Infrastructure 3 Lunch Sharing -

Basic Usage of gINT for

Geotechnical Engineers
September 2019

James Law
 Programme

1.Introduction to gINT 3.Data Output

- What is a database? - Script files
- Overview of gINT software - Text tables
- Database structure and content - Graphs
- (Geological sections)

2.Creating a gINT project database

- Data template
- AGS data
- Correspondence files
- gINT library
- GI Data input
- Geology codes

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 What is a database?

“A systemically organized collection of data that can be accessed

immediately and manipulated by a data-processing system for a
specific purpose””

Relational Database – data linked by common

characteristics

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 gINT – what data?
• Drillholes
• Trial pits / trenches
• Soil & rock samples
• Water samples
• In-situ tests
• Laboratory tests (seldomly used)
• Instrument readings

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 A brief introduction to gINT
Data management program
• Specifically designed for site investigation data

… customized borehole logs, geological sections, and generation of geotechnical

lab testing plots

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 A brief introduction to gINT
General sequence:
•Create a project database
•Input and / or import data (e.g. AGS / excel) into database
•Obtain different types of output (e.g. plots, BH sticks, logs)

gINT is a highly customizable program:

•Arup standard database structure
•Automatically calculated fields
•Output templates created by us in Arup format
•Manually control import / export process

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 Database Structure
Fields

Records

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 Data Model
PROJ

HOLE

Samples

SPT

Geology

Groundwater

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 SPT

Borehole name

SPT N-value Blow count Penetration

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 Geology - Stratigraphy
Borehole name Soil type

Description from borehole logs Geology code

Legend
(from AGS files) (important for classification)
(for BH sticks with pattern)

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 Geology – Core Recovery

Borehole name

No need to input if import

directly from AGS

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 Creating a gINT project database

gINT software
+

Data Template
+
AGS File
OR gINT database
Correspondence File
Excel
+
GI Data

gINT Library

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 Data Template
•Arup HK standard database structure
•Empty database
•Used when setting up a new gINT project

File:
HK gINT data template May 2011.gdt
Data template for Arup HK
Location:
\\HKGNTS19\driveT\gINT 2011\New HK data template JH 2011\

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 AGS Data

•Digital format of GI data

•Standard text format
•Ensure readable by different software
•Downloaded from gInfo (for government projects)
•Obtained from contractors (for private projects)

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 Correspondence Files
•Use to translate table / field names from import files
•Ensure AGS data imported into correct field in gINT database

File:
Arup_AGS-gINT Correspondence File.gci
Correspondence
Location: file for Arup HK
\\HKGNTS19\driveT\gINT 2011\Correspondence fil
e\

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 gINT Library
•Templates for output reports / tables / sections / symbols
•gINT rules for calculated fields (grey column)

DO NOT modify anything in these 3 tabs 

overwrite the gINT library file for entire company

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 GI Data Input
1.Import from AGS files
- Fast
- Simple
- Update geology codes manually
2.Import from Excel files (avoid if possible!!)
- Time-consuming
- Lower accuracy due to typo mistakes

Excel template
File:
gINT Input - template.xlsx
Make a copy
Location: for your
\\HKGNTS22\geo\Name Folders\Current Staff\Jam
future use
es Law\Activities\190910 gINT Sharing\Templates\

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 Geology Codes
• Standardize in Arup format

Examples:
Fill FILL

Colluvium COL

Alluvium ALL

Marine Deposit MD

Residual Soil VI

CDG / CDT V(G) / V(T)

HDG / HDT IV(G) / IV(T)

MDG / SDG III/II(G) Examples (for soil types):

Wash Boring WB Clay c Gravel g

No Recovery NR Silt z Cobble cb

Sand s Boulder b
**For other rock types, you may seek EG
team’s advice for corresponding codes

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 Tips
Auto save when switching the tabs Only back to last
saved version

ALWAYS use only one master gINT file for each project to
avoid confusion

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Demo #1 – Create gINT project database
 Data Output
Key outputs for geotechnical engineers
•Text tables
•Graphs
•Fences (Geological sections)  to be discussed later

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 Data Output - Script Files
•Store gINT comments
•Can be ‘played back’ at any time
•Save commends used to generate an output
•Very useful if you need to add data or edit outputs at later stage

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 Data Output – Text Tables
•List of Exploratory Holes
•Geological Descriptions
•TCR, SCR, RQD
•SPT Data
…and more!
•Lab Test Data

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 Data Output – Text Tables
e.g. SPT data
Save as ‘xlsx’ file

Choose any drillholes /

leave blank for all

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 Data Output – Text Tables
e.g. SPT data

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 Data Output - Graphs
•SPT N-value vs depth
•PSD
•Atterberg Limit if laboratory test data is available

•s’- t plots
…and more!

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 Data Output - Graphs
e.g. SPT N-value vs depth Save as ‘pdf’ file

Choose any drillholes /

leave blank for all Filter data with different geology

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 Data Output - Graphs
e.g. SPT N-value vs depth

Different symbols for

different boreholes

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Demo #2 – Generate text tables & graphs
 Who can use gINT?
•Limited network license within Arup
•License applied to specific users (NOT computers)
• Ask Victor Shea (our IT representative) for the arrangement of
gINT license OR share your account with others
Jack’s Team Alvin’s Team
Arthur Cheung Harry Sze
Muhammad Saif Kyo Li
Yiu-Pong Wong
Honest Tang
Minerva Fung
Flora Chan

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 What’s next?
2D Geological Section

3D Geological Model

(+ Surfer)

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Thank you!