Soil Exploration

Group 1
• Aljane Sim • Precious Antonette Catchillar
• Angeline Valeroso • Janel Rica Fruelda
• Aubrey Jane Bandiola • Rafael Serrano
• Ria Mae Quiton • John Meylord Ibon
 Outline
Soil Exploration Method Test trenches and pits

Importance of Soil of Soil Exploration

Importance Auger Boring
Exploration

Boring Boring Wash Boring

 Outline
Rotary Drilling Disturbed and undisturbed
soil samples

Percussion drilling and

Geophysical methods In- situ tests
What is Soil Exploration?
What is Soil Exploration?
- involves determining the profile of natural soil deposits, collecting soil
samples, and assessing the engineering properties of soils through laboratory
tests and in-situ methods.
- It enables engineers to create soil profiles that show the order of soil layers
as well as the soil properties associated with them.
Soil exploration
methods
Soil exploration methods

Direct methods of Test pits, trial pits, or

soil exploration. trenches
 Soil exploration methods

Direct methods of Different boring such as;

• auger boring
soil exploration. Semi-direct methods of • auger and shell boring
• wash boring,
soil exploration
• percussion drilling
Test pits, trial pits, or • rotary drilling.
trenches
 Soil exploration methods
Direct methods of Semi-direct methods of Soil exploration –
soil exploration. soil exploration indirect method

Different boring such as; Soundings or penetration

Test pits, trial pits, or • auger boring
trenches tests and geophysical
• auger and shell boring
methods
• wash boring,
• percussion drilling
• rotary drilling.
 Direct methods of soil exploration.

Test or trial pits

are holes drilled to assist the geotechnical
engineer in assessing the suitability of the
ground for the foundation of the proposed
construction.
 Soil exploration methods
Direct methods of Semi-direct methods of Soil exploration –
soil exploration. soil exploration indirect method

Different boring such as; Soundings or penetration

Test pits, trial pits, or • auger boring
trenches tests and geophysical
• auger and shell boring
methods
• wash boring,
• percussion drilling
• rotary drilling.
 Semi-direct methods of soil exploration.

Auger Boring Auger and Wash Boring Percussion

Drilling Rotary Drilling
Shell Boring
Semi-direct methods of soil exploration.

Auger Boring

is useful for developing a borehole

inside the ground.
 Semi-direct methods of soil exploration.

Auger Boring Auger and Wash Boring Percussion

Drilling Rotary Drilling
Shell Boring
Semi-direct methods of soil exploration.

Auger and Shell Boring

A pipe referred to as a "Shell" or "Casing" is

used to prevent the soil from sliding because
the hole's sidewalls cannot be left unsupported.
 Semi-direct methods of soil exploration.

Auger Boring Auger and Wash Boring Percussion

Drilling Rotary Drilling
Shell Boring
Semi-direct methods of soil exploration.

Wash Boring

The hole is bored to a shallow depth before the

casing pipe is driven down into the soil to prevent
the bore hole's walls from collapsing.
 Semi-direct methods of soil exploration.

Auger Boring Auger and Wash Boring Percussion

Drilling Rotary Drilling
Shell Boring
Semi-direct methods of soil exploration.

Percussion Drilling

the soil is reduced by repeatedly striking it with a

hefty drilling bit.
 Semi-direct methods of soil exploration.

Auger Boring Auger and Wash Boring Percussion

Drilling Rotary Drilling
Shell Boring
Semi-direct methods of soil exploration.

Rotary Drilling

is useful in the case of highly resistant strata.

This method is suitable for boring holes of
diameter 10cm, or more preferably 15 to 20 cm in
most of the rocks.
 Soil exploration methods
Direct methods of Semi-direct methods of Soil exploration –
soil exploration. soil exploration indirect method

Different boring such as; Soundings or penetration

Test pits, trial pits, or • auger boring
trenches tests and geophysical
• auger and shell boring
methods
• wash boring,
• percussion drilling
• rotary drilling.
 Soil exploration – indirect method

Soundings or Penetration Geophysical Methods

Tests
Soil exploration – indirect method

Soundings or Penetration
Tests
is a field procedure that involves
pressing, drilling, or screwing a suitably
calibrated tip into the ground and using
correlations to estimate the whole
spectrum of soil properties.
 Soil exploration – indirect method

