FINAL

REPORT
ON
SOIL INVESTIGATION

FOR
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION
AT
SS-6B AREA
AT
HPCL
VISAKH REFINERY
VISAKHAPATNAM
ANDHRA PRADESH

J.J. ASSOCIATES(VISAKHAPATNAM)
AETP(P) LIMITED
#11-6-3, RockDale Layout, MaharaniPeta,

Visakhapatnam 530 002.

Table of Contents
Tables and Figures (Enclosures)............................................................................................
1

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................... 1

SCOPE OF WORK ........................................................................................................... 1

INVESTIGATION METHODOLOGY..............................................................................1-2

FIELD INVESTIGATIONS ................................................................................................ 2

4.1 Standard Penetration Tests ..................................................................................................... 2
4.2 Sampling .................................................................................................................................. 2

LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS ..............................................................................2-3

Generalised geological profile....................................................................................... 4

6.1 Geological Profile for Proposed Construction of SS-6B area .................................................. 4

DESIGN SOIL PARAMETERS FOR FOUNDATIONS ..................................................... 4

SUMMARY ,ANALYSIS, CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS..........................4-6

Tables and Figures (Enclosures)

Field Bore logs

Laboratory test results

Bore Log Details

Site Plan

1. INTRODUCTION
M/s Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited proposed to conduct Soil Investigation at
SS-6B Area in DHT project at Visakha Refinery ,Visakhapatnam. Accordingly, land soil
investigations were envisaged to evolve various soil/rock parameters in order to carry
out engineering analysis and foundation design. In this connection, the soil investigation
work was awarded to M/s J.J.Associates (VSKP) AETP Pvt Ltd., Visakhapatnam vide
Purchase order No. 9000163-OQ-10004 dated 11/2/2010 to carry out the land soil
investigations at the proposed site.
Broad objectives of the investigations are as follows.
(a)

To evaluate the parameters of soil/rock at the proposed site .

(b)

To assess the engineering parameters and to estimate the safe bearing

capacity of soil

2. SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of work includes drilling of One(1) Land Boreholes at SS-6B Area.
Location of the boreholes is presented in the enclosed figure. Borehole Locations
sketch provided by M/S TOYO ENGINEERING CORPORATION / HPCL.
The scope also includes carrying out field tests like Standard Penetration Test (SPT) in
boreholes, collection of disturbed and undisturbed soil samples and carrying out the
relevant laboratory tests on collected soil samples.
3. INVESTIGATION METHODOLOGY
The details of the drilling rigs and methodology of boring are explained in the following
sections. Boreholes were terminated as per the direction of Engineer In charge.
After positioning the rig at the specified location, for drilling through soil. Borehole was
sunk by mechanically operated Cable Tool (Shell & Auger) in soil and Rotary drilling in
rock. Flush jointed steel casing tubes were provided to prevent possibility of side
collapse in boreholes. After reaching the desired depth, depending upon the soil layer
encountered, either Standard Penetration Tests & Vane Shear Tests were conducted or
Undisturbed or disturbed soil samples were collected.

J.J.ASSOCIATES (Vskp) AETP (P) LIMITED

The location of the boreholes is shown in the enclosed sketch. The field tests and sample
collections were conducted in the boreholes in accordance with the relevant Indian
Standard codes of practice and as per the following.
(a)

Standard Penetration Test in soils at regular depth intervals

(b)

Disturbed & Undisturbed soil samples

4. FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
4.1 Standard Penetration Tests
Standard penetration tests (SPT) were carried out in soil within boreholes to determine
strength characteristics of soil. This was carried out in accordance with IS: 2131. The
number of blows required to drive the standard split spoon sampler for penetration of
0.30 m by a 63.5 kg hammer falling freely from a height of 750 mm is recorded N
Value at regular intervals in the borehole. If the sampler is not fully penetrating into soil,
then the test was terminated after refusal noting the rate of penetration.
4.2 Sampling
Disturbed & Undisturbed representative soil samples were collected during investigations
and subsequently sent to laboratory for visual examination and testing. The disturbed
soil samples were also collected from split spoon sampler.
5. LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS
All collected soil samples from the boreholes were brought to laboratory for necessary
testing and rechecking the preliminary borelogs. The laboratory tests comprised of
a.

Grain Size distribution of all samples collected from boreholes

Grain size distribution was determined in two stages. The soil fraction retained on 75
micron IS Sieve was analysed by Sieve analysis using standard set of IS Sieve as
prescribed by IS 460 1962. Sieve analysis is again done in two stages. The oven dried
samples of soil was separated into two fractions by passing it through 4.75mm IS Sieve.
The portion passing through the sieve was analysed by fine analysis using the IS Sieve
Nos. 2mm, 1mm, 500, 425, 300, 212, 150 and 75 microns. The portion retained on this
sieve was analysed by coarse analysis using IS Sieve Nos. 100, 60, 20, 10 and 4.75mm.

