EE Engineering Construction Services

An ISO 9001:2000 Certified Company

Ref Report No: EEECS/GTE/Phoenix aVance SEZ/45/2019-20

Date: 14-07-2020

GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED

MAIN GATE AND SECURITY ROOM FOR PHOENIX AVANCE
BUSINESS HUB, GACHIBOWLI, HYDERABAD

1. Introduction: M/s Phoenix Infra Pvt Ltd has proposed to construct an Entrance Gate and Security
Room for Phoenix Avance Business Hub, Gachibowli, Hyderabad. In this connection M/s Phoenix
Infra Pvt Ltd has requested EE Engineering Construction Services for soil investigation to be
conducted and to provide recommendations for the site on foundation. In this regard, Geotechnical
expert has visited the proposed site and soil samples (Disturbed and Undisturbed) were collected. This
report presents the details of soil investigation carried out and the test results and recommendations for
the foundation.

2. About the proposed site: Proposed site is located at Phoenix Avance Business Hub. The site is a
level ground without any outcrop of boulders.

3. About the Project: The proposed project consists of construction of a Entrance Gate and a Security
Room for Phoenix Avance Business Hub, Gachibowli, Hyderabad.

4. Soil Investigation: Soil investigation to the site include inspection by soil expert, Collection of
Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples and conducting laboratory Tests. Three Pits were considered at
the site. From each pit one Undisturbed Sample and one disturbed sample was collected to carryout
laboratory tests.

4.1 Laboratory Tests: Laboratory tests were conducted for classification of soil and strength parameters.

4.1.1 Laboratory Tests on Disturbed Soil Samples: Total of 3 Disturbed soil samples were collected
from the 3 Trial pits. On each disturbed soil sample Specific Gravity Tests, Atterberg Limits, Free Swell
Index and Grain size distribution tests were conducted.
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4.1.1 (a) Specific gravity test was conducted as per IS: 2720 Part 3, Atterberg Limits tests were conducted
as per IS 2720 Part 5 and Grain size distribution tests were conducted as per IS: 2720 Part 4. The results
of the test conducted on Disturbed soil sample are presented in Table – 1.

4.1.2 Laboratory Tests on Undisturbed Soil Sample: Three undisturbed soil samples were collected.
On each of the undisturbed soil sample the following tests were conducted:
1) Density Tests
2) Moisture Content Test
3) Direct Shear Test

1) Density Test: The field dry density test was conducted on the Undisturbed soil sample as per the
procedure laid-down in IS: 2720 Part 29.

2) Moisture Content Test: The field moisture content of the Undisturbed soil was measured as per IS:
2720 Part 2.

3) Direct density test was conducted under three normal stress of 0.5 Kg/cm2 , 1.0Kg/cm2 and
1.5Kg/cm2. Test was conducted at the field moisture content. The test procedure adopted is as per IS:
2720 Part 13.
The results of the above test conducted on Undisturbed soil samples are presented in Table 2.

5. Soil Profile: Based on the site inspection and laboratory test results presented in Table -1and 2 and the
soil profile at the site observed in the Trial Pits are presented in Fig.1 .The general soil profile consists
of filled up soil up to a depth of 3.0 m from ground level. The top soil is Red Granular Soil up to a
depth of 0.75 m (Filled up), this was followed by Sandy clay up to the explored depth of 3 m. Further,
Seepage was also visible from a depth of 1.5 m.
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6. Bearing Capacity Calculations: Bearing capacity was computed for a depth of 3.0 m below ground
level. While calculating the bearing capacity it is assumed that the submerged density of soil γ = 1.0
t/cum. Square footing size (B) of 3.0 m. The bearing capacity is calculated using the Terzaghi Bearing
capacity formula as shown below:

SBC = (1.3 CNc + (Nq-1) γ Df + 0.4 γ B N γ)/FS ------- (Eq. 1)

Where
SBC = Safe Bearing Capacity (T/Sqm)
C= Cohesion (T/Sqm)
Nc , Nq, and N γ = Terzaghi Bearing Capacity factors
Df = Depth of Foundation (m)
B = Width of foundation (m) (assumed 2.0m)
FS = Factor of safety (3.0)

Bearing Capacity for 3.0 m depth of foundation: From the Table -1 the for a depth of 3.0 m the
minimum C and Փ are as follows
C = 0.5 T/Sq.m
Փ = 10o
Df = 3.0 m
For Փ = 10o the bearing Capacity factors are
Nc =9.6, Nq = 2.7, and N γ = 1.20
Substituting the above values in Eq. 1 the SBC at 3.0 m depth below ground level works out to 4.10
T/Sqm.
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Table 1. Classification Test Results

