GIS Database Development
Fugro's Geographic Information System (GIS) was an essential tool for organizing, integrating, and analyzing the vast amount of data collected for the San Francisco airport geotechnical study. That data included existing data and data from three phases of new exploration.

The GIS was used to:

• Collect existing data including regional geologic maps, local and regional faults, regional topography, bathymetry, historical aerial photographs, over 400 existing explorations, and cultural features.
  
  
• Compile data from various sources by digitizing paper sources, downloading internet sources, and converting from electronic sources (AutoCAD, microstation., and Excel), so the data were in the same format and same coordinate system.
  
  
• Integrate new data including geotechnical, geophysical, and environmental data collected during three phases of exploration. Data consisted of boring, cone penetrometer, downhole geophysical, aerial geophysical, multibeam, sediment chemistry, and soil laboratory data.
  
  
• Model topography, bathymetry, and various geologic units as three dimensional surfaces. Geologic surfaces included bedrock, Lower Layered Sediments, Old Bay Mud, Upper Layered Sediments, Young Bay Mud, historical mud, and fill.
  
  
• Develop customized GIS tools to analyze and display the data as boring logs, cross sections, and parameter plots.
  
  
• Perform complex calculations and analyses to estimate settlements and liquefaction potential.
  
  
• Model the dredging sequence in potential borrow areas to estimate volumes of sand and dredge spoil (fine-grained sediments).
  
  
• Present the results of the study to the client, permitting agencies, team members, and various airport consultants in an easy to understand, intuitive format.
  
  
• Meet an extremely tight time schedule.