J.J.ASSOCIATES (Vskp) AETP (P) LIMITED

b.

Atterberg Limits on all clay fractions

Liquid limit of the soil was determined by Casagrande method using Casagrande type
mechanical liquid limit apparatus. Plastic limit was determined as per the standard
procedure.
c.

Natural moisture content

Natural moisture content of the soil was determined by oven drying method as per IS :
2720 Part II, 1969. Weights were taken to an accuracy of 0.001gr.
d.

Bulk & Dry density

Bulk density and dry density of the undisturbed soil samples were evaluated as per
IS:2720
e.

Triaxial Test.

The encountered strata was stiff in consistency, careful attention is made to extract
sample from the tube. The test is conducted as per part of IS 2720.
f.

Specific Gravity Tests

Specific gravity test was conducted on the soil fraction passing through 425 micron
I.S.Sieve by density bottle method or by pycnometer. All weights are taken to an
accuracy of 0.001 gr. and the tests were conducted at 27C.
g.

Chemical Analysis of soil & water

Chemical Analysis for soil and water were carried out for PH value chlorides, sulphates
and organic matter and the results are enclosed in the report.
h.

Consolidation tests

Consolidation tests were conducted on vertical drainage using Fixed ring cell type
consolidometer. The soil specimens were allowed to consolidate under pressure
increments of 0.01, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 kg/cm . The pressures were
unloaded through increments of 4.00, 2.00, 1.00, 0.50, 0.25 and 0.01 kg/cm. Each
pressure increment was maintained constant per 24 hours. The vertical compression was
measured after the application of each pressure increment after the following elapsed
times, 0, 0.25, 1.00, 2.25, 4.00, 6.25, 9.20, 12, 25, 16.00, 20.25, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81,
100, 225, 400, 720 and 1440 minutes.
Note : The Possible tests are only conducted if samples were collected. In some case soil
samples could not be collected as rock is met at shallow depth.

J.J.ASSOCIATES (Vskp) AETP (P) LIMITED

6.GENERALISED GEOLOGICAL PROFILE

A generalised geological profile is prepared for individual boreholes. The description of
the various layers is based on the laboratory test results based on IS classification. For
the purpose of clarity, existing ground level is considered as 0.0m, datum for boreholes
in the individual geological profile.
6.1 Geological profile of proposed SS-6B Area(Bh-7).
Bore logs at proposed SS-6B Area shows the soil strata as per Field observation & bore
log . The geology of the proposed site is varying with respect to the thickness of each
layer. The top over burden predominantly consists of Filled up material from 0.00 to
1.00m followed by Clay with Sand, Highly Weathered rock . The ground water Level is
observed in the bore hole at shallow depth.
Soil Properties
Gravel content
Sand content

0.00 to 1.00m
Filled

material

Silt and Clay content

1.00m to 2.50m

2.50m & below

Highly

up 7 to 11

Weathered

rock

31 to 43
46 to 62
CL-SC

Soil Classification as per

IS

Note : A layer of Clay with pebbles observed from 6.00m to 6.50m

7.Suggested Design Soil Parameters

Layer

Depth Below GL

No.

Soil type

(m)
FROM

TO

0.00

1.00

Filled up

Average

Cu
2

N-Value

t/m

degree

t/m3

2.10

material
2

1.00

2.50

Clay with sand

13
& pebbles
3
2.50m & below
Highly
50
weathered
rock
8. SUMMARY, ANALYSIS, CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
8.1 General
The summary of the investigation is given below.

Total One (1) borehole is conducted in the proposed site.

J.J.ASSOCIATES (Vskp) AETP (P) LIMITED

8.2 Analysis
SAFE BERING CAPACITY FROM SHEAR CRITERIA IN BOREHOLE 7
Safe Bearing Capacity from shear criteria at a depth of 2.50m
Qns = (2/3 CNC SC DC IC + r Df (NQ-1) SQ DQ IQ + 0.5r BNr Sr Dr Ir Wr| ) / FS
C = Cohesion intercept = 0 kg/cm2
= 36
= IF( <=28,(TAN- (0.67*TAN )Else )
NC NQ Nr = Bearing capacity factors which are obtained by interpolation
Here NC = 51.96 NQ = 39.48 Nr = 60.31
SC SQ Sr = Shape factors which are 1.00 for Strip and 1.30 for Square
IC IQ Ir = Inclination factors
N = tan2(((22/7)/4) + (/2) )
DC = 1 + ( 0.2 x (Depth / Width) x N) here it is 1.491
DQ = Dr = 1 for > 10
DQ = Dr = 1 + ( 0.1 x (Depth/Breadth) x N) for > 10
Here Dr = DQ = 1.246
Qns = Safe Bearing Capacity
Factor of safety : 3.00
Safe Bearing Capacity from shear criteria at a depth of 2.50m
S No.

