Received June 25, 2016, accepted August 12, 2016, date of publication November 3, 2016, date of current version November 18, 2016. Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/ACCESS.2016.2606158
The Work Flow and Operational Model for Geotechnical Investigation Based on BIM JUNQIANG ZHANG1 , CHONGLONG WU2 , LIZHE WANG1,2 , XIAOPING MAO3 , AND YONG WU4
1 Institute
of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China of Computer Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China 4 Hydro China Kunming Engineering Corporation, Kunming 650051, China 2 School 3 School
Corresponding author: L. Wang (
[email protected])
ABSTRACT Geotechnical investigation is essentially a process of information acquisition, analysis, and application. Informatization is an attractive way to improve the efficiency of geotechnical investigation. Typical approaches divide the process of geotechnical investigation into isolated stages and only focus on the local informatization of the entire process. This leads to limitations in the improvement of geotechnical investigation efficiency, misuse of geotechnical data, and interpreted results that are incorrect. Therefore, a work flow and operational mode to address the informatization throughout the overall process of geotechnical investigation is particularly important in developing a software designed for efficient and precise geotechnical investigations. In this paper, we design a work flow and operational mode for geotechnical investigation based on a geotechnical BIM model and database. Within this work flow, the construction of a 3-D geotechnical information model and BIM-based database is taken as the main line. The constantly updated model and the database are the platform for working and analysis. As this strategy can link every stage in the whole process of geotechnical investigation, all the work can be done based on the BIM model and database in a 3-D environment, so improvement in the overall efficiency of geotechnical investigation is possible. Furthermore, the integrative center combined by the BIM model and database is targeted to reduce data errors, data conversions, and the abstractness of geotechnical data, which can improve the interpreted accuracy of these data. Finally, we use the process of geotechnical investigation at a hydropower station for experimental studies to verify the proposed work flow and operational mode. The result shows that it is feasible to design the software for an efficient and more accurate geotechnical investigation based on the proposed work flow and operational mode. INDEX TERMS Geotechnical investigation, BIM, three-dimensional model, geotechnical data.
I. INTRODUCTION
Geotechnical information is vital to determine the suitability of a site for a given infrastructure or building project and for a safe and economical design and execution of these projects, especially with land in poor geologic condition. Geotechnical investigation is the main approach of acquiring geotechnical information from site and laboratory tests. The geotechnical investigation is a process of geotechnical data collecting, processing, presentation, and analyzing. This process entails a heavy workload. The tasks includes geotechnical data collection, geological map compilation and data analysis. The final result of the geotechnical investigation is a investigation report [1]. The traditional approach for geotechnical investigation is a manual process, which is time consuming, inefficient, low precision and labor intensive. With the advance of
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computer information systems (for example, computer-aided drafting [CAD] and geographic information science [GIS]), scientists started to look for informatization ways to improve the efficiency of geotechnical investigation. At present, various approaches based on information systems have been proposed to increase the efficiency of geotechnical investigation. Some fruitful results have been achieved in research on these types of approaches [2], [3]. Based on the literature reviewed, all approaches can be broadly classified into CAD-based approach and GIS-based approach. The former approach seeks to use an electronic drawing platform to compile all geological information in a geological map. This approach thereby improves mapping efficiency, whereas the latter approach seeks to store, analyze, and update data from a spatial perspective. Both approaches
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can improve the efficiency of geotechnical investigation to some extent. However, those two approaches divide the process of geotechnical investigation into isolated stages; they only represent local informatization of the entire process, and little attention has been paid to the overall process of geotechnical investigation; the improvement in efficiency of geotechnical investigation is limited. Therefore, once the investigation scheme changes, all the work must be re-done even if the work is assisted by information technology. Finally, these approaches ignore the coordination between the different stages of geotechnical investigation, which leads to a series of information silos, misuse of geotechnical data, and interpreted results that are incorrect. To solve these problems, we designed a BIM-based work flow and operational mode to reform the process of geotechnical investigation. In this work flow, the construction of a three-dimensional geotechnical information model and BIM-based database is taken as the main line, and the constantly updated model and database are platforms for working and analysis. When completed, the combination of the model and database