CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATION INTRODUCTION…
CONTENTS:
Purpose to carry out soil investigation:
Introduction
To collect ,analyze data and determine types
Objectives
and characteristics of soil.
Extent Of
Main methods used for soil investigation:
Exploration
Methods of Soil [Link] [Link]
Investigation iii. Penetration [Link] test
v. Laboratory test
Objectives of Soil Investigation:
[Link] identify the nature of soil
[Link] & Depth of “Base Rock”
[Link] level & pressures
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATION Extent Of Exploration…
PREFACE
Extent of exploration on site is differ, based on the nature of soil/land,
structure to be built, size of project, cost, methods provided, skill of
workers e.t.c
For an example:
Small works/exploration : test bore excvtn, proba
JKR/MacKintosh
Medium works/exploration : boring (30m depth), plate bearing test
Large scale works/exploration: (Dam, Generator stesyen)
(May include a combination methods
of
boring, sounding, geophysical e.t.c)
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATION Extent Of Exploration…
Effect Of Ground Conditions On The Selection
Of Methods Of Ground Investigation
EXTENT OF EXPLORATION
Spacing Of Points Of Depth Of Exploration
Exploration
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATION
Extent Of Exploration
Spacing Of Points Of Exploration
Normal distance between points of exploration: 10m-30m: not
less than 3 nos of holes / 200m²-900m² of project’s plan
measured
For small project: not < than 3 nos of holes @ the angle of the
building
For big project: holes will be position in grid @ 300m c/c
For a long/thin project: holes will be position at the centre of
area @ every 50m-200m distance.
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATION
Extent Of Exploration
Depth Of Exploration
In Principle: depth of exploration will be done untill all the strata and
underground water were determined.
At initial stage of investigation; at least one exploration holes/ main
structure.
Depth of exploration:
i.1 ½ - 2 x load area (width) BUT not less than 10m depth ACCEPT if there
was a hard structure exist at the above soil layer which will not give an
impact to the whole structures of the building.
[Link] shallow foundation, the load area are defined as follows:
(refer to the slide…)
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATION
Extent Of Exploration
The depth/length for piling works cannot be define at the
earlier stage (before soil investigation) but usually the depth is
between 10m-30m or at least 1 ½ x of structure’s width
For long/thin project e.g roadworks,pipeline,tunnels and
railway exploration holes is between 1m-3m depth
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATION Factors of selecting methods…
1. Size of contract
2. Type of proposed foundation : deep
3. Type of sample required : disturbed / undisturbed
4. Type of sub soils which may be encountered.
As a general guide the most suitable methods in terms of investigation depth
are:
[Link] up to 3.000d – trial pits
[Link] up to 30.000d – borings
[Link] over 30.000d – deep boring and in-situ examination from
tunnels and/or deep pits.
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3: Methods Of Soil Investigation..
SOIL INVESTIGATION
METHODS
Preliminary Stage Detail Stage
[Link] JKR/MacKintosch [Link] Boring (wash, percussion,
rotary drilling)
[Link] Auger [Link] Sounding
[Link] Pits [Link] Bearing Test
[Link]
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATIONMethods Of Soil Investigation..
PROBA JKR / MACKINTOSCH
To test Soil Barrier Ability (Daya Rintangan Tanah)
through Penetration Test.
Method:
i. lift the hammer to the maximum position @
280mm height and release
ii. Record the total number of blows for every
300mm penetration into the Mackintosch Probe Test
form.
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
Gravel types of soil usually required
more number of blows.
Maximum depths of test are depend
on site condition and types of building
to be built.
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATIONMethods Of Soil Investigation..
HAND AUGER CONCEPT
The hand auger is suitable for unconsolidated formations: sand, silt and soft clay.
Stiff clays, hard materials and gravels are difficult or impossible to drill through and
to remove (unless augering is combined with percussion).
Augers can be used up to a depth of about 15-25 meters, depending on the
geology.