Depth (m)

Width
(m)

Net safe Bearing

Length (m)

Capacity in t/m2
Strip

Square

2.50

2.00

2.00

115.42

126.94

2.50

3.00

3.00

120.46

128.76

2.50

4.00

4.00

128.26

133.90

2.50

5.00

5.00

137.16

140.36

2.50

6.00

6.00

146.61

147.48

Taking N = 50,
SBC Calculation as per IS:8009 (Part-I)-1976 from Settlement Criteria at a
depth of 2.50m below G.L(i:e) at R.L +2.997 in Bore Hole-7.

J.J.ASSOCIATES (Vskp) AETP (P) LIMITED

S No.

Depth of

Width of

Settlement

Allowable bearing

Foundation

Foundation

Pressure for

pressure for 25mm

(m)

(m)

10t/m2

settlement(t/m2)

2.50

2.00

4.70

53.19

2.50

3.00

5.20

48.08

2.50

4.00

5.50

45.45

2.50

5.00

5.60

44.64

Recommendations: Considering the subsoil conditions prevailing at the site and based
on field and laboratory investigation results, the following recommendations have been
made for foundations of proposed constructions.
1. Shallow Foundations
a) As Hard strata is met at shallow depth and taking both shear criteria & settlement
criteria into consideration raft foundation/ isolated column footings should be
adopted at the depths mentioned below with the following safe bearing capacities.
BH No.

Location

Depth of foundation

(m)

SBC from shear

criteria (t/m2)

SS-6B Area

2.50m & below

30

Note:
1. Filled up material if any should be removed and foundation should be from
the natural ground level
2. Plinth beams are to be provided to safeguard the structure against differential
settlements if any.
b ) Due to presence of sulphates in water necessary precautions should be taken as
per IS 456-2000.
c) Back Filling material should be Rubble Soling and well compacted in layers of
150mm below PCC.

For J.J.ASSOCIATES(VSKP) AETP (P) LTD.,

6

J.J.ASSOCIATES (Vskp) AETP (P) LIMITED

J.J. ASSOCIATES(VISAKHAPATNAM)AETP(P) LIMITED

11-6-3,RockDale Layout, Maharanipeta,
Visakhapatnam 530 002.

Project
: Proposed DHT project at Visakh Refinery.
Location
: SS-6B
Bore hole
: 7
Ground Water Table : 1.93m

Date of Commencement : 1/4/2010

Date of completion
: 6/4/2010
Ground RL
: +5.497
Coordinates
: N 556.394
E 1673.212

BORELOG

Ground R.L.

From

To

+5.497

Depth Below
G.L.
(m)
From

+4.497
+2.997

1.00

DS-1

+4.497

1.00

1.00

1.50

2.50

Reddish clay
with pebbles

SPT-1
DS-2

+2.997

2.50

Highly
weathered
rock

3.50

SPT-2
DS-3
SPT-3
DS-4

+1.497

4.00

-0.503

6.00

Reddish clay
with pebbles

0.50

-1.003

6.50

2.50

-0.503
-0.503

6.00
6.00

-1.003
UDS Undisturbed Sample

Type
of
sample

Filled up soil
& boulders

1.00
+2.997

Thickness
of Strata
(m)

To

0.00
+4.497

Visual
Description
of strata

RL & Depth at
which sample
collected
(m)
GL
GRL
(m)

6.50

DS Disturbed Sample

DS-5

SPT Standard Penetration Test

RL & Depth at
which SPT
conducted (m)

SPT

NValue

GRL

GL
(m)

15
cm

30
cm

45
cm

+3.997

1.50

+2.497

3.00

8 49 52(5 cm pen.)

>50

+0.997

4.50

58(5cm pen.)

>50

pen. Penetration

Core
recovery
%

RQD
%

Remarks

13

J.J. ASSOCIATES(VISAKHAPATNAM)AETP(P) LIMITED

11-6-3,RockDale Layout, Maharanipeta,
Visakhapatnam 530 002.

