Geotechnical Engineer Notes on iPhone: Borehole Logs, SPT Records & Site Observation Notes

Geotechnical fieldwork is time-sensitive. A borehole is open for hours, not days. A temporary groundwater observation well reads differently before and after rain. The site conditions observed during drilling and field testing produce data that can't be recovered once the hole is backfilled. Nemos gives geotechnical engineers and drillers a fast, structured way to capture field observations as they happen — before the conditions change.

Why Field Documentation Quality Matters

The foundation of any geotechnical report is field observation quality. Standard Penetration Test blow counts recorded incorrectly, soil classifications based on rushed observation, or groundwater depth missed by hours can produce design recommendations with significant safety and cost implications.

Structured field notes — captured consistently across a project — are the difference between a report that confidently represents site conditions and one that hedges because the field data is ambiguous.

What to Capture in Nemos

Borehole Logs For each borehole, document: - Location reference (coordinates, offset from baseline, or site sketch note) - Drilling method (hollow stem auger, mud rotary, air rotary, direct push) - Casing size and depth - Blow counts at each SPT interval (6-inch drives, hammer energy reference) - Soil descriptions per sample interval: color, texture, moisture, consistency, stratification - Depth to rock (if encountered) and rock type assessment - Any drilling difficulties (cobbles, caving, artesian conditions)

Voice memos in Nemos are useful when hands are on the drill rig — speak observations while drilling, transcribe or keep as audio.

Soil Classification Notes In the field, USCS classification decisions are made on the basis of visual and tactile assessment. Document: - Grain size distribution (visual estimate) - Plasticity assessment (thread test, dry strength) - Color and odor - Estimated organic content - Stratification thickness and contacts

These field classifications get refined in the lab, but the in-situ observations often capture information laboratory testing misses — particularly fabric and structure.

Groundwater Observations Log: - First water encountered depth - Stabilized water level depth and time of measurement - Artesian conditions (if present) - Depth if casing pulled - Return visit water levels (before and after rain events)

Groundwater observations are time-stamped in Nemos automatically — useful for demonstrating seasonal or precipitation-related variability in reports.

Test Pit and Trench Logs For shallower investigation: - Wall profile descriptions per lift - Sample locations and depths - Any structural features observed (faults, joints, bedding) - Seepage points and estimated flow - Stability observations during excavation

Site Anomalies and Observations Log anything that deviates from expected conditions or the boring plan: - Underground obstructions - Evidence of fill or previous disturbance - Odors or staining (potential contamination) - Surface drainage patterns that may affect foundation design - Adjacent structures and their apparent condition

Anomaly notes flag items for further investigation and protect you professionally by documenting that you observed and reported unusual conditions.

Organizing by Project

Create a note per borehole or test pit, titled with the project name and investigation point identifier (e.g., "Riverside Site B-5"). Attach photos of sampling, split spoon contents, or site conditions to the relevant note. At project close, the full field record is consolidated and searchable.

FAQ

Can I use Nemos offline in remote field locations? Yes. Nemos works fully offline. Notes sync to iCloud when connectivity is restored — essential for remote sites with no cell coverage.

How do I handle voice memos captured during drilling? Nemos supports voice memos attached to notes. Transcribe key observations into text for searchability, and keep the audio as a supplemental record.

Can I attach GPS coordinates to site notes? Record coordinates in the note body. While Nemos doesn't auto-tag GPS, a quick copy-paste from Maps gives you a permanent location reference.

How do I transfer field notes to the report? Field notes in Nemos are the basis for the formal boring log — they don't replace it. Use your structured field notes as the input to your boring log drafting, not the final deliverable.

What about electronic field data collection apps? Specialized geotech apps exist for electronic boring logs. Nemos complements these with flexible observation capture — anomalies, voice memos, photos, and contextual notes that don't fit structured forms.

Why not just use field log sheets? Paper sheets can't be searched, can't attach photos, and don't survive rain on a drill rig. Nemos does all three.

Related Reading

• /blog/land-surveyor-notes-iphone — field measurement and site observation documentation
• /blog/structural-engineer-notes-iphone — foundation design and structural observation records
• /blog/safety-officer-notes-iphone — site safety observation and compliance documentation
• /blog/quality-control-inspector-notes-iphone — systematic field inspection documentation patterns

Sources

• SPT documentation standards: ASTM D1586 (Standard Test Method for Standard Penetration Test)
• Soil classification field procedures: ASTM D2488 (Practice for Description and Identification of Soils)

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