will be submitted to the following specialties as the delivery carrier of geotechnical information. The innovation of this paper is that we put forward a BIM-based work flow and operational mode to link every stage in the whole process of geotechnical investigation. Within this work flow and operational mode, the geotechnical investigation is a relative annular process; much work can be done based on the geotechnical BIM model and database simultaneously. Thus, the overall efficiency of geotechnical investigation can be greatly improved. At the same time, the geotechnical data analysis based on the geotechnical BIM model and database promotes the deduction of data errors, data conversions, and the abstractness of geotechnical data, which can improve the interpreted accuracy of geotechnical data. The rest of this paper is organized as follows. We first summarize related work on geotechnical investigation in Section 2. Then the objectives and problems are defined in Section 3. We discuss the overall structure and implementation of the work flow and operational mode in Section 4. In Section 5, the experimental results and discussion are given. Section 6 concludes the paper and suggests opportunities for the future work. II. RELATED WORK
Related work includes three aspects, specifically addressing how the CAD-based approach, the GIS-based approach, and the BIM-based approach improve the efficiency of geotechnical investigation. This section gives a brief review of this related work. A. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAD-BASED APPROACH
As a revolutionary innovation in cartography, CAD changed the traditional way of cartography, saved a lot of manual labor, and simplified the modification of graphics greatly. VOLUME 4, 2016
CAD has attracted much attention from cartographers over the past three decades. In geotechnical investigation, CAD is mainly used in the compilation of geological maps [4]. The greatest advantage of CAD is the convenience of repeated modification and electronic distribution of the geological map. However, this changes little about the overall process of geotechnical investigation, the overall efficiency is still very low. Furthermore, the geological data and analysis are still abstract for the two-dimensional view, and the results for geological interpretation still cannot be guaranteed [5]. B. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GIS-BASED APPROACH
GIS is defined as a fundamental and universally applicable set of value-added tools for capturing, transforming, managing, analyzing, and presenting geological information, especially in spatial data. GIS technology usage for analysis and demonstration enables data visualization to become reality. Visual display data allows users to understand better compared to analytical, statistical or reporting products [6]. In geotechnical investigation, GIS is used in the integration, presentation, and analysis of geotechnical data. Many different types of data are utilized in the process of geotechnical investigation; these could include photos, tables, reports, videos, and so forth. By integrating the data from various sources, the data will be more systematic and organized, shortening the time necessary for retrieval. The integrated geotechnical data will be useful and easily understood by users as the data are represented in map display. Additional information such as scales, labels, symbols, north arrows, and text can be added to produce meaningful maps [7]. A good data presentation, complete with meaningful information and well-edited and well-printed maps, will contribute to the interpretation of geotechnical investigation. Finally, the map created by the different layers and superimposed with integrated data will be used to visualize and analyze the geologic conditions [8]. GIS is powerful, but must in this case develop a threedimensional system as the geotechnical data are inherently three-dimensional. Softwares (such as Sketch-up and threedimensional CAD) are recommended that can better visualize the design during the construction process. On the other hand, the system is helpful when three-dimensional information is created, as it improves the capability of analyzing [9]. The use of three-dimensional geotechnical model was used to better display the geotechnical data and to achieve a useful geological reference that would be available for the planning and construction of future underground works. Several works can be found in literature concerning approaches for threedimensional geotechnical modeling, but little can be found on the general approach behind using a three-dimensional geotechnical model to reform the geotechnical investigation process [10], [11]. Furthermore, analysis based on the threedimensional geotechnical model ignores the related geotechnical data [12], and the accuracy of the interpreted results is low. 7501
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C. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BIM-BASED APPROACH
