Construction of New Broad Gauge Line between Chainage 192.

000 &
Chainage 171.640 (20.360 Km) including Electrical & Tele-communication
Works between Tolahunse (Ex.) & Bharmasagar (Ex.) Stations in Tumkur-
Chitradurga Davanagere New Line Project Geotechnical Investigation Report

Table of Content

1.0 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Content of this report ................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Scope of Work............................................................................................................ 1

2.0 LOCATION DETAILS ....................................................................................................... 2

3.0 SEISMIC ZONE ............................................................................................................... 2

4.0 METHODOLOGY OF FIELD INVESTIGATIONS ............................................................ 3

4.1 Boring...................................................................................................................... 3

4.2 Standard Penetration Test...................................................................................... 3

4.3 Disturbed Samples ................................................................................................. 3

4.4 Undisturbed Samples ............................................................................................. 4

4.5 Rock Coring ............................................................................................................ 4

4.6 Ground Water Table ............................................................................................... 4

5.0 LABORATORY TESTING ................................................................................................ 4

5.1 Grain Size Analysis ................................................................................................ 5

5.2 Atterberg’s Limits .................................................................................................... 5

5.3 Natural Moisture Content (NMC) ............................................................................ 6

5.4 Specific Gravity ....................................................................................................... 6

4.1 Tests on Rock Core Samples ................................................................................. 6

6.0 SUB-SOIL PROFILE ANALYSIS ..................................................................................... 7

7.0 FOUNDATION RECOMMENDATIONS........................................................................... 8

7.1 Safe Bearing Pressure (SBP) on Footings on Rock .............................................. 8

7.2 Estimation of Safe Bearing Pressure by Rock Mass Rating (RMR) ...................... 8

8.0 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................... 11

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Chitradurga Davanagere New Line Project Geotechnical Investigation Report

List of Table

Table 1: Location Details of Boreholes ................................................................................... 2

Table 2: Layer I Details ........................................................................................................... 7

Table 3: Layer II Details .......................................................................................................... 7

Table 4: Layer III Details ......................................................................................................... 7

Table 5: Layer IV Details ......................................................................................................... 8

Table 6: RMR Calculation ....................................................................................................... 9

Table 6.1: Net SBP based on RMR ........................................................................................ 9

Table 6.2: Recommended Safe Bearing Pressure (SBP) Values for foundations supported

on Rock ................................................................................................................................. 10

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Chitradurga Davanagere New Line Project Geotechnical Investigation Report

GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR TUMKUR – CHITRADURGA - DAVANAGERE NEW

LINE RAILWAY PROJECT.
ROB (Ch. 172+328)
Draft Report

1.0 INTRODUCTION

INFRA SUPPORT ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS PVT LTD was entrusted for carrying
out Geotechnical Investigation for Construction of New Broad Gauge Line between
Chainage 192.000 & Chainage 171.640 (20.360 Km) including Electrical & Tele-
communication Works between Tolahunse (Ex.) & Bharmasagar (Ex.) Stations in Tumkur-
Chitradurga Davanagere New Line Project by the Client Ashoka Buildcon Private Limited.
The work involved field study of the soil condition, drilling, sample collection, testing of the
samples in laboratory, examination and interpretation of the data thus collected. This report
presents the results of the investigation along with an assessment of the soil type, its bearing
capacity, its physical behavior etc. and recommendations regarding the proposed
foundation.

As part of scope of consultancy services, geotechnical investigations / sub-surface

exploration has to be carried out for foundation of various structures.

1.1 Content of this report

This report presents the details of 02 boreholes BH-01 & BH-02 identified by the Client.

The report covers the details of boreholes drilled at the project site; activities performed in
field, analysis of the field tests, sub soil profile, borehole logs and Laboratory test results with
analysis and foundation recommendations for the proposed structures.

1.2 Scope of Work

Brief scope of work includes of the following:

 Drilling of boreholes of 150 /76 mm diameter in all types of soil/rock by using Rotary
Drilling rigs

 Performing Standard Penetration Test (SPT) in the boreholes at every 1.5 m intervals till
refusal

 Recording of water table level in the boreholes after completion of boring.

