Geotechnical Report and Foundation Recomendation

..
GEOTECHNICAL SUB-SURFACE INVESTIGATION

AND FOUNDATION RECCOMENDATION REPORT
FOR
G+4 and G+7 CONDOMINIUM BUILDINGS
Addis Ababa Housing Construction office
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Background ........................................................................................................4
1.2 Scope of Work and Objective..............................................................................4
1.3 Location .............................................................................................................4
METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................. 6
2.1 Rotary Core Drilling ............................................................................................6
2.2 In-situ Tests ........................................................................................................6
2.3 Sampling ............................................................................................................6
2.3.1 Disturbed Soil Sampling .........................................................................6
2.3.2 Undisturbed Soil Sampling .....................................................................6
2.4 Laboratory Testing..............................................................................................7
2.5 Ground water monitoring ...................................................................................8
GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC SETTINGS OF THE AREA ............................................... 9

3.1 Regional and Site Geology ..................................................................................9
3.1.1 Regional Geology ...................................................................................9
3.1.2 Subsurface/Site Geology ......................................................................10
3.2 Regional Seismicity of the area .........................................................................10
3.2.1 Country seismicity overview................................................................. 11
3.2.2 Region seismicity overview .................................................................. 12
GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND LABORATORY TESTING .......................... 13

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 13
Summary of the Geotechnical Investigation......................................................14
Geotechnical characterization of the subsurface material ................................. 15
In situ Field Testing ...........................................................................................16
Sampling .......................................................................................................... 20
4.5.1 Disturbed Samples ...............................................................................21
4.5.2 Undisturbed Samples ........................................................................... 21
4.6 Laboratory Testing............................................................................................21
4.7 Ground water Level Measurement ................................................................... 26
4.8 Damage due to expansive soils .........................................................................26
4.8.1 Mitigation measures ............................................................................27
4.8.2 Treatment of Expansive Soils................................................................27
5 FOUNDATION ANALYSIS ................................................................................... 28

5.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 28
5.2 Isolated Foundation..........................................................................................28
Geotechnical Sub-Surface Investigations and Foundation Recommendations for G+4and G+7 condominium Building
BEST Consulting Engineers plc
April 2014
5.2.1 Bearing Pressure Based on UCS ............................................................28

5.2.2 Bearing Pressure Based on SPT N-Values for Isolated square Footing ... 30
5.3 Allowable Bearing capacity for Mat Foundation ................................................37
5.4 Bearing Capacity using Settlement Criterion .....................................................38
6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ........................................................... 41

6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
Subsurface geotechnical materials .................................................................. 41

Foundation seat and allowable bearing Capacity ............................................41
Material for backfill and compaction criteria ..................................................43
Settlement consideration ................................................................................43
6.4.1 Seismic Consideration .......................................................................... 44
6.5 Considerations to Minimize Expansion Effect ..................................................44
6.6 Other Consideration ........................................................................................45
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 46
LIST OF TABLES
Table 3-1: Seismic Hazard Rating (Gouin, 1976) ................................................................... 12
Table 4-1: Coordinate and Depth of Boreholes .................................................................... 13
Table 4-2: Summary of the Geotechnical Investigations Carried Out ................................... 14
Table 4-3: Distribution of the geotechnical layers in the boreholes ...................................... 15
Table 4-4: Standard Penetration Test Results ...................................................................... 16
Table 4-5: Summary of UCS Test Result of undisturbed soil Samples.................................... 21
Table 4-6: Laboratory test results of disturbed soil samples................................................. 22
Table 4-7: Swelling pressure test result ............................................................................... 26
Table 4-8: Hydrometer analysis results on selected disturbed soil samples.......................... 26
Table 5-1: Allowable Bearing Pressure Based on UCS Test Result of Soil Samples for Layer2.29
Table 5-2: Measured and adjusted SPT N values .................................................................. 31
Table 5-3: Allowable Bearing Pressures Based on SPT N-Value............................................. 36
Table 5-5-4: Allowable Bearing Pressures for Mat foundation Around G+7 Buildings ........... 38
Table 5-5: Bearing Pressure analysis using settlement criteria around BH-150 ..................... 40
Table 6-1: Summary of bearing capacity for Mat foundation ............................................... 42
APPENDICES
Appendix 1:
Appendix 2:
Appendix 3:
Borehole Logs
Laboratory Test Result
Allowable Bearing Pressure Analysis Sheets
Geotechnical Sub-Surface Investigations and Foundation Recommendations for G+4and G+7 condominium Building
April 2014
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
BEST Consulting Engineers private limited company has made a contract agreement with
Addis Ababa Housing Construction office to perform geotechnical investigations and provide
foundation recommendations for G+4 and G+7 Condominium buildings for Koye Feche
Project III Building site.
The building site is subdivided into different Parcels; accordingly twenty four boreholes (BH131 to BH-155) were sunk in Parcel 26 building area to a maximum depth of 10.0 meters and
15.0 meters below the natural ground for G+4 and G+7 buildings respectively.
The geotechnical investigations comprises of core drilling, in-situ tests such as Standard
Penetration Tests (SPT), monitoring of ground water, collection of representative samples,
and subsequent laboratory tests on representative samples to determine the engineering
properties of the sub-surface materials. Moreover, the coordinates of each borehole was
provided by the client and the ground elevation data were acquired using hand held GPS.
The field investigation was conducted from March 23 to March 24, 2013.
This report deals with the regional geology, site geology, methodology employed, laboratory
tests conducted to determine the engineering properties of the subsurface strata including
analyses and interpretation of test results. This report also encompasses foundation
recommendation including type of foundation, bearing layer, foundation depth, and
allowable bearing pressure for Parcel 26 building area.
1.2 Scope of Work and Objective
The scope of the geotechnical investigations include core drilling, in-situ tests, collection of
representative samples, subsequent laboratory testing, and ground water monitoring. The
prime objectives of the investigation are:a) To investigate the sub-surface geology of the proposed construction site and
identify the various soil horizons within the influence zone of foundation.
b) To carry out in-situ tests to determine the strength of the various soil horizons
within the influence zone of foundation.
c) To collect representative samples (disturbed and undisturbed) for subsequent
laboratory tests to determine the engineering properties.
d) To characterize the sub-surface materials into various geotechnical layers based
on combined parameters such as, visual description of soils/rocks, in-situ tests,
and laboratory test results.
e) To provide safe and economic foundations, that is, type of foundation, bearing
layer, depth and width of foundation, and allowable bearing capacity.
1.3
Location
The project site is located in Addis Ababa, Akaki Kaliti Sub-City, around Koye Feche locality.
The project site is characterized by flat to rolling ground with an average elevation of 2205m
a.s.l.
Geotechnical Sub-Surface Investigations and Foundation Recommendations for G+4 & G+7 Condominium Building
April 2014
Figure 1-1: Location map of the condominium site
April 2014
METHODOLOGY
2.1 Rotary Core Drilling

Rotary core drilling was employed using wire line rig having the capacity to perform boring
operation to the required standard and quality in accordance with ASTM D 2113 93, ASTM
D 1452 80 (95), and BS 5930: 1981.
Dry drilling method was employed in soil formations using inner lining single core barrels
fitted with appropriate size tungsten carbide bits at the bottom. This will enable the drilling
to achieve good quality core recovery. In rocky section, double core barrel fitted with
diamond bit was utilized. Water was pumped down to the bit through hollow drill rods to
cool the bit and flushing the cuttings up the borehole.
Equipments to conduct in-situ tests and sampling such as SPT apparatus including split
spoon sampler, Shelby Tubes, water pump, rods, casings, and a wide range of heavy-duty
tools were used during the drilling operations. An electric water meter was utilized in
monitoring the ground water level.
Materials recovered from the boreholes were placed in core boxes, labeled, logged and
photographed by digital camera according to their depths of recoveries. Core boxes were
stored in a safe place and carefully transported to BEST Consulting Engineers Plc central
laboratory. The core box samples will be kept for the next six (6) months and then will be
disposed if the client didnt inform the company.
2.2 In-situ Tests
Standard Penetration Test (SPT) was conducted using a standard hammer, under an impact
of an automatic sliding hammer weighing 63.5kg falling freely from a height of 760mm in
accordance with ASTM D 1586 99 and BS 5930: 1981. The test was carried out starting
from 1.50m depth below natural ground level (NGL).
Blow counts for a total penetration depth of 450 mm from the bottom of a cleaned borehole
were recorded. Counts for the first 150 mm penetration were discarded since the ground is
considered to be disturbed during drilling activity prior to the test. SPT N-values for the last
300mm penetration are considered for computing the bearing capacity after applying the
necessary corrections.
2.3 Sampling
Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from the drilled bore holes at the
required depths and locations. Representative soil samples were collected as per ASTM and
BS standards, using the relevant samplers. Samples were recovered from split spoon sampler
after every SPT, Shelby-Tube and from core box.
2.3.1
Disturbed Soil Sampling
At the end of each SPT operation, the sampler tube is removed and disassembled to collect
representative disturbed sample for further laboratory tests. The disturbed samples were
properly sealed in plastic bags or small containers for NMC (Natural Moisture Content)
determination and other index tests. When the split spoon sample is in sufficient and not
found for a particular geotechnical layer, disturbed samples are also taken from core boxes.
2.3.2 Undisturbed Soil Sampling
Undisturbed Soil Samples are taken from cohesive materials encountered during drilling by
means of Shelby-Tube sampler. The samples are taken by applying static force and pressing
April 2014
a Shelby Tube having an internal diameter of 80mm and length of 600mm. The top and
bottom of the Shelby tube samples were immediately wax sealed and covered with
polyethylene bags and labeled with necessary information for subsequent laboratory testing
to determine the engineering properties which are essential for providing the foundation
recommendations. All undisturbed samples were taken after dry boring and before SPT tests
to avoid disturbances.
2.4 Laboratory Testing
BEST Consulting Engineers PLC (Private Limited Company) has a material testing laboratory
staffed with well-trained technician and engineers, in Addis Ababa. The laboratory is well
equipped by calibrated and certified ELE branded laboratory equipment to conduct various
index and engineering laboratory tests.
The following laboratory tests were conducted on different type of samples recovered from
boreholes in accordance with acceptable standards (such as, ASTM, AASHTO and BS
Standards).
Classification Tests
Classification tests are performed on collected representative samples for verification of the
field classification of the major soil types encountered during the investigation. A minor soil
type, if not critical, may be given a visual classification, instead of performing classification
test for reference. The classification tests performed for this project includes:
-
Hydrometer and Sieve Analysis: - consist of determining the gradation of a

sample in accordance with AASHTO T-88.
Atterberg Limit:- consist of the determination of the liquid limit, Plastic Limit
and Plasticity Index in accordance with AASHTO T89 and T90. If the soil is found
to be non-plastic, then the liquid limit shall not be performed, and the AASHTO
group index shall be reported as zero.
Special Tests
These tests are performed on undisturbed soil samples, and/or split-spoon samples to
obtain additional information about the soils and their condition. In addition special tests
also include the analysis water samples. This information is used in analysis of conditions
and preparation of recommendations for design and construction. The special tests
performed for this project includes:
-
Moisture content Test: determination of moisture content in accordance with

