STANDARD TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRIC WORKS

CIVIL WORKS
( SPECIFICATION )

SOIL INVESTIGATION

TRANSCO STANDARD : 331248863.DOC

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CONTENTS
1

GENERAL......................................................................................................................

2
2.1
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.2

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION......................................................................................
Soil Investigation..............................................................................................................
Execution of Borings and In-Situ Tests (SPT)..................................................................3
Bore Logs.........................................................................................................................6
Laboratory Tests...............................................................................................................6
Reports..............................................................................................................................

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SOIL INVESTIGATION
1

GENERAL

This part of the Specification shall cover all items related to soil investigation works for the
Project. Works shall include all items required for the tendered Project, as well as all auxiliary
works.
All works shall further be carried out in full compliance with all local rules and regulations and
the Specification shall further be read, if applicable for the Project.
For applicable technical standards, tests, reference shall be made to:
S-TR-CIVIL-GEN

General Requirements
(Applicable Technical Standards, Tests, etc.)

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

2.1

Soil Investigation

Soil investigations are to be performed in accordance with DIN 4020, DIN 4021 or BS-5930 and
BS-1377. Application of alternative standards shall be subject to TRANSCOs approval prior to
the performance of the site and laboratory tests.
Soil investigations shall be carried out at an early stage of the project to determine the type of
foundations and the structural design of the buildings. Based on these findings, the
Bidder/Contractor shall propose his design assumptions to TRANSCO for approval.
Investigations shall be executed with the following minimum requirements at each site, with the
exact scope to the discretion and approval of TRANSCO:

Boreholes down to 20 m (average), not exceeding 25 m. (Unless specified differently, at

least 3 bore holes shall be carried out for each main building.)

Standard penetration tests at 1.00 m intervals and at every change of strata in all boreholes

Plate (and other approved) load bearing tests under shallow foundations

Laboratory tests on the samples of each borehole

Soil resistivity measurements

Cone penetration tests (CPTs).

2.1.1

Execution of Borings and In-Situ Tests (SPT)

2.1.1.1 Borings
The methods of boring shall enable undisturbed sampling as well as rotary coring. The minimum
borehole diameter for undisturbed sampling shall be 100mm. The equipment shall allow the

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execution of Standard Penetration Tests and undisturbed sampling, for instance by using piston
sampler.
For the drilling works in cohesive and/or hard soils, a double tube core barrel of at least 3"
(7.5 cm) inside diameter shall be used exclusively, provided that this kind of boring can be
continued to the final bottom of the borehole in question. A 95% core recovery is required.
Beyond this, the Bidder/Contractor may choose for his own convenience the type of equipment
and accessories to be used at each individual borehole and depth, provided that in TRANSCO's
opinion, the equipment chosen is suitable for the drilling. The Bidder/Contractor may also
choose the initial and intermediate diameters of each borehole for his own convenience, provided
that he will secure the aforementioned minimum acceptable size of core.
Adequate casing has to be used to ensure the stability of the borehole. The Bidder/Contractor
will not be entitled to any compensation or additional payment for casing.
The method of drilling, casing and flushing shall be described in the offer. Bentonite shall be
added to the drilling fluid only after the explicit permission of TRANSCO.
It is to be emphasised that the Bidder/Contractor shall supply an equipment to take undisturbed
samples from cohesive and non-cohesive soils for laboratory tests, according to international
standards. The samples shall be treated in an adequate manner to avoid disturbances and drying
out.
All boreholes shall after completion of the investigation be refilled with sand and not left open.
2.1.1.2 Sampling
All soils sampled by SPT, undisturbed sampling or core barrel have to be properly stored. Noncohesive soils have to be kept in water-tight boxes or bags. Borehole number and depth of
sample shall be written on the cover of the bags and boxes, and the cores must be placed in the
order as taken. The corresponding depth of the material shall continuously be written on the
partition walls of the boxes. Undisturbed samples shall be of 100mm dia and 450mm length.
Samples shall be collected in such a manner that the structure of the soil and its moisture content
are not changed.
The borders between different strata, and the sections of core boxes shall be fixed with thin
boards, and marked with the depth. Core boxes shall be designed for approximately 7 metre of
continuous soil samples. Before shifting the soil samples to the laboratory, the boxes shall be
stored accessible at any time for TRANSCO.
Ground-water and disturbed soil samples taken for the chemical analysis shall be kept in
watertight, durable plastic jars.
Color print photographs shall be taken of all cores packed in the core boxes, suitably labelled.
Negatives and six sets of postcard size prints shall be provided.

