Электронный журнал «ГеоИнфо» - GeoInfo №4/2025

Abstract: This article discusses the first draft of the national standard GOST R XXXXX-202X "Soils. Sampling, packaging, transportation, and storage of samples" prepared on the basis of the current GOST 12071-2014. We analyze the main changes compared to the previous version of the standard, identify issues requiring further discussion by the professional community, pay attention to some practical aspects of sampling and preservation of samples, as well as to the importance of broad expert participation during the development and public discussion of the draft document.
 

Keywords: development of regulatory documents; national standard; GOST R; soils and rocks; sampling; sample packaging; sample transportation; sample storage.

Abstract: The parameters of the electric double layer (EDL) of clay particles (layer thickness, sign and magnitude of charge, surface charge density, etc.) determine the main physicochemical properties of soils, such as swelling, shrinkage, and diffusion-osmotic phenomena. In addition, they play a key role in the formation of structural bonds and the strength of coagulation contacts, which ultimately determine the deformation and strength characteristics of soils. Therefore, the development of simple and reliable methods for evaluating the parameters of the EDL in clayey soils is of great practical importance, including for engineering-geological studies and site investigations (surveys). In this regard, the paper analyzes the capabilities of modern methods for evaluating EDL parameters in clayey soils.
 

Keywords: clayey soils; electric double layer (EDL); electrophoresis; electroosmosis; surface conductivity; suspension effect.

Abstract: The article discusses the key methods to determine the shear strength parameters of rocks such as cohesion and internal friction angle. These parameters are required for solving many engineering-geological problems such as stability analysis for various types of slopes, cut slopes, embankment slopes, quarry walls, as well as for the design of hydraulic engineering structures, etc. Depending on the problem being solved, the determination of shear characteristics can be performed for intact rock specimens, along discontinuity surfaces (joints), or for a rock mass as a whole. We describe three different methods for determining shear strength and obtaining failure envelopes for standard rock specimens. Using limestone from the Moscow region as an example, the results obtained by these different methods are compared. The study considers the key methods for determining shear characteristics along rock joints and presents joint shear test results for metavolcanic rocks from the Far East region. The article demonstrates how cohesion and internal friction angle change with normal stress and, consequently, with depth. A comparison of the shear strength characteristics of metavolcanic rocks obtained by testing of intact specimens and rock joints revealed differences in cohesion by 2-3 orders of magnitude. The paper also discusses the key methods for determining shear strength of rock masses. We present an example of obtaining a failure envelope and calculating cohesion and internal friction angle using the Hoek-Brown model for a metavolcanic rock mass. The dependence of rock mass shear characteristics on the magnitude of the applied stresses is shown.
 

Keywords: rock; shear strength; cohesion; internal friction angle; failure envelope; joint; shear strength determination methods.

Abstract: The article analyzes the systemic crisis in site investigations (engineering surveys) in Russia in the context of digital transformation. It considers the impact of price dumping and workforce shortages, the shortcomings of the regulatory framework, and underfunding. Particular attention is given to assessing the effects of implementing new technologies and changing business processes. The authors propose tools aimed at reducing the risks of the market marginalization and at ensuring the sustainable development of the industry.
 

Keywords: site investigations (engineering surveys); engineering-geological surveys; systemic crisis; price dumping; workforce shortages; underfunding; data falsification; dishonest surveys; regulatory framework; new technologies; IT-driven transformation; digitalization; contractors' reliability.

Abstract: Site investigation (engineering-geological survey) is a very important source of initial data for making design decisions. Based on the investigation data, designers obtain information on the engineering-geological conditions of a construction site, primarily on the structure of its ground base, the properties of the constituent soils and rocks, hazardous engineering-geological processes, as well as other data necessary for making design decisions. As a source of quantitative initial data for geotechnical calculations, field and laboratory testing of soils and rocks should be emphasized within the framework of site investigations. For soil and rock classification and property determination, the "final word" usually belongs to laboratory testing. In modern engineering practice, a common problem is the poor quality of site investigations for construction, resulting in designers receiving insufficient or unreliable initial data. The main reasons for the decline in the investigation quality are cost-cutting, incompetence of contractors, and tight deadlines for site investigations combined with limited instrumentation. To save money and complete investigations on time, questionable labor optimization methods are often used on the basis of fabricated drilling or test results. Poor quality investigations can lead to increased construction costs or decreased stability of buildings and structures caused by the negative impact of the geological environment. Laboratory testing is the primary and most common source of qualitative data on physical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks. So, based on an analysis of regulatory documents and personal experience, the authors have developed an algorithm for a preliminary assessment of the compliance of a potential site investigation contractor with selection criteria regarding laboratory testing of samples. This algorithm is presented in the current article. Some key aspects of the customer-laboratory interaction during the testing are also discussed.
 