 Collecting Rock core samples from boreholes and record the Rock Quality Designation
(RQD) and Core Recovery (CR).

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 Preparation and Submission of Geotechnical Investigation report summarizing the details

of soil / rock classifications, recommending the type of foundations to be adopted for the
proposed Bridge location.

2.0 LOCATION DETAILS

The completed borehole details are as under:

Table 1: Location Details of Boreholes

Co-ordinates GWT
Layer at the
Depth Reduced below
Sr No Location Termination
(m) Easting Northing Level (m) EGL
depth
(m)
1 BH01 12.0 623998.7962 1587944.3281 731.755 MWR Not Met
2 BH02 12.0 623992.3658 1587921.3658 730.655 MWR Not Met
GWT-Ground Water level, MWR-Moderately weathered Rock

Bore hole location plan Furnished in Appendix A.

3.0 SEISMIC ZONE

Davangere District falls under Zone II of Seismic Zoning Map as per IRC: 6-2017(Section II).
Zone II is classified as the low-damage risk zone. The characteristics of seismic ground
motion expected at any location depend upon the magnitude of earthquake, depth of focus,
distance of epicenter and characteristics of the path through which the seismic wave travels.

Project
location

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4.0 METHODOLOGY OF FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

Field work was executed by deploying rotary drilling rigs. The work was supervised by Site
Engineers. Description of field work procedures follows:

4.1 Boring

Boreholes were sunk by deploying heavy duty rotary drilling rig using the conventional
rotary drilling process. Methodology followed for boring confirmed to IS: 1892. Boring
was processed by the cutting action of rotating bit with bentonite slurry circulation and by
stabilizing the sides of the boreholes using casing pipes/bentonite slurry up to required
depth to prevent side collapse. While this method was adequate to bore through the stiff
soil stratum, progress of boring slowed down considerably near the soil - rock interface,
including weathered rock formations. In such cases, further drilling work was carried out
by using NX size double tube core barrel with TC (Tungsten Carbide) bits. When the
progress of drilling using TC bits slowed down considerably, diamond bit drilling was
adopted. The percentage CR (Core Recovery) and RQD (Rock Quality Designation)
has been recorded for the rock cores extracted and are presented in the bore logs.

The bore logs are furnished in Appendix B.

4.2 Standard Penetration Test

This is a field test to determine penetration resistance of the stratum at the test depth.
This was conducted in the boreholes at 1.5 to 3.0 m intervals generally up to refusal or
up to termination depth (at locations where the refusal stratum was not encountered)
using procedures described in IS: 2131. In this test, driving bit was replaced by split
spoon sampler (50.8 mm OD and 35 mm ID). Sampler of length 60 cm was then driven
by dropping 63.5 kg hammer on top of driving collar with free fall of 75 cm. Sampler was
first driven through 15 cm as seating drive. It was further driven through 30 cm. Number
of blows required to drive the sampler for 30 cm beyond seating drive was termed as
Penetration Resistance, “N”. Where full penetration of 30 cm was impossible (refusal
conditions) blows, and corresponding penetration was recorded.

4.3 Disturbed Samples

Conducting Standard Penetration Test at 1.5 m / 3.0 m intervals, disturbed soil samples
were collected using a split spoon sampler.

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4.4 Undisturbed Samples

Undisturbed soil samples were collected in cohesive soil layers wherever possible and
mentioned in the respective bore logs.

4.5 Rock Coring

Rotary drilling rigs having the capacity to drill up to 40 to 50 m has been used to drill
through the rocky stratum. Tungsten Carbide (TC) / Diamond bits were used to drill
through weathered rock / hard rock stratum. Recovered cores were measured and
percentage CR and RQD has been calculated as under:

Core Recovery, CR = Total length of Core recovered

Total Core Run length
Length of core
% CR  x 100
Length of run

Length of core in pieces of 101.6 mm ( 4 inches and above)

%RQD = x 100
TotalCorerunlength

4.6 Ground Water Table

Ground Water was not encountered in both the boreholes location. Thus, the ground water
conditions established is applicable for the time of investigation only. The ground water
condition is subjected to climatic changes and any changes in the surrounding area.
Reconfirmation of groundwater level is recommended prior to any work relating to the ground
water regime by installing Piezometer.