AASHTO T265, on representative samples of soil from each major stratum in each
boring.
Unit Weight Determination: consist of the determination of the unit weight by

measurement of the length and diameter as performed in accordance with the
appropriate part of ASRM D-2937.
Unconfined Compression Strength Test of soil: consist of performing the

unconfined compression test in accordance with ASTM D-2166. The test include
initial and final moisture content test, unit weight determination, visual description
of the soil, average strain at failure and average rate of strain of failure. This test
April 2014
shall be performed on 3-inch undisturbed samples unless other types are specifically
approved in advance.
2.5 Ground water monitoring
The ground water level in each borehole was monitored before starting and after
completion of every day drilling activity. Presence of drilling water in boreholes, particularly
in cased ones, is often misleading with actual ground water level. Ground water level
measurements will only be reliable if measured for a reasonable period of times after
completion of the borehole.
April 2014
3 GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC SETTINGS OF THE AREA

3.1 Regional and Site Geology
3.1.1 Regional Geology
Addis Ababa city is situated in the western margin of the main Ethiopian Rift and represents
a transitional zone between the Ethiopian Plateau and the rift with poorly defined
escarpment.
The geology of Addis Ababa area is represented by four volcanic units dominated in the
lower part by basaltic lava flows (Addis Ababa basalt), followed by a pyroclastic sequence,
mainly formed by ignimbrites (Addis Ababa Ignimbrite), followed by central composite
volcanoes (Central Volcanoes unit), and finally small spatter cones and lava flows (Akaki
unit).
Based on the Geologic Map of Addis Ababa City (Mulugeta H/Mariam et. al 2007), the
following volcanic formations are found in the project and surrounding area:1. Quaternary Olivine phyric Basalt (Qb): this unit is exposed in the northern
central and southern part of Addis Ababa geologic map. It is grey in color on fresh
outcrop and becomes reddish brown up on weathering.
2. Quaternary Scoria (QSc): These scoria cones are found as either cones or simple
domes. Mostly, they are layered and sometimes contain grey Scoraceous basalt
bombs. This unit is mainly cut by basaltic dyke of different orientation.
3. Quaternary black cotton soil (Qs):
4. Chelekleka BASALT (Tb2): the oldest geological unit, found along the river course
(e.g. Akaki River and its tributaries). It is represented by layered BASALT
intercalated with scoria pyroclastic rock.
5. Tertiary sediments (Ts): Out crops are mainly observed at the banks of the river
and small creeks. It generally forms very gentle slope and lower topography. It is
overlain by the young Quaternary basalt and overlay the Repi basalt. The
maximum thickness is about 9 m which is around Akaki area.
6. Wechecha Yerer-Furi IGNIMBRITE (Ti3): locally covers the products of the
composite central volcanoes of Wechecha and Furi. The sequence is constituted
by different flow units, consisting of pale-green to pale-yellow welded and crystal
rich ignimbrites.
7. Lower ignimbrite and pyroclastic rock (Ti2): it is grey and black colored and
shows columnar jointing. The rock is medium to fine grained and is composed of
sanidine phenocrysts and fine grained ground mass. The top layer is very loose
massive ash deposit which is whitish in color.
April 2014
Figure 3-1: Regional Geology of the area
3.1.2 Subsurface/Site Geology

The sub-surface geology of the proposed building sites is simple and fairly correlated in all
the boreholes sunk. Visual description of core samples was made following widely used and
practiced international procedures (such as, ASTM D 2488 93, BS 5930: 1981).
The top part of the project site is represented predominantly by soft to medium stiff, dark
grey, highly plastic CLAY with thickness ranging from 0.70m to 2.40m. This unit is underlain
in all the boreholes investigated by, dominantly, medium stiff to stiff, grayish brown, moist
and highly plastic Silty CLAY soil. The bottom part of the area is covered by light gray, slightly
weathered, dominantly closely to medium jointed, fine grained BASALT; this unit is
encountered from BH-151 to BH-154 only. Detailed descriptions of the sub-surface geology
encountered in all the boreholes are presented in the log sheets and cross sections attached
with this report (Appendix 1).
3.2 Regional Seismicity of the area

Stability and foundation of any civil engineering structures should be evaluated for seismic
stability. Information on the seismicity can be obtained from different sources that are
either from seismicity history of Ethiopia (seismicity zone map), regional location of the
country or localized or site specific study if it is needed. To do site specific earthquake hazard
analysis it demands detail study of faults by measuring slip rate, rupture length and depth of
energy release which are non-existence for this particular case.
April 2014
10
3.2.1 Country seismicity overview

Earthquake is a common phenomenon that occurred daily in different magnitude and
frequency all over the world. In Ethiopia the afar depression and the Main Ethiopian Rift
(MER) which is part of the East African rift is where these earthquake epicenters were
aligned. Among them the 1960 Awasa earthquake (M=6.1), the 1961 Kara Kore earthquake,
the 1969 Serdo earthquake (M=6.3), the 1983 Wendo Genet earthquake, the 1985 Langano
earthquake and the 1989 Dobi graben earthquake (M=6.5) were significant ones and some
of them were fatal. The current volcanic activities and the resulting geologic phenomenas in
Afar and Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) are good manifestations for tectonically dynamic nature
of the zone.
Figure 4.1: Seismic zoning map of Ethiopia

This zone is also under earthquake magnitude (I100) of 7.4 to 6.5 on Richter scales and with
ground acceleration 10.0 to 4.6% g (Table 3-1). On both scales show that with this
magnitude seismic motion has minor damage.
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11
Table 3-1: Seismic Hazard Rating (Gouin, 1976)
3.2.2 Region seismicity overview

From regional point of view the Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program (GSHAP) which
was effective from 1992 to 1999 has produced digital data of Peak ground Acceleration
(PGA) and reports specific for several test areas including East African rift system. As per
GSHAP the project site is also located on the moderate seismic area of the country
characterized by a PAG of 0.8to 1.0m/s2 (Fig.4-2) over 50 years time.
Figure 3-2: Map that shows Peak ground Acceleration (After GSHAP, 1992-1999).
To generalize, the project site is located within the western rift margin of the country with
moderate seismic activity. Based on the Ethiopian Seismic Hazard Map (Gouin P 1976), the
area falls under Zone 2 corresponding moderate damage with VII MM intensity scale and
based on GSHAP it is located within a Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) zone ranging from 0.8
to 1.0m/s2which is classified as seismically moderately vulnerable for potential damage.
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GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND LABORATORY TESTING
4.1 Introduction
The field geotechnical investigation had been performed with the help of core drilling,
sampling, insitu and laboratory testing. A total of twenty four (24) boreholes were drilled in
the building area and the co-ordinates and depths of the drilled boreholes are presented in
Table 4-1.
Table 4-1: Coordinate and Depth of Boreholes
Sr.
No.
BH-ID
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
BH-143
BH-144
BH-145
BH-146
BH-147
BH-148
BH-149
BH-150
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
BH-131
BH-132
BH-133
BH-134
BH-135
BH-136
BH-137
BH-138
BH-139
BH-140
BH-141
BH-142
BH-151
BH-152
BH-153
BH-154
Elevation
(m a.s.l)
Boreholes at G+4 Building Sites
480709.8739
985034.2030
2205
480682.4774
985020.2660
2204
480656.3469
985030.2021
2204
480642.9868
985056.2095
2205
480621.5830
985045.5805
2206
480633.1591
985018.9585
2205
480626.4520
984993.2795
2205
480599.2936
984979.6320
2205
Boreholes at G+7 Building Sites
480534.9863
985010.7899
2207
480550.7011
985038.8251
2207
480576.0159
985051.8397
2207
480601.3875
985064.4364
2207
480633.6238
985081.9554
2206
480659.0453
985095.7982
2206
480681.7767
985105.4902
2206
480712.6727
985104.3926
2206
480725.1287
985081.4795
2206
480739.2475
985054.0753
2205
480750.5019
985029.5674
2205
480723.4073
985015.7022
2204
480602.9246
984951.7569
2204
480576.4438
984937.2897
2203
480599.2936
984979.6320
2204
480599.2936
984979.6320
2206
Easting
Northing
Depth drilled
(m)
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
14
15
15
April 2014
13
Figure 4-1: Location of the boreholes on Google image

From the above Google image, symbols with red circle represent borehole locations for G+7
buildings and the blue circles are borehole locations for G+4 buildings.
4.2 Summary of the Geotechnical Investigation
The detailed geotechnical investigations carried out including drilling, in-situ tests, and
laboratory tests were summarized and presented in Table 4-2.
Table 4-2: Summary of the Geotechnical Investigations Carried Out
Geotechnical investigations carried out

Inter borehole movement and setup of drilling equipment
Quantity
Core drilling in ALL formation for G+4
80
Core drilling in ALL formation for G+7
239
Standard Penetration Tests (SPT)
186
Disturbed soil samples
149
Undisturbed samples
24
Ground water level measurement
24
Relative surface elevation of boreholes using hand held GPS
24
Core boxes and photographing of cores in core boxes
65
24
Laboratory Tests
Grain size analysis
149
Hydrometer analysis
12
Atterberg Limits
149
Free Swell
149
April 2014
14
Geotechnical investigations carried out

Natural Moisture Content (NMC)
Quantity
149
Unit weight
102
Specific gravity
149
Swelling pressure
Unconfined Compressive Strength of soil
24
4.3 Geotechnical characterization of the subsurface material