Soundings or Penetration Geophysical Methods

Tests
Soil exploration – indirect method

Geophysical Methods

used to determine the

general limits of vastly
diverse soil strata.
Importance of Soil
exploration
 Importance of Soil exploration
• Selection of the type and depth of foundation suitable for a given structure.
• Evaluation of the load-bearing capacity of the foundation.
• Estimation of the probable settlement of a structure.
• Determination of potential foundation problems (for example, expansive soil,
collapsible soil, sanitary landfill, and so on).
• Establishment of ground water table.
• Prediction of lateral earth pressure for structures like retaining walls, sheet pile
bulkheads, and braced cuts,
• Establishment of construction methods for changing subsoil conditions
Boring
Boring

is the process of making or drilling holes in the earth in

order to gather soil or rock samples at various depths.
Depth of Boring
The minimum Depth of Boring (according to ASCE, 1972) for a building
project with a breadth of 30.5 m (100 ft) will be as under.

SL No Construction Details Minimum Depth of Boring

(Meter)
1 Single storey 3.50
2 Two storeys 6.00
3 Three storeys 10.0
4 Four storeys 16.0
5 Five storeys 24.0
Depth of Borings (according to 1IS 1892-1979) for different types of
foundations will be as under.

- For isolated spread footing or raft foundation, the boring depth should be
one and a half times the width(B) of the foundation.
- Boring depth adjacent footings with precise spacing less than twice the
width should be one and a half times the length (L) of footing.
Depth of Borings (according to 1IS 1892-1979) for different types of
foundations will be as under.

- For pile foundation and well foundation to a depth of one and half times the width of
structure from the founding level (toe of pile or bottom of bearing well).
- In the case of a road cut, the boring depth should be equal to the base width of the cut.
- For road filling, it will be two meters below ground level or equal to the height of the
fill.
Depth of Borings (according to NSCP 2015) for foundation
investigation will be as under.

• For structures three storeys or higher, it is recommended that an exhaustive

geotechnical study be performed to evaluate in-situ soil parameters for foundation
design and analysis. It is recommended that a minimum of one borehole per two
hundred (200) square meters of the structure’s footprint be drilled to a depth of at
least five meters into hard strata or until a suitable bearing layer is reached unless
otherwise specified by the consulting geotechnical engineer.
Depth of Borings (according to NSCP 2015) for foundation
investigation will be as under.

• The total number of boreholes per structure should be no less than two (2) for
structures whose footprints are less than three hundred (300) sq.m and no less than
three (3) for those structures with larger footprints.
• For buildings with basements, it is recommended that the depth of boring should
extend to twice the least dimension of the structure’s footprint (2B).
Test Trenches or
Trial Pits
Test Trenches or Trial Pits

The test trenches or trial pits are simple or open devices used for the
purpose of soil exploration. Test trenches or trial pits are holes
drilled to assist the geotechnical engineer in assessing the suitability
of the ground for the foundation of the proposed construction.
Test Trenches or Trial Pits

Trenching is similar to test pits except that in this case, the pit is
elongated over some distance in order to establish how the
subsurface conditions change over various parts of the worksite. This
method allows for identification of different sedimentary changes
over a longer distance. Trenches are generally between 25 m and 50
m in length, and up to 1.8 m wide.
 Test Trenches or Trial Pits