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2.1.1.3

In Situ Testing

2.1.1.3.1 Standard Penetration Tests

In non cohesive soils, Standard Penetration Tests (SPTs) shall be performed from the cleaned
bottom of the boreholes down to 45 cm below. Standard penetration tests shall be carried at 1.0
m intervals and at every change in strata. The number of blows required to drive the sound each
15 cm into the soil has to be counted and kept in the bore log. Standard Penetration Test shall be
as described in BS 1377 Test 19.
The relative strength of cemented materials shall be tested with the Standard Penetration or
Dynamic Cone Tool, where core recovery is poor (less than 10%) or as directed by the Owner's
representative. The number of blows for each 75 millimetre penetration to a total penetration of
450 millimetres penetration shall be recorded or the test stopped at a total of 80 blows and the
penetration recorded.
2.1.1.3.2 Test Pits
The Bidder/Contractor shall excavate trial pits as and where directed by the Owner, of an area of
approximately 5 m2 and a depth not exceeding 2.5 m. The pit and carry out The
Bidder/Contractor shall carry out plate bearing tests in accordance with BS 5930 and BS 1377,
using plate bearing pressures of 100, 150, 200 and 300 kN/m 2. Full records of load, settlement
and time shall be kept. The Bidder/Contractor may further be requested to carry out sand
replacement tests to BS 1377.
All protection of the pits shall be provided by the Bidder/Contractor to prevent accidents. After
the completion of the investigations, the Bidder/Contractor shall refill the pits by suitable
material (concrete or gravel) as directed by TRANSCO.
2.1.1.3.3 Cone Penetration Tests (CPT)
The Bidder/Contractor shall supply all required equipment for the "Dutch Static Cone
Penetration Test" for the separate determination of cone resistance and friction. The type of
equipment quoted for shall be described in the offer.
The cone shall have a diameter of 3.6 cm (= 10 cm 2) and a peak angle of 60 and the maximum
load to be applied either by anchors or by dead weight shall be limited to approximately 15 tons.
In case cemented layers occur into which the cone cannot penetrate the Bidder/Contractor shall
pre-bore through the hard soil before the cone test is continued. However, this procedure shall
only be performed after explicit instruction of TRANSCO at site.
The Bidder/Contractor shall deliver copies of the original sounding records as well as the
elaborated cone test diagrams to TRANSCO.
In areas where access roads are not available and which are not accessible for the Dutch Cone
Machine another type of cone penetration tests may be performed after TRANSCOs approval.
The equipment shall be light, transportable with four-wheel drive vehicle or by hand. The cone
shall be driven by a hammer, in accordance with one of the International Standards.

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2.1.2

Bore Logs

Detailed bore logs/field books must be kept for all borings. They shall include all pertinent data
and results and all observations, measurements or tests as directed by TRANSCO. The bore
logs/field books have to be submitted within 3 days after completion of each borehole.
Colored photographs shall be taken from all box samples and included in the final report.
2.1.3

Laboratory Tests

The Bidder/Contractor shall order Laboratory Tests to determine the necessary soil mechanic
parameters for the foundation design of towers and masts. The kind and number of tests to be
proposed by the Bidder/Contractor depending on the encountered soils and in view of his
foundation design TRANSCO and the results of the borings. The laboratory programme shall be
provided at least 3 days before testing, clearly stating time and location for the testing.
2.1.3.1 Classification Tests

Particle size distribution by sieve and/or hydrometer analysis

Specific gravity of soil grains

Bulk density and dry density determination

Relative density determination for granular soils

Water content determination

Atterberg limit tests.

2.1.3.2 Chemical Test

Determination of chloride content in soil

PH value in soil

Total and water soluble sulphate content in soil

Carbonate content in soil

Organic matter in soil

Sulphate content of ground water

Chloride content of ground

PH value of ground water.

2.1.3.3 Triaxial Tests on Soil

Unconsolidated undrained tests

Consolidated un-drained tests with pore pressure measurement

Multi-state consolidated un-drained tests with pore pressure measurement

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Consolidated drained tests.

2.1.3.4 Direct Shear Tests on Soil

Consolidated drained tests

Consolidated constant volume shear tests.

2.1.3.5 Strength tests on rock or cemented material cores

Point load tests

Unconfined compression tests.

2.1.3.6 Compressibility (Consolidation) Tests

The tests are to be carried out in conformity with international standards ASTM, BS and/or DIN
by a well experienced Institute to be named by the Bidder/Contractor and approved by
TRANSCO. Other standards are subject to TRANSCOs approval prior to the performance of the
laboratory tests.
Aggressiveness of soil and/or groundwater in view of sulphates and chlorides shall be evaluated
according to the BRE-Digest 363 and the CIRIA Guide for Concrete Construction in the Gulf.
2.2

Reports

Field reports have to be handed over to TRANSCO at site including bore-logs with all pertinent
data, SPT results, ground water levels, cone penetration diagrams, test pit logs, as well as
readings of groundwater levels within three days after completion of the corresponding work.
Weekly Progress Reports on approved forms shall be submitted to TRANSCO at site.
On completion of all field and laboratory work, the Bidder/Contractor shall submit to
TRANSCO a Geotechnical Investigation Report, containing the procedure used during the
investigation, field test results, laboratory observations and test results both in tabular and
graphical form. Practical and theoretical considerations for the interpretation of the test results,
supporting calculations for the conclusions drawn etc., shall be included. The report shall contain
theoretical as well as practical considerations for the design and construction of the different
types foundations and any proposals which the Bidder/Contractor may consider necessary to be
made with regard to the parameters and dimensions of the standard foundations, as well as clear
recommendations for the need for special designs.
The Bidders/Contractors qualified geotechnical engineer shall visit TRANSCOs office for a
detailed discussion on the draft report. During the discussions TRANSCO and the
Bidder/Contractor shall decide on the amendments that need to be made in the draft report.
Thereafter, the Bidder/Contractor shall incorporate in the report the agreed modifications, and
after TRANSCO approves the report, the Bidder/Contractor shall submit six (6) copies of the
final report along with a reproducible set of all tables, graphs etc. At least two original copies
with colored photographs shall be submitted to TRANSCO.

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