GROUND INVESTIGATIONS

Lecture 1: Introduction & Planning Stage

 Geotechnical Design process

Ground investigation generally is the starting point for medium to large projects
 Profile

Introduction
What is geotechnical
Investigation?

Water

Finding out what lies below the ground

surface
• Stratigraphy/profile
• Ground conditions
• Bedrock
 Objectives of ground investigation
• To determine the stratigraphy of the subsoil/rock
including underground water conditions
• To obtain samples for lab testing to determine
soil/rock properties to enable an economical and
technically sound design to be prepared
• To foresee and provide against difficulties that
may arise during construction owing to ground
conditions
• To asses the general suitability of the site for the
proposed engineering works
• Ground investigation can also be commissioned
to determine the cause of defects on an existing
structure.
Risks of inadequate ground investigations
• Under design leading to failure plus cost of
remediation
• Overdesign with associated high costs
• Cost overruns due to unforeseeable ground
conditions
• Project delays and associated costs
Therefore you pay for a ground investigation whether you
have one or not
Example – consequence of inadequate
ground investigations
The leaning tower of Pisa lesson
Overview of ground investigation stages
Laboratory
testing
Boreholes & trial
pitting

3a

2b

Field testing
Measurement of the
Geophysics Subsurface engineering properties 3b
approach 2a exploration of subsoil

Desk study Site reconnaissance

3
2

Ground Ground
Planning 1 Investigation 4 investigation
report
Stage 1 - Planning
 Introduction
• Geotechnical design of all building and civil works
requires evaluation of soil/rock properties
• Hence the need to develop and execute
– Subsurface investigation
– Laboratory and Field Testing programme
• Imperative that the above be carefully planned
– To ensure smooth data collection process
– To avoid data gaps
Planning Project brief/ Terms of
process Reference

Investigation Scope
• design and constructability requirements
• identify engineering analyses to be
performed (e.g., bearing capacity,
settlement);
• identify engineering properties and
parameters required for these analyses

Gathering of existing information

• Desk study
• Site reconnaissance
Example of project brief
Desk study
• A process of gathering existing information about the site
under consideration while in the office.
• Principal objective is to obtain as much information about:
─ Probable ground conditions
─ Previous use of site
─ Access to the site
• Source of information
─ Geological survey maps
─ Arial survey photographs
─ Local authorities
─ Local contractors
─ Local people
─ Public utility organizations
Source of information

Existing Information Usage Source

Geological maps and - Provides information on - Department of
reports soil/rock types and geological surveys
characteristics, hydrological
issues, environmental
concerns
- Detect the presence of
major geologic structures
such as faults, bedding
planes, and continuous
joints set
- identifies rock types,
fracture and orientation
and groundwater flow
patterns
Geological map
Existing Information Usage Source

Arial photographs - Identify manmade National aerial survey

features on site
- Identify potential borrow
source areas
- Provides geologic and
hydrological information
which can be used as a
basis for site
reconnaissance
-
Arial survey photography
Existing Information Usage Source
Topographic maps - Provides good index Geological surveys
map of site area
- Allow for estimation
of site topography
- Identify physical
features on the site
area
- identifies access
areas/restrictions,
- identifies areas of
potential slope
instability,
- estimation of cut/fill
capacity before
visiting the site
Existing Information Usage Source
Existing ground - Provide information on Local Authorities,
Investigation reports subsoil/rock type, government
strength parameters, departments, and local
hydrological issues, engineering firms
foundations types
previously adopted,
environmental concerns
- A report for a nearby
development provides
geologic, hydrologic, and
geotechnical information
for the area
Site reconnaissance
• Site walkabout
• Objectives
─ to develop a feel for the site
─ To confirm desk study information

• Important information gathered

─ Soil/rock type in any adjoining cutting (e.g. roads, rail, stream
banks)
─ State of adjacent properties (i.e. signs of foundation distress)
─ Problem of confined access
─ Overhead cables
Checklist items for site reconnaissance
 Deliverables of planning stage
1. Preliminary geotechnical/site model
– Representation of the geology (solid and drift)
that underlies the site and includes
• soil and rock stratigraphy,
• anticipated groundwater levels
– show delineation of the site into geotechnical
units
 Zone A

Zone B

Example – site divided into 2 geological units

2. Subsurface exploration programme
– involves decisions on:
• Selection of appropriate investigation techniques
• Sampling methods
• Trial pits/borehole locations,
• Number of samples,
• Number and types of laboratory tests
• Number and types of in-situ tests
Basis for
number of
Trial Pits
(SAIEG,
1997)