Trial pits are holes dug prior to construction to help ensure the
ground conditions are suitable for building projects. Trial pits are
typically used for shallow depth investigations (ranging from 3 to 15
feet). Pits can be excavated manually with crowbars by local labor or
small mechanical excavators can also be used, which makes the
exploration faster and economical.
Advantages
Advantages
i. The method is simple and fast.
ii. The methods are one of the most cost-effective approach of soil
exploration to shallow depths.
iii. Undisturbed samples can be collected with minimum disturbance.
Auger Boring
Auger Boring
A soil auger is a device that aids in the advancement of a borehole
into the ground. They are utilised above the water table in cohesive
and other soft soils. There are two kinds of soil augers for the
purpose of an auger boring method of soil exploration: hand-operated
soil auger and power-driven soil augers.
Auger Boring
In auger boring, vertical holes are advanced by
rotating the cross arm of the auger and pushing the
auger into the ground. When the auger is filled
with the soil, it is withdrawn. The soil is removed
from the auger and examined.
Disadvantages
Disadvantages
i. The main disadvantage with auger boring is that the samples are
highly disturbed and mixed.
ii. Work may be held up and auger boring is not suitable if large
cobbles, boulders, or other obstructions are present at any depth.
iii. It is generally difficult, if not impossible, to locate the exact
changes in the soil strata
Wash Boring
Wash Boring
 Wash Boring
is a method for advancing boreholes for site exploration and geotechnical
investigation in most types of soil except gravels and boulders. In this technique,
portable, cheap, and limited equipment is used which is an advantage of wash boring.
Similar to rotary drilling, thin-walled tube samplers and piston samplers are used to
recover undisturbed soil samples with minimum 50 mm diameter and maximum 100
mm diameter.
Rotary Drilling
What isRotary drilling?

• Rotary drilling is mostly used to drill big holes in large quarries, open pit
mines, petroleum extraction, and other fields. (Zong-Xian Zhang, 2016)
• primarily used for rocks
• can also be used for clays and sands
History of Rotary
Drilling
History of Rotary Drilling

Rotary drilling has been used for centuries, with evidence of early
drilling techniques found in China and Europe. However, it wasn't until the
19th century that the modern rotary drilling method was developed and
widely adopted.

References: Zong-Xian Zhang. Rock Fracture and Blasting (2016)

Types of Rotary Drilling
 Types of Rotary Drilling
• Rotary drilling is a widely used method in geotechnical engineering. There are
several types of rotary drilling techniques such as follows:
Types of Rotary Drilling
Types of Rotary Drilling

• Auger Drilling

Auger drilling is a common rotary drilling technique that

uses a helical screw blade to remove soil and rock from the
borehole. It is suitable for drilling in soft to moderately
Stiff soils and can be used for environmental and geotechnical
investigations.
Types of Rotary Drilling
How does Rotary Drilling
Work?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
How does Rotary Drilling Work?
There is a drill bit at the end of the drill pipe that bores
through the rock formation.
 When is it best to use
Rotary Drilling Services?
 FAQs:
When is it best to use Rotary Drilling Services?
Rotary drilling services can be used on a broad range of
geological formations.
E.G
• deep borehole: rotary drilling that utilizes air is the preferred
option.
• mining and quarry settings as it allows for drilling a hole to
depths of thousands of meters
Rotary drilling vs
Motor drilling:
 Rotary drilling vs Motor drilling:

Rotary drilling and motor drilling are both methods used to drill holes into the ground.
Rotary drilling uses a rotary motion to drill into the ground.

Motor drilling, on the other hand, uses a motor to drive the drill bit directly. This method is
commonly used for drilling smaller holes.
 Drilling Safety and
Environmental Concerns
 Drilling safety and environmental concerns
Safety Considerations
Rotary drilling can be a hazardous activity, and it is important to take precautions to ensure the
safety of workers and the public. Some safety considerations include:
• Proper training and certification for operators and workers
• Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves
• Proper handling and storage of drilling fluids and additives
Environmental Concerns
Rotary drilling can have a significant impact on the environment, and it is important to take steps
to minimize this impact. Some environmental concerns include:
• Contamination of groundwater and soil
• Disruption of wildlife habitats
• Air pollution from drilling equipment and vehicles

To minimize these impacts, it is important to:

• Use drilling fluids and additives that are non-toxic and environmentally friendly
• Implement proper waste management and disposal practices
• Adhere to local and national regulations and guidelines
Pros Cons
 Pros Cons
1 Speed; 1. The applied thrusts required are considerably higher, necessitating power-
2 Reliable; feeds and rig-mounted machines.
3 Flexibility;
4 Low environmental pollution; 2. The continuous rotation of the bit in contact with the rock results in rapid
5 Generate smaller vibrations and operate with less noise; wear and consequent rapid fall in drilling rate. Of these, the second
6 Penetrates very dense soil and rock strata; disadvantage was the more serious until the introduction of rotary bits tipped
7 Increased Flexibility; and with a highly wear resistant alloy metal, tungsten carbide.
8 Higher Automation.