Keywords: site investigation; soil and rock science; laboratory testing of soils and rocks; physical and mechanical properties; quality control; reliability of contractors; preliminary assessment of a contractor.

Abstract: We present to our readers an adapted translation of the extensive review paper "Artificial intelligence transformations in geotechnics: progress, challenges and future enablers", authored by an international group of researchers (predominantly from the United Kingdom). This work is based on the authors' report at the 1st Workshop on Al in Geotechnics, held in May 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. After that workshop, the paper had been revised for almost two years, and it was submitted to the Computers and Geotechnics journal of the Elsevier publishing company in January 2025. The review will be published in that journal in January 2026. The paper is currently available in open access under the CC BY 4.0 license, which allows users to copy, distribute, adapt, modify it, and build upon it, provided that the license type, changes made are indicated and the original source is referenced. In our case, the full reference to the original source is provided at the end of the translation. Our reliance on the underground space to deliver critical civil engineering infrastructure is growing: to accommodate utility and transport infrastructure in urban environments, to provide innovative housing and commercial solutions, and to support proliferating renewable energy infrastructure, particularly offshore. Artificial intelligence (AI) is arguably the most promising enabler to transform geotechnical engineering by extracting knowledge from data to achieve step-change increases in efficiency, sustainability, reliability and safety. This paper seeks to develop a shared understanding of the state of the art of AI in geotechnics and to explore future developments. By way of example, specific popular use cases in geotechnics are considered to highlight current progress in AI applications including intelligent site investigation, predictive modelling for soil behaviour, and optimisation of design and construction processes. The paper then addresses key research challenges, such as data scarcity and interpretability, and discusses the opportunities that lie ahead in the integration of AI with geotechnical engineering. Finally, priority technological enablers are identified for future transformations.
 

Keywords: geotechnics; geotechnical investigations; artificial intelligence; intelligent site investigations; soil behavior modeling; geotechnical design optimization; machine learning; human-machine interaction; interdisciplinary approach; ethical aspects; legal aspects.

Abstract: We present a slightly abridged and adapted translation of the report "Monitoring of seepages around dams using geophysical methods: a brief review" by Nigerian specialists (Kayode et al., 2018) at the 2nd International Conference on Science and Sustainable Development. The proceedings of that conference were published in the corresponding collection of the series "IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science". The series is issued by the publishing company of the British scientific society "Institute of Physics" (IOP) that is now virtually international. The original work, which was used for the translation, is an open access paper under the CC BY 3.0 license that allows it to be distributed, translated, and adapted, provided that the types of changes are noted and the original source is referred to. In our case, the full reference to the original paper (Kayode et al., 2018), which was used for the translation, is given in the end. The slow escape of a liquid or gas through a porous material or small openings is called seepage. It is a process of seeping in soil engineering whereby water in soils move. Seepages often pose a grave problem in building foundations and also a common problem in earth dams (dams are structures built to retain water/fluild) due to abnormal or excessive leakage. Seepage through or around dams have been responsible for most dam failures. Dam failures are usually catastrophic with many fatalities and causing the destruction of infrastructure and properties. Therefore, monitoring of seepage through and around dams becomes a necessity to maintain dam stability. This paper reviews the geophysical techniques which have been considered for the monitoring and control of seepages around dams. The main field of application of this investigation is subjected to site characterization and foundation quality assurance.
 

Keywords: earth dam; seepage; damage; failure; seepage monitoring; geophysical methods; electrical resistivity tomography; self-potential method; induced polarization method.