Based on visual description, in-situ and laboratory test results, the sub-surface geology is
sub-divided into various geotechnical layers. Accordingly, the geotechnical investigation
reveals the occurrence of three homogenous geotechnical layers.
Layer 1: Soft to Medium stiff, highly plastic CLAY
The top most part of the building site is covered by soft to medium stiff, dark grey,
highly plastic CLAY with a maximum thickness of 2.40 around BH-140 and BH-141
(Table 4-3).
Layer 2: Medium stiff to stiff, Silty CLAY
This layer is characterized by medium stiff to stiff, grayish brown, moist and highly
plastic Silty CLAY soil. It is encountered in all the boreholes underlying the top layer
1; the average field SPT N-values/300mm is 9.7 (Table 4-4).
Even if the soil is class is MH in USCS, after having discussion with the client and by
considering the nature of the soil type and the hydrometer analysis result, it has
been decided to set the soil in CH soil class.
Layer 3: Moderately to slightly weathered, fine grained BASALT
This layer is characterized by light gray, dominantly slightly weathered to fresh,
closely to medium spaced joints, fine grained BASALT. It is encountered in few of the
boreholes drilled (Table 4-3).
Table 4-3: Distribution of the geotechnical layers in the boreholes
BH-ID
Layer 1
BH-143
BH-144
BH-145
BH-146
BH-147
BH-148
BH-149
BH-150
0.00 2.00
0.00 2.00
0.00 1.50
0.00 1.50
0.00 1.50
0.00 1.50
0.00 1.50
0.00 2.00
BH-131
0.00 1.50
Depth of occurrence (m)

Layer 2
Around G+4 Buildings
2.00 10.00
2.00 10.00
1.50 10.00
1.50 10.00
1.50 10.00
1.50 10.00
1.50 10.00
1.30 10.00
1.50 15.00
Layer 3
-
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15
BH-ID
Layer 1
0.00 1.50
0.00 1.50
0.00 1.50
0.00 0.70
0.00 1.40
0.00 1.50
0.00 1.50
0.00 2.20
0.00 2.40
0.00 2.40
0.00 2.30
0.00 1.50
0.00 1.00
0.00 1.50
0.00 1.50
BH-132
BH-133
BH-134
BH-135
BH-136
BH-137
BH-138
BH-139
BH-140
BH-141
BH-142
BH-151
BH-152
BH-153
BH-154
Depth of occurrence (m)

Layer 2
1.50 15.00
1.50 15.00
1.50 15.00
0.70 15.00
1.40 15.00
1.50 15.00
1.50 15.00
2.20 15.00
2.40 15.00
2.40 15.00
2.30 15.00
1.50 13.45
1.00 11.00
1.50 11.80
1.50-12.80
Layer 3
13.45-15.00
11.00-14.00
11.80-15.00
12.80-15.00
4.4 In situ Field Testing

The only insitu test conducted in the drilled boreholes is Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
using a standard hammer, under an impact of an automatic sliding hammer. The test was
carried out starting from 1.5m depth below natural ground level (NGL). Accordingly, a total
of one hundred eighty six (186) SPT tests were carried out. Summary of the SPT test results
are given in Table 5-4 below.
Table 4-4: Standard Penetration Test Results
Sr.
No
BH-ID
Depth (m)
Material Description
Measured
SPT values
SPT Nvalues/
300mm
BH-143
BH-144
BH-145
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
CLAY
Silty CLAY
CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
2/1/2
2/2/3
3/4/5
4/5/6
4/6/9
5/7/8
2/1/3
1/2/3
2/2/3
3/4/4
3/4/5
4/4/5
2/2/3
1/2/4
2/3/5
3/4/6
3
5
9
11
15
15
4
5
5
8
9
9
5
6
8
10
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16
Sr.
No
BH-ID
BH-146
BH-147
BH-148
BH-149
BH-150
BH-131
BH-132
Depth (m)
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
1.55 2.00
3.00 - 3.45
4.50 4.95
6.00 - 6.45
7.50 7.95
9.00 - 9.45
10.5 - 10.95
12.00 - 12.45
13.5 - 13.95
1.50-1.95
3.10-3.55
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
CLAY
Silty CLAY
Measured
SPT values
3/4/8
3/5/8
2/2/2
2/2/3
2/3/4
3/3/5
3/4/5
4/5/6
1/2/3
2/2/2
3/4/6
3/4/3
3/5/7
4/5/8
2/1/3
2/2/4
2/4/6
3/4/5
3/3/4
3/3/5
1/2/2
2/2/4
3/5/6
4/5/7
4/6/8
5/7/8
3/2/11
2/3/5
3/5/7
5/7/10
6/8/10
6/7/11
12
13
4
5
7
8
9
11
5
4
10
7
12
13
4
6
10
9
7
8
4
6
11
12
14
15
13
8
12
17
18
18
1/1/2
2/3/4
2/3/6
2/4/6
3/5/6
3/4/5
3/4/6
3/5/6
4/5/5
1/2/3
2/3/3
3
7
9
10
11
9
10
11
10
5
6
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
SPT Nvalues/
300mm
April 2014
17
Sr.
No
BH-ID
BH-133
BH-134
BH-135
BH-136
BH-137
Depth (m)
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.55-2.00
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.55
1.55-2.00
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.55-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
12.00-12.45
13.55-14.00
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.55-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.55-2.00
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.55-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.50-1.95
Clayey Silty SAND

Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Measured
SPT values
2/2/4
2/3/3
3/3/4
2/4/4
2/3/6
3/3/6
3/4/7
2/1/2
2/3/4
2/2/4
2/2/3
2/3/4
2/3/5
3/3/6
3/4/6
4/4/7
1/2/3
2/3/4
2/3/6
6/5/10
3/3/5
3/3/4
2/3/5
3/3/5
3/4/6
1/2/2
2/2/3
3/3/3
3/3/5
3/4/6
3/6/7
2/3/5
3/4/6
4/6/6
2/2/2
2/3/5
3/4/5
4/5/5
4/4/6
3/5/6
3/5/7
4/5/6
4/6/7
1/1/2
SPT Nvalues/
300mm
6
6
7
8
9
9
11
3
7
6
5
7
8
9
10
11
5
7
9
15
8
7
8
8
10
4
5
6
8
10
13
8
10
12
4
8
9
10
10
11
12
11
13
3
April 2014
18
Sr.
No
10
11
BH-ID
BH-138
BH-139
BH-140
BH-141
Depth (m)
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
Silty CLAY
CLAY
Silty CLAY
CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
CLAY
Silty CLAY
Measured
SPT values
2/3/3
2/2/5
2/4/5
3/3/5
3/5/5
2/5/7
3/6/6
4/5/6
1/1/2
2/3/4
2/4/7
2/4/7
3/4/6
3/3/3
3/4/6
4/5/6
5/6/7
2/2/2
2/2/4
2/3/4
2/4/8
2/3/4
3/4/6
3/5/6
4/5/6
3/6/7
1/2/3
2/2/3
2/3/5
3/4/5
3/4/6
2/4/6
3/5/6
4/4/6
4/5/7
1/1/2
2/3/3
3/3/4
2/4/6
3/5/5
3/5/6
4/4/5
3/5/6
4/6/6
SPT Nvalues/
300mm
6
7
9
8
10
12
12
11
3
7
11
11
10
6
10
11
13
4
6
7
12
7
10
11
11
13
5
5
8
9
10
10
11
10
12
3
6
7
10
10
11
9
11
12
April 2014
19
Sr.
No
BH-ID
12
BH-142
13
BH-151
14
BH-152
15
BH-153
16
BH-154
Depth (m)
1.55-2.00
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
12.00-12.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
1.50-1.95
3.10-3.55
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
12.00-12.45
CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Silty CLAY
Measured
SPT values
1/2/2
2/3/3
2/3/5
3/4/6
3/3/5
3/5/6
3/4/5
4/4/6
4/5/6
1/2/3
2/4/5
3/5/6
3/6/8
3/7/9
5/8/10
6/9/10
6/8/11
2/2/3
3/3/5
4/5/6
3/5/7
4/7/9
6/8/9
R
1/2/3
3/5/6
4/5/6
4/6/6
2/3/4
3/3/5
4/7/9
2/3/4
2/3/5
3/4/6
4/5/9
5/6/9
7/8/10
4/5/6
3/6/8
SPT Nvalues/
300mm
4
6
8
10
8
11
9
10
11
5
9
11
14
16
18
19
19
5
8
11
12
16
17
50
5
11
11
12
7
8
16
7
8
10
14
15
18
11
14
4.5 Sampling
A total of one hundred seventy three (173) representative samples were collected from the
drilled boreholes for subsequent laboratory tests.
April 2014
20
4.5.1
Disturbed Samples
A total of one hundred forty nine (149) representative disturbed soil samples were collected
from split spoon sampler and core box. At the end of each SPT operation, the sampler tube
is removed and disassembled to collect representative disturbed sample for further
laboratory tests.
4.5.2
Undisturbed Samples
Twenty four undisturbed samples were collected by applying static force and pressing a
Shelby Tube having an internal diameter of 80mm and length of 600mm (in accordance with
ASTM D 1587 94 and BS 5930: 1981). The top and bottom of the Shelby Tube samples
were immediately wax sealed and covered with polyethylene bags and labeled with all
relevant information for subsequent laboratory testing to determine their geotechnical
properties. To avoid disturbances, all undisturbed samples were taken after dry boring and
before SPT.
4.6
Laboratory Testing
Representative disturbed and undisturbed soil samples collected from the boreholes were
brought to BEST Consulting Engineers Plc Central Laboratory and subjected to different kind
of quantitative and qualitative tests.
The laboratory testing on the disturbed soil samples include Atterberg Limits, sieve analyses,
hydrometer analysis, moisture content, specific gravity and free swell tests. Undisturbed
samples collected were also subjected to Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests,
Swelling pressure and Bulk density measurements.
Summary of all the laboratory test results are presented in Table 4-5 to Table 4-8 and the
details in Appendix 2.
Table 4-5: Summary of UCS Test Result of undisturbed soil Samples
BH ID.
Depth (m)
BH - 143
BH - 144
BH - 145
BH - 146
BH - 147
BH - 148
BH - 149
BH - 150
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.10
BH - 131
BH - 132
BH - 133
BH - 134
BH - 135
BH - 136
BH - 137
BH - 138
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.00
Bulk Unit
Weight
(KN/m3)
Dry Unit
Weight
(KN/m3)
Moisture
Content (%)

