Does anybody have recommendations for a software that generates boring logs? We use Excel and its a pain to work with because it takes so long, however we'd like something less expensive then Gint Logs. Ideas?

www.geosystemsoftware.com/  LogDraft
http://www.rockware.com/index.php  LogPlot

I have not used either, and I don't know where they sit in price with respect to gInt.

I use a Word template. All the information is there, it is easy to edit and prints just fine.  All you need to know is how to create a table.  

"We use Excel and its a pain to work with because it takes so long"

Do you know WHY it's taking so long?  Without that crucial bit of data, how do you know whether any other suggestion will work any better?  And the downside will be that any other format will either be proprietary, or lack the processing power inherent in Excel.

TTFN
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It takes long because you have to merge and format your cells to show an accurate representation of your soil strata. Here is an example of what we do - I removed all our job info and company info, thats why the top is blank. So its the typing in that takes so long.  

• http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=aeaf02c9-9e96-4052-938c-be

With any program, you'll still have a fair amount of typing to do (soil descriptions,elevations, water table depths, etc.).

Your spreadsheet looks cumbersome.  Why not create a data input template that will automatically populate the appropriate cells?
Then your data input is linear and you don't have to search for a location to put your data.

I think Wincore is what I see most.

We use BoringS where I work. Its kind of a pain when it comes to formatting but over all not bad software for the price.

Honestly, in the past when I worked full-time for a geotech company we used a template created in CAD, and just set the sheet up in model space with actual inches, then when it printed in paper space it fit just fine on the sheet and had the headers/footers necessary for the project.

-HSIII

gINT is another common logging software...I find it pretty convenient...

gINT is commonly used by multiple Uk consultants both in Uk and Middle East. I also had very good experience with HoleBASE from KeySystems in the UK for many years before moving overseas. Hole BASE has some nice add-ons for handheld tablets and pocket computers to enable logging on site to be inputted directly into the software and then uploaded when bk in the office. some touching up and review and your logs can be turned out in half the time it used to take. no im not on commission, just a big fan!

We use Strater 3 from Golden Software. Very nice presentation, but there is a steep learning curve. If you are preparing complex logs, we've found it quite good for that.

For must of my geotechnical analysis I base my decition on the SPT-N value and cohesion (if it is a cohesive soil).

On the Boring profile, GINT plots the SPT-N value at each depth plus the cohesion value (if it is a cohesive soil). on top of that you can join strata between borings and add descriptions.

To me, all this info in one sheet is priceless, that way I don't need to flip pages to find a generic info. Of course If I want more detailed information I could switch to the boring logs, but sometimes I try to put any special infomation on the boring profile that way, the whole information is in one sheet.

I have been looking for something similar to GINT in the geotechnical market but haven't found anything similar yet.

Question: Who uses the logs?

I'd assume no one other than the report writer(s).

For an answer to the question make a few calls to the clients you regularly serve.

I'd bet no one looks at them in any detail, if at all. Also whether or not you get work probably does not depend on the appearance of the logs. A fancy, long winded report, with flowery data storage might likely get a remark "Why are we paying for all this stuff?" Why are graphic symbols needed?

Assuming that is the answer, I'd go for the fastest, that is mainly a method for storing the data. That probably is a simple spread sheet. Most of my clients only wanted the basic recommendations. Log appearance meant nothing.

Try Geotechnical Information Management System (GIMS) which is is a web-based geotechnical data management software. You can find more information at www.panoramaitc.com.

GIMS is a multi-user, multi-tasking, relational database management tool to create, update, share, process, report geotechnical information and automate drafting of borehole log/ instrumentation detail.

GIMS runs on the server and allows secure and controlled access to authorized users from a web-browser. No software is required to be installed on end-user(s) computers and no third party software licenses need to be acquired. Multiple users can have fast and easy access to all the geotechnical information from anywhere in the world using internet and web-browser.

I have used GINT in the past but and found it annoying (time consuming). Manual data entry and fiddly templates that can be difficult to customise. Also fences (sections) were difficult to work with. OK for simple logs and if you generally produce logs with similar feild test data.