5.0 LABORATORY TESTING

Tests on relevant soil / rock core samples collected from boreholes will be carried out as per
Bureau of Indian Standards for the parameters mentioned as under:

Disturbed and Undisturbed soil samples recovered from the boreholes at various depths was
tested for their Physical and Engineering properties conforming to IS 2720 (relevant parts) as
under:

 Grain Size Analysis

 Atterberg’s Limit Test
 Natural Moisture Content
 Specific Gravity
Methodology of laboratory tests carried out is as under:

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5.1 Grain Size Analysis

Test procedure generally conforms to IS: 2720 (Part IV).

Sieve analysis was done by wet sieving method. Sieving was done using sieve shaker by
passing through the following IS sieves:4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 1.70mm, 1.40 mm, 1.00mm,
600 425 ,100, and 75

5.2 Atterberg’s Limits

Liquid Limit (LL)

Testing was done as per IS 2720 (Part V) using the more reliable cone penetrometer method
where errors of groove cutting involved in Casagrande’s device are minimized and the
apparatus is adaptable to Silty and non-plastic soils, where liquid limit determination using
the device is difficult. In cone penetrometer tests about 200g of soil passing through 425μ
sieve was taken, mixed with requisite water, placed in cup and compacted lightly in 3 layers.
The tip of penetrometer was adjusted such that it just touches soil surface. The needle was
allowed to plunge slowly under its own weight for 5 seconds and penetration in mm
recorded. The water content was adjusted such that penetration was between 20-30mm. A
portion of the sample was then taken out for water content determination and the water
content determined using the relationship listed below.

LL = W X  0.0125  X W X  15

Where Wx = water content at recorded penetration (%)
LL = Liquid Limit (%)
X = Recorded penetration in mm

Plastic Limit (PL)

About 15 g of oven-dried soil passing through 425 μ sieve was mixed with sufficient quantity
of water to become plastic enough to be easily shaped into a ball. A portion of this ball was
rolled on a glass plate with fingers with just sufficient pressure to roll the mass into a thread
of uniform diameter of 3mm, and then the soil was re-moulded again into a ball. This process
of rolling and remolding was repeated until the thread starts just crumbling at a diameter of
3mm. The water content of such threads represents the plastic limit.

Plasticity Index (PI)

It is difference between liquid limit & plastic limit (i.e.) PI = LL-PL.

w = moisture content (%)

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5.3 Natural Moisture Content (NMC)

Test procedure conforms to IS: 2720 (Part II). A moisture cup is loosely filled with soil
sample and weighed with lid. It is then kept over oven with lid removed and maintained at
temperature of oven at 110°C for 24 hours. The lid of the container is then replaced and the
dry weight found out. The percentage of water content has been calculated using the
formula.

w2  w3
w= X 100
w3  w1
Where, w2 = weight of container with wet soil, in g.

w3 = weight of container with dry soil, in g.

w1 = weight of container with lid, in g.

5.4 Specific Gravity

Test procedure has been followed as per IS: 2720 (Part III / Section 1) for fine-grained soils.

Specific gravity of soil solids is defined as the weight of given volume of soil solids to the
weight of equal volume of distilled water.

Specific gravity is found out using standard specific gravity bottle of 50 ml capacity by
weighing empty bottle (w1), bottle + dry soil (w2), bottle + dry soil + water (w3), bottle +
water (w4).

w2  w1
Specific gravity of soil =
w2  w1   w3  w4 
5.5 Tests on Rock Core Samples

The following tests were performed on selected rock core samples conforming to IS
13030 (relevant parts):

 Water Absorption
 Density of Rock
 Point Load Index Test, conforming to IS 8764
 Unconfined Compressive Strength of Rock, conforming to IS 9143

A summary of physical and engineering properties of rock core samples are included

in Appendix C.