Project
: Proposed DHT project at Visakh Refinery.
Location
: SS-6B
Bore hole
: 7
Ground Water Table : 1.93m

Ground R.L.

From

To

-1.003
-2.003
-3.003
-4.503
-6.003
-6.503
-7.503
-9.003

Depth Below
G.L.
(m)
From

Visual
Description
of strata

Thickness
of Strata
(m)

To

6.50
-2.003
-3.003
-4.503
-6.003
-6.503
-7.503
-9.003
-9.853

7.50
8.50
10.00
11.50
12.00
13.00
14.50

Type
of
sample

7.50
8.50
10.00
11.50
12.00
13.00
14.50
15.35

Highly
weathered
rock

9.03

SPT-4
DS-6
DS-7
SPT-5
DS-8
DS-9
SPT-6
DS-10
SPT-7
SPT-8

Date of Commencement : 1/4/2010

Date of completion
: 6/4/2010
Ground RL
: +5.497
Coordinates
: N 556.394
E 1673.212
RL & Depth at
which sample
collected
(m)
GL
GRL
(m)
-2.003
-3.003
-4.503
-6.003
-7.503

RL & Depth at
which SPT
conducted (m)

SPT

NValue

-1.003

GL
(m)
6.50

15
30
45
cm
cm
cm
53(10cm pen.)

>53

-3.003

8.50

56(5cm pen.)

>50

-6.003

11.50

73(10cm pen.)

>73

-7.503
-9.853

13.00
15.35

81(8cm pen.)
100(no pen.)

>81
>100

GRL

7.50
8.50
10.00
11.50
13.00

Core
recovery
%

RQD
%

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

3
2
Nil
Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil

Remarks

Borehole terminated at 15.35m below G.L. (i.e.) at R.L -9.853

UDS Undisturbed Sample

DS Disturbed Sample

SPT Standard Penetration Test

pen. Penetration

J.J. ASSOCIATES(VISAKHAPATNAM) AETP(P) LIMITED

#11-6-3, RockDale Layout, MaharaniPeta,

Visakhapatnam 530 002.

IDENTIFICATION & ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF SOIL
Project : Proposed DHT project at HPCL, Visakh Refinery at Visakhapatnam
Location : Proposed SS-6B Site.

Sl No.

BH
No

Sample
No.

Type of
sample

RL & Depth at
which sample
collected
GRL

GL
(m)

SPT

+3.997

1.50

DS

+2.997

2.50

DS

+1.497

4.00

Gradation Analysis
Natural
moisture
content
(%)

Bulk
Density
(g/cc)

9.76

16.22
-

Dry
Density
(g/cc)

Consistency Limits

FINES

Triaxial Test
UU
Specific
gravity

ISC

CL

2.64

SC

Clay

Liquid
Limit
(%)

Plastic
Limit
(%)

Plastici
ty
Index
(%)

C
(kg/cm)

degree

42.00

13.00

34

19

15

32.00

7.00

24

13

11

Gravel
(%)

Sand
(%)

Silt

10.00

35.00

0.00

61.00

0.00

90.00

10.00

NP

J.J. ASSOCIATES (VISAKHAPATNAM) (P) LIMITED

#11-6-3, Rock Dale Layout, Maharanipeta,

Visakhapatnam 530 002.

Project
Location

: Proposed DHT Project at Visakh Refinery.

: SS-6B Area.

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SOIL

S.No.

BH
No.

Depth at which
sample collected
G.L
G.R.L.
(m)
+2.997
2.50

P
7.20

Sulphates Chlorides
%
%
0.002

0.005

Organic
Matter
%
nil

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF WATER

S.No.

BH
No.

Depth at which
sample collected
G.L
G.R.L.
(m)
+3.567
1.93

P
7.40

Sulphates Chlorides
mg/l
mg/l
320

118

Organic
Matter
mg/l
11

J.J. ASSOCIATES(VISAKHAPATNAM) AETP (P) LIMITED

#11-6-3, Rock Dale Layout, Maharanipeta,
Visakhapatnam 530 002.
BORE LOG DETAILS

Project
Location

: Proposed DHT Project at Visakh Refinery.

: At Proposed SS-6B Site.
BH-7

0.00

+5.497
Filled up soil &
boulders

1.00
Reddish clay
with pebbles
2.50
Highly
weathered rock
6.00

+4.497
N=13@+3.997
+2.997
N>50@+2.497
N>50@+0.997
-0.503

Reddish clay
with pebbles
6.50
Highly
weathered rock

15.35

-1.003
N>53@-1.003
N>50@-3.003
N>73@-6.003
N>81@-7.503
N>100@-9.853
-9.853