Presentation Title: Development of a Web based GIS system for Geotechnical Information

Committee:

• Dr.Jianhua Chen (Major Professor)
• Dr. Donald Kraft
• Dr.Jian Zhang

Date: Mar 9, 2011
Time: 02:30 PM
Location:256, Coates Hall

Abstract:
The purpose of this project was to create a database for historical, current, and future geotechnical records and data. The project originated from the Geotechnical Design Section at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) and their need to review historical geotechnical data to make project design decisions. The database benefits the Department by reducing or eliminating the need and time necessary to conduct new soil borings and test their samples. The database would also serves as a valuable reference resource to the entire Geotechnical department.

Initially researchers believed the project would require a new computer server to store the large and dispersed volume of data. Upon further review of the existing LADOTD IT infrastructure and storage capability, it was only necessary to create an interface to access different legacy databases. Content Manager, an enterprise Document Management System, already used within the Department, is key to the capture, storage, retrieval, and printing of online documents available in the Department.

The project took advantage of an existing enterprise Geographic Information System (GIS) framework to provide a user friendly application. The system eliminates hardcopy searches, consolidates vast amounts of dispersed information, and speeds up access to information with one online resource. The data is accessed mainly by Geotechnical Design Section, but is available to the entire department including the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) and district laboratory offices.



All are invited.