Compared with conventional drilling rigs, a rotary drilling rig has high torque and can automatically adjust itself according to strata. The drilling
speed is fast — reaching 10 mph in soil and sand, and 4–6mph in clay soil (3–5 times faster than that of ordinary drilling rigs).
Future Developments and
Innovations
 Future Developments and Innovations

• Advancements in drilling equipment and technology to improve efficiency and accuracy.

• Innovations in drilling fluids and additives to reduce environmental impact and improve performance.
• Increased use of automation and robotics to improve safety and reduce human error.
• Integration of data analytics and machine learning to optimize drilling performance and inform decision-
making.
Percussion drilling and
Geophysical Methods
Percussion Geophysical
Drilling Methods
 Percussion Drilling
• A type of semi-direct method of soil exploration where the soil is reduced by
repeatedly striking it with a hefty drilling bit.
• This method of soil exploration cannot be used in unconfined sand and is slow
in plastic clay.
• This method is applied for research in soil pollution, grain size distribution,
general soil classification, and profile description.
Percussion Geophysical
Drilling Methods
 Geophysical Methods

• Measure physical properties of materials that can be used to infer

information about the surface and subsurface of the earth.
• Can interpret geologic characteristics such as porosity, permeability,
water content, and mineralogy.
 Methods

SEISMIC REFRACTION ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY

METHOD OF SOIL METHOD OF SOIL

EXPLORATION EXPLORATION
Seismic Refraction Method

Seismic sound waves that result from an

impact or shock at a place on or within
the ground propagate through the
surrounding soil at speeds according to its
elastic characteristics.
 Seismic Refraction Method
EXAMPLE:
• 2D-3D high-resolution reflection and refraction seismic (P and S waves)
• Refraction seismic (CMP, GRM), refraction tomography
• Surface wave seismic (Spectral Analysis of
• Surface Waves (SASW), and Multichannel Channel Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves
(MASW))
• Seismic topography in boreholes
• Hydroacoustics (marine seismic)
• Vertical seismic profiling (VSP)
• Tunnel seismic (TRUST)
 Methods

SEISMIC REFRACTION ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY

METHOD OF SOIL METHOD OF SOIL

EXPLORATION EXPLORATION
Electrical Resistivity Method

Electrodes are used to assess the resistivity of the soil

sample to induce electrical currents into the ground
surface.
 Examples
• Capacitive coupled geoelectrics (CCR)
• Gravimetry,
• Self-potential measurements (SP)
• Magnetics
• Frequency Domain Electromagnetics
• Electrical and electromagnetic processes:
(FEM)
direct current geoelectrics, soundings
• Time Domain Sounding (TDEM)
• Geoelectrical tomography (Electrical
• Magnetotellurics (MT)
Resistivity Tomography)
• Georadar/Ground Penetrating Radar
• Complex geoelectrics
(GPR)
• Induced Polarization (IP)
Minimum number of boring
for building
 Minimum number of boring for building

Area (m2) Numbers of boreholes (minimum)

< 100 2
250 3
500 4
1000 5
2000 6
5000 7
6000 8
8000 9
10000 10
Guideline for the Minimum number and depth of Borings
for Common Geostructures

SHALLOW FOUNDATION FOR BUILDINGS PILE FOUNDAT

Minimum number of Borehole Minimum number of bor
• 1 boring, varying from 15mx15m to 40mx40m • 1 boring, varying from
Minimum depth of boring Minimum depth of borin
• 5m, 1B to 3B • 25m to 30m;
 Guideline for the Minimum number and depth of Borings
for Common Geostructures

R BUILDINGS PILE FOUNDATION FOR BUILDINGS Minimum number

Minimum number of boreholes • Abutments = 2

o 40mx40m • 1 boring, varying from 15mx15m to 40mx40m • Piers = 2

Minimum depth of boring Minimum depth of

• 25m to 30m; • 25m to 30m
 Guideline for the Minimum number and depth of Borings
for Common Geostructures

R
BRIDGE
Minimum number of boreh
DINGS Minimum number of boreholes • Length < 30m : 1
• Abutments = 2 • Length > 30m: 1 every 3