11.66
47.39
11.31
53.90
10.35
58.51
10.84
48.43
10.45
52.68
11.23
49.30
10.63
51.66
11.44
52.90
Around G+7 Building
16.53
10.85
52.44
17.49
12.20
43.33
17.76
12.20
45.62
16.02
11.02
45.27
17.50
11.61
50.75
17.09
12.16
40.56
17.22
11.50
49.77
16.69
10.69
56.08
17.19
17.41
16.41
16.08
15.95
16.77
16.12
17.50
UCS
(KPa)
Cu
(KPa)
51.11
53.80
58.98
42.12
55.30
49.44
64.50
61.87
25.56
26.90
29.49
21.06
27.65
24.72
32.25
30.94
57.12
96.95
45.19
83.40
56.27
62.86
58.30
70.16
28.56
48.48
22.60
41.70
28.14
31.43
29.15
35.08
April 2014
21
BH - 139
BH - 140
BH - 141
BH - 142
BH - 153
BH - 154
BH - 151
BH - 152
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.10
18.66
18.14
16.63
16.85
16.63
17.02
16.55
17.61
13.09
12.78
10.73
12.07
10.96
11.80
10.45
10.87
42.55
41.92
54.94
39.57
51.68
44.25
58.27
62.03
48.98
94.37
92.98
102.40
79.11
62.02
75.36
80.04
24.49
47.19
46.49
51.20
39.56
31.01
37.68
40.02
Table 4-6: Laboratory test results of disturbed soil samples
Sr
No
BH-ID
Depth (m)
NMC
Gs
Wet Sieve Analysis

(AASHTO T27)
2.mm
0.425
mm
0.075
mm
Atterberg
Limit
(AASHTO
T89&90)
LL
PL
PI
93
91
89
98
81
84
86
95
93
112
71
89
93
97
105
87
71
91
51
51
50
52
48
50
50
51
50
58
49
51
52
52
55
48
38
47
44
51
47
47
56
52
43
53
47
49
45
49
42
40
39
46
33
34
36
44
43
54
22
38
41
45
50
39
33
44
58
42
37
31
34
20
38
45
39
36
37
41
USCS
Free
Swell
(%)
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
200
190
150
180
160
170
150
190
180
200
130
150
190
180
160
190
140
190
180
140
170
150
190
140
160
170
190
140
150
180

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
BH-143
BH-143
BH-143
BH-143
BH-144
BH-144
BH-144
BH-144
BH-145
BH-145
BH-145
BH-145
BH-145
BH-146
BH-146
BH-146
BH-146
BH-147
BH-147
BH-147
BH-147
BH-147
BH-148
BH-148
BH-148
BH-148
BH-149
BH-149
BH-149
BH-149
1.50-2.10
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
9.00-9.60
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
9.00-9.60
1.50-2.10
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
9.00-9.60
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
9.00-9.60
1.50-2.10
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
9.00-9.60
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
9.00-9.60
1.50-2.10
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
9.00-9.60
52.17
45.90
51.35
40.77
42.92
47.19
35.92
43.81
53.61
51.15
49.89
43.96
41.96
50.00
50.78
43.18
40.12
44.84
49.82
44.14
42.49
40.66
46.22
52.45
42.54
44.98
31.15
25.90
31.62
46.62
2.62
2.63
2.60
2.57
2.63
2.61
2.58
2.60
2.63
2.60
2.58
2.61
2.62
2.6
2.58
2.60
2.57
2.60
2.62
2.59
2.58
2.61
2.60
2.58
2.63
2.61
2.64
2.58
2.62
2.60
99.7
99.7
98.3
96.3
77.2
99.5
99.7
84.7
95.4
97.4
99.9
97.5
99.0
93.6
99.8
97.0
93.2
92.5
96.7
97.0
95.6
96.2
98.8
98.0
95.2
99.2
94.8
99.3
99.6
99.8
99.0
99.6
97.3
95.5
75.3
98.8
99.1
83.7
95.1
97.3
99.7
97.0
98.7
92.9
99.7
96.0
90.7
90.2
95.0
95.8
94.7
95.0
98.4
96.7
93.9
98.7
93.9
97.8
99.0
99.3
98.6
99.0
95.8
94.6
74.3
98.3
97.5
83.2
94.7
97.1
98.9
96.5
98.1
91.5
99.3
95.4
88.7
89.3
94.0
94.3
93.9
93.6
98.1
95.7
92.9
97.9
93.4
96.8
98.4
97.6
102
93
84
78
90
72
81
98
86
85
82
90
April 2014
22
Sr
No
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
BH-ID
BH-150
BH-150
BH-150
BH-150
BH-131
BH-131
BH-131
BH-131
BH-131
BH-131
BH-131
BH-131
BH-131
BH-132
BH-132
BH-132
BH-132
BH-132
BH-132
BH-132
BH-132
BH-132
BH-133
BH-133
BH-133
BH-133
BH-133
BH-133
BH-133
BH-133
BH-133
BH-134
BH-134
BH-134
BH-134
BH-134
BH-134
BH-134
BH-134
Depth (m)
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
9.00-9.60
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
7.50-8.10
9.00-9.60
10.5-11.10
12.0-12.60
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
7.50-8.10
9.00-9.60
10.5-11.10
12.0-12.60
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
7.50-8.10
9.00-9.60
10.5-11.10
12.0-12.60
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
7.50-8.10
9.00-9.60
10.5-11.10
12.0-12.60
NMC
45.60
46.36
29.57
41.69
41.77
43.47
39.50
48.74
43.19
38.16
37.60
22.22
39.64
43.61
24.06
40.97
41.47
33.99
33.49
31.67
35.58
20.48
41.33
45.70
35.93
39.47
43.28
35.97
27.46
29.17
41.92
48.45
37.59
41.43
38.26
40.10
35.08
39.23
35.66
Gs
2.61
2.64
2.59
2.61
Wet Sieve Analysis

(AASHTO T27)
2.mm
0.425
mm
0.075
mm
98.7
99.5
96.5
96.8
98.3
99.3
95.7
96.2

2.62 90.7 88.0
2.59 98.7 98.4
2.61 98.66 98.3
2.60 98.4 97.8
2.59 97.5 97.3
2.58 99.7 99.4
2.59 99.5 98.6
2.61 99.3 99.0
2.57 98.8 97.9
2.58 99.6 99.5
2.61 96.6 95.9
2.63 99.5 98.9
2.61 99.5 99.3
2.58 28.3 20.0
2.62 90.6 89.7
2.58 99.5 98.9
2.57 99.4 98.7
2.56 99.5 98.9
2.61 91.4 90.4
2.64 99.6 98.9
2.60 85.8 84.8
2.57 93.9 92.4
2.59 84.8 83.5
2.60 99.8 99.3
2.57 94.6 94.0
2.59 98.5 97.9
2.57 99.6 98.9
2.60 81.4 79.6
2.61 99.6 99.2
2.58 99.6 98.9
2.62 93.6 93.0
2.60 98.5 97.9
2.58 99.9 99.7
2.59 99.5 98.9
2.57 99.7 99.2
Atterberg
Limit
(AASHTO
T89&90)
USCS
Free
Swell
(%)
LL
PL
PI
98.0
98.6
95.1
95.1
102
99
66
51
50
45
36
48
41
41
CH
CH
CH
CH
190
170
150
140
87.5
97.9
97.0
96.3
96.7
99.0
97.9
97.9
96.8
99.0
95.4
98.0
98.5
11.6
88.4
98.5
97.9
98.0
89.9
98.0
84.2
91.4
82.3
98.8
92.7
96.3
93.4
78.8
98.6
98.2
91.5
97.0
98.4
98.0
98.8
83
89
46
48
49
44
47
52
50
46
45
50
57
55
51
26
41
52
47
50
54
50
49
55
43
49
51
52
39
49
50
51
48
53
48
50
50
37
41
35
28
41
38
37
41
27
44
49
50
45
10
30
49
37
44
50
45
44
45
28
31
45
46
33
41
45
43
41
48
39
48
41
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
SM
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
130
150
160
140
170
150
160
180
120
160
150
180
140
30
120
190
130
190
180
160
200
180
140
160
130
150
120
180
160
150
160
180
150
170
150
91
86
84
72
88
90
87
87
72
94
106
105
96
36
71
101
84
94
104
95
93
100
71
80
96
98
72
90
95
94
89
101
87
98
91
April 2014
23
Sr
No
BH-ID
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
BH-134
BH-135
BH-135
BH-135
BH-135
BH-135
BH-135
BH-135
BH-135
BH-135
BH-136
BH-136
BH-136
BH-136
BH-136
BH-136
BH-136
BH-136
BH-136
BH-137
BH-137
BH-137
BH-137
BH-137
BH-137
BH-138
BH-138
BH-138
BH-138
BH-138
BH-138
BH-139
BH-139
BH-139
BH-139
BH-139
BH-139
BH-140
BH-140
BH-140
Depth (m)
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
7.50-8.10
9.00-9.60
10.5-11.10
12.0-12.60
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
7.50-8.10
9.00-9.60
10.5-11.10
12.0-12.60
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
7.50-8.10
10.5-11.10
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
7.50-8.10
10.5-11.10
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
7.50-8.10
10.5-11.10
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
NMC
31.49
38.57
43.78
43.29
34.98
30.37
38.52
41.93
38.75
31.89
40.18
38.46
41.77
43.69
36.84
30.26
38.24
36.18
39.84
30.13
56.06
47.68
42.19
43.66
44.45
48.23
38.23
42.47
46.72
38.27
40.16
47.18
50.47
35.14
51.97
44.65
37.64
48.24
49.38
46.86
Gs
2.59
2.63
2.61
2.59
2.61
2.60
2.57
2.59
2.58
2.57
2.62
2.63
2.60
2.58
2.56
2.59
2.61
2.58
2.60
2.64
2.61
2.59
2.61
2.57
2.62
2.63
2.60
2.62
2.60
2.58
2.57
2.64
2.61
2.62
2.58
2.62
2.64
2.64
2.60
2.58
Wet Sieve Analysis