SI.No Trial Depth Specific Grain Size Distribution Soil
(m) Gravity
Pit Gravel Coarse Medium Fine Sand Silt and Clay Classification
below
GL (>4.75mm) Sand Sand (0.425- (<0.075mm)
(4.75 – (2 – 0.075)mm
2)mm 0.425)mm
1. TP 1 3.0 2.65 0 0 28 12 60 CH

2. TP 2 1.8 2.65 0 0 30 13 57 CH
3. TP 3 3.0 2.66 0 0 26 14 60 CH

Table 1.(A) Free Swell Index and Atterberg Limits

S.No Trial Pit Depth (m) Liquid Plastic Plasticity Free
No Limit Limit Index Swell
Index
1. TP 1 3.0 68 34 34 125
2. TP 2 1.8 67 32 35 122
3. TP 3 3.0 66 33 33 128

Table 2. Density and Strength Test Results

S.No Trial Depth (m) Field Dry Moisture C (Kg/cm2) Φ (Degrees)
Pit No Density Content (%)
(g/cc)
1. TP 1 3.0 1.79 20.3 0.06 15
2. TP 2 1.8 1.81 21.2 0.05 10
3. TP 3 3.0 1.77 22.4 0.05 12.5
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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FILLED UP SOIL:

Based on the type of the structure, properties of soils, site inspection and visual examination of soil
samples, Laboratory Test results the following recommendation for ground improvement measures
are made:
The possible alternatives for the problem with filled up soil are:
1. Decreasing the stress on under laying filled up debris safely by providing geo-grid reinforced granular
bed. (As shown in Figure 3)
2. Providing piles up to a depth where firm Rock Strata is reached.
3. Preload the affected area to pre-achieve the anticipated settlements of the filled up soil within the well
Alternatives 2 &3 were considered but found to be not feasible and possibly may not be warranted as the depth
of the filled up portion may be 30 feet. Hence, alternate 1 with Geogrid reinforced granular foundation bed is
proposed. The reinforced soil bed of thickness of 1.25 m (Fig. 3) covering the entire area of the filled up
portion would be able to transfer the load from the footings of the proposed security room and entrance gate on
to the subsoil.

To facilitate the geogrid reinforced bed to carry and transfer the footing loads safely, it is
recommended to use 4 layers of Triaxial geogrid with vertical spacing below the footing as shown in Fig. 3,
which illustrates the recommended design.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LAYING THE GEOGRID:

Step 1: Excavate the Entire Site Proposed for the Building Construction with Extra 0.1m beyond the
Foundation pit area.

Step: 2: At the bottom of Excavation (i.e. 3.0 m below ground level) the ground should be well compacted
with vibratory roller.

Step: 3: Compact two layers gravelly soil each of 12.5 cm to get a total thickness of 25cm. Compaction should
be made to a compaction density of 95% of its OMC conditions.

Step: 4: Lay the first layer of geo-grid with proper overlap and pinning down to compacted layer.
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Step: 5: Compact two layers gravelly soil each of 12.5cm to get a total thickness of 25cm.

Step: 6: Lay the 2nd layer of geo-grid with proper overlap and pinning down to compacted layer.

Step: 7: Compact two layers gravelly soil each of 12.5cm to get a total thickness of 25cm.

Step: 8: Lay the 3rd layer of geo-grid with proper overlap and pinning down to compacted layer.

Step: 9: Compact two layers gravelly soil each of 12.5 cm to get a total thickness of 25cm.

Step 10: Lay the 4th layer of geo-grid with proper overlap and pinning down to compacted layer.

Step: 10: Lay the Footings on the top of these layers as shown in Fig.3.
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Filled Up Soil - Top

Soil

0.75 m

Sandy Clay - Loam - Filled Up

Soil

3.0 m

Fig 1. Soil Profile at the Proposed Site

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Fig 2. Trial Pit Excavation at the Proposed Site

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An ISO 9001:2000 Certified Company
 EE Engineering Construction Services
An ISO 9001:2000 Certified Company

Recommendation for Laying of Foundations:

1) After laying the Geogrids at the proposed the Safe bearing capacity can be considered as 12 T/Sqm. The
safe bearing capacity is limited to 12 T/Sqm as we are laying the foundations on highly compressible organic
soil.

2) Before laying the granular beds at the proposed site, all the water needs to be pumped out from the site and
seepage should be controlled from entering the site.