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Chapter 5 (Subsurface Exploration)
Chapter 5 (Subsurface Exploration)
SOIL ENGINEERING
Chapter 5:
Subsurface Exploration
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
Discuss the propose site investigation (scope and
objective of site investigation). (CO1,PO1)
Categorize site investigation methods (boring and soil
sampling). (CO1,PO1)
Describe the principle of geophysical exploration.
(CO1,PO1)
Execute and interpret site investigation data for in-situ
testing (JKR Probe and vane shear test). (CO1,PO1)
Proposed suitable construction from acquired data.
(CO1,PO1)
Introduction
DEFINITION OF SITE INVESTIGATION (S.I):
The field and laboratory investigation required to obtain
important information such as soil physical characteristic and
strength required in design of geotechnical structures.
Objectives of S.I
1. To assess general suitability of the site and environment for the
proposed works including implications of previous use or
contamination
2. To enable an adequate and economic design to be prepared
including the design of temporary works
3. To plan the best method of construction; to foresee and provide
against difficulties and delays that may arise during construction
due to ground and other local conditions
4. To determine the changes that may arise in the ground and
environmental conditions, and the effect of such changes on the
works and adjacent works.
5. To advise on the relative suitability of different site or different
parts of the same site if alternatives exist.
Stages of S.I
DESK STUDY
SITE RECCONAISSANCE
GROUND
EXPLORATION
LABORATORY
TESTING
DESIGN
REVIEW DURING
CONSTRUCTION &
MONITORING
PLANNING
PROGRAM AND
SCOPE OF SI
PREPARATION OF SI
REPORT
SUBSURFACE
EXPLORATION
METHOD
1. TRIAL PITS
4. WASH BORING
6. CORE DRILLING
Typical
Borelog
Report/Result
Soil Samplers
3. PISTON SAMPLER
MEASUREMENT OF
SHEAR STRENGTH
MEASUREMENT
OF
COMPRESSIBILITY
Borehole
permeability
test
Shear vane
test
Flat
dilatometer
test
Hydraulic
fracturing
test
Piezometer
permeability
test
Standard
Penetration
test (SPT)
Cone
Penetration
Test
Total
pressure cell
Large scale
pumping test
Pressure
meter test
Plate loading
test
Infiltration
test
Cone
Penetration
Test
Piezometer
Self-boring
permeameter
Screw plate
test
65 kg hammer
760 mm drop
anvil
drill rod
SPT CORRELATION
Table: Correlation between SPT, JKR/Mackintosh Probe and Unconfined Compressive Strength for fine
soil
SPT N (Blow/FT)
CONSISTENCY
UNCONFINED
COMPRESSIVE
STRENGTH
(Ton/sqft)
JKR OR
MACKINTOSH
PROBE
Very soft
0-0.25
0-10
2-4
Soft
0.25-0.50
10-20
4-8
Medium (firm)
0.50-1.00
20-40
8-15
Stiff
1.00-2.00
40-70
15-30
Very stiff
2.00-4.00
70-100
Over 30
Hard
4.00
100
Table: Correlation between SPT, JKR/Mackintosh Probe and allowable Soil Pressure for granular
soil
SPT N
(Blow/FT)
CONSISTENCY
ALLOWABLE
SOIL
PRESSURE
(Ton/sqft)
INTERNAL
FRICTION
ANGLE ()
JKR OR
MACKINTOSH
PROBE
0-4
Very loose
Not suitable
0-28
0-10
4-10
Loose
0-0.8
28-30
10-30
10-30
Medium
0.8-2.8
30-36
30-80
30-50
Dense
2.8-4.7
36-41
80-110
Over 50
Very dense
4.7
>41
110
(After Mitchell and Katti, 1981)
CPT
CPT CORRELATION
Geophysical Methods
MINIMUM
AVERAGE
MAXIMUM
5.9
23.7
70
3.4
40.6
163
10.2
158
1350
590
940
4280
Limestone
500
5000
10000
Sandstone
300
2500
8000
Granite
900
6000
11000
Concrete
300
3000
5000
(After Sverko,1999)