Data Entry

The test hole data entry page comprises several tabs:

• General (name, depth, coordinates, water level, etc.)
• Samples (list of soil and rock samples)
• Field Tests (field tests e.g. SPT blow counts)
• Comments (depth-related comments)
• Stratigraphy (soil and rock strata descriptions)
• Boring Details (drilling methods and other details)
• Drill Runs (details of drill runs)
• Discontinuities (details of defects and discontinuities)
• Instrumentation (groundwater monitoring & Piezometer/Well)

For several datasets on this page, data entry in done in tables. Please see this article for working with tables. If your data in stored in CSV files, you can directly import it to the desired table (read more).

Navigating Between Test Holes

Use the arrow buttons in the top left of the screen to easily switch between boreholes of a Project.

Test Hole Log (preview)

Click the Preview button in the top-right of the screen to preview your Test Hole Log. Select the log template form the list, and RSLog will generate the preview of the test hole log on a new page.

Groundwater Level

Please read this article about how groundwater data is entered in RSLog and presented on the reports.

General tab

In RSLog, test hole data is entered in different tabs beginning with the General tab. This tab is where you enter general details such as test hole name, depth, etc. The following provides further details:

Test Hole Type

Generally, a test hole is made either by ‘drilling’ (e.g. a borehole) or by ‘excavating’ (e.g. a test pit, trial pit or trench). As a result, the drop down options for Test Hole Type comprise of:

• Drill Hole (borehole): any type of hole drilled manually (e.g. hand auger) or by using machinery (i.e. a drill rig).
• Test Pit (trial pit, trench, pit): typically implies a larger hole dug using shovel or by an excavator.

Progress Status

The status of a test hole indicates at which drilling/excavating stage it is.

Coordinates

While coordinates are not necessarily required for a test hole, to benefit from all RSLog features such as GIS system or Cross-Section Designer, we recommend that you enter coordinates and elevation for all your boreholes. Please read more about handling coordinates systems in RSLog.

If the exact coordinates of test holes are not available, we recommend that you specify their approximate location on the map by clicking Place on Map button.

Verticality

Enter the trend (azimuth) and plunge of the test hole using the Verticality tab.

Location Details

More location specific data (e.g. Stationing, Offset etc.) for the test hole could be entered in this tab.

USACE

In this tab enter data required by United States Army Corps of Engineers for test hole logs.

SPT Hammer

Enter the hammer data used for Standard Penetration Test (SPT) using the SPT Hammer & Sampler tab.

Completion Notes

• Start Notes: will be displayed in the borehole log at the top of the first page of the log, above the Lithologic Description log column. See how you can customize the Starts Notes.
• Termination Notes: will be displayed in the borehole log at the bottom of the test hole (last page) below the Lithologic Description log column. See how you can customize the Termination Notes.

Extra Tags

In this section enter the input data for Extra Tags you created for test holes.

Samples tab

On the Samples tab, you can enter the list of samples taken from this test hole.

• Depth: You can specify From (i.e. top depth) and To (i.e. bottom depth) for a sample. If your samples are identified by one depth only, leave the To field empty.
• Sample No.: enter sample number for the sample (optional).
• Location / Status: use this dropdown to specify at which location or state the sample is. For example: Collected in the Field, Being Transferred to the Lab, Disposed, etc. This list may be customized on the Settings page > Field Investigation tab > Sampling and Boring tab.
• Color: enter sample color or click on the color-picker button to select from Munsell Colors.
• Sample Type: select the method of sampling (required). The list of sample types may be customized on the Settings page > Field Investigation tab > Sampling and Boring tab.
• Moisture Level: select the sample moisture level (optional). The list of moisture descriptors may be edited on the Settings page > Field Investigation tab > Sampling and Boring tab.
• Recovery Length (mm or inch): enter the length of sample recovered (optional).
• Recovery %: enter sample recovery (optional). Click on the calculator button to automatically calculate the Recovery %.
• Blow Count: refers to the SPT blow count if the sample is a SPT sample.
• RQD %: enter sample RQD (optional).
• Sample Description: enter field description of the sample (optional).
  

Field Tests tab

RSLog supports various types of field tests such as Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Vane Shear Test, Manual DCP soundings and more. The list of field tests and their data columns can be customized on the Settings page > Field Investigation tab > Field Tests.

• Depth Column: enter a value greater than or equal to zero.
• Reporting Value Column: this column accepts text or number. If a text is entered, it would be interpreted based on the SPT Rules tab on the Settings page.
• Other Columns: additional columns will be available for data entry, depending on the field test selected.

Comments tab

The Comments tab allows you to add depth-related comments (e.g. drilling rates, boulders, equipment issues). These comments are shown in the borehole logs in the column Comments/Remarks.

Stratigraphy tab

The Stratigraphy tab is used to enter subsurface soil or rock layers that were encountered during the field investigation.

