Knowledge Based Systems can be particularly useful in assisting with the interpretation of ground conditions from site investigation information, a major part of Geotechnical design. This requires interpolating or extrapolating from observations at discrete points, such as boreholes and involves considerable engineering (and geological) judgement. Such a system must be able to compare soils observed at two or more locations, in order to identify whether the soils observed belong to the same horizon. A scheme is put forward for calculating the similarity of two soils based on engineering soil descriptions. The descriptive terms are converted to quantitative representations. Similarity Numbers can then be calculated from the quantitative parameters for a number of different factors such as soil type, structure, consistency, colour etc. These Similarity Numbers can then be combined using appropriate weightings to give an overall Similarity Number which represents a comparison based on all factors.

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