1)-Ground settlement.

In Malaysia, issue of ground settlement is the main engineering problem

encountered in construction over soft ground area. There will be an excessive settlement either
elastic settlement, primary consolidation settlement or secondary consolidation settlement will occur
on a soft ground.
-Delay in completion of the project. The deviation of pile is one of the major issue in Malaysia. It is
due to the displacement of soft ground as results of the moving jacked-in machine and excavation
work for lift pits. Subsequently, there will be a great delay in the completion of the construction.

2)-To assess the general suitability of the site for the proposed project.
-To enable an adequate and economical design to be made.
-To plan the best method of construction & prepare for difficulties or delay during construction.
-To explore source of indigenous materials for use in construction.
-To determine the changes that may arise in the ground and environmental conditions.

3)The purpose of site investigation is to establish parameters for foundation,substructure and

infrastructure design and to access the potential geotechnical,geoenvironment,geological and
hydrological risk to human,property and the environment.

4)-Collection of available information i.e. site plan, type, size, loading conditions, previous
geotechnical reports, topographic maps, geologic maps, etc.
-A site visit to provide a general picture of the topography and geology of the site.
-Detailed soils exploration to investigate soil strata, groundwater conditions, obtain disturbed and
undisturbed samples for lab tests, and insitu tests.
-Write a report..

5)type, size, and importance of the structure, the client, the engineer’s familiarity with the soils at the
site, and local building codes.

6).
a)Identify potential geotechnical problems B) Decide on the extent of SI and scheduling for
duration
The nature of sub-soil (based on desk study and site visit) A preliminary distributions of the
exploratory holes and other field test to be performed
The type of structure or proposed development.For example:Shallow foundation,Deep
foundation,Basement excavation,Retaining structures ,Bridges ,Slope stability (cut & fill) and
Embankments
Spacing of exploratory holes
Spacing of exploratory holes
Depth of termination
Frequencies of field tests;
-In limestone area, number of boreholes may need to be greatly increased

C)Spacing of boring:
-depends on type, size, weight of proposed structure
-Extent of variation in soil condition •
D)Depth of boring:
-Type of structure
-Should penetrate all strata that could consolidate
-For bridge and tall building the boring should extend to rock : 1.5 times the width of footing below
foundation level
-For embankment and dam : 0.5 -2 times the height
-Single storey : 3.5 m
-Double storey : 6.5 m

7)-Type of soil and material present

-Topography and climatic condition
-Type of structure of which exploration is being carried out
-Cost and funding involved
-Geotechnical consideration

8)a)Exploratory Holes
-Boreholes, Mackintosh/ JKR Probes, Cone Penetration Tests, Boring (Trial Pits, Rotary Drilling, etc),
Hand Augering (HA) & Geophysical Survey
B)Soil Sampling
-Disturbed, Undisturbed, Bulk & Continuous.
C)In-situ Testing
-SPT, CPT, Pressuremeter, PLT, Vane Shear, Permeability & Dissipitation.

9)Boring method is a test boring can be advanced in the field by several methods. Simplest is the use
of augers. Boreholes up to a depth of about 3 to 5 m. Soil exploration work for highways and small
structures. Soil samples collected are disturbed and can be used to conduct lab test i.e Atterberg
Limits, grain size determination, etc.
A)Rotary drilling
-Rapidly rotating drilling bits attached to the bottom of drilling rods cut and grind the soil and
advanced the borehole down.
-Can be used in sand, clay, and rock
B)Wash boring
-A casing about 2 to 3 m long is driven into the ground.
-The soil inside casing then is removed by means of a chopping bit that is attached to a drilling rod.
-Water is forced through the drilling rod, and it goes out at a very high velocity through the holes at
the bottom of the chopping bit
C)percussion drilling
-Particularly through hard soil and rock.
-A heavy drilling bit is raised and lowered to chop the hard soil.
-Casing may be required. The chopped soil particles are brought up by the circulation of water