• Depth: enter top and bottom depths that represent the stratum (required),
• Layer Title: if you wish to give the stratum a title, enter it in the Layer Title (optional). The title is shown as the first line in the Lithologic Description in the log,
• Copy Layer Data: click the copy button next to the Layer Title to start copying a stratum from another test hole,
• Classification System: select the classification system (USCS, AASHTO, AGS, ROCK) that is used for description of the soil / rock,
  • Soil Stratum: start with selecting the Major Soil Type from the dropdown. Depending on the category selected, other dropdowns will be populated with relevant subcategories. Once the Group Symbol is selected, its corresponding Log Symbol will be automatically selected and the hatch pattern image will be shown. See Settings page > Hatch Design tab for hatch colors and default description texts.
  • Rock Stratum: start with selecting Rock Type and finish by Rock Name. The Log Symbol will be automatically selected and the hatch pattern image will be shown.

• Log Symbol: this is the hatch pattern that will be shown for this stratum in the borehole log. In order to change the Log Symbol click the dropdown, select a category, and then select a hatch pattern from the list or search for a soil or rock type. You can customize this list by uploading your own hatch patterns.
• Geologic Unit: user can assign a geologic unit to each stratum.
• Lithologic Description: the layer description may be entered manually (Basic Mode) or be compiled by RSLog based on the data entered (Detailed Mode). This is selected using the link located at the top-right of the Layer Description box:

Once the depth data, classification system and log symbols are entered, you can enter Layer Description using the following options:

1) Basic View

Is Basic View, you can enter the soil / rock stratum description in the Layer Description textbox. When entered, click Save to close the dialog.

2) Detailed View

Select Detailed View if you would like to enter material description by selecting properties from various dropdowns (ASTM 2488). RSLog will then compile Layer Description for you. Clicking on Detailed View opens additional data entry fields. The compiler configuration may be customized on the Settings page (see how).

General tab

Enter moisture conditions, consistency, structure, color and more. If the stratum is fill, select the Mark as FILL checkbox (the compiler will add the phrase "(FILL)" to the end of the layer description text).

• Use the Consistency (fine-grained soils) or Apparent Density (for coarse-grained soils) dropdown to describe the material: If the test hole contains Standard Penetration Test (SPT) blow counts within this stratum, the Consistency / Apparent Density will be automatically set. Hover on the info icon above this dropdown for details.
• If the layer contains moisture content (lab test) data, the Moisture Level will be automatically set. Hover on the info icon above the this dropdown for details.

The Layer Line Style is used to specify the type, thickness, and color for the line drawn at the bottom of the stratum in the borehole log.

Components tab

Use this tab to provide detailed description of the material for fines content, sand, gravel, cobbles and bounders part of the material. For further details please refer to Section 2.5 and 2.6 of Soil and Rock Logging, Classification, and Presentation. Once various input dropdowns are set, click Compile Data button to automatically generate the layer description.

Drilling Observations tab

This tab is used for adding depth related notes in the Lithologic Description column in the borehole log. Please refer to Section 2.5 and 2.6 of Soil and Rock Logging, Classification, and Presentation for details.

Interim Changes tab

Use this tab to indicate changes in moisture, color and consistency within the stratum. Please refer to Section 2.5 and 2.6 of Soil and Rock Logging, Classification, and Presentation for details.

Detecting Conflicts

The Summary of Field Tests and Summary of Lab Tests links (below the Layer Description) open a new dialog showing the list of field or lab tests within this stratum. This allows you to compare the Layer Description with test results in order to minimize data entry errors.

Examples of the types of conflicts that could be caught using this feature are provided below:

• The silt is described as 'wet' in the field whereas lab tests indicate between 6.5 to 8.3 % of moisture content, and
• The sand is described as 'lose' in the field while SPT blow counts collected during site investigation show a range of 9 to 11.

Boring Details tab

Use this tab to specify borehole construction details. This data will be presented in the test hole log in the "Boring Details" log column. Each record represents a different drilling methodology:

• Depth: enter the top and bottom depths,
• Hole Diameter: enter the borehole diameter,
• Drilling Method: select from the list; please note this list can be customized from the Settings page > Field Investigation tab > Field Tests tab.
• Drill Rod: enter the information about the drill rod (size, type, etc.),
• Drill Rig: select the Type of Drill Rig from the dropdown list and enter the model of rig,
• Drill Bit: select the Type of Drill Bit from the dropdown list and enter the Drill Bit Information,
• Casing: select the Type of Casing from the dropdown list and enter the Casing Diameter,
• Date & Time: enter the date and time when this part of drilling was completed,
• Backfill Details: opens a new dialog with a list of materials used for backfill of this borehole,
• Instrument Installed: indicates that an instrument is installed within this part of the borehole. This will show an instrument in the borehole log.