• Piers = 2 Minimum depth of boring

mx40m
• 1 to 2 times the height o
Minimum depth of boring
• 25m to 30m
Guideline for the Minimum number and depth of Borings
for Common Geostructures

RETAINING WALLS
Minimum number of boreholes
Minimum numbe
• Length < 30m : 1
• Length > 30m: 1 every 30m, or 1 to 2 times the height of the wall
• Along length o
Minimum depth of boring Minimum depth
• 1 to 2 times the height of the wall • 6m below the
 Guideline for the Minimum number and depth of Borings
for Common Geostructures

CUT SLOPES EMBANK

Minimum number of boreholes Minimum num

eight of the wall

• Along length of the slope: 1 every 60m • 1 every 60m
Minimum depth of boring Minimum dep
• 6m below the bottom of the cut slope • The greater
 Guideline for the Minimum number and depth of Borings
for Common Geostructures

EMBANKMENTS INCLUDING HIGHWAYS

Minimum number of boreholes
60m • 1 every 60m
Minimum depth of boring
pe • The greater of 2 x times height or 6m.
Borehole Log
Data Sheet
What is Borehole
Logging?
What is Borehole Logging?
Is a record, made by the driller or geologist, of the rocks found and
penetrated in the borehole. As the drill cuts through rock at an identified
depth, the type of rock in the cuttings that come up to the top of the well
is removed and described.
What is the purpose?
What is the purpose?
To provide a comprehensive and organized record of the subsurface
conditions, which can be used for various applications such as
groundwater monitoring, geotechnical engineering, mineral exploration,
and environmental assessments.
What is a borehole log
used for?
What is a borehole log used for?

Is used to provide key pieces of information such as the type of soil-

cohesive (clays) or non-cohesive (sands and gravels), water table, and
consistency of the soil.
When is a borehole log
used?
 When is a borehole log used?

- Is used when crucial data about soil cohesiveness, water table and soil
consistency is needed.
Who uses borehole logs and
why?
Who uses borehole logs and why?
- Are used by geologists, geoscientists, geotechnical engineers or other drilling
experts. These experts use the bore logs while drilling to determine a well's
suitability and to record any events, such as any problems that occur, along with
what kind of formations are being drilled through. Scientists also use bore logs to
conduct geothermal, geotechnical, and ecological studies (Raymond, 2018).
Essential Information in a Borehole Log Template

- Historical Site Record

- Soil Condition and Properties
- Depth to Bedrock
- Plasticity
- Blow Count
BOREHOLE DATA LOG SHEET
Types Of Soil Sample
 Types Of Soil Sample

Basically, in civil engineering, there are two main types of soil sample that is
collected for the study of the properties of soils:
1. Disturbed Soil Samples
2. Undisturbed Soil Samples
Disturbed soil samples
 Disturbed soil samples
Disturbed soil samples do not retain the in-situ properties of the
soil during the collection process. Engineers do not consider
these samples to be representative of underground soils except
for geotechnical testing that do not rely on the structure of the
soil itself. Scientists commonly test disturbed soil samples for
soil type and texture, moisture content, and nutrient and
contaminant analysis, among other evaluations.
Disturbed soil samples

One in which the soil structure has been severely or entirely

disrupted, and the moisture content may differ from the in-situ
value. The in-situ particle size distribution of soil is preserved.
These samples are necessary for identification and classification
tests.
 How to Collect Disturbed Soil Samples

There are a variety of ways to conduct geotechnical testing for collecting disturbed soil samples.
Basic geotechnical investigations include using a backhoe to create a test pit where you collect soil
from the bucket or using hand augers to collect a sample from a vertical boring. You can use drill
rigs to collect disturbed samples from great depths. Collection tools such as split-spoon samplers,
Shelby tubes and macrocore push samplers are used in conjunction with the drill rig or a direct-push
rig to collect the sample after the rig reaches the desired depth.
Undisturbed soil samples
Undisturbed soil samples

Undisturbed soil samples retain the structural integrity of

the soil and have a high recovery rate within the sampler.
Collecting a perfectly undisturbed sample is difficult and
the samplers may contain a small portion of undisturbed
soil at the top and bottom of the sample length.
 How to Collect Undisturbed Soil Samples

