UNIT 1 SITE INVESTIGATION

Structure
1.1 1.2 1.3 Introduction
Objectives

Problem and Phases of Investigation Location and Spacing of Borings

1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 1.3.4 1.3.5 Bore Hole Inclined Borings Geophysical Profile Depth of Exploration Sample Requirements Geophysical Methods Electrical Resistivity Methods Seismic Method

1.4

Methods of Sub-surface Exploration

1.4.1 1.4.2 1.4.3

1.5

Classification of Samples and Samplers

1.6.1 1.6.2 1.6.3 Standard Penetration Test Dynamic Cone Penetration Test Static Cone Penetration Test

1.6 Sounding Methods or Penetrometer Tests

1.7

Methods of Site Exploration by Borings

1.7.1 Wash Boring 1.7.2 Auger Boring 1.7.3 Drilling

1.8 Stabilizationof Bore Holes

1.9

Accessible Explorations
1.9.1 1.9.2 1.9.3 1.9.4 Test Pits Test Trenches Accessible Borings Advantages of Accessible Exploration

1.10 Sample Requirements and Distortions in Sampling

1.10.1 Disturbance of Soil Samples 1.10.2 Recovery Ratios 1.10.3 Methods of Forcing of Sampler

1.11 Samplers
1.1 1.1 Open Drive Samplers 1.1 1.2 Piston Samplers 1.1 1.3 Rotary Samplers

1.12 Preservation and Handling of Samples 1.13 Exploration Reports 1.14 Summary 1.15 Answers to SAQs

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Any one who has passed through along a highwaylrailway in an area where the roadway has cuttings through must have observed many types or at least colours of soils which are exposed. In case you have visited building sites where excavation for foundation has taken place, you may also have probably observed the several colours of exposed soil. It may be inferred from these limited observations that soil occurs in nature in a highly variable manner. The proposed site for construction may possess either homogeneous or heterogeneous soil. Hence, a civil engineer must possess reasonably correct information about soil conditions, particularly the physical and engineering properties as well as

Foundation~ngineering-I

stratification. All foundations are laid below the surface and therefore is an unseen environment. Also assist construction in detailing and planning constructiorl of foundation. The site exploration will assist the designer in selection of type of foundation, depth of founding level, magnitude of the slopes to be provided for embankments, deslgn of highways and airports. The term site investigation comprises a large or several of techniques (field and laboratory) and careful planning is necessary to obtain maximum information about the sub-surface condition. The other factors requiring the need of site exploration are reclaimed land fill, if considerable redesign is required when the site is excavated for construction.

Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to: know depth, extent, nature and variations of strata, identify depth of underlying rock bed, estimate the physical properties of the soil encountered, know variations of ground water table, and understand engineering properties of soil layers.

1.2. PROBLEM AND PHASES OF INVESTIGATION

The site investigation is to be performed to obtain the solution for the following problems: i) Foundation problems ii) Ground water problems iii) Construction problems iv) Fixation of responsibility in a law suit if major redesign is warranted based on the excavations for construction. Subsequent building damages from settlement or other foundation problems which could have been avoided by having proper soil investigation. This may lead to recoverable claims against consultants and designers. The following are the interdependent phases of investigation: i) Stratigraphical survey, ii) Physical survey, and iii) Evaluation of data. The principal features of a Stratigraphical Survey phase are: a) Determination of depth of ground water, thickness, extent and approximate identity of strata to the required depth below the ground level, b) Collection of soil, rock and ground water samples for positive identification of material in the strata, and To make observations and certain minor field tests which will assist in the c) determination of condition of samples and estimation of physical properties of the material. The Physical Survey (field and laboratory test) for the purpose of determination of physical and engineering properties of the materials to the extent required to evaluate the material behaviour. This phase does not limit to the determination of properties based on a few samples, but also nec,essitates a reliable estimate of the average values for the enhre strata under consideration. Data to be furnished to the designer in the form of Proformas are given in Annexure at the end of this unit. The Evaluation of data obtained in the earlier phases and formulation of a definite solutions to the problem under consideration. This evaluation may be based either on general rules or on and the personal experience of the consultant and designer.

1.3 LOCATION AND SPACING OF BORINGS

?he location, spacing of geophysical profiles, soundings and borings should be such that, you will be in a position to accurately predict the characteristics of underlying stratum. You must also be in a position to disclose the important variations in the sub-surface condition (see Figure 1.1).
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Site Investigation

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Figure 1.1: Typical Bore Hole

1.3.1 Bore Hole

In exploration of area of limited extent the borings should preferably be located near the comers of the area. A minimum of three holes should be made unless the sub-surface conditions are known to be quite uniform. ?he general guidelines given in Table 1.1 may be adopted for the spacing of the bore hole.
Table 1.1: Suggested Spacing of Bore Hole
S1. No. Type of Construction Type of Soil in Horizontal Strata Uniform Condition Average Condition Erratic Condition Minlmum Number of Borings

(Distance between Borings in Metres)

I)

Buildings
a) Upto 2 storeyed
60 45 30 30 30 150 40 15 15 15 100 25 3 4

b) Multi-storeyed
2)
3) 4)

Bridge piers Highways and Airports Coffer dams or Caissons

300 50

One or two for each foundation

Erratic deposits are likely to exist along rivers, lakes and estuaries. I n such deposits, you have to reduce the spacing of bore hole upto 10 m. However, less than 10 m spacing is not required. The majority of the borings are vertical.