(AASHTO T27)
2.mm
0.425
mm
0.075
mm
98.3
95.5
99.6
99.4
99.4
99.5
99.8
95.6
99.7
99.5
93.8
99.5
99.5
92.6
97.8
92.1
99.4
99.4
99.7
95.1
94.0
99.4
98.7
98.4
99.8
94.6
99.5
100.0
99.5
88.0
100.0
91.4
91.8
94.9
98.0
98.4
99.6
89.6
95.6
91.7
97.9
94.8
99.0
98.6
98.6
98.4
99.6
93.9
99.2
98.9
93.2
98.2
98.8
90.9
97.3
91.4
98.5
99.1
99.5
94.1
93.6
98.4
97.8
98.0
99.3
93.6
98.7
99.9
98.6
87.0
99.8
87.0
91.4
93.8
97.5
97.8
98.6
88.7
94.2
90.9
97.0
93.7
98.4
97.8
98.0
97.6
98.7
93.1
98.3
98.1
92.3
96.9
98.2
90.0
96.5
90.3
97.7
98.4
98.8
93.2
92.5
96.0
95.7
97.5
97.2
93.1
98.1
99.2
97.6
86.4
99.1
84.4
91.3
93.1
96.4
96.1
97.4
87.7
92.6
90.4
Atterberg
Limit
(AASHTO
T89&90)
LL
PL
PI
93
80
48
50
55
49
52
44
44
48
43
53
38
53
49
47
46
40
47
50
50
49
48
43
47
54
50
50
47
54
49
45
49
39
49
50
41
43
43
46
43
48
45
30
43
40
41
37
35
34
36
46
26
30
41
36
28
38
35
31
30
45
44
39
38
50
35
39
37
38
35
32
36
36
47
47
30
50
48
38
39
42
98
89
93
81
79
82
79
99
64
83
90
83
74
78
82
81
80
94
92
82
85
104
85
89
84
92
84
77
85
75
96
97
71
93
91
84
82
90
USCS
Free
Swell
(%)
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
130
190
160
190
170
180
140
170
150
130
160
170
130
150
170
190
180
150
130
150
180
140
180
160
100
170
160
160
180
140
100
160
160
170
40
150
190
160
180
160
April 2014
24
Sr
No
BH-ID
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
BH-140
BH-140
BH-140
BH-141
BH-141
BH-141
BH-141
BH-141
BH-141
BH-142
BH-142
BH-142
BH-142
BH-142
BH-142
BH-151
BH-151
BH-151
BH-151
BH-151
BH-152
BH-152
BH-152
BH-152
BH-152
BH-153
BH-153
BH-153
BH-153
BH-153
BH-153
BH-153
BH-154
BH-154
BH-154
BH-154
BH-154
BH-154
BH-154
BH-154
Depth (m)
7.50-8.10
10.5-11.10
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
7.50-8.10
10.5-11.10
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
7.50-8.10
10.5-11.10
13.5-14.10
1.50-2.10
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
7.50-8.10
12.0-12.60
1.50-2.10
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
7.50-8.10
10.4-11.00
1.50-2.10
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
7.50-8.10
9.00-9.60
10.5-11.10
1.50-2.10
3.10-3.70
4.50-5.10
6.00-6.60
7.50-8.10
9.00-9.60
10.5-11.10
12.0-12.60
NMC
40.79
40.98
36.91
47.27
34.18
34.12
45.62
35.33
26.62
34.71
42.74
42.24
37.82
35.21
39.96
42.70
55.91
42.15
44.44
41.49
50.26
53.54
42.25
42.31
44.89
47.90
49.42
35.56
37.92
31.72
36.46
35.35
36.32
34.56
35.14
38.90
34.17
25.72
27.10
36.19
Gs
2.61
2.58
2.60
2.63
2.60
2.61
2.58
2.61
2.64
2.64
2.59
2.58
2.60
2.61
2.58
2.64
2.60
2.62
2.60
2.60
2.62
2.63
2.61
2.58
2.60
2.63
2.60
2.58
2.60
2.59
2.61
2.61
2.63
2.64
2.59
2.61
2.59
2.57
2.62
2.60
Wet Sieve Analysis

(AASHTO T27)
2.mm
0.425
mm
0.075
mm
99.5
98.8
92.6
95.0
88.2
99.6
97.6
93.1
96.6
99.5
90.5
99.6
99.6
99.8
98.6
99.7
99.6
99.7
98.6
93.9
98.9
99.6
93.3
99.0
72.8
99.3
99.8
99.5
94.3
99.5
99.2
99.4
95.4
98.6
99.4
99.6
99.2
99.5
99.1
98.2
99.3
98.4
90.5
93.5
87.6
98.7
96.8
92.4
94.6
98.8
89.2
98.9
98.9
99.0
97.2
99.1
99.0
99.5
98.2
92.6
98.4
98.9
91.5
98.5
69.2
99.1
99.3
98.9
94.2
98.7
98.6
98.9
94.8
98.4
98.6
98.8
99.0
98.4
98.7
97.8
98.6
97.6
88.5
91.6
87.4
97.9
95.7
91.1
91.8
98.2
88.4
98.2
98.4
98.2
95.7
98.5
98.4
98.8
97.8
91.6
97.7
98.1
90.9
97.9
67.6
98.1
97.7
98.3
93.9
97.8
98.0
98.2
94.1
97.5
97.7
97.8
98.1
97.0
97.5
96.5
Atterberg
Limit
(AASHTO
T89&90)
LL
PL
PI
101
88
52
46
40
48
57
46
48
43
39
50
49
53
54
41
49
51
47
55
54
47
53
52
42
49
30
54
46
49
51
53
51
51
39
53
52
50
46
45
51
38
49
42
35
43
50
39
35
42
35
45
43
46
36
37
39
45
40
43
36
35
40
47
53
41
29
49
37
43
46
37
48
40
57
40
36
42
29
37
47
32
75
91
107
85
83
85
74
95
92
99
90
78
88
96
87
98
90
82
93
99
95
90
59
103
83
92
97
90
99
91
96
93
88
92
75
82
98
70
USCS
Free
Swell
(%)
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
CH
150
170
140
150
200
150
180
170
140
130
160
190
180
150
170
170
150
190
140
130
170
190
160
180
120
190
130
160
190
180
200
140
160
130
180
150
120
190
170
160
April 2014
25
Table 4-7: Swelling pressure test result

Sr. No
1
2
3
4
BH-ID
BH - 131
BH - 135
BH - 142
BH - 146
Depth, m
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.10
2.50-3.00
2.50-3.10
NMC
52.44
50.75
39.57
48.43
Swelling Pressure, Kpa

37.0
42.2
45.7
39.5
Table 4-8: Hydrometer analysis results on selected disturbed soil samples

Sr No
BH-ID
Depth (m)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
BH-131
BH-132
BH-136
BH-137
BH-139
BH-141
BH-143
BH-145
BH-148
BH-149
BH-151
BH-154
3.00-3.60
3.00-3.60
3.00-3.60
3.00-3.60
3.00-3.60
3.00-3.60
4.50-5.10
3.10-3.70
3.10-3.70
4.40-5.00
4.50-5.10
3.10-3.70
4.7
HYDROMETER TYPE 152H

Sand%
Silt%
(2.00 0.075mm)
(0.075 0.002mm)
3.1
34.9
5.4
31.6
4.0
39.0
7.9
28.1
10.2
30.8
14.0
30.0
4.8
31.2
4.0
30.0
2.9
31.1
2.4
29.6
2.5
29.5
3.2
28.8
Clay%
(< 0.002)
62.0
63.0
57.0
64.0
59.0
56.0
64.0
66.0
66.0
68.0
68.0
68.0
Ground water Level Measurement
When encountered, ground water level is measured every day before and after 24 hour
from completion of drilling activity. There was no groundwater occurrence in all the drilled
boreholes up to the target depth.
4.8
Damage due to expansive soils
Potentially expansive soils were identified in the building site during the geotechnical
investigation. Expansive soils are prone to change in volume because of the presence or
absence of moisture, which can cause the soils to shrink or swell, resulting in damage to
structures or infrastructure. The change in volume exerts stress on building foundations and
other loads placed on these soils.
The most obvious way in which expansive soils can damage foundations is by uplift as they
swell with moisture increases. Swelling soils lift up and crack lightly-loaded, continuous strip
footings, and frequently cause distress in floor slabs and because of the different building
loads on different portions of a structure's foundation, the resultant uplift will vary in
different areas; such differential movement of the foundation can also cause distress to the
framing of a structure. Besides, Shallow pipes buried in the zone of seasonal moisture
fluctuation, are exposed to enormous stresses by shrinking soils. If water or sewage pipes
break, then the resultant leaking moisture can aggravate swelling damage to the nearby
structures.
April 2014
26
4.8.1
Mitigation measures
The best way to avoid damage from expansive soils is to extend building foundations
beneath the zone of water content fluctuation. The reason is twofold: first, to provide for
sufficient skin friction adhesion below the zone of drying; and second, to resist upward
movement when the surface soils become wet and begin to swell.
Another way of mitigating expansive soil problems is to collect surface runoff and to limit
surface infiltration during the rainy season; proper design and construction of surface
drainage systems will be crucial.
Soils shrink and swell - because the moisture content changes from dry to moist and vice
versa. Thus, shrinking and swelling can be reduced if the moisture content is kept stable.
Damage from shrinking and swelling soils can also be reduced or prevented with proper
foundation design. Several design alternatives are:
4.8.2
Drilled pier and beam: Drilled pier and beam systems are designed to isolate
the structure from expansive soil movements.
Stiffened slab-on-grade: Designed to provide a rigid foundation to protect

the structure from differential soil movement.
Monolithic wall and slab: Designed to provide a rigid foundation to resist

differential soil movement.
Modified continuous footings, walls, and basement construction. Design to

provide a rigid foundation to resist differential soil movement.
Treatment of Expansive Soils
To avoid damage from the expansive soils, soils can also be treated in different ways, both
before and after construction. The different treatment techniques are:
Removal of expansive soil and replacement with a non-expansive material is a

