Site Characterization, Part 1

DLS-212, Module 3.1

October 2023 / Version 1

ISABELLA DAM, CA (SOURCE: USACE)
Learning Objectives
• Importance of site characterization
• Step wise progression of characterization
• Understand geology and geologic processes
• Desktop study
• Preparation for field work

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 Importance of Site Characterization
Understanding the ground conditions is necessary for on-budget and
on-schedule engineering
1. Desktop study
 Tectonic models
 Initial geologic models
 Initial geomorphic models
2. Site visit
3. Initial site investigations
 Field explorations
 Laboratory testing
4. Supplementary site investigations

Source: Fookes (1997)

Desktop Study

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 Stages of Site Investigation for Design

Source: Fookes (2000)

 Thorough Existing Information Review
• When you conduct an existing information review, start
big—then focus on the site
• Terzaghi – Method of Working
• Use publicly available data to understand:
 the geologic setting
 geomorphic considerations
 geologic hazards
• Use information from desk study to inform the
acquisition of site-specific data

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Source: buecherwuermer.info
Theory to Practice in Soils Mechanics, Selections from the Writings of Karl Terzaghi
prepared by Bjerrum, L.; Casagrande, A.; Peck, R. B.; Skempton, A. W. 1961
 Recommended Reading: Terzaghi – Method of
Working

Source: Terzaghi – Method of Working (1925)

Data Baseline – Where to Begin

material
regional settings properties
depositional processes
and history of
geomorphology spatial geometries
deformations
geologic hazards

• Geologic issues to evaluate

• Geologic evidence
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 Understanding the Geologic Setting

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Sources: Wagner, Cassandra (data sourced from USGS and USACE, map developed in
ArcMap) http://map-usa.xyz/map-of-california-ventura.html http://sci.sdsu.edu/geology/2014/05/
Understanding the Geologic Setting

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 Why Tectonics?

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Source: Fookes et al. (2000)

 Faulting

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Source: Photograph - Edwin Friend (2019)

Select Geologic Models for Dams/Levees
• Examples for your use

• Geologic model = Sedimentary, continental

fluvial, colluvial, lacustrine
• Anticipate:
 Lithologies: Surficial soils, sedimentary
bedrock – evaporites
 Setting: Associated with stable crust and/or
post-orogenic landscape development, early
basin fill, forms continuum with deltaic and
coal measure model in lower parts
 General: Processes such as flooding, scour,
mass movement, sediment movement, well-
graded construction materials

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Geomorphology
• Understand the geomorphology and geology
• Anticipate materials and features and continuity
• Focus investigations
• Example geomorphic/geologic models
• Get high
 As in elevation

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 Geomorphology - Alluvial

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Source: Photograph - Edwin Friend (2003)

 Geomorphology – Alluvial +++

Braided River
Fans
Bedrock
Rock Fall
Talus Slope
Old terrace?

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Source: Photograph - Edwin Friend (2003)

 Ex: Not Considering Geomorphology
“The inherent aim of science is to recognize patterns in order to deduce or infer the underlying
processes that create those patterns and govern the behavior of natural systems. The ultimate,
fundamental source of pattern recognition for geomorphologists is the natural world.”
(Ellen Wohl, 2013)
Boring Boring
#1 #2

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Source: USACE Best Practices

 Geomorphic Considerations
Geology is a process-based discipline; we use process-based
thinking to understand our site and inform key event tree
considerations for potential failure modes

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Source: Unknown
Select Geomorphic Models for Dams

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Rocky Mountains - glaciers Much of the northern Midwest –
also glacial…
 Select Geomorphic Models for Dams

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Source: Fookes et al. (2000)

 Glacial Terrain

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Source: Photograph - Edwin Friend (2008)

 Glacial Terrain

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Source: Photograph - Edwin Friend (2008)