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6.0 SUB-SOIL PROFILE ANALYSIS

Generally, Four (04) layer sub-soil profile was noticed out in the boreholes, described as
under:

Layer I: Sandy silt with Gravel

This layer has been noticed in BH01 & BH02 Boreholes. Soil encountered in this layer
mainly comprises of Sandy silt with Gravel. The thickness of this layer and recorded N-
values in this layer are as under:

Table 2: Layer I Details

Pier Layer Depth (m) In-situ Compactness of

Location SPT ‘N’ Value
From To Soil

BH01 0.0 1.0 - -

BH02 0.0 1.0 - -

Layer II: Highly weathered Rock (HWR)

This layer represents ‘transition layer’ from soil to rock. This layer has been noticed below top
Sandy silt with Gravel in BH01 & BH02 Boreholes. The thickness of this layer and recorded
N-values in this layer are tabulated below:

Table 3: Layer II Details

Layer Depth (m) Grade of Rock

Pier No. Range of Range of RQD (IS: 4464 - 1985)
From To CR (%) (%)

BH01 1.0 11.5 15 - 37 0 - 28 IV

BH02 1.0 10.0 17 – 39 0 - 26 IV

Layer III: Moderately weathered Rock (MWR)

This layer has been noticed below highly weathered rock in BH01 Borehole. The thickness of
this layer and recorded Core Recovery (CR) and RQD are as under:

Table 4: Layer III Details

Layer Depth (m) Grade of Rock

Pier No. Range of Range of RQD Based on
From To CR (%) (%) (IS: 4464 - 1985)

BH01 11.5 12.0 58 20 III

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Layer IV: Slightly weathered Rock (SWR)

This layer has been noticed below highly weathered rock in BH02 Borehole. The thickness of
this layer and recorded Core Recovery (CR) and RQD are as under:

Table 5: Layer IV Details

Layer Depth (m) Grade of Rock

Pier No. Range of Range of RQD Based on
From To CR (%) (%) (IS: 4464 - 1985)

BH02 10.0 12.0 84 68 - 84 II

7.0 FOUNDATION RECOMMENDATIONS

The foundation recommendations provided in this report are for all the borehole locations.
After examining the subsurface condition, SPT results, its relative density, coring, RQD
details and other engineering characteristics, we suggest Open Foundation for Design at
Abutment location.

7.1 Safe Bearing Pressure (SBP) on Footings on Rock

BH 01 & 02 Bore hole location highly weathered rock has been encountered below 1.0mt
depth. Hence, Net Safe Bearing Pressure for foundations embedded in rock is calculated
based on Rock Mass Rating (RMR) method recommended by IS: 13365 (Part 1) and
reference to IS: 12070. Minimum embedment depth of 0.6m is suggested for foundations
supported in hard rock

7.2 Estimation of Safe Bearing Pressure by Rock Mass Rating (RMR)

Rock Mass Rating (RMR) approach is classification of rock mass based on the following six
parameters are used to classify a rock mass using the RMR system:

I. Strength of Intact Rock Material(Mpa)

II. Rock quality Designation (RQD)

III. Spacing of discontinutties

IV. Condition of discontinutties

V. Ground water condition

VI. Adjustment for joint orientation

Data sheet for Geomechanical classification of Rock mass rating are mentioned in
IS 13365(Part 1) Annexure B. RMR Parameters which is sum of I to IV of Annexure B.

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Evaluation of safe bearing pressure for a maximum permissible settlement of 12 mm for

Foundation width up to 06mt.

Net Safe Bearing Pressure based on RMR as per code (IS 12070) are furnished in below
table:

Table 6: RMR Calculation

RMR Rating I II III IV V

Description of
Very good Good Fair Poor Very Poor
Rock
RMR 100-81 80-61 60-41 40-21 20-0

SBP (t/m2) 600-448 440-288 280-151 145-90-58 55-45-40

The methodology adopted for computing RMR is furnished in table below:

Table 6.1: RMR Calculation

Rating Rating for Rating for Rating Adjustme
Rating nt for
for spacing of condition of for GWT
Founding for Joint RMR
Strengt Discontinuiti Discontinuiti conditio
Stratum RQD orientatio
h es es n
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii)
HWR 3 2 5 15 7 -15 17

MWR 3 4 5 20 7 -7 32

SWR 17 12 5 25 7 -7 59
RMR, (i.e.) (vii) = Sum of (i) to (vi)
Net Safe Bearing Pressures for foundations supported in rock (as per IS: 12070) using RMR
is presented in table below.
Table 6.2: Net SBP based on RMR
BH No. Depth(mt) Description RMR rating as Net SBP
of Rock RMR per Table 3 of IS (t/m2)
From TO
Strata code
1.0 11.5 HWR 17 V 52.75
BH 01
11.5 12.0 MWR 32 IV 90.60
1.0 10.0 HWR 17 V 52.75
BH 02
10.0 12.0 SWR 59 III 277.85
Based on the analysis, the recommended net SBP for footings on rock is mentioned in the
table below:

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Table 6.3: Recommended Safe Bearing Pressure (SBP) Values for foundations
supported on Rock

BH No. Founding Depth (m) Founding Stratum Net SBP (t/m2)

1.5 HWR 52.75

3.0 HWR 52.75
BH 01
4.5 HWR 52.75
6.0 HWR 52.75
1.5 HWR 52.75
3.0 HWR 52.75
BH 02
4.5 HWR 52.75
6.0 HWR 52.75
HWR-Highly Weathered Rock,

7.3 Estimation of Safe Bearing Pressure from Rock core strength

The calculations are based on equation recommended by Code IS: 12070.The equation
used to calculate net safe bearing capacity (SBC) from rock strength is as under.

Qs = qcNf

Where

qs =safe bearing pressure ( gross )

qc= average uniaxial compressive strength of rock cores

Nf= empirical coefficient depending on the spacing of discontinuities (Table 4 and Fig. l)

 = thickness of discontinuities in cm,

S = Spacing of discontinuities in cm, and

Bt = footing width in cm.

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Founding Net SBP (t/m2) on

BH No. Founding Stratum
Depth (m) Rock core strength
1.5 HWR Limited to 90
3.0 HWR Limited to 90
BH 01
4.5 HWR Limited to 90
6.0 HWR Limited to 90
1.5 HWR Limited to 90
3.0 HWR Limited to 90
BH 02
4.5 HWR Limited to 90
6.0 HWR Limited to 90

8.0 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

 Two boreholes (BH 1 to BH 02) have been drilled at the locations identified by the Client.

 The Geological formation in the site is observed to be homogenous in nature, and little
variability is expected. Generally four layer homogeneous Geological profiles has been
noticed in the boreholes as explained briefly in Section 6.0

 Based on the sub soil profile Shallow foundations such as Open foundation are
considered as the suitable foundation system for the completed Geotech investigation at
Chainage: 172+328 (ROB) Location.

 The recommended and net safe bearing pressure for the foundations supported on rock
is as under:

Table 10: Recommended Net Safe Bearing Capacity (SBC) for ROB
structures supported on Rock

BH No. Founding Depth (m) Founding Stratum Net SBP (t/m2)

1.5 HWR 52.75

3.0 HWR 52.45
BH 01
4.5 HWR 52.75
6.0 HWR 52.45
1.5 HWR 52.75
BH 02 3.0 HWR 52.75
4.5 HWR 52.75

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BH No. Founding Depth (m) Founding Stratum Net SBP (t/m2)

6.0 HWR 52.75

 Stratum at the founding level shall be thoroughly checked before placing the foundations
on loose soil / weathered rock strata. If any loose soil pockets or cavities, uneven rock
surface are present/noticed, the same shall be replaced with lean concrete before
placing the foundations.

 Ground water table was not encountered all the boreholes at the time of investigation. If
ground water table encountered at the time of Construction proper dewatering
arrangements are necessary to excavate up to the termination depth below the ground
water table.

 Proper Embedment measures shall be ensured below the founding level for the
foundations placed on rock surface.

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