common method of reducing shrink-swell risk. If the expansive soil or stratum is
thin, then the entire layer can be removed.
Pre-wetting a site can eliminate an expansive soil problem if the high moisture
content can be maintained.
Chemical treatment: Lime stabilization can be used.
April 2014
27
5 FOUNDATION ANALYSIS
5.1
Introduction
Foundation analysis refers to the determination of the bearing layer and depth, allowable
bearing pressure and type of foundation that could be adopted safely and economically.
Factors such as the load to be transmitted to the foundation and the subsurface condition of
the soil have been considered in selecting the foundation type.
As can be observed from the detailed geotechnical logging, the subsurface formation of the
project site comprises of three different geotechnical layers:
The top most part of the building site is covered by medium stiff, dark grey, highly
plastic Silty CLAY with a maximum thickness of 2.40m (Layer 1).
Medium stiff to very stiff, grayish brown, moist and highly plastic Silty CLAY soil. It is
encountered in all the boreholes underlying the top layer 1 (Layer 2).
Light gray, moderately to slightly weathered, dominantly with closely spaced joints,
fine grained BASALT; this layer is encountered in four of boreholes only, i.e. BH-151
to BH-154 (Layer 3).
Layer 1 is the high plastic soil that is unsuitable as foundation soils as far as the nature of the
material is concerned. Among the three layers the possible seat of the foundation footings
is Layer 2, which is highly plastic Silty CLAY soil; but, the impact of the expansive soil on the
foundation shall be considered and appropriate mitigation measures and treatments shall be
met.
Allowable bearing pressures for the selected foundation layers shall be discussed based on
correlation of the relative compaction of the insitu ground as indicated from SPT and
laboratory UCS tests.
5.2
Isolated Foundation
Isolated footings are the simplest to construct and economical type of foundations. The
allowable bearing capacity of these types of footings can be determined using different
methods; in the different methods insitu tests (SPT N-Values), laboratory tests and visual
identification can be used to determine the allowable bearing capacities for this project.
5.2.1
Bearing Pressure Based on UCS
Unconfined compressive tests were conducted on twenty four undisturbed soil samples (8
on G+4 and 16 on G+7 Building sites) taken from all the boreholes sunk. Unconfined
compression tests are conducted to determine the undrained shear strength value, Cu of the
soil. The undrained shear strength of the soil, Cu, can be determined from unconfined
compressive strength (UCS) of soil as follows:
C u = UCS
The net ultimate bearing pressure for vertical loads on clay soils is normally computed as a
simplification of either the Meyerhof or Hansen bearing capacity equations (Bowles, 1997).
For cohesive soils, changes in ground water levels do not affect theoretical ultimate bearing
capacity. For the most critical stability state ( = 0), which is created when the foundation
load is applied so rapidly, the immediate bearing capacity is independent of the location of
the water table. This is in contrast to the long term stability in which the value of the drained
April 2014
28
shear strength cd, and drained friction angle d should be considered. The ultimate bearing
capacity of the footings can be calculated using:
q ult = 5.14C u (l + s' c + d' c ) + q
Where
q ult
Cu
s' c
d' c
q
= Ultimate bearing capacity in unit of C u

= Undrained shear strength of soil
= Shape factor = 0.2(B/L)
= Depth factor = 0.4(D/B)
= Overburden pressure which is neglected since there will
probably be footing excavation.
= Width of the foundation
= Length of the foundation
= Depth of the foundation
B
L
D
Designing a foundation on the basis of ultimate bearing capacity, a suitable factor of safety
should be used to determine the allowable pressure so that the foundation system may be
safe against shear failure. For isolated footing foundations, a factor of safety of 2 to 3 is
commonly used under normal loading conditions. Thus, for the project buildings we have
taken a factor of 3.0. The allowable bearing capacity is determined using:
q all = q ult /FS

The allowable bearing capacities calculated from UCS results are presented in Table 5-1
below. Here, the bearing capacity is computed for different widths of foundation at a depth
of 2.5m on Layer 2; average Cu value, within the blocks, has been taken for the bearing
capacity analysis.
Table 5-1: Allowable Bearing Pressure Based on UCS Test Result of Soil Samples for Layer2.
BH-ID
BLOCK
NO
Around BH143, & BH-144
B-299
Around BH145 &BH-146
B-303
B-304
Around BH149&BH-150
B-308
B-306
Width,
B in m
2
2.5
3.0
2
2.5
3.0
2
2.5
3.0
2
2.5
3.0
2
2.5
3.0
OB,
Mean
Mean Cu
bulk
(KPa)
KN/m3
OB.
Press.q,
KPa
q a (KPa),
Hansen
26.23
26.23
26.23
25.27
25.27
25.27
26.18
26.18
26.18
28.26
28.26
28.26
43
43
43
41
41
41
41
41
41
42
42
42
84
86
83
81
83
80
84
85
82
89
91
88
38.52
38.52
38.52
43
43
43
117
120
115
Depth
( m)
17.30
17.30
17.30
16.24
2.5
16.24
16.24
16.34
2.5
16.34
16.34
16.81
2.5
16.81
16.81
17.01
2.5
17.01
17.01
2.5
April 2014
29
B-305
B-302
B-301
Around BH139, BH-140
B-300
B-298
B-309

5.2.2
2
2.5
3.0
2
2.5
3.0
2
2.5
3.0
2
2.5
3.0
2
2.5
3.0
2
2.5
3.0
2
2.5
3.0
B-307
16.89
16.89
16.89
17.29
17.29
17.29
16.95
16.95
16.95
18.40
18.40
18.40
16.74
16.74
16.74
17.08
17.08
17.08
16.82
16.82
16.82
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
32.15
32.15
32.15
29.78
29.78
29.78
32.11
32.11
32.11
35.84
35.84
35.84
48.84
48.84
48.84
38.85
38.85
38.85
35.28
35.28
35.28
42
42
42
43
43
43
42
42
42
46
46
46
42
42
42
43
43
43
42
42
42
100
102
99
94
96
93
100
102
98
111
114
109
144
148
142
118
121
116
108
111
107
Bearing Pressure Based on SPT N-Values for Isolated square Footing
The SPT N-values/300mm should be adjusted for different factors before employing them
for computing the allowable bearing pressure. The SPT N-values are converted to N 70
standard energy ratio value (Bowles, 1988) using:
N' 70 = C N x N x n 1 x n 2 x n 3 x n 4
Where
N' 70
adjusted N
CN
adjustment for overburden pressure

(p'' o /p' o )1/2
p' o
p'' o
=
1.0kg/cm2)
n1
n2
overburden pressure
reference overburden pressure (95.76kPa
= E r /E rb (where E r is average energy ratio that depends

the drill system and E rb is the standard energy ratio).
=
Rod length correction

Rod length > 10 m = 1,
Rod length 6-10 m = 0.95,
Rod length 4-6 m = 0.85,
Rod length 0-4 m = 0.75
n3
sampler correction (1.00 in this case)
n4
borehole diameter correction (1.00 in this case)
April 2014
30
or
on
The depths below NGL, SPT N-values, adjusted N-values (i.e., N 70 ) and the calculated design
N-values are given below.
Table 5-2: Measured and adjusted SPT N values
Sr.
No
BH-ID
BH-143
BH-144
BH-145
BH-146
BH-147
BH-148
BH-149
Depth (m)
SPT N-values/ 300mm
Around G+4 Building

1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
3
5
9
11
15
15
4
5
5
8
9
9
5
6
8
10
12
13
4
5
7
8
9
11
5
4
10
7
12
13
4
6
10
9
7
8
4
6
11
12
14
Adjusted N-values
3
5
9
10
12
12
4
5
5
7
7
7
5
6
8
9
10
10
4
5
7
7
7
9
5
4
10
6
10
10
4
6
10
8
6
6
4
6
11
11
12
April 2014
31
Sr.
No
BH-ID
BH-150
BH-131
BH-132
BH-133
BH-134
BH-135
Depth (m)
SPT N-values/ 300mm
9.00-9.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
Around G+7 Building
1.55 2.00
3.00 - 3.45
4.50 4.95
6.00 - 6.45
7.50 7.95
9.00 - 9.45
10.5 - 10.95
12.00 - 12.45
13.5 - 13.95
1.50-1.95
3.10-3.55
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.55-2.00
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.55
1.55-2.00
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.55-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
12.00-12.45
13.55-14.00
1.50-1.95
Adjusted N-values
15
13
8
12
17
18
18
12
13
8
12
16
15
14
3
7
9
10
11
9
10
11
10
5
6
6
6
7
8
9
9
11
3
7
6
5
7
8
9
10
11
5
7
9
15
8
7
8
8
10
4
3
7
9
9
9
7
7
7
6
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
3
7
6
5
6
6
6
6
7
5
7
9
14
7
6
6
5
6
4
April 2014
32
Sr.
No
BH-ID
BH-136
BH-137
BH-138
BH-139
10
BH-140
Depth (m)
SPT N-values/ 300mm
Adjusted N-values
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.55-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.55-2.00
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.55-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.50-1.95
5
6
8
10
13
8
10
12
4
8
9
10
10
11
12
11
13
3
6
7
9
8
10
12
12
11
3
7
11
11
10
6
10
11
13
4
6
7
12
7
10
11
11
13
5
5
6
7
8
10
6
6
7
4
8
9
9
8
9
9
7
8
3
6
7
8
7
8
9
8
7
3
7
11
10
8
5
7
7
8
4
6
7
11
6
8
8
7
8
5
April 2014
33
Sr.
No
BH-ID
11
BH-141
12
BH-142
13
BH-151
14
BH-152
15
B-153
Depth (m)
SPT N-values/ 300mm
Adjusted N-values
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.50-1.95
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.55-2.00
3.00-3.45
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.50-10.95
12.00-12.45
13.50-13.95
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
12.00-12.45
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
1.55-2.00
3.10-3.55
4.55-5.00
6.00-6.45
5
8
9
10
10
11
10
12
3
6
7
10
10
11
9
11
12
4
6
8
10
8
11
9
10
11
5
9
11
14
16
18
19
19
5
8
11
12
16
17
50
5
11
11
12
5
8
8
8
8
8
6
7
3
6
7
9
8
9
6
7
7
4
6
8
9
7
9
6
6
7
5
9
11
13
13
14
13
12
5
8
11
11
13
13
32
5
11
11
11
April 2014
34
Sr.
No
16
BH-ID
B-154
Depth (m)
SPT N-values/ 300mm
Adjusted N-values
7.55-8.00
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
1.50-1.95
3.10-3.55
4.50-4.95
6.00-6.45
7.50-7.95
9.00-9.45
10.55-11.00
12.00-12.45
7
8
16
7
8
10
14
15
18
11
14
6
6
11
7
8
10
13
12
14
8
9
After adjusting the N-values based on the above formula, the design N-values are calculated
as the average of N-values which are found in between B above and 2B below the
proposed foundation depth. B is the width of the foundation.
The bearing capacity for the soil layer is calculated from the SPT N- values using Meyerhofs
equation as follows (Bowles, 1997):
q a = N'/F 2 (1 + F 3 /B)2K d , B>F 4

Where
qa
Kd
F2
F3
F4
B
D
=
=
=
=
=
=
Allowable bearing pressure for

Settlement limited to 25 mm.
1+0.33D/B < 1.33
0.06
0.3
1.2
Width of foundation
Depth of foundation
The following allowable bearing pressures are calculated from a depth of 2.0 to 3.0m below
the ground level for different width for settlement limited to 25mm. Here, the SPT on rock
head is considered as refusal and given N value of 50 for bearing capacity computation, for
other depths see Annex 3.
April 2014
35

