Topic Three 2024-1
Topic Three 2024-1
COURSE
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY I
PRESENTER:
ENG ABDIQANI FAARAH ABDILLE
1.6 SITE INVESTIGATION AND SOIL
EXPLORATION
1.6.1 SITE INVESTIGATION
Site Investigation - The process
of determining the layers of
natural soil deposits that will
underlie a proposed structure
and their physical properties.
The purpose of a soil investigation program:
1. Selection of the type and the depth of foundation
suitable for a given structure.
2. Evaluation of the load-bearing capacity of the
foundation.
3. Estimation of the probable settlement of a
structure.
4. Determination of potential foundation problems
(for example, expansive soil, collapsible soil,
sanitary landfill, and soon).
5. Establishment of ground water table.
6. Prediction of lateral earth pressure for structures
like retaining walls, sheet pile bulkheads, and
braced cuts.
7. Establishment of construction methods for
What?
Attempt at understanding the
subsurface conditions such as:
Soil and rock profile
Geological features of the region
Position and variation of ground water
table.
Physical properties of soil and rock.
Contamination, if any
General data of adjacent structures,
hydrological data, topography, soil
Why?
To determine the type of foundation
required for the proposed project at the
site, i.e. shallow foundation or deep
foundation.
To make recommendations regarding the
safe bearing capacity or pile load capacity.
Ultimately, it is the subsoil that provides
the ultimate support for the structures.
How?
The three important aspects are planning,
a) Planning
To minimize cost of explorations and yet
give reliable data.
Decide on quantity and quality
depending on type, size and importance
of project and whether investigation is
preliminary or detailed.
b) Execution
Collection of disturbed and / or
undisturbed samples of subsurface
strata from field.
Conducting in-situ tests of surface
material and obtaining properties
Geophysical exploration.
Laboratory testing on samples.
C) Report writing
Description of site conditions- topographic
features, hydraulic conditions, existing
structures, etc. supplemented by
plans/drawings.
Description of nature, type and importance of
proposed construction.
Description of field and lap tests carried out.
Analysis and discussion of data collected.
Preparation of charts, tables, graphs, etc.
Calculations performed.
A complete site investigation will
consist of:
a) Preliminary work
Collecting general information and
already existing data such as study
of geologic, seismic maps, etc. at or
near site.
Study site history- if previously used
as quarry, agricultural land,
industrial unit, etc.
b) Site reconnaissance: actual
site inspection.
1.6.2 soil exploration
The purpose of the exploration program is to
determine within practical limits, the
stratification and engineering properties of
the underlying the site.
The principal prosperities to be examined are
•Strength.
•Deformation and
•Hydraulic characteristics
The program should be planned so that the
maximum amount of information can be
obtained at minimum cost.
Steps of subsurface exploration
program
Assemble all information on dimensions,
column spacing, type and use of
structure, basement requirements, and
any special architectural considerations of
the proposed building.
Reconnaissance of the area: This may be
in the form of a field trip to the site which
can reveal information on the type and
behavior of adjacent sites and structures
such as cracks, noticeable sags, and
possibly sticking doors and windows.
Preliminary investigations: Exploratory
borings or shallow test pits, representative
sampling, geophysical investigations, etc.
Detailed investigations: deep boreholes,
extensive sampling, in-situ testing, lab
testing, etc.
Depth and spacing: in general, depth of
investigation should be such that any/all
strata those are likely to experience
settlement of failure due to loading.
Spacing depends upon degree of variation
of surface topography and sub surface
strata in horizontal direction.
1.6.3 Methods of soil
exploration
1) Test pits
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.
Sampling/testing done on
exposed surfaces.
Test bits
2) Auger Borings:
Simplest method of exploration
and sampling.
Power driven or hand operated.
Max depth 10m.
Suitable in all soils above GWT but
only in cohesive soil below GWT.
Hollow stem augers used for
sampling or conducting standard
penetration tests.
Hand operated augers Power driven augers
3) Geophysical methods
Seismic refraction method.
Electrical resistivity method.
4) Rotary drill
Drill bit is bushed by the weight of
drilling equipment and rotated by
motor.
5) Wash Boring
A casing is driven with a drop hummer. A hollow
drill rod with chopping bit is inserted inside the
casing.
Soil is loosened and removed from the borehole
using water or a drilling mud jetted under pressure.
The water is jetted in hole through the bottom of a
wash pipe and leaves the hole along with the loose
soil, from the annual space between the hole and
wash pipe.
The water reaches the ground level where the soil
suspension is allowed to settle and mud is re-
circulated.
THANK YOU