Geotechnical Investigation

for Shallow Foundation

► Selection of Foundation.
► Allowable Bearing
Capacity.
► Structure Settlement.
► Lateral Earth Pressure.
► Fluctuation Limits of GWT.
► Possible Foundation
Problems.
► Construction Method.
Introduction
The principal objective of investigation will be the
strength, deformation, and hydraulic characteristics.

► Soil Profile
► Physical Properties
► Variations in GWT
► Strength Properties
 Investigation
Program
Investigation program consists:

► Planning

► Execution

► Report writing
Investigation Phases
A complete investigation is carried out in four
phases:
► Site Reconnaissance
• Collecting general information.
• Study site history.
• To judge general suitability.
• Decide exploration techniques.
Investigation Phases
A complete investigation is carried out in four
phases:
► Preliminary Investigations:
• Depth and spacing
• Exploratory borings
• Geophysical investigations, etc.
► Detailed Investigations:
• Deep boreholes
• Extensive sampling
• In-situ testing
• Lab testing, etc.
► Post Construction
Investigation
 Methods of
ThereInvestigation
are different method for soil Investigation:

► Test pits/Open Excavation

► Probing/ Sounding

► Boring /Drilling
 Methods of
ThereInvestigation
are different method for soil Investigation:
► Test pits/Open Excavation
• Permits visual inspection of
subsurface conditions in
natural state.
• Max. depth limited to 18
-20 feet.
• Especially useful for
gravelly soil where
boreholes may be difficult.
 Methods of
ThereInvestigation
are different method for soil Investigation:
► Probing and Sounding
• A steel rod of about 25 mm
diameter is driven into the
ground for the purpose of
probing and sounding.
• The deriving resistance to
rod and the adhering
particles to the rod when it
is pulled out, tells us type
and properties of soil.
 Methods of
ThereInvestigation
are different method for soil Investigation:
► Boring
• The method of Investigating
the subsurface conditions is
to drill a series of vertical
holes in the ground, this is
known as simply Borings or
Exploratory Borings.
• These are Typically
Diameter 75 to 600mm (3-24
in)
Depth of 2 to 30m (7-
100ft)
 Boring
Techniques
There are 4 different boring techniques:

► Auger Boring
An auger is a drilling
device, or drill bit,
that includes a
rotating blade called
a "flighting“. The
rotation of the blade
causes the material to
move out of the hole
being drilled. 
 Boring
Techniques
There are 4 different boring techniques:

► Auger Boring
An auger is a drilling
device, or drill bit,
that includes a
rotating blade called
a "flighting“. The
rotation of the blade
causes the material to
move out of the hole
being drilled. 
 Boring
Techniques
There are 4 different boring techniques:

► Auger Boring
An auger is a drilling
device, or drill bit,
that includes a
rotating blade called
a "flighting“. The
rotation of the blade
causes the material to
move out of the hole
being drilled. 
 Boring
Techniques
There are 4 different boring techniques:

► Wash boring
This type of boring is
proceeded both
chopping action of a
bit and jetting of
water. Water is
injected through the
hollow drill rod
connected to bit.
 Boring
Techniques
There are 4 different boring techniques:

► Wash boring
This type of boring is
proceeded both
chopping action of a
bit and jetting of
water. Water is
injected through the
hollow drill rod
connected to bit.
 Boring
Techniques
There are 4 different boring techniques:

► Rotary Drilling
In rotary drilling the
drilling is forwarded
with the help of fast
rotation of drilling
bit which cuts, chips
and grinds the
material into small
particles.
 Boring
Techniques
There are 4 different boring techniques:

► Rotary Drilling
In rotary drilling the
drilling is forwarded
with the help of fast
rotation of drilling
bit which cuts, chips
and grinds the
material into small
particles.
 Boring
Techniques
There are 4 different boring techniques:

► Percussion Drilling
Percussion drilling is
a drilling technique
in which a drill bit
attached to rope or
cable is repeatedly
raised and lowered,
impacting soil and
rock and making the
hole deeper.
 Boring
Techniques
There are 4 different boring techniques:

► Percussion Drilling
Percussion drilling is
a drilling technique
in which a drill bit
attached to rope or
cable is repeatedly
raised and lowered,
impacting soil and
rock and making the
hole deeper.
 Groundwater
It shouldMonitoring
be part of our subsurface exploration
program.
• The position of the
groundwater table
and its seasonal
fluctuations are very
important for
foundation design
and excavations.
• The design should be
based on worst
groundwater level
Depth of Boring
For hospitals and office buildings, the following rule
could be use to determine boring depth (By Sower and
sowers).
Depth of Boring
For hospitals and office buildings, the following rule
could be use to determine boring depth (By Sower and
sowers).
Spacing of Boring
Approximate Spacing of Boreholes
Soil Sampling
Disturbed v/s Undisturbed
Undisturbed Sample Disturbed Sample

AAR<10%
R<10% AAR>10%
R>10%

O.D 2  I .D 2
AR  2
100 (%)
soil I .D
area
arearatio
ratio

sampling tube
Soil Sampling
The different type of sampler use for soil
sampling.

► Split Spoon Sampler

► Shelby Tube sampler

► Piston Sampler
 In-Situ
Testing
Following are major field tests for determining the soil
strength.
► Standard Penetration

Test

► Cone Penetration Test

► Vane shear test

► Dilatometer Test

►
 In-Situ
Testing
Following are major field tests for determining the soil
strength.
 In-Situ
Testing
Results of different in-situ tests
 In-Situ
Testing
Results of different in-situ tests
Conclusion

► Description of site conditions.

► Description of field and lab tests.

► Analysis and discussion of data collected.

► Preparation of charts, tables, graphs, etc.

► Foundation problem and proposed solution.