SmartSync

SmartSync

Table Of Contents
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Acknowledgment............................................................................................................................................ 3
3. Contact us ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
4. Contents ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 5
4.2 Data Structure .......................................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 In-situ Tests .............................................................................................................................................. 7
4.4 What is a Mapping File ............................................................................................................................. 9
4.5 Units System ........................................................................................................................................... 10
4.6 Import Excel Files ................................................................................................................................... 10
4.6.1 How to Import from Excel file ......................................................................................................... 10

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1. Introduction
Novo Tech SmartSync Component
This application has been designed for importing data from Excel, WinLog and gINT database
files into Novo Tech programs. To learn more about gINT, please visit www.gintSoftware.com

DISCLAIMER: THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS
BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR
BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE,
EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

Novo Tech Software Ltd

North Vancouver
BC, Canada
www.novotechsoftware.com

Developed by:
Alireza Afkhami-Aghda, MASc, MCP

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2. Acknowledgment
gINT Software Ltd, specially Mr. Salvatore Caronna (Founder) for his
kind support and sharing gINT technical information with our
development team.
http://www.gintsoftware.com

gINTDEV Ltd, Mr. Miles Davis for his feedbacks and testing our software
www.gintdev.co.uk

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3. Contact us
http://www.novotechsoftware.com/contacts.html

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4. Contents
4.1 Introduction
Since 1986, gINT Software has pioneered innovative and highly effective solutions for data
management and reporting in the geotechnical and geo-environmental industries. Today, gINT
sets the standard for excellence in software for the profession. gINT's superior engineering,
customer responsiveness and acclaimed support services have made gINT the product of
choice for numerous transportation authorities, government agencies, consulting firms, and
educational institutions worldwide.

Novo Tech Software Ltd is the leading company in new generation of geotechnical software
tools. Novo Tech has produced a set of computer programs for daily geotechnical analysis and
design. Input data for these programs basically consists of:
1. Project information and drilling method
2. Soil stratigraphy of the site
3. List of boreholes/ test pits
4. Dataset for in-situ tests such as SPT, CPT, etc.
gINT software has been widely in use for last decades and gINT customers store their data in a
robust database with extremely flexible structure. This repository can be the source of every
other computer program which requires the above-mentioned datasets. This component
(SmartSync) has been designed to provide user friendly features for Novo Tech Software
programs to facilitate integration with gINT products and read data from its database. The
following diagram presents the functionality of the SmartSync:

Following is a list of main features incorporated into SmartSync:

Import from gINT database
Import from Microsoft Access database
Import from Microsoft Excel file
Handling complexity of database structure
Mapping files for faster loading from databases
Exporting dataset to any COM ActiveX component or .Net Assembly

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Sending the dataset directly to printer
Saving dataset as Microsoft Excel format
Saving dataset as Text format
Saving soil stratigraphy and simple field test plot to graphic format (PNG)

4.2 Data Structure

SmartSync user interface allows user to specify the structure of the data repository file from
which, data should be imported. The following figure illustrates the main parts of the
SmartSync user interface:

The first two buttons on the toolbar can be used to import files. SmartSync supports both
gINT database and Microsoft Access. SmartSync automatically lists all the tables and
corresponding fields. Next step in importing the data, is to specify where each parameters
exists in terms of tables and fields. These parameters can be saved in a Mapping file(See 4.4)
so the same settings will be automatically applied the next time you use SmartSync.

Project Data
Usually gINT project data is stored in PROJECT table and its title can be found in NAME field.
Also, please specify the depth unit in which all depth values are stored in your gINT file. Please
note that SmartSync will convert all depths from this unit, to the unit system which has
already chosen in the software. For example if you are reading your SPT data from gINT file
using NovoSPT software, and NovoSPT units system is set to Metric, all depths importing from
your gINT file will automatically convert to the metrics system.

Boreholes Data
Usually boreholes data is held in POINT table and borehole title is stored in POINTID field.
However, users can apply any changes to the settings by selecting corresponding table and

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field from the drop-down lists. You also need to specify the field in which water level is stored.
When more than one water levels are stored in gINT file, choose the one which should be used
in software (for example water level during earthquake for a liquefaction analysis). When table
and field name are changed, you need to update "List of available boreholes" on the top-right
corner of the page. The purpose of this list is to select the desired borehole of the dataset that
needs to import to the software.