1.3.2 Inclined Borings

Inclined brings may also be used in exploration of inclined strata and for the detection of weak pockets (lenses), buried channels, cavities and fault zones particularly in rock. Each inclined bore hole furnishes information on variations in sub-surface conditions in both vertical and horizontal conditions. All the borings for exploration of narrow or elongated areas, should not be located in a single straight line. However, sufficient number of

Foundation Engineering4

borings should be made outside the main line to determine the dip and strke to the surface strata.

1.3.3 Geophysical Profile

The variation in the thickness of the soil stratum for engineering application is known as the geophysical profile. Figure 1.2 shows a'typical geophysical profile. Hence, it is not possible to locate this profile in accordance with a rigid pattern of spacing of the bore holes. It must be located such that, you are in a position to obtain this necessary data for the completion of the general geological survey. This will also assist in planning of the further detailed exploration programme. If the soil conditions are uniform, a spacing of 120 m to 150 m for the borings may be adopted. A regular spacing of 30 m or one bore hole for every 1000 sq. metre of area may be adopted.

Figure 1 . 2 : Geophysical Profile

1.3.4 Depth of Exploration

The depth of exploration depends on the following factors: Size, type of the structure and loading intensity. i) ii) Design considerations such as safety against foundation failure, seepage, earth pressure, excessive settlement.

iii) Character and sequence of sub-soil conditions. The bore holelboring must penetrate through all the deposits which are not suitable for foundation. In other words, the bore hole should extend upto a strata, which is of adequate bearing capacity. You can use the geophysical profile to estimate the depth of boring. In the absence of geophysical profile the depth of boring can also be estimated based on stress distribution criteria. This must include all the strata which are likely to undergo settlements due to load of the structure. This depth is called significant depth. De Beer recommends that the increase in stresses at the needed minimum depth of exploration should not exceed by 10% of the original vertical stress or less than 5% of the effective stress in the soil at this depth. You must always keep in the mind that this significant depth will not account for coefficient of compressibilityof the strata.

Peck has recommended that first drill hole is to be made upto depth at which the presence of a thick layer of soft clay with a high value of liquid limit may contribute for settlement. As a general guideline you can terminate all the bore holes at a depth of 3 m below the base of the lowest compressible layer. However, it is needless to say that geophysical profile is to be used for estimating the above mentioned features. Table 1.2 shows the suggested values for the depth of boring for different types of multistoreyed buildings.

Table 1.2 : Depth of Boring for Multi-storeyed Building

Site Investigation

You can follow a simple rule of thumb that boring should be at least 3 m for each storey of a building. For dams and embankments, the depth of boring should not be less than twice the height. Table 1.3 shows the depth of exploration as recommended by IS:1892-1979 for different types of structures.
Table 1.3: Depth of Exploration
S1.No.
1)

Foundation Type
Isolated footing or raft Adjacent footings with clear spacing less
than twice the width

Depth of Exploration
1.5 times the width of the foundation 1.5 times the length of the foundation 1.5 to 4.5 times the width depending on the spacing between the rows of the column 1.5 times the width of the structure from the founding level (or bearing level) Equal to bottom width of cut 2 to 3 m below the bottom of excavation 2 n~below ground level or equal to the height of the fill whichever is greater.

2)
3)

Adjacent rows of the footing

4)

Piles and well foundations

5)

i) Road cuts ii) Deep cuts iii) Fill

Ground Water Levels

The location of the ground water level is essential for deep excavation, water-logged areas. The existing wells in the nearby vicinity of the proposed site 'md bore holes should be used for recording the ground water table. The chemical analysis of ground water is also suggested for the determination of chemical constituents. If ground water is contaminated, the borings should be plugged. Borings through clay layers into granular subsoils which contain ground water table should also be plugged since this state represents a confined aquifer.

1.3.5 Sample Requirements

Representative samples with a weight of at least 4 to 6 kg should be obtained from each distinctive stratum.

In thick and uniform strata, it is recommended that such samples be taken at intervals not
more than 2 m spacing.
In detailed exploration, continuous samples are to be obtained. Samples with 5 cm diameter are usually adequate for foundation design. When you cannot get undisturbed samples of soft soils or cohesionless material representative samples upto 40 to 50 kg, tests can be conducted on remoulded samples in such cases.

SAQ 1
i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) What are the interdependent phases of investigation? What are the various types of samples? Bring out the difference between open and piston drive samples. What are the methods of sub-surface exploration? What is a bore hole? Explain geophysical profile ?