Geotechnical data from ground investigations

The significant development of data management technologies is driving the engineering geoscience community toward solutions that can provide reliable data driven in digital format and create dynamic databases. These databases, gathered from geological, geotechnical, and geomechanical surveys, enable the transfer and storage of data in a standardized and organized manner. The geotechnical community’s role in this data management process is indispensable. Their expertise ensures the efficient transfer and storage of geotechnical data, making them the backbone of this digital revolution. The absence of the current practice of digitizing information is a significant challenge that we must urgently address. This issue is crucial, as it hinders geotechnical data’s efficient transfer and storage. Based on the UK reality, the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) has tackled this challenging issue. The AGS developed the first geotechnical data transfer format and set a standard for transferring geotechnical data for on-site investigations and activities related to the design of any geotechnical project, using well-established international standards. The AGS approach combines field and laboratory geological and geotechnical data with spatial information. This successful approach underlines the importance of the role of the AGS in an effective digital practice and encourages further adoption in Portuguese reality.