BIM is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of a building or project [13]. The BIM process will facilitate the sharing of data and models such that isolated teams can work together in a much more integrated and collaborative manner [14]. The resulting model, which is called as Building Information Model (or BIM), is a data-rich, objectoriented, intelligent and parametric digital representation of the facility. From this model, views and data appropriate to various users needs can be extracted, which is useful to make decisions and improve the process of delivering the facility. BIM is not just three-dimensional CAD. The mistaken belief that it is prevents the realization that BIM is more than just another incremental improvement over existing methods in the way that CAD was an incremental improvement over hand drawing. To put it succinctly, BIM is not a better way of doing things, it is a way to do better things. Issa, Suermann, and Olbina sum up the importance of the move to BIM in their paper: The transition to BIM is different from the move to CAD because CAD did not significantly alter business processes, but simply increased the speed at which centuries-old traditional tasks were completed through electronic means [15]. If this technology is introduced into geotechnical investigations, it will fully facilitate collaboration and sharing of both factual and interpreted geotechnical data throughout all stages of a given investigation, contributing to the accuracy of geotechnical data and the efficiency of geotechnical investigation [16]. III. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Based on the above discussion, the overall objective of this paper is to find a more efficient work flow and operational mode of geotechnical investigation. The work flow should be able to coordinate every stage in the overall process of geotechnical investigation, so that the geotechnical data can be transferred smoothly and in a lossless fashion, and the overall efficiency can be increased. Finally, the work flow and operational mode should improve the accuracy both of geotechnical data and of the interpreted result. A. RESEARCH GOALS
(1) Design a work flow and operational mode to improve the overall efficiency of geotechnical investigation; (2) Enhanced the intuitive usability of geotechnical data, so that all the work in geotechnical investigation can be achieved with a sense of immersion; (3) Seamlessly integrate spatial and attribute data; and (4) Improve the accuracy of results interpreted from geotechnical data. B. RESEARCH PROBLEMS
The following problems are addressed to fulfill these specific research objectives. 7502
Specific Objective 1: Design a BIM-based work flow and operational mode to reform the overall process of geotechnical investigation. Specific Objective 2: Implement the three-dimensional visualization of spatial data in geotechnical data with threedimensional modeling techniques technology. Specific Objective 3: Organize and manage the attribute data in geotechnical data systematically and efficiently with BIM database. Specific Objective 4: Combine the geotechnical BIM model and database to get a better interpreted result. IV. APPROACH
We put forward a BIM-based work flow and operational mode to reform the process of geotechnical investigation. This work flow and operational mode take the construction of a three-dimensional geotechnical information model and a BIM-based database as the main line, and the constantly updated model and database the platforms for working and analysis. Therefore, three points are key to this approach: how to reform the geotechnical investigation process; how to construct the BIM-based database and build the threedimensional geological information model; and how to complete the geological analysis with the spatial and associated attributes data. A. REFORM THE PROCESS OF GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
The operational mode of the BIM-based geotechnical investigation is DMA mode. D is the geotechnical BIM database, which is used to organize and manage the geotechnical data. M refers to the three-dimensional geotechnical information model, which is used to achieve the three-dimensional spatial distribution and topological relation representation of the geotechnical object. A is the analysis center that performs tasks such as analysis of geotechnical data, consultation, and decision-making. The most remarkable feature of the DMA mode is the integration of the geotechnical data to the comprehensive analysis center directly once they are generated [17]. Then, the reasonableness check, processing, and analysis of geotechnical data are carried out at the analysis center almost simultaneously, avoiding data loss caused by data transition between different stages. Figure 1 presents an overall structural diagram of the BIM-based work flow. The entire process can be divided roughly into eight stages. We will describe the main task of every stage in the following section. (1) In the preparing stage, when the investigative task is given, the preliminary three-dimensional geological information model can be built via enhanced review of the existing information and the result of the site survey. This model may be very simple; for example, it could be a three-dimensional surface model constituted by the digital elevation model (DEM) and the basis geological maps. VOLUME 4, 2016
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(8) Finally, in the data delivering stage, the original data and the interpreted result can be delivered for other uses in the form of electronic report. This can facilitate the reuse of geotechnical data in the design and construction of a civil engineering. Information from the construction site and monitoring provides strong validation of (and complements) the geotechnical data. Integration of all data is necessary to construct a complete information system. Compared with the traditional workflow and operational mode, the BIM-based work flow and operational mode is a data-center annular process. Therefore, the seamless integration and sharing of geotechnical data within the geotechnical investigation can be implemented. B. IMPROVING GEOTECHNICAL DATA ACCURACY WITH A THREE-DIMENSIONAL INFORMATION MODEL FIGURE 1. The workflow and data journey of BIM-based geotechnical investigation.
