Field Investigations for New and Existing Dams: Download

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The purpose of the webinar is to provide an overview of the process required to developing field investigation programs for design of new dams or rehabilitation of existing dams. The presentation will include the four phases that are typical of field investigations for new and existing dams. The presentation will highlight the important aspects of each phase from planning to execution, including defining the goals of each phase.

Site Reconnaissance – The purpose of this phase is to achieve an understanding of site conditions, how they relate to the planned project, and to develop the information needed to plan future investigations.

Geologic Study – The purpose is to develop data needed to prepare a geologic report or geology section of a geotechnical engineering report. The size of the project and the nature of the geology will determine the magnitude of the study. For very small projects and less complicated geology this phase may be completed during the site reconnaissance phase.

Preliminary Field Investigation – The purpose is to develop data needed to establish the characterization of the site for preliminary design of the project. The preliminary and final field investigations may be combined depending upon the size of the project.

Final Field Investigation – The purpose is to establish the final characterization of the site for final design of the project. This phase builds on the information obtained in the previous phases and fills in the data gaps which exist from prior phases.

Ray E. Martin, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE.

Owner, REM, LLC

Dr. Martin has more than 45 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and engineering geology related to design and rehabilitation of dams and levees; natural slopes and embankments, and buildings, power, transportation and waterfront structures. These projects have included slope stability, seepage and settlement analyses, design recommendations, construction considerations, foundation alternatives, subdrainage and earth pressures for walls below grade. He has extensive experience in drilling and sampling techniques, insitu and laboratory testing and instrumentation.

Dr. Martin served as a Principal, President, CEO, and Chairman of Schnabel Engineering Associates prior to his retirement from the firm in 2002. During his 30 years with the firm it grew to over 300 employees 14 offices located from New Brunswick, NJ to Atlanta GA. He is now an individual consultant with a practice emphasis on dams and levees.

He was a member of the Virginia Tech College of Engineering Advisory Board for over 20 years and twice served as Chairman. He was named the Distinguisted Alumus of the College in 2003 and was recently inducted into the Virginia Tech College of Engineering Academy of Engineering Excellence and the West Virginia University Academy of Civil Engineers and also served on the Virginia Tech Civil Engineering Advisory Board. He is a former member of the Geotechnical Engineering Committee of the National Research Council. He has published more than 20 technical papers and provided lectures on various geotechnical engineering subjects. Dr. Martin is a former adjunct faculty member at the University of Virginia.