Application of Geophysical Methods to Highway Related Problems

Advanced Geotechnical Methods in Exploration (A-GaME)

An Every Day Counts Innovation

Web Tool Allows Users to Explore Geophysical Applications

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The Deep Foundations Institute is hosting a new web tool that provides access to a comprehensive overview of geophysical and nondestructive test (NDT) methods and techniques applicable to the design, construction, maintenance and testing of highways and bridges. The web tool is based on the September 2003 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) document titled Application of Geophysical Methods to Highway Related Problems.

This easy-to-use web tool provides the equivalent of nearly 800 printed pages of deep technical content that serves as both a reference and tutorial. It provides a staggering level of detail, theory and application knowledge, including over 500 photographs, diagrams, graphs and formulae. This is a must have reference for everyone involved in civil engineering of roadways and bridges. The original reference has been completely reauthored for responsive viewing on all modern browsers, tablets and smartphones.

"Engineers are used to dealing with lots of technical detail, but this body of work represents years of research and experience that is also explained in practical terms,” explains Mary Nodine of GEI Consultants and chair of DFI’s Subsurface Characterization for Deep Foundations Committee. “How do geophysical tools help us gain insight into performance of highway structures? How are the measurements taken? Which techniques have proven to be better under different circumstances? All explained by real experts, from the underlying physics and math, to real-world methods and examples."

The tool is available now as a resource to all, and will be updated through a partnership between the FHWA and the DFI Subsurface Characterization for Deep Foundations Committee to improve content and keep information about the technologies up to date. Check it out and explore all the geophysical methods have to offer!

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Geo-Industry Geophysics Users Group

The joint industry Geophysics Users Group was created in cooperation with FHWA, Geo-Institute, DOTs, DFI and TRB Committees AKG20 and AKG60 to address geophysics users’ needs. The group will be undertaking a launch project, DIGGS for Geophysics, that will contribute to the ASCE/DIGGS XML schema by incorporating geophysical data. The ambitious goal of the project is to develop a fully functional geophysical module in DIGGS in about one year.

If you are interested in geophysics, join the monthly virtual meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at 3:00 p.m. (ET). The meetings are held via Microsoft Teams, which will also be used to house information generated by the group. For more information visit the Geophysics Users Group Committee web page or contact Derrick Dasenbrock, FHWA Resource Center, at derrick.dasenbrock@dot.gov.

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A-Game Webinars

Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) is hosting and distributing recordings of the 2020-2021 winter webinar series, featuring the FHWA A-GaME on its YouTube Channel.

The webinars feature a variety of topics related to proven, effective exploration methods and practices for enhanced, effective site characterization that reduce project risks, improve quality and accelerate project delivery.

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