Soil Exploration

Geotechnical Engineering- I
4th Sem Civil GHRCE Nagpur

[Link] (Assistant Professor) GHRCE Nagpur

Topics Covered

Introduction Methods of investigation Methods of boring Soil samplers and sampling Location and number of pits and borings Penetrometer tests Borehole logs Geophysical methods

Introduction

Soil exploration is a part of site investigation. Site investigation, in general deals with determining in general, the suitability of the site for the proposed construction.

Site Investigation

Introduction (Contd)
WHAT? Attempt at understanding the subsurface conditions such as:

Soil and rock profile Gelogical 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 maps, seismicity, etc.

Introduction (Contd)
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.

Failures

Leaning Tower of Pisa and Sinkholes

Introduction (Contd)
HOW? The three important aspect are planning, execution and report writing. 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.

(Contd)

Execution:

Collection

of

disturbed

and/or

undisturbed samples of subsurface

strata from field.

Conducting in-situ tests of subsurface material and obtaining properties

directly or indirectly.

Study of ground water conditions and collection of sample for analysis. chemical

Geophysical exploration, if necessary. Laboratory testing on samples

Report writing:

(Contd)

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 lab tests carried out. Analysis and discussion of data collected Preparation of charts, tables, graphs, etc. Calculations performed Recommendations

A complete site investigation will consist of (Stages):

Site Reconnaissance: Actual site inspection. To judge general suitability Decide exploration techniques Preliminary work Collecting general information and already existing data such as study of geologic , seismic maps ,thickness, depth extent and composition of each soil startum etc. at or near site. Study site history if previously used as quarry, agricultural land, industrial unit, etc.

Detailed Exploration

(Contd)

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 that are likely to

experience settlement or failure due to loading. Spacing

Methods of Investigation

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.

Stratigraphy and Finds

Layer
L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7

Soil
Sandy soil Sandy soil Sandy soil Sandy soil Loamy soil Loamy soil Loamy soil, with some decomposed bed rock texture

Soil Colour
Gray 7.5YR 5/1 Pinkish white 7.5YR 8/2 Reddish yellow 7.5YR 7/6 Gray 7.5YR 6/1 Reddish yellow 5YR 6/6 Reddish yellow 5YR 6/8 Light red 2.5YR 6/8

Finds
Modern Rubbish (filled soil) Modern rubbish (filled soil) Modern rubbish (filled soil) Modern rubbish (filled soil) Nil (original decomposed soil) Nil (original decomposed soil) Nil (original decomposed soil)

Chronology
1980s 1980s 1980s 1980s

Test Pit Wall Photograph Western Wall Section

Test Pit Wall Drawing Western Wall Section Drawing

Methods of Boring

Auger Borings:

Simplest method of exploration and sampling. Power driven or hand operated. Max. depth 10 m 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

Methods of Boring

Wash Boring:

A casing is driven with a drop hammer. 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 the 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 in suspension is allowed to settle and mud is recirculated.

Methods of Boring
Another example of wash boring is called mud rotary drilling (soil) or core drilling (rock). Mud rotary

Hollow drill rods with a drill bit is rotated into the soil. Drilling mud is continuously pumped into the hole. The bit grinds the soil and the return flow brings the cuttings to the surface. Used for obtaining rock cores. A core barrel is fitted with a drill bit is attached to hollow drill rods. Examples: diamond coring, calyx or shot core drilling

Core drilling

Schematic for wash boring

Diamond Drill Bit

Tricone drill bit

Methods of Investigation

Percussion drilling

Grinding the soil by repeated lifting and dropping of heavy chisels or drilling bits. Water is added to form slurry of cuttings. Slurry removed by bailers or pumps.

In general, a machine used to drill holes is called a drill rig (generally power driven, but may be hand driven). A winch is provided to raise and lower the drilling tools into the hole.

Methods of Investigation

Probing or sounding methods:

Drive a pipe or rod into the soil. Measure the resistance offered by the soil. Ex. CPT, SPT
Seismic refraction method Electrical resistivity method.

Geophysical methods: