GEOTECHNICAL SOIL MAPPING OF NORTHAMPTON MASSACHUSETTS: 3-DIMENSIONAL MODELING OF THE SUBSURFACE FROM GEOTECHNICAL BORINGS

3-dimensional (3D) models of bedrock and sedimentary structures comprising the subsurface of Northampton, Massachusetts were constructed using data originally obtained from geotechnical borings. All of the borings were done as part of standard site investigations for various public and private sector construction projects, with many done more than half a century ago. This research has given new life to old data as part of a comprehensive look at the subsurface using computer software capable of generating 3D images.

Engineering soil properties have been the primary lens through which soil units have been examined because of the clear relationship between soil classification and strength as bearing units for buildings, bridges and other structures. These same properties also enlighten us about the geomorphic processes responsible for depositing sedimentary materials.

The results of this work demonstrate that soil data obtained from construction site borings, when coupled with 3D computer software, can provide effective modeling of the subsurface for geologists or geotechnical engineers. Modeling of this nature can then be used to display sedimentary structures in 3D as a tool to support, interpret or verify the specific order of events as the last great ice sheet receded from New England.