BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

Site Selection
In selecting a land, most of the factors considered are depend on the purpose of the land
usage. Some of the general factors are given below;
1.Safety
Proximity to High-Voltage Power Transmission Lines
Presence of Toxic and Hazardous Substances
Hazardous Air Emissions and Facilities Within close proximity
Other Health Hazards
Noise
2. Location
3. Soil Conditions
- soil type
- soil compaction
4. Topography
5. Size and shape
6. Accessibility
Public Infrastructure
Roads
7. Utilities
Water supply & pressure
Sewer collection system
Electricity supply
8. Cost
9. Availability
10. Public Acceptance
11. Drainage
12. Local Government Regulations
13. State Regulations
14. Business Value
Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

Site Investigation
Importance of Site Selection
The design of a structure should be;

Economical
Safe to Construct
Durable
Has low maintenance cost

Achieving of these will depend upon an adequate understanding of the nature of the
ground. An adequate and properly structured site investigation is therefore an essential
part of construction.

Figure No.01 Effects of inadequate site investigation

Objectives of Site Investigation
The principal objectives of the site investigation are as follows,

Suitability Are the site and surrounding suitable for the project ?
Design Obtain all the design parameters necessary for the work
Construction Are there any potential ground or ground water conditions that
would affect the construction ?
Materials Are there any materials available on site? What quantity and quality ?
Effect of changes How will the design affect adjacent properties and the ground
water?

Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

Identify alternatives Is this the best location?

Procedure for Site Investigation

The basic steps in site investigation procedure are given below;

Desk Study
Site Reconnaissance
Exploratory Investigation
Laboratory testing
Report

Desk Study

The work involves researching the site to gain as much as possible geological
data.
Topographic maps, Survey maps, Geological maps, Arial photographs etc should
be examined.
Geologic information is generally obtained from Geological Department,
Agriculture Department, Mining companies and organizations performing Soil &
Geological studies.

Site Reconnaissance
Site Inspection

This means going over the site and surrounding areas. Important evidence to look
for is hydrology, slope instability, mining, access to site etc.
The observations will give idea about structure and texture of soil, cross-section
of formation, ground water condition etc

Arial Reconnaissance

Main features like General topography, drainage, erosion, soil patterns and texture
can be examined closely from the air.
Photographs can be taken for subsequent detailed study
Furnishes more details within a short time.

Geophysical Methods

Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

These methods are used to locate the boundaries between different strata of soil. It does
not produce the properties of the strata. They need supplementation by other methods.

Exploratory Investigations
Aim is to get accurate and sufficient information of the soil conditions. Data like type of
soil, depth, thickness of soil in each stratum, location of rock, location of water table,
strength and compressibility of the strata etc can be obtained. To obtain details of soils,
two types of samples can be used;
Disturbed Samples
A disturbed sample is that in which the natural structure of soil gets partly or fully
modified and destroyed although with suitable precautions the natural water content may
be preserved.
Undisturbed Samples
Sample in which the natural structure and properties remain preserved.
For Sample collection, mainly two methods can be used;

Open Trial Pits

Boring

Open Trial Pits

Pits are excavated at the site, exposing the sub soil surface thoroughly.
Soil samples are collected at various levels.
Soil strata can be inspected in their natural condition and Samples can be obtained
conveniently.
Can be used only for shallow depths.

Boring
Commonly used boring methods are as follows;

Auger boring
Wash boring
Hollow stem auger boring Rotary boring
Percussion boring
Rotary boring

Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

Auger boring
Hand Auger - An auger has a cutting end (bit ) which advances the device through the
subsurface as it is turned. A disturbed sample is collected and lifted within the auger to
the surface.
Light weight inexpensive equipment
Easy to carry in to field side
Disturbed sample
Limited depth

Figure No.02 Hand Auger

Machine Driven Auger
Mechanically operated augers can be used for great depths;
No extra effort during drilling process
Disturbed sample

Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

Figure 3 Machine driven Auger

Percussion boring

Heavy chisel or bit is dropped repeatedly on the ground, water is added to the hole
during boring
Pulverized material past is brought to the surface for necessary examinations

Hollow Stem Auger Drilling

This method can be used to obtain undisturbed samples;

Auger will be driven to the ground until the sampling depth is attained
Rods and plug in the centre of the hollow stem auger are removed
Sediment sampler attached to rods and placed at bottom of bore hole
Sampler driven in to undisturbed sediments below auger bit

Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

Figure 4 Hollow Stem Auger

Figure 5 Auguring Process

Figure 6 - Thin- Walled Shelby Tubes using for sample collection

Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

Rotary Wash Boring

The rotary wash boring method is generally the most appropriate method for use in soil
formations below the groundwater level. Casing with a casing crown attached is rotated
into the ground and water is used to flush out the drilled formation.
The process consists of;

Driving a casing tube to the ground and forcing water under pressure.
Sucking up the slurry formed by dislocating the materials by water jet.
Collection of the slurry sucked out at different depths for examination.

For collection of undisturbed sample, following steps should be followed;

Drive the casing to the desired sample depth,

Clean out the hole to the bottom of the casing, and
Insert the sampling device and obtain the sample from below the bottom of the
casing.

Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

Figure 7 Rotary Wash Boring

Boring Log

The boring log is the basic record of almost every geotechnical exploration and
provides a detailed record of the work performed and the findings of the
investigation.
The field log should be written or printed legibly, and should be kept as clean as is
practical. All appropriate portions of the logs should be completed in the field
prior to completion of the field exploration.

Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

10

BTEC HND in QS & CE

Week No: 01
BCT/01/01/01

Sample Borehole Log

BOREHOLE LOG
Client :
Consultant:
Project:
Depth Water In-situ tests
& Samples
01

Job No.
B.H.No.
Duration:
SPT No. Lithological Description

1.5-1.95 SPT

1
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09

Ms.Kandamby
QS/11/26

2.5-2.95 SPT
3.5-3.95 SPT
4.5-4.95 SPT
5.5-5.95 SPT
6.5-6.95 SPT
7.5-7.95 SPT
8.5-8.95 SPT
9.5- 9.95 SPT

Sheet :
Level :

Reddish Brown Clayey Sand with

building debris
Brownish very fine clayey sand

28
27
34
>50

Light yellowish very fine sand

Very fine to medium sand

27
28
>50
>50

Light grayish very fine sand

Blackish grey Very highly
weathered rock
Rock level
Bore hole terminated at 10m

11

Legend