Geotechnical Materials Database for Embankment Design and Construction

This project was focused on the assimilation of engineering properties of borrow soils across the state of South Carolina. Extensive data on soils used for embankment construction were evaluated and compared within Group A (Piedmont) and Group B (Coastal Plain) soil deposits. A geotechnical materials database was constructed using three main sources of information: 1) review and synthesis of available soils information from 197 borrow pits gathered from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Engineering Districts; 2) experimental testing of representative field samples of soils from 17 known borrow sources to determine the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of these soils; and 3) triaxial compression test results from soil samples of existing embankments, based on a thorough review and synthesis of multiple project reports supplied by SCDOT. The geographical and geotechnical data for all of the identified borrow sources were compiled into a master spreadsheet using Microsoft® Excel.