Table 5-3: Allowable Bearing Pressures Based on SPT N-Value
BH-ID
Average of
BH-143,144
Average of
BH-145,146
Block
Number
B-299
B-303
Average of
BH-147,148
B-304
Average of
BH-149,150
Average of
BH-131,132
Average of
BH-133,134
Average of
BH-135,136
Average of
BH-137,138
Average of
BH-139,140
B-308
B-306
B-305
B-302
B-301
B-300
Average of
Depth of
Width of foundation (B), m
foundation
2
2.5
3
4
5
below
Allowable Bearing Capacity (Qall) in Kpa
NGL (m)
Around G+4 Building
2.0
169
160
168
163
154
2.5
178
190
175
169
159
3.0
203
213
195
175
163
4.0
224
223
215
205
172
2.0
179
170
169
164
155
2.5
189
191
177
170
160
3.0
208
208
196
176
164
4.0
219
219
211
202
173
2.0
187
177
171
161
152
2.5
197
193
178
166
156
3.0
219
217
192
172
161
4.0
221
214
206
197
170
2.0
242
230
222
207
196
2.5
255
251
238
215
202
3.0
257
255
242
222
207
269
261
4.0
Around G+7 Building
176
168
2.0
252
240
219
161
148
140
2.5
186
182
168
154
145
3.0
209
200
177
159
148
4.0
211
196
191
178
154
2.0
193
183
167
149
137
2.5
203
188
174
152
141
3.0
232
208
178
157
145
4.0
219
199
192
174
152
2.0
183
174
170
164
153
2.5
193
192
180
170
160
3.0
218
212
197
175
162
4.0
223
222
214
197
172
2.0
194
185
178
162
160
2.5
205
202
186
173
165
3.0
244
231
193
179
169
4.0
244
224
216
210
181
2.0
192
183
173
165
161
2.5
203
196
181
176
166
3.0
226
214
198
182
171
4.0
225
221
213
206
182
2.0
182
173
165
158
147
April 2014
36
BH-ID
Depth of
foundation
below
NGL (m)
Block
Number
BH-141,142
B-298
Average of
BH-151,152
Average of
BH-153,154
B-308
B-307
Width of foundation (B), m

2.5
3
4
Allowable Bearing Capacity (Qall) in Kpa
2.5
192
188
173
162
151
3.0
222
209
185
168
155
4.0
221
216
208
190
164
2.0
234
222
221
212
232
2.5
246
250
237
223
238
3.0
280
277
254
262
245
4.0
292
288
278
304
259
2.0
244
232
211
193
186
2.5
257
238
220
199
185
3.0
284
256
231
206
190
4.0
270
254
245
227
200
The above bearing capacity analysis is computed for different depths and widths of
foundation footings for Layer 2 around G+4 and G+7 Buildings.
5.3
Allowable Bearing capacity for Mat Foundation
A mat foundation is commonly used where the base soil has a low bearing capacity and/or
the column loads are so large that more than 50 percent of the area is covered by
conventional spread footings. It is common to use mat foundations having basements both
to spread the column loads to a more uniform pressure distribution and to provide the floor
slab for the basement.
The bearing capacity values obtained for isolated foundation for the G+7 buildings may small
for the proposed design load; in such cases, mat foundation will be the best choice. The
bearing capacity for the soil layer is calculated from the SPT N-values using Meyerhofs
equation as follows (Bowles, 1997):
q all = (N 55 /0.08)( H a /25)K d
Where
qa
Kd
H a
F2
F3
F4
B
D
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
For Mat foundation
Allowable bearing pressure.

1+0.33D/B < 1.33
Allowable settlement (In our case 75mm)
0.08
0.3
1.2
Width of foundation
Depth of foundation
The following allowable bearing pressures are calculated at a depth of 3.00m below the
natural ground level for different widths for settlement limited to 75mm. A permissible
settlement of 50, 75 and 100mm are recommended by different authors and standard
(Bowles, EBCS, U.S. Army Corps etc).
April 2014
37
Table 5-5-4: Allowable Bearing Pressures for Mat foundation Around G+7 Buildings
Width, m
BH-ID
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
Allowable Bearing Capacity

BH-131&132
BH-133&134
288
288
280
280
275
275
273
273
271
271
270
270
269
269
268
268
268
268
267
267
267
267
BH-135&136
288
280
275
273
271
270
269
268
268
267
267
BH-137&138
288
280
275
273
271
270
269
268
268
267
267
BH-139&140
288
280
275
273
271
270
269
268
268
267
267
BH-141&142
288
280
275
273
271
270
269
268
268
267
267
BH-151&152
495
371
480
360
472
354
468
351
465
349
463
347
461
346
460
345
459
344
458
344
457
343
BH-153&154
5.4
Bearing Capacity using Settlement Criterion
As far as the properties of the project soils concerned, as depicted from laboratory tests
settlement shall have to be addressed properly.
Compressibility and stiffness of cohesive soil is strongly strain level dependent. But in
addition, it is also influenced by the relative rates of loading and drainage of excess pore
pressure. Compressibility and stiffness of cohesive soil is commonly expressed in a number
of ways:
Compression Index (Cc)
Coefficient of volume compressibility (mv)
Undrained Youngs Modulus (Eu)

Drained Youngs Modulus (E)
The Compression Index (Cc) is routinely used in the calculation of settlements of normally
and lightly over-consolidated clays. The predicted compression of such materials is strongly
dependent on the value of pre-consolidation pressure used in the calculation.
In the design of any foundation, one must consider the safety against bearing capacity
failure as well as against excessive settlement of the foundation. In the design of most
foundations, there are specifications for allowable levels of settlement.
The settlement of a foundation can have three components: (a) elastic settlement Se, (b)
primary consolidation settlement Sc, and (c) secondary consolidation settlement Ss. The
total settlement St can be expressed as:
St = St + Sc + S s
For any given foundation, one or more of the components may be zero or negligible.
Consolidation settlement, Sc, is a time-dependent process that occurs due to the expulsion
of excess pore water pressure in saturated clayey soils below the groundwater table and is
created by the increase in stress created by the foundation load.
April 2014
38
The consolidation settlement Sc due to this average stress increase can be calculated as
follows:
Dh=Cc'H[log(Pf/Po)]/(1+eo)
Consolidation test had been conducted on soil sample collected from the surrounding area
for consolidation settlement analysis. Table below show total settlement estimated based
on consolidation test result for different square footings with width, B located within Layer
2. The settlement is computed for Allowable Bearing Capacities ranging from 125 to 350Kpa
around BH-112 as shown in the Table below. If maximum total settlement of 50mm is
considered, it can be selected any footing widths for any required load excreted on the
foundation soil without causing unwanted settlement.
From the settlement analysis of the foundation soil (See table below), the shaded areas are
permitted both in terms of shear and settlement for the given depths and widths (taking the
maximum settlement limit i.e. 50mm).
April 2014
39
Table 5-5: Bearing Pressure analysis using settlement criteria around BH-150
Geotechnical Sub-Surface Investigations and Foundation Recommendations for G+4 and G+7 Condominium Building
January 2014
40
6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

As a result of field and laboratory activities carried out and the analysis of the available data
and test results, the following engineering recommendations can be made:
6.1 Subsurface geotechnical materials
Sub-surface geotechnical investigation was conducted for G+4 and G+7 Condominium
Buildings that includes drilling of twenty four (24) boreholes, sampling, insitu and laboratory
testing. Based on visual description, in-situ and laboratory test results, the sub-surface
geology is sub-divided into three geotechnical layers. Accordingly, the geotechnical
investigation revealed the occurrence of three quasi homogenous geotechnical layers.
Layer 1: Soft to Medium stiff, highly plastic CLAY
The top most part of the building site is covered by soft to medium stiff, dark grey,
highly plastic CLAY with a maximum thickness of 2.40 around BH-140 and BH-141
(Table 4-3).
Layer 2: Medium stiff to stiff, Silty CLAY
This layer is characterized by medium stiff to stiff, grayish brown, moist and highly
plastic Silty CLAY soil. It is encountered in all the boreholes underlying the top layer
1; the average field SPT N-values/300mm is 9.7 (Table 4-4).
Even if the soil is class is MH in USCS, after having discussion with the client and by
considering the nature of the soil type and the hydrometer analysis result, it has
been decided to set the soil in CH soil class.
Layer 3: Moderately to slightly weathered, fine grained BASALT
This layer is characterized by light gray, dominantly slightly weathered to fresh,
closely to medium spaced joints, fine grained BASALT. It is encountered in few of the
boreholes drilled (Table 4-3).
6.2
Foundation seat and allowable bearing Capacity
Among the three geotechnical layers identified, the possible seat of the foundation footings
is Layer 2, which is grayish brown, highly plastic Clayey SILT.
The bearing capacity of the bearing layer is computed based on both the SPT N-Value and
using the laboratory UCS value. The allowable bearing capacity results obtained for isolated
foundation are given in tables Table 5-1 and 5-3. Since SPT reflects the bearing capacity of
the whole materials under the influence depth of the foundation layer i.e. 0.5B above and
2B below the foundation depth and normally reflects the actual site condition of the
foundation layer, the bearing capacity computed from SPT are more reliable for this
project.
For the G+4 buildings: Based on the geotechnical site investigation and bearing capacity
analysis, it is recommended that the foundation footings shall seat on layer 2 starting from
2.0m from the surface after considering the bearing capacities appropriate for the design
load according to table 5.3; however, the effect of the expansive soil shall be considered
and appropriate mitigation measures and/or treatment techniques (discussed in section
Geotechnical Sub-Surface Investigations and Foundation Recommendations for G+ 4 and G+7 Condominium Building
April 2014
41
4.8) shall be adopted to protect the buildings from damage due to the expansive nature of
the subsurface material.
To avoid the damage due to the expansive soils on the building, it is highly recommended
to improve the ground by replacing at least 1.5m of the subsurface material, starting from
the bearing depth (about 2.0m from the surface), with suitable non-expansive material
with a compaction of 95% standard proctor density for every 25cm fill or to extend the
depth of the foundation footings below 3.0m from the bearing depth (bearing depth is
about 2.0m from the surface) to pass the moisture fluctuation zone. In addition, proper
drainage system shall be constructed to collect surface runoff and to limit surface
infiltration during the rainy season.
For the G+7 buildings: Since the allowable bearing capacity values obtained are small (as
seen in Table 5-3 above) and the foundation material is also highly expansive soil, mat
foundation shall be used or the foundation ground shall be improved by imported nonexpansive granular material; mat foundation will be the best choice in order to avoid any
differential settlements that may happen in the building area.
A mat foundation is commonly used where the base soil has a low bearing capacity and/or
the column loads are so large that more than 50 percent of the area is covered by
conventional spread footings. Improving the foundation ground and to use mat
foundation on top of it will also be the best choice in order to avoid any differential
settlements that may happen in the building area and future failure of the buildings.
The swelling pressure test result (Table 4-8) shows that, the value of the swelling pressure is
small; the smaller value could be because of the current condition of the soil, i.e. the soil was
saturated during the test and it may already been expanded soil. Therefore, if it is possible
to maintain the current moisture content of the soil, during and after construction, the
building will be safe from the impact of swelling pressure from the subsurface material.
Table 6-1: Summary of bearing capacity for Mat foundation
Width, m
BH-ID
10
15
20
25
30
35
45
50
55
60
268
268
268
268
268
268
460
345
268
268
268
268
268
268
459
344
267
267
267
267
267
267
458
344
267
267
267
267
267
267
457
343
40
Allowable Bearing Capacity

