Undergraduate starting his first geotechnical internship 1

[tue98161]

Hey all,

I'm an undergrad starting an internship in the geotechnical unit of my state's DOT this summer. My previous experience has been as a research assistant (I basically made and tested concrete all summer).

My job duties are: intern will assist our unit with field inspections and investigations, core-box delivery and storage, drilling inspection, performing elementary geotechnical design review and analysis, research, plans review and providing general support to our overextended staff."

I've taken courses in Soil Mechanics and just completed Foundation Engineering. Based on the description above, what should I review/be ready for when I begin work? The main duty is "assist with field inspections and investigations". I've been taught the theory and basic procedures, but could anyone give me explicit examples of what I'd most likely be doing?

Thank you!

 

[BigH]

Sounds like everything but the kitchen sink. Basically, I would presume you will be a grunt - the errand boy to do what someone needs doing. I am not sure that they will have you directly look after a site investigation drill rig - but will probably have you work with someone who will be in charge. I'd suspect that you will be used to put the samples in the jars or plastic bags, make out the labels, organize them by boreholes, arrange for shipment, etc. Core boxes - the same but with rock. I suggest that you find Chapter 1 of Fang's Foundation Engineering Handbook. They have some really good information in the chapter on drilling, caring for samples, how to put core into core boxes, etc. although more modern penetration testing techniques are not covered in detail. I wished that I could "show" you how to wax up shelby(thin walled) tube samples, or how to cut and open up a clay sample so as not to affect its internal structure (hint - you don't cut all the way through the sample with a knife - it smears the potential layering - you cut about a third the way through, then "tear" open the rest of the sample). Find yourself some good examples of field borehole logs (from previous investigations which your "mentor" should be able to provide you); study them. I would also take the opportunity to find good site investigation reports from your district; get copies; read them; study them. They will show you how the "real" world works. They may want you to do computer analyses - but for me, the best experience is to get your hands dirty in the field. This will forever be to your benefit as you go forward in your career. I spent my first 3 years, 805 of the time, in the field doing site investigations - in the cold Canadian north, in the boonies, flying in helicopters in Labrador, etc. Great experience. I am sure that you will find out what they want pretty soon - but if I were you, I'd really try to push them to get "me" out into the field - hands on/hands dirty.

 

[oldestguy]

Valuable grunt experience. Later in life you will be able to supervise properly. For instance when a stuck drill rig truck requires tire chains to get out, you can show the crew how to do it there in the mud. You will know which type core barrel is needed for that rock. Just obey all the safety rules. The detailed engineering will come later, but keep in mind the old ways of calculating to double check those computer outputs.

 

[Ron]

tue98161...BigH laid it out nicely. This is a valuable opportunity for you. Field work experience will follow you throughout your career. My experience is similar to BigH's experience. Logging boreholes, collecting and cataloging samples, learning to "wash and chop" with a tripod rig, waxing Shelby tubes as BigH noted (there is a right way and a wrong way!), extracting those same samples in the lab, etc.......all fun stuff that you can actually use in practice! Fortunately I had it a bit better than BigH....coldest weather I ever had to do drilling work was in the 30's (F) on a beach in South Georgia! Miserable! Most of the time my field work has been in nice, warm weather....sometimes hot!.....it's ok....BigH left the cold weather behind as well!

Take advantage of this internship. Read the standards that you'll be using. Notice that sometimes conditions will require that you modify those standards a bit to accomplish the task for the conditions your are in, but not so much as to compromise the data. You'll learn some practical application of judgment. Good luck. Soak it all in!

 

[fattdad]

if it's Virginia's DOT, come see me!

I'd recommend reviewing ASTM D-2488, which is the visual-manual method for classifying soils. I'd also click around the FHWA web page for geotechnical references.

Have fun and get some tick spray!

f-d

ípapß gordo ainÆt no madre flaca!

 

[darthsoilsguy2]

what bigh said, but adding that you can probably start now. DOT construction projects are public bid, so you can probably get your hands on some representative geotech reports and plans for bridge and road work. Every DOT i know has a 'standard specification' book that you can free download from their website or buy a print version. You're probably doing school work, but do know that this job might be a 3-month interview for a career, or possibly your best long-term client as an independent consultant. It is best to put in at least 40-80 hrs to be familiar before you get there. People have a tendency to limit others by the 1st impressions.