(2) The initial investigative scheme and specifications can then be formed in accordance with relevant norms and standards. (3) The field geological engineers organize the production according to the preliminary investigation scheme, such as field exploration and sampling. The acquired geotechnical data is delivered to the analysis center after checking for outliers. (4) At the same time, the sample was send to the mobile laboratory for tests. The data from the sample is integrated to the analysis center synchronously. (5) In the analysis center, the geologist checks the rationality of the data and removes conflict, then uses the geophysical exploration information, laboratory test data, and expert database knowledge to enrich the initial three-dimensional geological information model. This could include building the three-dimensional model of the geological structure and exploration object (drilling, cross-hole, downhole, trench). Scatter plot fitting can obtain the interfaces, including the weathered interface, decompression interface, free water surface, and so forth. The results can then be analyzed on the basis of the three-dimensional information, allowing proposal of a more reasonable investigative scheme. (6) Repeating steps 3-5, minimize production tasks and shorten the investigative period in conformity with the relevant specifications to obtain accurate investigation results. (7) In the comprehensive analysis center, the geologist and the senior technical staff carry out three-dimensional geological analysis on the basis of the three-dimensional geotechnical information model and the BIM database. These tasks include generating statistical reports, drawing two-dimensional analysis geological maps (cross sections, rose diagram of joint, contour diagram of joints, stereographic projection) automatically, extracting sub-information models, and so forth. VOLUME 4, 2016
The accuracy of geotechnical data has a direct impact on the interpreted result. It is affected by many factors, such as the precision of the investigation instrument, the experience of the geological engineer, and the data transmission between different stages. In the proposed workflow, we control the precision of geotechnical data from the following aspects. First, data are stored in the database after generation; the check, application, and analysis all use the data form the same database. This eliminates the loss caused by the data transmission between different stages [18]. In the database, the threshold value of certain variables generated by the designed data dictionary is used to detect the outliers of the input value. When the technical staff use the data from the database to build the three-dimensional model, statistics conversion tools will be used to enable the data to follow a normal distribution so as to simulate the global trends and eliminate anisotropy [19]. Some obvious errors in (or exceptions to) the spatial geotechnical data can be found via the approach of visual interpretation in a three-dimensional environment. For example, when the three-dimensional model of a borehole is built, the maximum elevation of the borehole should be in agreement with the surface elevation at the same location. A significant difference may indicate a recording error [20], there may be a recording error. Sometimes, we use the instant section to find the anisotropy that is difficult to detect. C. COMBINING THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL GEOTECHNICAL BIM MODEL AND DATABASE TO IMPROVE INTERPRETED-RESULT ACCURACY
To sum up, at different stages of the geotechnical investigation, repeated decision-making and the assessment of results are needed. Since the accuracy of interpreted result is critical in these tasks, the proposed work flow and operational model takes the following measures to improve the accuracy of the interpreted results [21]. When the preliminary three-dimensional geological information model is gradually enriched, the virtual model of a borehole or an adit can be used to find where to deploy the 7503
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investigation activities in the next stage. The virtual model is generated by the virtual excavation on the enriched threedimensional geotechnical information model [22]. When the site of the new investigative activities is located, the investigation task document can be generated by the information extract from the three-dimensional geotechnical information model and database. Then, the document can be submitted to the investigation construction sector to test and verify the inference of the engineer and further enrich the threedimensional geotechnical information model and database. By repeating this process, the dynamic investigation scheme is gradually optimized. In this process, the geological engineers play the roles of both designer and user of data visualization (Fig. 2).
A. INTRODUCTION OF THE EXPERIMENTAL ZONE
The target hydropower station is located at the midstream of Yalong River in the southwest of Sichuan province. The project area of this hydropower station is situated at the south of the Yalong river foldbelt in the Songpan-Garz geosynclinal system. A preliminary assessment indicates that the geological structure of the project area is complicated and the geotechnical investigation will involve a heavy workload. Therefore, advanced information technology is needed to assist the geotechnical investigation for higher efficiency, reduced workload, and more accurate interpreted results.
B. PRACTICAL EFFECT
FIGURE 2. The increase of accuracy via data visualization.