BH-131&132
BH-133&134
BH-135&136
BH-137&138
BH-139&140
BH-141&142
BH-151&152
BH-153&154
288
288
288
288
288
288
495
371
280
280
280
280
280
280
480
360
275
275
275
275
275
275
472
354
273
273
273
273
273
273
468
351
271
271
271
271
271
271
465
349
270
270
270
270
270
270
463
347
269
269
269
269
269
269
461
346
Remark: the building area is characterized by the presence of highly expansive, thick clay
soil; therefore, proper mitigation measures and/or treatment technique shall be
implemented to avoid any differential settlement that may happen in the building area
April 2014
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6.3
Material for backfill and compaction criteria
In general, materials for the backfilling should be non expansive granular, not containing
rocks or lumps over 150mm in greatest dimension, free from organic matter, with plasticity
index (PI) not more than 10. The backfill material should be laid in lifts not exceeding 250mm
in loose thickness and compacted to at least 95% of the maximum dry density at optimum
moisture content as determined by modified compaction test (Proctor) (ASTM D-1557).
In case of improving the foundation by imported selected material, following any excavation
activity, and prior to any fill placement, proof rolling should be performed. It is commonly
recommend to a vibratory roller use with appropriate static weight. Compaction of the fill
materials should continue until the roller has made at least ten passes over all areas of the
site and the soils appear to be relatively firm and unyielding. Half of the roller passes should
be perpendicular to the direction of travel of the other passes. Proof rolling should be
closely monitored by the concerned engineers to observe for unusual deflection of the soils
beneath the compacting equipment. If unusual or excessive deflection is observed, then the
areas should be undercut to firm soils and backfilled with structural fill placed in maximum
one-foot thick lifts. Backfill soils should be of the same composition and be compacted to
the same criteria as structural fill soils.
In confined construction areas, proof rolling and compaction of fill materials can be
compacted with manually operated vibratory compaction equipment. But, it should meet
the compaction criteria.
The following issues should also be addresses in the compaction processes:
-
6.4
The compaction work shall be checked by inspecting or testing in order to insure

that the nature of the fill material, its placement water content and the
compaction procedures are consistent with those prescribed. The common
insitu compaction checking tests are dry density and moisture content.
The procedures for fill placement and compaction shall be selected in such a
way that stability of the fill is ensuring during the entire construction period and
the natural subsoil is not adversely affected.
The source of fill material shall be appropriately tested to ensure that it is
suitable and adequate for the intended purpose. The type, number and
frequency of the tests shall be selected according to the type and heterogeneity
of the material.
Settlement consideration
In the design of any foundation, one must consider the safety against bearing capacity
failure as well as against excessive settlement of the foundation. In the design of most
foundations, there are specifications for allowable levels of settlement. Here, the maximum
settlement is recommended not to exceed 50mm.
Settlement analysis was done around BH-150 based on consolidation test result. Based on
the settlement analysis of the foundation soil (tables 5-5 in previous chapter), around BH150, for foundation depth less than or equal to 2m, the foundation fails totally by
settlement before shear, i.e. settlement is critical; for foundation depth greater than 2.0m,
the settlement will be permissible taking the maximum settlement limit i.e. 50mm;
April 2014
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however, settlement becomes critical for higher contact pressures. Generally, it can be
concluded that the foundation fails by settlement before shear; settlement is critical.
6.4.1
Seismic Consideration
In Ethiopia the afar depression and the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) which is part of the East
African rift is where earthquake epicenters were aligned. The current volcanic activities and
the resulting geologic phenomenas in Afar Depression and Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) are
good manifestations for tectonically dynamic nature of the zone.
Though seismic activity in the region (Addis Ababa) has not witnessed any serious
earthquakes, the project site is situated in a seismically medium dangerous part of the
country. So that it cannot rule out of the possibility of damaging earthquake from the
adjacent rift.
To generalize, the project site is located within the western rift margin of the country with
moderate seismic activity. Based on the Ethiopian Seismic Hazard Map (Gouin P 1976), the
area falls under Zone 2 corresponding earthquake magnitude (I100) of 7.4 to 6.5 on Richter
scales and with ground acceleration 10.0 to 4.6% g and based on GSHAP it is located within
a Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) zone ranging from 0.8 to 1.0m/s2 which is also classified
as seismically moderately vulnerable for potential damage.
6.5
Considerations to Minimize Expansion Effect
To minimize Expansion effects where it is not economically feasible to remove expansive

materials or to support foundations below depths of possible expansion, the effects can be
minimized as follows:
Since large seasonal changes in soil moisture are responsible for swelling, schedule
construction during or immediately after a prolonged rainy period when there will
be less potential volume change in the future.
Grade beams should contain sufficient steel reinforcement to resist the horizontal
and vertical thrust of swelling soils.

Provide impervious blankets and surface grading around the foundations to prevent
infiltration of surface water.
Locate water and drainage lines so that if any leakage occurs, water will not be
readily accessible to foundation soils thereby causing damage.
Construct proper drainage system to collect surface runoff and to limit surface
infiltration during the rainy season.
Avoid planting deep rooted trees since they will extract the moisture of the
subsurface material and cause differential settlement.
Maintenance programs shall be directed toward promoting uniform soil moisture
beneath the foundation during and after construction.
Consider stabilization of the foundation soils.
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6.6
Other Consideration
This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of Addis Ababa Housing Construction
office for G+4 and G+7 Condominium Buildings in Koye Feche III project area (Parcel 26
Building area) specific application for the geotechnical aspects. Our conclusions and
recommendations have been rendered using generally accepted standards of geotechnical
engineering and geological practices.
As a general remark, the following supplementary consideration shall be considered during
foundation construction:
It is advisable to verify the nature and actual depth of occurrence of the bearing
layers when construction of the building starts and make adjustments if
necessary. Our conclusion and recommendation do not reflect variations in the
subsurface conditions that are likely to exist in the region of our borings and in
unexplored areas of the site. These variations are due to the inherent variability
of the subsurface conditions of the geology of the area. If variations become
apparent during construction, it will be necessary to re-evaluate our conclusions
and recommendations based upon our on-site observations of the conditions.
Exposure to the environment may weaken the subsurface material at the

foundation bearing level if the foundation excavations remain open for long
time.
It is recommended to design an effective rainwater drainage system to get rid of
the consequences of the rainwater percolation into the layers. The site should
be graded so as to direct rainwater and water away from all planned structures.
If drastic changes are found on the subsurface geology and also if there is a change in the
design or the location of the proposed substructures, the recommendations presented in
this report must not be considered valid unless the changes are reviewed whether the
changes are consistent with the intent of our recommendations.
Finally, it should be noted that the results and recommendations of this report are solely
based on the site geotechnical investigation through core drilling of 24 boreholes including
insitu SPT test, collected samples and laboratory testing and assuming that the subsurface
conditions do not significantly deviate from those encountered.
April 2014
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REFERENCES
1. Arora, 2003. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, 6th edition
2. ASSHTO, 1996, Standard Specification for Highway Brdiges, 16th edition, American
Association of States Highway and Transportation officials, D.C
3. ASTM, American Society for Testing and Materials
4. Bowels, 1997, Foundation Analysis and Design
5. CIRIA, 1995. Construction Industry Research Information Association Report No. 143,
SPT Methods and Use
6. Donald, P. Coduto, Foundation Design Principles and Practice. Second edition
7. NAVFAC DM7-02 Foundations and Earth Structure
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APPENDICES
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Appendix 1
Borehole Logs and Cross Sections
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Appendix 2
Laboratory Test Results
April 2014
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Appendix 3
Allowable Bearing Pressure Analysis
Sheets
April 2014
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April 2014
51

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GEOTECHNICAL SUB-SURFACE INVESTIGATION

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GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC SETTINGS OF THE AREA ............................................... 9

GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND LABORATORY TESTING .......................... 13

5 FOUNDATION ANALYSIS ................................................................................... 28

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5.2.1 Bearing Pressure Based on UCS ............................................................28

6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ........................................................... 41

Subsurface geotechnical materials .................................................................. 41

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Figure 1-1: Location map of the condominium site

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2.1 Rotary Core Drilling

Disturbed Soil Sampling

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Hydrometer and Sieve Analysis: - consist of determining the gradation of a

Moisture content Test: determination of moisture content in accordance with

Unit Weight Determination: consist of the determination of the unit weight by

Unconfined Compression Strength Test of soil: consist of performing the

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3 GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC SETTINGS OF THE AREA

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Figure 3-1: Regional Geology of the area

3.1.2 Subsurface/Site Geology

3.2 Regional Seismicity of the area

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3.2.1 Country seismicity overview

Figure 4.1: Seismic zoning map of Ethiopia

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Table 3-1: Seismic Hazard Rating (Gouin, 1976)

3.2.2 Region seismicity overview

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GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND LABORATORY TESTING

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Figure 4-1: Location of the boreholes on Google image

Geotechnical investigations carried out

Core drilling in ALL formation for G+4

Core drilling in ALL formation for G+7

Standard Penetration Tests (SPT)

Disturbed soil samples

Ground water level measurement

Relative surface elevation of boreholes using hand held GPS

Core boxes and photographing of cores in core boxes

Grain size analysis

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Geotechnical investigations carried out

Unconfined Compressive Strength of soil