Drill Runs tab

• Depth: enter the top and bottom depths,
• Total Core Recovered: enter the total length of core recovered in this drill run; Click on calculator button to automatically calculate the Total Core Recovery (%),
• Total Lengths >4 inch: enter the total length of core pieces longer than 4 inches (100 mm) in this drill run; Click on calculator button to automatically calculate the RQD (%),
• Rock Mass Ratio (RMR): enter the RMR for this drill run,
• Total Core Recovery (TCR): enter the TCR for this drill run; This could be automatically calculated based on the Total Core Recovered length,
• Solid Core Recovery (SCR): enter the SCR for this drill run,
• Total Material Recovery (TMR): enter the TMR for this drill run,
• Rock Quality Designation (RQD): enter RQD values for the entire drill run or for the rock mass units,
• Joint Spacing / Conditions: enter joint spacing and joint conditions,
• Fractures: enter the number of fractures present in this drill run or rock mass unit,
• Rock Strength Level: select the strength level from the dropdown; Please note this list can be customized from the Settings page > Rock Classification tab,
• Rock Alteration Level: select the alteration level from the dropdown; Please note this list can be customized from the Settings page > Rock Classification tab,
• Rock Weathering Level: select the weathering from the dropdown; Please note this list can be customized from the Settings page > Rock Classification tab,

Discontinuities tab

Enter the list of defects and discontinuities on this page.

• Depth: enter the top and bottom depths,
• Alpha / Beta: enter the alpha and beta angles for the orientation of the discontinuities,
• JRC-RMR76: enter the Joint Roughness Coefficient; click on the info icon to open the JRC chart,
• Defect Details: this includes defect type, shape, roughness, infill type, infill character and infill thickness; Please note this list can be customized from the Settings page > Rock Classification tab,

Instrumentation tab

Use this tab to enter the details of any instrumentation installed in the test hole. This may be a piezometer / well installation, inclinometer, or any other measurement carried out along the depth of the borehole:

Piezometer / Well Data

A test hole can have multiple piezometers ('nested piezometers'). To add a new piezometer / well to the test hole, click + button:

This will add new sub-tabs titled "Piezometer #1", "Piezometer #2" etc. Under each piezometer / well sub-tab the following data can be entered:

Pipe Installation

Most piezometers comprise a pipe with various segments comprising either 'Solid' pipe or 'perforated / slotted' pipe to allow for water ingress into the pipe.

• Stickup: if the piezometer / well is installed with a stickup above the ground surface, select the checkbox and enter the stickup length.
• Piezo Type: select the type of piezometer / well installed in this test hole,
• Plug Type: select the type of plug installed at the top of this piezometer / well,
• End Cap Type: select the type of end (bottom) cap used, and
• Pipe Dia.: enter the diameter of the pipe

To start adding pipe segments, click + New button on the table toolbar:

• From: enter the top depth of this pipe segment,
• To: enter the bottom depth of this pipe segment,
• Pipe Type: select from the following options:
  • No Pipe: there is no pipe within the specified depths.
  • Perforated: this pipe segment is perforated.
  • Solid: this pipe segment comprises solid pipe (i.e. no perforation).
  • Slotted: this pipe segment is slotted.

Groundwater Measurements

Use this page to enter groundwater level measurements in this piezometer / well. To enter a water level measurement click + New button:

• Water Level Present in the Piezometer / Well: check this box if water level was encountered in this piezometer / well. If this is unchecked:
  • User cannot enter a depth for water level, and
  • the piezometer will be considered "DRY" for the subject date.
• Date & Time: enter the date and time of the water level measurement,
• Water Depth: enter the depth (below ground surface) of the groundwater,
• Water Elevation: If your test hole has a collar elevation (in General tab > Coordinates section), the program will calculate Water Elevation,
• Notes (Weather Condition etc.): enter the weather condition or any other notes pertaining to this groundwater measurement.

Backfill Details

• From: enter the top depth of this backfill,
• To: enter the bottom depth of this backfill,
• Backfill: select the type of material used as backfill within this depth range.

Borehole Survey

Borehole surveys are intended to collect data about the deviations in the boreholes (e.g. hole diameter), as well as the different characteristics of the rock formations. Examples of borehole surveys include inclinometer installation, sonar caliper, gyro survey and more. On this page user can add multiple borehole survey results as 'datasets'. In order to add a 'dataset' click on New Dataset button at the top-right of the page:

• Type: select the type of dataset; The list of survey types may be customized from the Settings page > Field Investigation tab > Instrumentation tab.
• Title: enter a title for this borehole survey dataset.
• Import Data From CSV File: the only data entry method available for a borehole survey is to import a CSV file. To do so, click on + New dropdown arrow to open the menu, then select Import CSV File menu (see more about importing CSV files).