Quail Software

Quail is geotechnical engineering software developed and maintained by Geotechnical Services, Division of Engineering Services, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The Quail Windows app is developed to ensure consistent entry, transmission, and storage of Caltrans geotechnical construction quality assurance test data in digital format and assist in evaluating the test results.

The software runs under the Windows native operating system. The software will not function on a computer running Windows through virtual machine software.

Quail includes the following main features

• Save certified calibration data of multiple test equipment in the Quail calibration data file. The file can be shared with your colleagues so that calibration data of the test equipment used for a subsequent project can be retrieved and used.
• Provide options for all load schedules under Caltrans Standard Specifications.
• Display graphs of the test.
• Evaluate pullout, elongation, and creep of each test and display test summary.
• Save data in a database format that can be transmitted and upload into Caltrans Quail database server

There are two ways to obtain a Quail license:

1. Purchase a Quail software security USB dongle and download the software from this webpage. To purchase a Quail software license, follow the Instructions to Purchase Quail.
   With the software security USB dongle, you may use Quail for both Caltrans and non-Caltrans projects and there is no expiration date to the license.
2. For contractors performing soil nails or ground anchors work under Caltrans contracts, refer to the “Licensing Using a Key Code – for Caltrans Construction Contractors only” section in Installation Instructions.
   The license managed by the key code is set to be expired at the end of each construction contract.

Purchasing and Installation

• Instructions to Purchase Quail (PDF)
• Order Form (PDF)
• End User License Agreement (PDF)
• Quail Version 1.1 (ZIP)
• Installation Instructions (PDF)

Supporting Documents

• User Guide (PDF)
• Example Files (ZIP) 

Update Date: 02/08/2024