The data in the three-dimensional geotechnical information model and database is consistent and is linked via unique ID (Identification code, ID). The cross-section of investigation targets can be generated automatically. The threedimensional view and the derived two-dimensional view of the spatial data, accompanied by the statistics report of property data, constitutes a complete analysis perspective of geotechnical data. Therefore, avoiding the errors caused by single-perspective analysis is possible. Furthermore, the geological maps generated by the three-dimensional geotechnical information model and database increase the accuracy of the maps and save a lot of manual labor. In general, the union of the three-dimensional geotechnical BIM model and database facilitates the comprehensive analysis of the geotechnical data from multiple perspectives, and improves the accuracy of the interpreted result. V. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY USING REFORMED WORK FLOW AND OPERATIONAL MODE
The task of this experiment is the geotechnical investigation of a hydropower station in the Sichuan province of China. The main aims of this experiment include obtaining the geotechnical data, analyzing data, submitting an investigation report, and taking appropriate measures to ensure the quality of the interpreted result. 7504
We designed and developed a software named GeoBIM on the basis of the proposed workflow and operation. The software was used during the entire geotechnical investigation of the target hydropower station project. The software includes a data-collection module, a three-dimensional geological modeling module, a data-analysis module, a data analysis module and an achievement-output module. In the data-acquisition phase of the investigation, the primary three-dimensional information model was built based on the terrain information and remote sensing image (Fig. 3). This information was stored and managed in the analysis center constituted by the BIM model and database. Then, the preliminary scheme was determined on the basis of the analysis results. In the following stage, the data collection was carried out with the data-acquisition module installed on an iPad in accordance with this scheme. This facilitates the data collection in the field and the display of the spatial relationship between geological elements and the terrain. With the increase of data, the three-dimensional information model was enriched gradually. The investigation scheme was optimized based on the increasingly detailed three-dimensional geotechnical information model. We construct the three-dimensional geological modeling module with IDL (Interface description language, IDL) and a series of algorithms. The geotechnical database was built via Microsoft SQL Server. With the final three-dimensional information model (Fig. 4-A) and database, the geological analysis can be carried out in the three-dimensional environment. The geological analysis includes, but is not limited to, sectional views (Fig. 4-B) from multiple perspectives and the excavation in any way. Fig. 4-C is the engineering geological horizontal cutting diagram at an elevation of 2080 m in the junction area. As can be seen from the geological structure at this elevation, the analysis result can provide guidance for the design and construction. Fig. 4-D is a schematic of the virtual excavation of the dam, the excavation encountered lithology and the amount of earthwork can easily be calculated, providing an accurate basis for budget and construction. Some other work in the geotechnical investigation can also be completed in this three-dimensional environment to improve the accuracy and intuitiveness. The compilation of VOLUME 4, 2016
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FIGURE 3. The data acquisition in three-dimensional.
FIGURE 4. The visualized analysis of geotechnical data in three-dimensional.
cross sections is one of the main missions in geotechnical investigation. The conceptual model of cross sections and its style templates were built based on UML(Unified Modeling Language, UML), and the data content and map manifestations style of cross sections were separated from each other to enhance the flexibility of the sectional drawing program. The three-dimensional geotechnical model and database were used as the data source of geological section compilation. The drawing style of the cross sections was controlled by the style templates to achieve the fast and dynamic compilation of standard cross sections. VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
FIGURE 5. Traditional data journey of geotechnical investigation.
Our validation procedure examined two aspects (efficiency and accuracy) in comparison with the traditional approach. The traditional geotechnical investigation workflow is a linear waterfall process (Fig. 5). The resulting data is passed
to the following phase after the work in one phase is done [23]. When the work of the last phase is completed and the data is archived, the investigation is finished. In this way,
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TABLE 1. The comparison of workload between traditional method and BIM-based method in the geotechnical investigation of the target hydropower station.
FIGURE 7. The spatial distribution of the excavation face and the calculation of earthwork in three-dimensional environment. From 7-A, we can understand the relative position of the excavation and dam clearly. 7-B is the spatial distribution of excavation face in three-dimensional view, and the 7-C is the schematic view of earthwork calculation.
FIGURE 6. The comparison of the accumulation and use efficiency of information between BIM based approach and traditional approach at the different phases of geotechnical investigation.
