Entering, Reporting and Storing Geotechnical Tests Efficiently

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Managing geotechnical test data efficiently is critical for ensuring accuracy, consistency, and long-term usability across projects. Whether you’re working with borehole logs, laboratory testing, or in-situ measurements, having a structured workflow inside a Geotechnical Data Management System (GDMS) can dramatically improve productivity and reduce errors.

In this comprehensive tutorial, we’ll walk through how to enter, report, and store geotechnical tests in GDMS, covering best practices, real-world workflows, and practical tips to help you get the most out of your system.

What is GDMS and Why It Matters

The Geotechnical Data Management System (GDMS) integrates geotechnical testing and quality control with a laboratory information management system. GDMS is used to perform a wide variety of geotechnical tests and store the data and results in a managed database. It is a major upgrade to our WinSieve program and can easily import all of your WinSieve data and templates.

Key Benefits of Using GDMS

Capture and store geotechnical data in a managed database.
Conduct a variety of geotechnical tests and report the results.
Standardize the procedures for collection and reporting of geotechnical data within and across projects.
Provide a secure database system for the storage, retrieval, and backup of all project geotechnical data.
Fully integrated with other modules within GaeaSynergy for visualization of samples and test results.
Includes all of the licensing, security, and auditing features provided by GaeaSynergy.

Geotechnical Tests in GDMS

A wide variety of geotechnical tests are supported for soil & aggregates, concrete, asphalt, and rock. These tests include:

Asphalt Tests

Absolute Viscosity
Bitumen Content
Bulk Specific Gravity and Density
Kinematic Viscosity
Marshal Stability
Maximum Specific Gravity and Density
Nuclear Density

Concrete Tests

Concrete Compressive Strength
Concrete Flexural Strength
Concrete Tensile Strength
Grout Compressive Strength
Mortar Compressive Strength

Rock Tests

Point Load Strength
Triaxial Compressive Strength
Unconfined Compressive Strength
Water Content

Soil & Aggregate Tests

California Bearing Ratio
Classification (Atterberg Limits)
Compaction
Consolidation
Constant Head Permeability
Direct Shear
Falling Head Permeability
Los Angeles Abrasion
Nuclear Density
Organic Matter
R-Value
Shrinkage Bar
Shrinkage Mercury
Shrinkage Wax
Sieve Analysis
Soil Density
Specific Gravity
Triaxial – Consolidated Drained
Triaxial – Consolidated Undrained
Triaxial – Unconsolidated Undrained
Unconfined Compressive Strength
Water Content

Entering Geotechnical Test Data in GDMS

Accurate data entry is the foundation of any successful geotechnical workflow. GDMS is designed to enforce structure and consistency at this stage. All tests are stored in projects.

Step 1: Creating a New Test

After a project has been opened a new geotechnical test can be created either by adding it to an existing sample or Selecting File then New and Geotechnical Test.

It is recommended that the test be created by adding it to an existing sample so that it is associated with this sample.

After the information for the new test is specified, the geotechnical template for the test must be selected. Templates are used to control the layout and formatting of test data. The program comes with numerous easily customized templates for a variety of test types. New templates can also be created by specifying the desired layout. Templates can be customized to display different title blocks, legends, tables, graphs, etc.

Step 2: Entering Test Data

When a new test is created the data entry form for that test will be displayed. The data entry form will be different for each type of test.

Step 3: Reporting Geotechnical Tests

Once your data is entered and validated, GDMS enables powerful reporting capabilities. The format and layout of this report is defined by the template that was selected when the test was created. Depending on the template, a report can have one or more elements consisting of title blocks, legends, tables, graphs, etc.

Storing Geotechnical Data in GDMS

Data storage is where GDMS truly shines, providing structured, secure, and scalable solutions.

Centralized Database Storage

All data is stored in a relational database:

Boreholes linked to samples
Samples linked to tests
Tests linked to results

This eliminates duplication and ensures data integrity.

Backup and Security

Best practices include:

Automated daily backups
Cloud storage integration
User access controls
Role-based permissions

Never rely on a single copy of your data.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Inconsistent Data Entry

Solution: Use templates and controlled vocabularies

Missing Test Data

Solution: Enforce required fields in GDMS

Unit Errors

Solution: Standardize units and enable auto-conversion

Data Duplication

Solution: Use relational database structure

Poor Report Formatting

Solution: Develop standardized templates

Best Practices for GDMS Success

Standardize your workflows early
Train staff on data entry protocols
Use automation wherever possible
Regularly audit your data
Keep templates consistent across projects

Conclusion

Using GDMS for entering, reporting, and storing geotechnical tests transforms how you manage subsurface data. Instead of fragmented spreadsheets and manual reports, you gain a streamlined, reliable, and scalable system.

By following this workflow, you can:

Improve data accuracy and consistency
Reduce reporting time
Enhance collaboration across teams
Build a valuable long-term data repository

A well-implemented GDMS doesn’t just manage data—it empowers better engineering decisions.

Entering, Reporting, and Storing Geotechnical Tests in GDMS: A Complete Workflow Tutorial

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Entering, Reporting, and Storing Geotechnical Tests in GDMS: A Complete Workflow Tutorial