Select Geologic Models for Dams/Levees
• Geologic model = Sedimentary, continental
deltaic and coal measures
• Anticipate:
 Lithologies: Cyclic sediments, coarsening
upwards, fining seaward. Extensive
bioturbation. Weathered crusts producing
heavily overconsolidated layers within
normally consolidated sequences. Coal
measures, minor dykes on extensional faults
 Setting: Downwarps in continental plates,
growth faults during deposition, normal faults
with basin extension
 General: Sediments with high water
contents, rapid changes in channels and
prone to avulsion, ground movements due to
differential compaction of sediments

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 Geomorphology - Delta

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Source: Photograph - Edwin Friend (2003)

Select Geologic Models for Dams/Levees
• Geologic model = Igneous, plutonic intrusions
• Anticipate:
 Lithologies: Granites, diorites, some
gabbros, porphyries, late-stage
mineralization, metamorphic aureole,
hydrothermal alteration
 Setting: Batholiths, passive (stoping) or
forceful intrusion, syn- and post-intrusion
shear zones, late-stage dykes, flow fabrics
 General: Weathering corestones may not be
in-situ or may have soils below them,
saprolites hydrothermal alteration at all
levels, deep weathering in warm wet climates
and

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Select Geomorphic Models for Dams

Much of the US (fluvial environments

in temperate climates)

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Select Geomorphic Models for Dams

American Southwest

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 US Southwest

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Source: Photograph - Edwin Friend (2014)

 US Southwest

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Source: Photograph - Edwin Friend (2014)

Select Geomorphic Models for Dams

Tropical environments Karstic environments 30

 Geomorphic Considerations
In the absence of complete information of subsurface conditions, characterizing foundation
materials requires an understanding of the variability in sediments that result from various
depositional environments
Range in Relative Grain Relative Strata
Name Key Depositional Processes Sediment Grain Sizes Size Variability Continuity
Marine Deep sea - Low Energy Mud and Clay Low to Moderate Highly Continuous
Lacustrine Lake - Low Energy Fine Sand, Silt and Clay Low to Moderate Highly Continuous
Moderately to Highly
Aeolian Windblown Fine Sand and Silt Low to Moderate
Continuous
Transition Zone Gravel and Sand,
Delta Moderate Highly Continuous
River  Marine or Lake Silt and Clay
Moderately Continuous
Riverine – Channel Sand and Gravel
Fluvial High to Moderate (overbank) to Discontinuous
Riverine – Overbank Sand, Silt and Clay
(channel)
Transition Zone
Beach Fine Sand to Gravel High to Moderate Moderately Continuous
Marine  Non-Marine
Alluvial Fan Water Clay to Boulder Gravel High Discontinuous
Ice-emplaced; Lacustrine Moderately Continuous (till,
Glacial Clay to Boulders High
High-Discharge Riverine lacustrine) to Discontinuous
Colluvium Gravity Clay to Boulders Very High Discontinuous
Moderately Continuous 31
Volcanic Varies (air, gravity) Fine Ash to Boulders Very High
(ashfall) to Discontinuous

Source: USACE Best Practices

Stand up, Stretch and Move

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Desk Study Resources

33
 MapView by NGMDB

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Source: https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/mapview/
 NRCS Web Soil Survey

35

Source: https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/
Other Online Resources
The National Map – Data Delivery Application
• https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/ngp/tnm-delivery

USGS National Geologic Map Database

• https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ngmdb/ngmdb_home.html

USGS Geologic Maps of US States (and GIS downloads)

• https://mrdata.usgs.gov/geology/state/

U.S. Geologic Names Lexicon

• https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Geolex/search

Earth Explorer https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/

Google Earth Pro 36

More Sources of Information
• Engineering reports
 New dam
o Previous studies
o Reports for any public works in the area
 Rehabilitation
o Construction photographs
o As-built drawings and construction reports
• Highway maps
• Topographic map
• Geologic map
• Agricultural soil map
• Aerial and satellite photos
• Hydrologic data
• Land ownership map
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• Historic documents onsite, archives, etc.
How to Plan Initial Investigations

There is a need for a subsurface investigation. What’s next?