although the initial scheme may be unscientific, it was almost unchanged after being made. This may lead to excessive costs for the geotechnical investigation and inaccurate survey results. Furthermore, with the passage of data occurring at clear phases within the life of an investigation, much data are often not retained or reused in this approach. This reduces the efficiency directly. Finally, the division of the whole process into several isolated stages leads to significant delays in receiving data on a regular basis; as data then should be entered multiple times, errors are inevitable. The comparison of workload in the geotechnical investigation of the target hydropower station between the traditional approach and the BIM-based approach are presented in Table 1. The table cites the workload according to the traditional investigative approach versus the workload completed using the BIM approach. The findings imply that the BIM-based approach is efficient and economical. 7506
Compared with the traditional workflow, the BIM-based work flow is a data-centric annular process (Fig. 1), with the boundaries between phases often being blurred. In this operational model, much work can be done at the same time, which can improve the time efficiency and shorten the investigation period. Moreover, as the geotechnical data are stored in the BIM database once they are generated, the data transmission and exchange do not exist. Therefore, the data loss in the conversion process can be avoided, improving accuracy. As the investigation continues to progress, the raw data and the interpreted result are accumulated; this is a nearly linear accumulation process. Nevertheless, the accumulation of geotechnical data is an interrupted process for the data loss of transfer in the traditional approach. The comparison of data loss is shown in Fig. 6. The increase of accuracy refers to the increase of geological analysis and interpreted results. As the BIM-based workflow and operational model display the geotechnical data in a three-dimensional environment, the analytical approaches are more varied and convenient compared with those in a two-dimensional environment. We take the stability VOLUME 4, 2016
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evaluation of the rock on the left side of the dam as an example. When we design the excavation scheme in a two-dimensional environment, the spatial distribution and morphology of the excavation face can only be described in a sectional view. Furthermore, the calculation of earthwork including excavation, filling, chiseled rock blasting and conveying out can only be estimated via geologicalore block approach with a plurality of cross-sectional views. It can be thought that the result is not able to be trusted or validated. Comparatively speaking, the spatial distribution and morphology of the excavation face is intuitive and the construction quantity is calculable (Fig. 7). VII. CONCLUSIONS
Informatization is an important way to improve the efficiency of the geotechnical investigation. However, the current approaches divide the process of geotechnical investigation into isolated stages, ignoring the informatization of the overall process of geotechnical investigation. This lead to the improvement in efficiency of geotechnical investigation is limited. What is more, the current approach also neglected the coordination between the different stages of geotechnical investigation, which leads to a series of information silos, a misuse of geotechnical data, and the incorrect of the interpreted results. We designed a BIM-based work flow and operational mode to informatize the process of geotechnical investigation, which is a data-central and iterative process. In this work flow, the construction of a three-dimensional geotechnical information model and BIM-based database is taken as the main line, and the constantly updated model and database are platforms for working and analysis. When completed, the combination of the model and database will be submitted to the following specialties as the delivery carrier of geotechnical information to maximize the past investment in geotechnical data. As this mode can link every stage in the whole process of geotechnical investigation, all the work can be done based on the BIM model and database. Thus, the overall efficiency of geotechnical investigation can be greatly improved. At the same time, geotechnical data analysis based on the BIM model and the database benefits the deduction of data errors, data sharing, and the intuitiveness of geotechnical data, this improves the interpreted accuracy of geotechnical data. The geotechnical investigation at a hydropower station is used to verify the proposed work flow and operational mode. The result shows that it is feasible to design the software for an efficient and more accurate geotechnical investigation based on the proposed work flow and operational mode. With respect to potential drawbacks of this operational model, this work flow leads to higher requirements for geotechnical engineers and an accompanying increase in their workload. When to end the iterative process also remains to be standardized; this area requires further research. VOLUME 4, 2016
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JUNQIANG ZHANG received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in geoscience information engineering from the China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China, in 2012 and 2015, respectively. From 2015, he was a Post-Doctoral Fellow with the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. His research interests include processing of geoscience data and geological modeling.
CHONGLONG WU received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in China University of Geosciences, in 1968 and 1982, respectively. He was with Guizhou Metallurgical Bureau from 1968 to 1973 and Sichuan steel plant from 1973 to 1979. He has been with the China University of Geosciences as a Professor of Geoscience Information Engineering since 1991. His current research works mainly include theory and methods of geology and mineral resources information systems, digital land engineering, mining exploration and development of information technology, and simulation of geological processes. LIZHE WANG received the B.E. and M.E. (magna cum laude) degrees from Tsinghua University, and the D.Eng. degree from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany. He is currently a Professor with the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a ChuTian Chair Professor with the School of Computer Science, China University of Geosciences. His main research interests include highperformance computing, e-science, and spatial data processing. He serves as an Associate Editor of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS on COMPUTERS and the IEEE TRANSACTIONS on CLOUD COMPUTING. He is a fellow of IET and the British Computer Society.
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XIAOPING MAO received the Ph.D. degree in minerals exploration from the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, China, in 2000. From 2010 to 2003, he was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. He is currently an Associate Professor with the School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China. His current research interests include image oil and gas resource evaluation, basin modeling, and geological modeling.
YONG WU received the Ph.D. degree in geosciences information engineering from the China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China, in 2011. From 2011 to 2016, he was an Engineer and a Senior Engineer with Power China Kunming Engineering Corporation Ltd. He is currently a Teacher with the School of Software Engineering, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunication, Chongqing, China. The primary focus of his research interests is on spatial intelligence digital engineering and system, large software architecture, and development mode.
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