Soil Layers Data

Such data is usually stored in LITHOLOGY table. Two key fields "From depth" and "To depth"
are required by the program to calculate the thickness of soil layer. SmartSync uses this
stratigraphy data to draw a schematic soil profile on right hand side of the page to facilitate
visualization of the selected borehole.

In-situ Test Data

This section is to specify the source of field test data such as SPT, CPT, etc. To read the
complete description of features please click here(See 4.3). When all settings are done, press
"Preview SPT Data!" to refresh the table with corresponding dataset. You can use the vertical
toolbar adjacent to the table to save the dataset into Excel, Text and Graphic format or send it
directly to the printer.

How to Import Data?

When all the above sections are set, click on "Import" button. In-situ test and lithology data
associated with active borehole (which is selected in the list of boreholes - see top-right corner
of the page), will be read from database and is ready for the analysis.

4.3 In-situ Tests

To process the field data, you need to clearly specify the structure of database. According to
the nature of SPT/BDT test which is based on blow count and penetration, user may have
stored such data in the database in one of the following states:

1- Blows count & Penetration in separate fields

The following options are covered in SmartSync engine:

Blow
Penetration Remarks
count Example
Fields
fields

one
- N60 = Blows1
field

N60 =
nBlows(i)
multiple Summation carried
-
fields out on only those
fields which are
selected by user.

If Pen1=a :
N60 = Blows1
If Pen1<a :
one N60 = NR
one field
field Where a is
the
penetration
length for a

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successful
SPT test (e.g.
30cm),and
NR is the SPT
blow counts
corresponding
to refusal
(e.g. 50). a
and NR may
be set by
user.
If Pen(i)=a :
N60 =
nBlows(i)
If Pen(i)<a :
N60 = NR
Where a is
the
penetration
length for a
successful
multiple multiple SPT test on
fields fields each step
(e.g.
15cm),and
NR is the SPT
blow counts
corresponding
to refusal
(e.g. 50). a
and NR may
be set by
user.

2- Blow counts & Penetration in the same field

In this case, blow counts and penetration data at each depth are stored in a single field.
Obviously a delimiter character is used to separate blow counts and penetration (such as / or |
or -, etc). User should specify the delimiter character and SmartSync will split the blow counts
and penetration data for further process. The following options are likely:

# of fields carrying Remarks

Example
data
If Pen1=a :
N60 = Blows1
If Pen1<a :
N60 = NR
Where a is
one field the
penetration
length for a
successful
SPT test (e.g.
30cm),and

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NR is the SPT
blow counts
corresponding
to refusal
(e.g. 50). a
and NR may
be set by
user.
If Pen(i)=a :
N60 =
nBlows(i)
If Pen(i)<a :
N60 = NR
Where a is
the
penetration
length for a
successful
SPT test on
multiple fields
each step
(e.g.
15cm),and
NR is the SPT
blow counts
corresponding
to refusal
(e.g. 50). a
and NR may
be set by
user.

If you don't like to participate the refusal tests into the engineering analysis, select the
"Remove refusals from dataset" and those records inferred to be refusal, will be removed.

4.4 What is a Mapping File

Each company usually uses the same gINT database structure for different projects. To save
the user's time for setting the name of tables and fields required for data import, each time the
software runs, SmartSync utilizes a Mapping file to hold such data. The default mapping file
name is gINT_Mapping.ini

Using toolbar buttons, user can save such data on hard disk or load from a specific mapping file
containing name of tables and fields for the subject database file. Following is an example of
mapping file, comprising 4 data sections, storing tables and fields name and other settings. You
can edit the file with any text editor software.

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4.5 Units System

SmartSync is able to convert depth units during data import. After loading the gINT file, user
specifies the unit of ALL depth fields in the database; this unit may be one of the following
options:
mm
cm
m
inch
ft
yard
When the data is transferred back to the software for further process (e.g. NovoSPT or
NovoLiq), it will automatically be converted to the depth unit initially chosen by user.

4.6 Import Excel Files

4.6.1 How to Import from Excel file
To Import data from an Excel file, user should specify the worksheet and range of cells from
which, data is to be imported into the software.

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