 Determine investigation objectives
 Align investigation objectives with results of desk study and design /
solutions / problem definition
o Multidisciplinary
 Conduct a site visit if one has not already occurred
 Develop a Drilling Program Plan – USACE
 Obtain National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) compliance

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Knowledge Quiz

• Socrative
• Question: Prior to starting a subsurface investigation, which team members
should be incorporated into the investigations planning team:
• Geologist
• Drilling specialist
• Geotechnical engineers
• Laboratory testing specialist
• NEPA specialist
• Instrumentation specialist
• Project manager 39
 Determine Investigation Objectives
• Common objectives—typical of new
structures
 How regional geology influences materials, site
and structural characteristics
 Location, sequence, thickness and areal extent
of each stratum
 Depth to and type of bedrock
 Characteristics of the groundwater
 Engineering properties of the materials based
on information needs

Must be able to clearly state the purpose of

each investigation technique

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Source: E.H. Boudreau, Geologist

 Align Investigations with Desk Study
Examples:
1. Desk study revealed potential locations of multiple terraces across project alignment
2. Steeply incised bedrock in the area is prone to vertical valley stress relief jointing,
which would result in transverse jointing in the bedrock abutment

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Source: USGS
Conduct a Site Visit
• Confirm locations of previous and
potential field exploration activities
and features
• Site access
• Borrow areas, project features of
interest
• Include all critical team
members—get to know your team
 On-site personnel
 Field exploration team
 Field geologist
 Design team members –
including the design engineers
 Engineering and geology

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Reconnaissance of General Area
• Field work objective is to gather information
• Do not design project in the field
 Keep an eye on end game
• Solve known problems – develop new questions
• Dam site(s)
 Narrow valleys
 Foundation—valley bottom and abutments (rock, soil)
 Appurtenant structures location
• Reservoir
 Sedimentation and/or debris inflow, landslides

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 Multidisciplinary Team – Geologic Fields

Quaternary Fluvial
Seismology Engineering Geology
Geomorphology Geomorphology

Groundwater Geology Rock Mechanics Soil Mechanics Field Expertise

Sources: Photos from C. Wagner and free images from Pexels.com and iStockphoto.com
 Planning a Field Investigation

Consider
non- Determine Consider
Document Review
intrusive or size and Review feature
anticipated instrumentation
accessible type of the proposed accessibility,
materials that or borehole
options feature laboratory utilities,
will be completion
before being testing obstacles,
encountered requirements
inaccessible investigated etc.
options

DO NO HARM 45

Source: USACE drawings; free images from Pexels.com and iStockphoto.com

 Multidisciplinary Approach
• Natural geologic variability = no single investigation
method will answer all critical questions that arise
based on data gaps
• Site characterization benefits from a weight of
evidence approach where many multidisciplinary
methods are used

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Source: C. Wagner (USACE) and USBR

Drilling and Invasive Program Plan - DIPP
• USACE requirement
• What data do you have?
• What are you doing?
• Why are you doing it?
• How are you doing it?
• What risks are caused by the work?

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 Develop a Drilling Program Plan
• What are my defined objectives?
 We are assessing a geologic unit for liquefaction potential

• What data do I need to meet these objectives?

 Better understand the continuity and thickness of the potentially liquefiable materials
 Understand the engineering properties of the potentially liquefiable materials,
including in situ strength and standard physical properties
 Groundwater

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Source: http://blogs.wm.edu/files/2013/07/gravityfig3.jpg
 Develop a Drilling Program Plan - USACE
• How do my subsurface
investigations meet the
investigation objectives?
 Must be able to communicate
this clearly

• What previous data is

available?
 Include any plan and profile
drawings, geologic features and
data, instrumentation if available,
zones of interest, distress
features and other pertinent
information

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Source: C. Wagner, USACE

Develop a Drilling
Program Plan

• Provide maps and cross

sections that show the location,
configuration, orientations,
anticipated conditions and
layout of the investigation
program

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Source: Loar T., “Scoping and Preparing Phase2 IES (FIPP).pptx”

 Develop a Drilling Program Plan
Document the investigation methodology
• Describe requirements for depth, inclination,
diameter/size of borings, test pits, CPTs, other
• Required sample types, sizes, intervals, locations,
requirements
• Required testing, both in-situ and/or lab
• Details of proposed tools and drilling/excavation
equipment as necessary
• Completion requirements, instrumentation, permitting