Method & Tools:
(1)The hand auger consists of extendable steel rods, rotated by a handle.
(2)A number of different steel augers (drill bits) can be attached at the bottom end of
the drill rods.
(3)The augers are rotated into the ground until they are filled, and then lifted out of
the borehole to be emptied.
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
Advantages:
(1)Easy to use above the groundwater
table
(2)All tools can be made in local
workshops (with local materials)
Disadvantages of hand auger:
(1)It may be very difficult to remove the
temporary casing. If clay layers are
penetrated, it is very difficult to use a
temporary casing, as it sticks to the clay.
(2)The borehole does not stay open if a
collapsing sand layer is encountered
below a clay layer (through which the
temporary casing could not penetrate).
(3)It takes quite some expertise to drill a
completely straight borehole.
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
Double click for the video
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATIONMethods Of Soil Investigation..
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATIONMethods Of Soil Investigation..
Preliminary Stage
TRIAL PITS
Trial pits are carried out in order to recover large bulk
samples of soil or if detailed visual examination of the
strata is required.
They can be particularly useful where buried structures,
variable conditions or contamination is suspected or
needs further investigation.
Suitable for filled ground investigation
Trial pits are usually carried out when the ground is able
to stand temporarily unsupported.
Method & Machines
[Link] manually excavated :1.2m
ii.A wheel-driven back-hoe excavator :3m.
iii.A track-driven excavator :beyond 4.5m.
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATIONMethods Of Soil Investigation..
Trial pits (or trenches) can be more cost-effective than boreholes but they
cannot reach the same depth. Trial pits can also excavated relatively quickly.
However, they can cause significant surface disturbance and it can be difficult to
properly fill excavations when the pit is no longer needed.
If the sides of the pit are liable to collapse and access is required, then propping
should be carried out to protect the investigator, or the sides should be battered
or stepped by the excavator..
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATIONMethods Of Soil Investigation..
Detail Stage
DEEP BORING
Fully machinery methods.
Used to obtain sample for [Link]: determine the characteristics of soil.
Applicable for exploration until 100m depth (depends on capability of
machine and types of soil forming)
Required more time (2-5days/30m) and manpower to operate the machine
(8-10manpowers).
Consist of 3 methods:
[Link] Boring [Link] Boring [Link] Drilling
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATIONMethods Of Soil Investigation..
[Link] Boring (for all types except rock and boulders)
A combination methods of “drilling bits” and “water pressure”
Main apparatus used for wash boring:
Winch & tripod/ Drilling Bits/ Drilling Rods/ Motor/P ump/ Bucket/ Casing
Methods:
[Link] will be bury into the soil to avoid soil from collapse.
[Link] bits and drill rods will be put into casing hole.
[Link] pressure will be pump into the drill rods.
[Link] layer will cracks and mix with water = (soil water slurry) an will suck up
to the ground by the water pressure ( thru space provided in between the
casing surface).
[Link] Water Slurry (highly disturbed samples) will be put into the bucket.
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATION Methods Of Soil Investigation..
2. Percussion Boring
A blow method of exploration using “chiesel”/”bit” on the boring tool which
hang with “drill rod/cable”
Diesel plant used to lift and release the boring tool.
Boring tool (shells or bailers: for non cohesive soil) OR (clay cutter for
cohesive soil)
Sample (disturbed sample) will be take off using bailer or sand pump.
Exploration hole will be support with casing size 150mm,200mm,250mm and
300mm.
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATION Methods Of Soil Investigation..
3. Rotary Drilling
Drill Bits rotation (under pressure) method.
Liquid use either: water, bentonite slurry or mud slurry.
2 types of rotary drilling:
i. Open Hole Drilling
ii. Core Drilling
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
CHAPTER 3:
SOIL INVESTIGATION Methods Of Soil Investigation..
PLATE BEARING
[Link]
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
[Link]
DBG 254 / AP116 / FSPU UiTM PERAK / RMN
