Site and Ground Investigation

• Why do we need investigation

• Procedures
• Phases
• In situ Techniques
• Borehole logs
• Ground Modelling
 Why SI?
• About the site in general

• About the ground

• Risks

• Design and construction

• Cost
 Procedures
• BS 5930 -1981 / 1999 /
2010 Amendment
– BS EN 1997 Parts 1 and 2
– BS EN ISO 22475
– BS EN ISO 14688 / 9.
 Phases
• Desk Study
• In situ
• Lab
• Reporting
• Verification
• Construction
• Monitoring
 Desk Study
• Scope of Investigation

• Land use

• Develop a ground model

• Aquifers

• Enviro checks
Topography and geomorphology
Geological Map
BGS borehole records
Aquifers and Source Protection Zones
Geological Model

From PG Fookes 1997

 In situ
• Techniques
– Intrusive
– Geophysics

• Sampling

• In situ testing
 Intrusive techniques
• In situ testing • Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
– 63.5 kg drop over 760mm
– Blows for 300mm penetration after
150mm seating
– N Value
• Can be used to assess soil and rock
strength / density
• Pressuremeter
– Direct measurement of soil or rock
strength
– Can be used to make an
assessment of k0
• Permeability testing
– Falling or rising head
– Packer tests in rock
– Pumping tests
 Typical In-situ Tests
• Standard penetration test (SPT)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fml7LWA
809U
• Cone penetration test (CPT)
• Pressuremeter
• Hand Shear vane
• Dynamic Penetration test
 Geophysical Testing techniques
• Electromagnetic Surveys
• Ground Probing Radar
• Electrical Surveys
• Magnetic surveys
• Gravity surveys
• Seismic surveys
• Ground Tomgraphy
Gravity surveys Seismic Surveys

Ground Tomography
Electromagnetic
 Hazards of Site Investigation
• Underground services

• Contamination

• Unexploded ordnance

• Access issues – landowners and other parties

• Geophysical methods are recommended for

finding hazards
Hazards of Site Investigation
 Laboratory Testing
• Methods / Standards
– BS 1377, BS EN 14688, ISRM
• Classification
– Particle size
– Index properties
– Density
• Strength
– Soil- drained / undrained
– Rock – Unconfined compressive strength
– Abrasivity - Cherchar
• Chemical activity of soil / rock and groundwater
– pH
– Sulphate
– Chloride
 Reporting
• Ground Investigation Report
– Factual report
– Interpretative report
– Evaluative report

• Digital data
– AGS format https://www.ags.org.uk/
 AGS format
• A format to enable the common transfer of ground
investigation data
• Established by the AGS in 1991 and now adopted
world-wide in its 4th iteration
• Can be imported into proprietary borehole data base
programs, commonly gINT or Holebase
• Can then produce sections, models and interrogate
the data to establish parameters or other
characteristics
 Verification Phase
• Further investigation to clarify findings in all
phases
• Target specific issues – design or construction
related
• Change techniques
 Borehole logs and interpretation
• Appearance of logs depends on:
• Logging software
– Data base storage
– Borehole interrogation and output
• Holebase, gINT

• Intrusive technique used

Borehole interpretation: Cable Percussive
 Parameters
• Knowledge

• Presumed values

• Descriptions
Blow-N values/Depth plots
Correlation of SPT and Triaxial strength results
Soil descriptions
Rock strength terminology
 Design and construction Phase
• Shaft and tunnel design
– Segmental linings
– Sprayed concrete
– Rock bolting
• Temporary Works
– Opening support
– Dewatering
– Tool interventions
• Excavation
– TBM
– Boom cutters
– Drill and blast
 Monitoring Phase
• Doesn't stop at the report
• Comparison of actual to
predicted conditions
– Ground
– Water
– Strength
– Rock mass
• Determination against
GBR (Geotechnical
Baseline Report)
• Support requirements in
rock tunnels
 Scope and Cost
• How much is enough?
• How much should it cost?
• Who takes the ground risk?
 How many?
Spacing: Buildings 10-30m apart
Roads 30-300m apart
Landslides at least 5m in line for profile
Depth: 1.5 x foundation width, below founding
depth, plus at least one deeper control
hole to 10m below foundation unless
rockhead found. 3-5m below rockhead to
prove sound rock, probes to 3-10m to
locate rock cavities
 How much?

Drilling costs may be estimated as accumulation of:

• Cost to supply rig onto site
• Cost of set-up on each new hole
• Cost per metre of hole drilled
Ground Modelling (GM)
 What is GM?

A lateral and vertical presentation (2D or 3D) of the variation of

the site beneath the surface (the ground) characterised in
engineering terms: geological, geotechnical, hydrogeology etc

It is a fundamental activity for any geotechnical project.

 Model

A model is an approximation of reality created for the purpose of solving

a problem.

Model includes the known and suspected features on, below and
adjacent to an engineering site.

Ground is unpredictable thus any model has to be considered as

“hypothetical”

A model does not tell all!

 What makes up the GM?

The range of possible subsurface conditions of the geological

processes forming the ground beneath underpins the
conceptual ground model.

The info comes from desk study and ground investigation

(including geophysical survey
 Relevance of GM?
Assist in identifying the likely implications of the ground for a
proposed engineering project.

Mitigate any construction cost over runs caused by unforeseen

ground conditions.

For engineering quality control and transparent identification of

project-specifics, critical engineering geological issues and
parameters.
 Types of Ground models

Geological ground model (conceptual)

Geotechnical ground model (observational)

 Conceptual and Observational
approach
Conceptual:
based on understanding the relationships
between engineering geological units, their likely
geometry, and anticipated distribution.

Observational:
based on the observed and measured distribution
of engineering geological units and processes.
 Geological models: Conceptual

Built from consideration of geological

concepts such as age, stratigraphy, rock type,
unconformity and weathering.
Looking at:
• geological maps
• reading relevant geological memoirs
• geometry and anticipated distribution
• general geological knowledge and experience
2D Geological ground model
2D Engineering (observational) model
Built from site investigation boreholes and
laboratory testing.
Can be refined e.g.
BH3 not deep
enough
2D Ground profiling model from selected adjacent
boreholes
Ground profile between two adjacent boreholes
below a structure
 DATA COMPILING:
comparisons and correlations

• For validation
• For confidence
• For rectification
Insitu and Lab parameter comparison
(Blow-N values/Depth plots)
srength results
 Other requirements for ground
investigation reports
1. Soil solids contamination
• Against WAC (Waste Acceptance Criteria)
• Against redevelopment (landscaping, play grounds etc); Top soil specifications

2. Ground water contamination from toxic metals

3. RADON: natural radioactive, colourless, odourless, tasteless noble gas.

4. CLEA model: (Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment and LCRM – Land Contamination
Risk Management)

5. Asbestos survey and MMP (material management plan)

6. Japanese Knotweed management

7. Coal mines
Metals
Gases
 Tutorial exercise

Based on the three boreholes WS01, WS02 and

WS04A and WS05 sketch the ground model
showing the stratification of the ground type to
conceivable depths including all other details.

Borehole logs are on Aula