But make plans flexible to adapt

to divergent conditions
• Describe potential for how to handle
and adapt should certain conditions
be encountered
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Source: USACE
 Develop a Drilling Program Plan

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Source: Loar T., “Scoping and Preparing Phase2 IES (FIPP).pptx”

Develop a Drilling Program Plan

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Develop a Drilling Program Plan
Know which methods are acceptable
for sensitive structures
• Appendix B of ER 1110-1-1807 (2023)
Drilling in Earth Embankment Dams
and Levees –USACE
• Guidelines for Drilling in and near
Embankment Dams and their
Foundations (2016) –FERC
• Guidelines for Drilling and Sampling in
Embankment Dams (2010) –USBR
• Additional drilling references included
in above documents

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 Develop a Drilling Program Plan
Additional considerations:
• Communicate uncertainty
• Allow for flexibility
• Maintain communication
• Communicate accurate
sample collection
techniques and handling,
as well as sample retention

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Sources: C. Wagner (USACE);

https://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/laboratory_tour.cfm
Compliance Activities
DO NOT CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS WITHOUT THIS STEP
A CEC applies to actions that do
Categorical Exclusion not individually or cumulatively
Checklist (CEC) have a significant effect on the
human environment.

National Environmental Initiated when a CEC cannot be

completed (has one or more
Environmental Assessment (EA) checklist questions that are
answered “yes”), and when unsure
Policy Act (NEPA) if the action has significant impacts.

An EIS is normally required for

Environmental Impact a major federal action where
Statement (EIS) environmental effects are potentially
significant.

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NEPA – Categorical Exclusion
Examples:
• Most investigations performed at dams
(drilling, sampling, test pits)
• Installation of new instrumentation
• Most maintenance activities (spillway radial
gate refurbishments involving stoplogs,
sandblasting, recoating, new seals, access
systems, grease systems)
• Installation of most new equipment (large
spillway gantry cranes, new valves, piping,
etc.)
• Repairs to canals
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Successful Investigations
• Step wise manner
• Organize early investigations to inform later investigations
• Mapping
 Test pits
 Geophysics
o Drilling
o Laboratory testing

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Successful Investigations
• Every investigation (boring, test pits, etc.) has a purpose
• Should know what will be encountered
 Thorough desktop study – sections and maps onsite
• Appropriate type, quality, and quantity of data are collected
 All items –
o changing in drilling
o driller observations
o changes in advancement or water take
• As investigation results are collected, condense and clarify information
 Characterization
 Organization
 Presentation 59
Successful Investigations
• Improve your investigation results by:
 Observing the site continuously
 Carefully selecting field and lab methods
 Reporting data as ranges
 Studying similar sites and case histories
 Adapting on the fly based on collected data

• Seek to understand:
 Geological and engineering characteristics of landforms
 The capabilities and limitations of methods of subsurface exploration
 The use of various materials in the design of an embankment dam
 The construction aspects of handling, processing and building with soil
materials

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 Data Reduction – During Field Operations
• Ongoing data reduction
 Trends in data
• Updating sections and profiles
• Fit geologic model?
• Start some lab testing?
• Modify remaining investigations

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Source: Palmstrom (2015)

 Condensing and Focusing Geologic Info
• Information is often not useful until it is condensed, clarified,
and summarized in a meaningful way
• Good geologic figures are critical for communication

62

Source: Palmstrom (2015)

 Summarizing Complex Geologic Relations
• No one piece of evidence has the answer we need to apply to a geologic
model of the site
• Assemble multiple data sets to develop a model

Joint Orientation

+ +
63

Source: Unknown
 Summary
• Desktop study
• Know your geology
• Know your problem
• Purpose for every investigation
• Clear, concise, and relevant presentation

64

Source: Palmstrom (2015)

Learning Objectives Recap
• Importance of site characterization
• Step wise progression of characterization
• Understand geology and geologic processes
• Desktop study
• Preparation for field work

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Questions

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Break!

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