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Highway - Geo-Environmental Section

Geotechnical Design Manual
Overview
The Geo-Environmental Section, Engineering and Asset Management Units Geotechnical Engineering Program is responsible for developing and maintaining the ODOT Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM).  This program is administered by Jon Guido, ODOT Senior Geotechnical Engineer.  If you have any questions about the Geotechnical Design Manual or the Geotechnical Engineering Program in general, please feel free to contact Jon Guido at 503-986-3993, or at the email address below.
 
The Geotechnical Engineering Program can be reached by email.

Manual Status
 
The April 2012 version of the ODOT Geotechnical Design Manual is now available.  The manual is only available through this ODOT Geo-Environmental website.  See the GDM Updates section below for the latest GDM Update Summary April 2012.
 
The GDM changes apply to new design projects as of the effective date of May 1, 2012.  New projects for ODOT designed projects are those that do not have an approved DAP by the effective date.  New projects for outsourced projects are those that do not have an executed work order contract for PE.  However, existing projects may make use of new changes, if agreed to by the CPM or Project Team Leader.

GDM Downloads
 
It is the responsibility of the manual user to use the current version.  Downloadable updates will be posted on this website and revision notices will be sent to ODOT staff and other users.
 
Link to New Version
 
April 2012 Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM) - (Printable Adobe .PDF Version)
 
 
Previous Versions
 
April 2011 Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM) - (Printable Adobe .PDF Version)
 
April 2010 Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM) - (Printable Adobe .PDF Version)
 
December 2009 Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM) - (Printable Adobe .PDF Version)
Volume 1 - Chapter 1 - 14 
Volume 2 - Chapter 15 Retaining Structures 
Volume 3 - Chapter 16 - 22 
June 2009 Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM) - (Printable Adobe .PDF Version)
Volume 1 - Chapter 1 - 14 
Volume 2 - Chapter 15 Retaining Structures 
Volume 3 - Chapter 16 - 22
November 2008 Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM) - (Printable Adobe .PDF Version)
Volume 1 - Chapter 1 - 14 
Volume 2 - Chapter 15 Retaining Structures 
Volume 3 - Chapter 16 - 22 
April 2008 Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM) - (Printable Adobe .PDF Version)
 
2007 Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM)  - (Printable Adobe .PDF Version)

GDM Updates
Updates to the GDM are planned to be issued yearly. Changes and suggestions are to be submitted using the process described in Chapter 1 of the manual. A list of the updates are shown below as they are posted.
 
GDM Updates Summary April 2012 (current)
 
GDM Updates Summary April 2011
 
GDM Updates Summary April 2010
 
GDM Updates Summary December 2009
 
GDM Updates Summary June 2009
 
GDM Updates Summary November 2008
 
GDM Update Summary April 2008  
 
 


Technical Bulletins
 
Technical Bulletins may be issued between formal updates of the GDM.  The Bulletins are intended to provide immediate guidance on process, procedures and design information for users until the next manual update, at which time the bulletin may be incorporated into the GDM.
 
            Technical Bulletins will be shown by date:

Related References
 
ODOT Soils and Rock Classification Manual, 1986
 
Programmatic Biological Opinion for Drilling, 2004
 
FHWA Rockfall Catchment Area Design Guide SPR-3(032), 2001
 
FHWA Checklist and Guidelines for Review of Geotechnical Reports and Preliminary Plans and Specifications, 2003
 
ODOT Research Report “FHWA Assessment and Mitigation of Liquifaction Hazards to Bridge Approach Embankments in Oregon” SPR 361, 2002
 
NCHRP Comprehensive Specification for the Seismic Design of Bridges Report 472, 2002
 
OSU Report to ODOT “Recommended Guidelines for Liquifaction Evaluations using Ground Motions From Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis, 2005
 
FHWA Geotechnical Engineering Circulars
 
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications