ERDC University - Dr. Stephen Potts

Published Jan. 12, 2018
ERDC University is a professional development initiative of the Directorate of Human Capital. EU has two goals: provide USACE engineers and scientists the opportunity to serve as a member of an interdisciplinary research and development team working on real-world solutions; and transition technologies throughout USACE to strengthen the technical knowledge base.

ERDC University is a professional development initiative of the Directorate of Human Capital. EU has two goals: provide USACE engineers and scientists the opportunity to serve as a member of an interdisciplinary research and development team working on real-world solutions; and transition technologies throughout USACE to strengthen the technical knowledge base.

Last August, Dr. Stephen Potts was forwarded the ERDC University (ERDC-U) special announcement from the Corps’ North Atlantic Division.  He expressed interest to his management on working collaboratively with ERDC to apply geophysics to navigation, dam and levee safety programs.  His supervisor recognized the benefits Potts would receive in working with ERDC experts in engineering geology and geophysics to address specific aspects of navigation projects and dam safety studies in the Corps New England District.

As a geologist in the district’s Geo-Environmental Engineering Branch, his interests are in geophysical surveys for levee and dam foundation characterization and risk assessment.  

While attending the 2016 FEMA National Dam Safety Program technical seminar, he learned of ERDC geophysics applications to civil works in a presentation given by Dr. Joe Dunbar, ERDC Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory.  Potts saw an opportunity to further his knowledge in this area through the ERDC-U program.  He applied and became one of 12 USACE participants for FY17.  Dunbar acted as his mentor, with a work focus on investigating the application of geophysics for dam and levee site characterization.

Potts’ main objectives in ERDC-U were to increase the use of geophysical survey methods to complement traditional geotechnical and geological investigation techniques for designing and rehabilitating civil works structures.  Geophysical surveys can be used to identify and prioritize specific areas of levees, dams and channels that need targeted subsurface exploration and evaluation.  This will result in major benefits in time and costs to address critical issues in the operation and maintenance environment.

Potts conducted a geophysical survey with ERDC geophysical personnel at North Springfield Dam, Vermont, an appropriate site because the district was currently conducting the initial periodic assessment risk evaluation for the dam.   

During the survey, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and electromagnetic (EM) methods were used to characterize the surficial geology of an abutment at the embankment dam.  The abutment under investigation consisted of a Gilbert-type delta formed in a glaciofluvial environment by deposition in a proglacial lake.  ERT and EM were selected for their potential to differentiate between bedded fine sands, bedded cobbles and gravel, and silt and clay within the delta and to identify saturated soils.  The geophysical investigation also has the potential to identify locations for future geotechnical soil borings and piezometer installation.

Through Potts’ research, this study will develop a geophysical scope of work example using the Institute for Water Resources Risk Management Center Field Investigation Program Plan (FIPP) format.  The FIPP is intended to be used as an example for future geophysical studies at dams and levees within USACE divisions and districts in the Civil Works and Water Resources business area.


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