parameters for each of these units. This requires a summarization and analysis of all factual data to justify the recommended
index and design properties. Groundwater conditions are particularly important for both design and construction and, accordingly, they
need to be carefully assessed and described. For every project, the subsurface conditions encountered in the site investigation need to
be compared with the geologic setting to better understand the nature of the deposits and to predict the degree of variability between
borings.

Each geotechnical design issue must be addressed in accordance with the methodology described in subsequent modules of this
training course, and the results of these studies need to be concisely and clearly discussed in the report. Of particular importance is an
assessment of the impact of existing subsurface conditions on construction operations, phasing and timing. Properly addressing these
items in the report can preclude change-of-conditions claims. Examples include but are not limited to: 

Vertical and lateral limits for recommended excavation and replacement of any unsuitable shallow surface deposits (peat, muck,
top soil etc.); 
Excavation and cut requirements (i.e., safe slopes for open excavations or the need for sheeting or shoring); 
Anticipated fluctuation of groundwater table along with the consequences of high groundwater table on excavations; 
Effect of boulders on pile driveability or deep foundation drilling, and 
rock hardness on rippability. 

Recommendations should be provided for solution of anticipated problems. 

GeoEnvironmental Reports
When the geotechnical investigation indicates the presence of contaminants at the project site, the geotechnical engineer may be
requested to prepare a geoenvironmental report outlining the investigation findings and making recommendations for the remediation
of the site.

The preparation of such a report usually requires the geotechnical engineer to work with a team of experts, since many aspects of the
contamination or the remediation may be beyond his/her expertise. A representative team preparing a geoenvironmental report may be
composed of chemists, geologists, hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, toxicologists, air quality and regulatory experts, as well as
one or more geotechnical engineers. The report should contain all of the components of the geotechnical investigation report, as
discussed above. Additionally, it will have a clear and concise discussion of the nature and extent of contamination, the risk factors

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involved, if applicable, a contaminant transport model and, if known, the source of the contamination (i.e., landfill, industrial waste water
line, broken sanitary sewer, above-ground or underground storage tanks, overturned truck or train derailment, or other).

The team may also be required to present solutions (i.e. removal of the contaminated material, pump and treat the groundwater,
installation of slurry cut-off walls, or the abandonment of that portion of the right-of-way, deep soil mixing, biorestoration,
electrokinetics) to remediate the site. The geoenvironmental report should also address the regulatory issues pertinent to the specific
contaminants found and the proposed site remediation methods.

Test Location Plans

A site location plan should be provided for reference on a regional or local scale. This can be handled via use of county or city street
maps or USGS topographic quad maps. Topographic information at 20-foot (6-m) contour line intervals is now downloadable from the
internet (e.g., www.usgs.gov) or purchased for the entire United States from commercial suppliers (e.g., TopoUSA from
www.delorme.com).

The locations of all field tests, sampling, and exploratory studies should be shown clearly on a scaled plan map of the specific site under
investigation. Preferably, the plan should be a topographic map with well-delineated elevation contours and a properly-established
benchmark. The direction of (magnetic or true) north should be shown. A representative example of a soil test boring location plan is
given in the figure below.

A geographic information system (GIS) can be utilized on the project to document the test locations in reference to existing facilities on
the premises including any and all underground and above-ground utilities, as well as roadways, culverts, buildings, or other structures.
Recent advances have been made in portable measuring devices that utilize global positioning systems(GPS) to permit quick &
approximate determinations of coordinates of test locations and installations. 

If multiple types of exploratory methods are used, the legend on the site test location plan should clearly show the different types of
soundings. The figure below shows a proposed test location layout for a combination of soil test borings with SPT, cone penetration test
(CPT) soundings, and flat plate dilatometer tests (DMT). A horizontal scale should be presented. 

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Subsurface Profiles
Geotechnical reports are normally accompanied by the presentation of subsurface profiles developed from the field and laboratory test
data. Longitudinal profiles are typically developed along the roadway or bridge alignment, and a limited number of transverse profiles
may be included for key locations such as at major bridge foundations, cut slopes or high embankments. Such profiles provide an
effective means of summarizing pertinent subsurface information and illustrating the relationship of the various investigation sites. The
subsurface profiles, coupled with judgment and an understanding of the geologic setting, aid the geotechnical engineer in his/her
interpretation of subsurface conditions between the investigation sites.

In developing a two-dimensional subsurface profile, the profile line (typically the roadway centerline) needs to be defined on the base
plan, and the relevant boringsprojected to this line. Judgment should be exercised in the selection of the borings since projection of the
borings, even for short distances, may result in misleading representation of the subsurface conditions in some situations.

The subsurface profile should be presented at a scale appropriate to the depth ofthe borings, frequency of the borings and soundings,
and overall length of the cross-section. Generally, an exaggerated scale of 1(V):10(H) or 1(V):20(H) should be used. A representative
example of an interpreted subsurface profile is shown in the figure below.

The subsurface profile can be presented with reasonable accuracy and confidence at the locations of the borings. Generally, however,
owners and designers would like the geotechnical engineer to present a continuous subsurface profile that shows an interpretation of
the location, extent, and nature of subsurface formations or deposits between borings. At a site where rock or soil profiles vary
significantly between boring locations, the value of such presentations become questionable. The geotechnical engineer must be very
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cautious in presenting such data. Such presentations should include clear and simple caveats explaining that the profiles as presented
cannot be fully relied upon.Should there be need to provide highly reliable continuous subsurface profiles, the geotechnical engineer
should increase the frequency of borings and/or utilize geophysical methods to determine the continuity, or the lack of it, of subsurface
conditions.

Limitations
Soil and rock exploration and testing have inherent uncertainties. Thus the user of the data who may be unfamiliar with the variability of
natural and manmade deposits should be informed in the report of the limitations inherent in the extrapolation of the limited
subsurface information obtained from the site investigation.  A typical statement, found in geotechnical reports prepared by consultants,
that can be included in a geotechnical report is shown below.

"Professional judgments and recommendations are presented in this report. They are based partly on evaluation of the technical
information gathered, partly on historical reports and partly on our general experience with subsurface conditions in the area. We
do not guarantee the performance of the project in any respect other than that our engineering work and the judgment rendered
meet the standards and care of our profession. It should be noted that the borings may not represent potentially unfavorable
subsurface conditions between borings. If during construction soil conditions are encountered that vary from those discussed in
this report or historical reports or if design loads and/or configurations change, we should be notified immediately in order that
we may evaluate effects, if any, on foundation performance. The recommendations presented in this report are applicable only to
this specific site. These data should not be used for other purposes."

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