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Title:	Geotechnical factors in the dredgeability of sediment. Report 3, Guidance in the geotechnical evaluation of the dredgeability of sediments using GEODREDG
Authors:	Spigolon, S. J. Bakeer, Reda M.
Keywords:	Dredging--Databases Dredging spoil Dredging--Environmental aspects Dredging Marine sediments Geotechnical engineering Expert systems (Computer science)
Publisher:	U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station.
Series/Report no.:	Contract Report (Dredging Research Program (U.S.)) ; no. Contract Report DRP-93-3; Report 3
Abstract:	Geotechnical engineers investigate and describe dredging sites using their own methods and terminology. Government estimators and dredging contractors use that information in preparing plans and estimates. The two groups often do not understand each other's needs, methodology, and vocabulary. Inevitable turnover in personnel means the loss of the knowledge of experienced and talented persons. These factors often lead to misinterpretation of the nature and extent of the sediments to be dredged, resulting in higher bid prices because of unknown or unclear risk and in unnecessary claims for changed conditions. Therefore, there is a need for retaining expert knowledge for the guidance and training of inexperienced personnel and for peer consultation among the experienced persons. The work described in this report is part of the Dredging Research Program (DRP) at the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES), Vicksburg, MS. The specific work unit involves the development of geotechnical descriptors to indicate, or infer, dredgeability of sediments to be dredged. Knowledge-Based Expert Systems (KBES) are computer programs for problems that require expertise in a field for solution. Conventional programs use a generally fixed algorithm to solve numerical problems. A KBES uses a knowledge base of expertly derived rules for its solutions. The knowledge base contains a database of facts and "IF - THEN" rule statements that answers the types of questions a typical user will ask. The rules can incorporate judgement, experience, empirical rules of thumb, intuition, and other expertise as well as proven functional relationships and experimental evidence. The ability to add new or expanded knowledge to the knowledge base is a major feature of a KBES. The proposed WES DRP knowledge-based dredging expert system is called GEODREDG (GEOtechnical Factors in DREDGing). It uses a commercial relational database management system, Microsoft FoxPro, operating within either the DOS or the Microsoft Windows environment on PC-DOS or MS-DOS personal computers. The FoxPro programs satisfy all requirements for an expert system program - knowledge base, user interface, context, inference engine, and explanation facility are all included. The only input needed is numbers and mouse-pointer selection from menus. This should greatly facilitate the use of the system by non-typists. GEODREDG is in the prototype stage and is based on previous work done in the DRP work unit. GEODREDG contains prototypes of two subsystems: GEOSITE and DREDGABL. A third system, GEOCLASS, is described as part of GEODREDG even though it is not included in the present study. The GEOSITE (GEOtechnical SITE Investigation Methods) subsystem is for the use of engineers and geologists in the selection of subsurface investigation methods and equipment for a dredging project. It provides guidance in the selection of sampling methods and the field and laboratory strength tests appropriate for the estimation of site dredgeability for a given sediment type. The DREDGABL (Geotechnical factors in DREDGeABiLity) subsystem provides guidance in the interpretation of geotechnical descriptors of sediments, contained in the project database, in terms of their dredgeability properties. It is intended to be used by estimators and contractors. The GEOCLASS (GEOtechnical Soil CLASSification) subsystem, although not part of this study, may be used for recording geotechnical site investigation data in a database using consistent format, terminology, and methods of data analysis. Test data and observations are entered at the field site, in the office, and in the laboratory.
Description:	Contract Report
Gov't Doc #:	Contract Report DRP-93-3; Report 3
Rights:	Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited
URI:	https://hdl.handle.net/11681/35633
Size:	46 pages / 4.706 Mb
Types of Materials:	PDF/A
Appears in Collections:	Contract Report