What are the best practices for geotechnical report writing and presentation?

1 Purpose and scope

The first section of your geotechnical report should clearly state the purpose and scope of the investigation, as well as the objectives and assumptions. You should also provide a brief description of the site location, history, geology, and topography. This section should answer the questions: Why was the investigation done? What was the extent and depth of the investigation? What methods and equipment were used? What were the expected outcomes and limitations?

2 Field and laboratory data

The second section of your geotechnical report should present the field and laboratory data collected during the investigation, such as borehole logs, test pits, in situ tests, soil and rock samples, and laboratory tests. You should use consistent and standardized terminology, symbols, units, and formats to describe and classify the soil and rock materials, as well as their engineering properties and behavior. You should also include appropriate charts, tables, graphs, and maps to illustrate the data.

3 Analysis and interpretation

The third section of your geotechnical report should analyze and interpret the field and laboratory data, as well as any relevant literature or previous studies. You should explain how you applied the principles and methods of geotechnical engineering to evaluate the site conditions, identify the potential geotechnical issues and hazards, and estimate the design parameters and factors of safety. You should also discuss the sources and magnitude of uncertainty and variability in your analysis and interpretation.

4 Recommendations and conclusions

The fourth section of your geotechnical report should provide your recommendations and conclusions based on your analysis and interpretation. You should address the specific geotechnical aspects of the project, such as foundation design, slope stability, earthworks, drainage, groundwater control, seismicity, and environmental impact. You should also specify the assumptions, limitations, and qualifications of your recommendations and conclusions, as well as any additional investigations or monitoring that may be required.

5 References and appendices

The fifth section of your geotechnical report should list the references and appendices that support your report. You should cite the sources of information that you used in your report, such as books, journals, reports, codes, standards, and websites. You should also include any relevant appendices that contain supplementary or detailed information, such as field and laboratory data sheets, calculations, drawings, photographs, and certificates.

6 Presentation and review

The sixth section of your geotechnical report is not a written section, but a process of presenting and reviewing your report. You should ensure that your report is clear, concise, accurate, consistent, and professional. You should use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting. You should also check your report for errors, omissions, contradictions, and ambiguities. You should seek feedback from your peers, supervisors, clients, or experts before finalizing and submitting your report.