Conceptual model

What is the conceptual model about?

A conceptual schema or conceptual data model is a map of concepts and their relationships. This describes the semantics of a domain and represents a series of assertions about its nature. Specifically, it describes the things of significance to a domain (entity classes), about which it is inclined to collect information, and its characteristics (attributes) and the associations between pairs of those things of significance (relationships). This model’s perspective is independent of any underlying data format or application.

The Conceptual Model proposes:

• Definition and properties for relevant concepts identified by the geotechnical community,
• Mapping with existing standards

Which standards and versions were considered in this conceptual model?

ISO 19148

Linear Referencing Systems enable the specification of positions along linear objects. The approach is based upon the Generalized Model for Linear Referencing[12] first standardized within ISO 19133:2005. This document extends that which was included in ISO 19133, both in functionality and explanation.

ISO 19109 supports features representing discrete objects with attributes with values which apply to the entire feature. ISO 19123 allows the attribute value to vary, depending upon the location within a feature, but does not support the assignment of attribute values to a single point or length along a linear feature. Linearly located events provide the mechanism for specifying attribution of linear objects when the attribute value varies along the length of a linear feature. A Linear Referencing System is used to specify where along the linear object each attribute value applies. The same mechanism can be used to specify where along a linear object another object is located, such as guardrail or a traffic accident.

It is common practice to segment a linear object with linearly located events, based upon one or more of its attributes. The resultant linear segments are attributed with just the attributes used in the segmentation process, ensuring that the linear segments are homogeneous in value for these segmenting attributes.

OGC Observations, Measurements and Samples / ISO 19156 v2

This standard specifies an XML implementation for the OGC and ISO Observations and Measurements (O&M) conceptual model (OGC Observations and Measurements v2.0 also published as ISO/DIS 19156), including a schema for Sampling Features. This encoding is an essential dependency for the OGC Sensor Observation Service (SOS) Interface Standard. More specifically, this standard defines XML schemas for observations, and for features involved in sampling when making observations. These provide document models for the exchange of information describing observation acts and their results, both within and between different scientific and technical communities.

More details here: https://www.ogc.org/standards/om

OGC GeoSciML 4.1

GeoSciML is a model of geological features commonly described and portrayed in geological maps, cross sections, geological reports and databases. The model was developed by the IUGS CGI (Commission for the Management and Application of Geoscience Information) and version 4.1 is the first version officially submitted as an OGC standard. This specification describes a logical model and GML/XML encoding rules for the exchange of geological map data, geological time scales, boreholes, and metadata for laboratory analyses. It includes a Lite model, used for simple map-based applications; a basic model, aligned on INSPIRE, for basic data exchange; and an extended model to address more complex scenarios.

The specification also provides patterns, profiles (most notably of Observations and Measurements - ISO19156), and best practices to deal with common geoscience use cases.

More details here: http://geosciml.org/

OGC GroundWaterML 2.2

This standard describes a conceptual and logical model for the exchange of groundwater data, as well as a GML/XML encoding with examples.

More details here: https://www.ogc.org/standards/gwml2

OGC LandInfra

The scope of the Land and Infrastructure Conceptual Model is land and civil engineering infrastructure facilities. Anticipated subject areas include facilities, projects, alignment, road, railway, survey, land features, land division, and “wet” infrastructure (storm drainage, wastewater, and water distribution systems). The initial release of this standard is targeted to support all of these except wet infrastructure.

More details here: https://www.ogc.org/standard/infragml/

bSI IFC Tunnel proposal

IFC is a standardized, digital description of the built asset industry. IFC4.3 is an open, international standard (ISO 16739-1:2018) and promotes vendor-neutral, or agnostic, and usable capabilities across a wide range of hardware devices, software platforms, and interfaces for many different use cases. More about IFC, its uses and adoption may be found here.

While Geotechnics was first addressed in IFC4.3, major changes are discussed in the context of the IFC Tunnel project. The mapping that is described in those pages is based on this discussed proposal and do not apply to IFC4.3.

AGS 4.1

.ags is a text file format used to transfer data reliably, between organisations in the site investigation industry, independent of software, hardware or operating system.

In 1991, the AGS set up a method for transferring data between industry organisations. This is known to many simply as ‘AGS Format’ or ‘AGS Data Format’ and provides a standard way to transfer ground investigation, laboratory testing and monitoring data between the contributing parties of a project which involves geotechnical or geoenvironmental elements.

More details here: https://www.ags.org.uk/data-format/ags4-data-format/ags-4-1/

DIGGS 2.6

DIGGS is an XML-based standard for the transfer of geotechnical data. While primarily devoted to ground exploration data derived from boreholes, soundings, trenches and outcrops, including in-situ testing and monitoring, and laboratory test data, recent extensions have been proposed to support processed geophysical data and grouting activities. It is built from the AGS data dictionary, extending it for US practice, and leverages GML ad WITSML XML standards for describing spatial and geometric and unit of measurement symbology, respectively.

More details here: https://diggsml.org