Engineers use drill rigs to collect undisturbed soil samples at depth. Common sampling tools include
long split-spoon samplers, piston samplers and a pitcher barrel sampler. Piston samplers are thin-
walled tube samplers that collect undisturbed samples in soft soil. The piston samples do not work
well in gravel, sand or lithified sediments. Like the piston sampler, a pitcher barrel sampler is pushed
into the soil to collect the undisturbed sample. These methods produce the best undisturbed samples
possible; however, engineers must remember to inspect the sample for signs that the soil was
disturbed during collection, especially near the top and bottom of the sample. Engineers will disregard
the disturbed portions of the sample during testing.
 Design Factors Affecting Sample Disturbance

1. Area Ratio - For obtaining a good

quality undisturbed soil sample, the area ratio
should be 10% or less.
2. Inside Clearance - For an undisturbed
sample the inside clearance should be
between 0.5 to 3%.
3. Outside Clearance - For an
undisturbed soil sample the outside clearance
should be lies between 0 and 2%.
Design Factors Affecting Sample Disturbance
4. Inside Wall Friction - The inside surface of the
sampler should be smooth, so the disturbance due to
friction is less.
5. Design Of Non-Return Valve - The non-return
valve should be of proper design so it allows water, air,
and slurry to escape quickly when the different types
of the sampler are driven.
6. Method Of Applying Force - Soil sample how
much going to disturb mainly depends on In which
manner we apply the forces.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISTURBED AND UNDISTURBED SOIL
DISTURBED SOIL SAMPLES UNDISTURBED SOIL SAMPLES
SAMPLES
In essence, the soil samples that have had When soil is being sampled, the soil samples
their natural structure disturbed during that maintain its natural structure and water
the soil sampling procedure are known as content are referred to as undisturbed soil
disturbed soil samples. samples.

For tests like determining specific gravity, For tests such as permeability and
particle size, plasticity, etc., a sample of compressibility assessment, an undisturbed
disturbed soil is needed. soil sample is needed.
It can be acquired by rotary boring, wash Thin-walled samplers are used to obtain it.
boring, auger boring, and so on.
In- situ Tests
 In- situ Tests
• In situ tests are tests conducted on or in the soil at the site. The most commonly
used in situ tests are the standard penetration test (SPT), the field vane tests, the
cone penetration test (CPT), the pressuremeter test, and the dilatometer test (DMT).
The vane shear test (VST) is used in saturated fine-grained soils to obtain the
undrained shear strength. The borehole shear test (BST) consists of drilling a
borehole, removing the drilling tool, and inserting the borehole shear tester down to
the testing depth
 In- situ Tests
• An undisturbed sample is one that keeps the true in-situ structure and moisture
content of the soil as closely as possible. Undisturbed soil samples are required for
the permeability, consolidation and shear strength tests.
Advantages
 Advantages
• Tests are carried out in place in the natural environment without sampling disturbance , which can cause
detrimental effects and modifications to stresses, strains, drainage, fabric and particle arrangement
• Continuous profiles of stratigraphy and engineering properties/characteristics can be obtained.
• Detection of planes of weakness and defects are more likely and practical
• Methods are usually fast, repeatable, produce large amounts of information and are cost effective
• Tests can be carried out in soils that are either impossible or difficult to sample without the use of expensive
specialized methods
• A large volume of soil may be tested than is normally practicable for laboratory testing. This may be more
representative of the soil mass.
Disadvantages
 Disadvantages
• Samples are not obtained; the soil tested cannot be positively identified. The exception to this is the SPT in
which a sample, although disturbed, is obtained.
• The fundamental behavior of soils during testing is not well understood.
• Drainage conditions during testing are not known Consistent, rational interpretation is often difficult and
uncertain
• The stress path imposed during testing may bear no resemblance to the stress path induced by full-scale
engineering structure
• Most push-in devices are not suitable for a wide range of ground conditions
• Some disturbance is imparted to the ground by the insertion or installation of the instrument
• There is usually no direct measurement of engineering properties. Empirical correlations usually have to be
applied to interpret and obtain engineering properties and designs
Thank You