Sample Data

Soil, rock, ice, and other samples are generally taken with split-spoon samplers, Shelby tubes, Core Barrels, etc. at various depths of the borehole. These samples are later used for detailed identification, lab analysis, and other purposes. An unlimited number of samples may be entered into a borehole log.

The samples of the borehole log can be entered and edited by:

selecting the Samples menu item of the Edit menu,
clicking the right mouse button and select the Samples menu item from the popup menu, or
clicking the left mouse button inside one of the sample columns of the borehole log.

After performing one of the above tasks, the Sample Data form will be displayed. This form is used to enter and edit the data for each sample, that is then displayed in one or more columns of the borehole log. The template determines the type of information displayed on the borehole log for the sample.

The buttons at the bottom of the form are used for the following:

The Start button moves to the first sample.
The Previous button moves to the previous sample.
The Next button moves to the next sample.
The End button moves to the last sample.
The Insert button creates a new sample.
The Delete button deletes the sample.

The following information can be entered and edited using the Sample form:

Number: This is the optional sample number (up to 255 characters). The number can contain text characters.

Start Depth: This is the start depth of the sample. The depth should be specified in the same units as set in the template. The start depth is the only field that must be specified for the sample all of the other information is optional.

Length: This is the length of the sample. The length should be specified in the same units as set in the template. Initially when a sample is created the default length set in the template is displayed.

Type: This is the optional type of sample (up to 255 characters).

Symbol: This is an optional symbol used to represent the sample. When this column is selected, a button will be displayed for the sample symbol. After this button is pressed, the Sample Symbol form is displayed. This form can be used to select the sample symbol, foreground color, and background color.

Line Type: This is the style of line that is used to draw the top and bottom boundaries of the sample. When this column is selected, a button will be displayed for the line type. After this button is pressed, the Line Properties form on the next page is displayed. This form is used to set the line style, thickness, and color. The line style can be set to none to display no line at the boundaries.

Blows/ft: This is the blow count or N-Value of the sample. When entering N-Value data a line break can be added to the data by specifying a “/” between data values (e.g. 12/18/16/22). In addition, the 4 N-Values normally specified, can be spaced equally across the column by specifying a “^” at the beginning of the data. If the N-Value is left blank or specified as “NA” then it will not be plotted on the SPT graph (if there is an SPT graph in the log).

Recovery: This is the sample recovery, usually expressed as a percentage or as a length measurement. Depending upon the template settings the recovery can be represented on the log as text or as a shaded box that covers the specified portion of the sample interval. For example, if the recovery were 75% then a box covering 75% of the sample interval would be drawn.

Other: In addition to the above data, other types of data can be entered for each sample. The number of other data types and the names for this data is specified in the template. Other data is stored and displayed as text strings (up to 255 characters each). The name of the other data is specified as the column name. This string is displayed at the top of each other data column when the log is edited. To enter and edit this data the scroll bar at the bottom of the form should be used.