10)A)Standard split spoon

-Sampler is attached to the drilling rod and then lowered to the bottom of the borehole.
-Driven into the soil at the bottom of the borehole by means of hammer blows. Hammer blows occur
at the top of the drilling rod.
-Blow count, N – SPTN (usually 1.5 m intervals).
-Soil sample collected inside the spilt tube then is removed and transported to the lab in a small glass
jars.
B)THin wall tube
-Used for obtaining fairly undisturbed soil samples.
-Thin-wall tubes are made of seamless, thin tubes and commonly are referred to as Shelby tubes.
-To collect samples at given depth, first remove the drilling tools. The sampler is attached to a drilling
rod and lowered to the bottom of the borehole.
-Then it is pushed hydraulically into the soil. It then is spun to shear off the base and is pulled out.
Sampler is sealed and taken to lab for testing
C)Piston sample
-Useful when highly undisturbed samples are required.
-The cost is high. • Consists of a thin-wall tube with a piston. Sampler first is lowered to the bottom of
the borehole, then thin-wall tube is pushed into the soil hydraulically-past the piston. The pressure is
released through a hole in the piston rod.
-Presence of the piston prevents distortion in the sample by neither letting the soil squeeze into the
sampling tube very fast nor admitting excess soil.
-Sample obtained are disturbed less than those by Shelby tubes.

11.In-situ method is one of the soil investigation method where contains SPT, CPT, Pressure meter,
PLT, Vane Shear, Permeability & Dissipation of soil exploration methods . The in-situ methods is
depending on the type of project and the complexity of the subsoil. Also,soil properties evaluated
from in-situ tests yield more representative values which the sample disturbance during soil
exploration is eliminated. There are 3 major tests including in in-situ methods which are Vane shear
test, Borehole Pressure meter test and Cone penetration test.

12.In the site investigation(SI) report, there are some information should be obtained. These
informations are as follows :
-Scope of investigation,
-General description of the proposed structure for which the exploration has been conducted,
-Geologic conditions of the site,
-Drainage facilities at the site,
-Details of boring,
-Description of subsoil conditions as determined from the soil samples collected,
-Groundwater table as observed from the boreholes,
-Details of foundation recommendations and alternatives,
-Any anticipated construction problems and
-Limitations of the investigation

13.In the general site investigation report, there are some graphical informations posses in. These
graphical informations are as follows :
-Site location map,
-Location of borings with respect to the proposed structure,
-Boring logs,
-Laboratory tests results and
-Other special presentations.

14.The main characteristics in describing that the shallow foundation performs satisfactorily are the
shallow foundations have to be safe against overall shear failure in the soil that supports them and
they(the shallow foundations) cannot undergo excessive displacement or settlement.

15.There are 3 types of shallow foundation failures and these failures are general shear failure, local
shear failure and punching shear failure.
General shear failure is the type of shear failure which occurs on dense sand / stiff soil.
Local shear failure is the type of shear failure which occurs on loose to medium dense sand.
Punching shear failure is the type of shear failure which occurs on fairly loose soil.
16.Differentiate between elastic and consolidation settlement?
Consolidation settlement occurs in cohesive soils due to the expulsion of the water from the voids. It
is because of the soil permeability the rate of settlement may varied from soil to another and the
variation in the rate of consolidation settlement depends on the boundary conditions.
Elastic settlement or immediate settlement depends on the load type whether it is rigid or flexible and
the settlement location whether it is center or corner. Elastic settlement is based on the theory of
elasticity and it is a time depended elastic settlement. Elastic settlement occurs in sandy, silty, and
clayey soils.

17.What are general conditions that require the installation of deep foundation?
When the depth/width of the foundation ratio is bigger or equal to 4 and there are a low bearing
capacity of soil. The non - availablity of proper bearing stratum at shallow depths will also cause us to
use deep foundation. Heavy loads from the super structure for which shallow foundations may not be
economical or feasible.

18.List the classifications of piles.

Classification of mode of construction - it have two mode of construction which is pre-cast and cast in-
situ piles. Cast in-situ piles is feasible because of less noise, under sized hole is dug and full size pile is
driven.
Classification of material of construction - The type of the piles are timber piles (trunk of a wooden
tree, the oldest pile), concrete pile, steel pile and composite pile (certain portion by one material and
certain portion by other material).
Classification of material of load - there are three frictional pile which are frictional pile (if major part
is taken by the shaft of pile when very weak soils of large depths are available), end bearing pile
( when a soil later of reasonable strength is available at a reasonable depth), and combination of
frictional and end bearing pile.
Classification of function of piles
i.Compression pile: To resist the comp. load
ii.Compaction pile: granular soil i.e. very loose sand can be compacted by driving the piles at one
place, then are pulled out and driven at the next place
iii.Fender piles: Used near sea-part to protect the harbor, just to absorb the impact of floating objects
iv.Batter piles: Provided at an inclination their stability is more against overturning
v.Sheet piles: To reduce seepage/ provide lateral stability
Classification with shape
There are round piles, square piles, octagonal piles, I-shaped piles, straight piles, tapered piles, bell-
bottom piles, and screw piles.
Classification with size
i) Large Diameter Pile: ( > 7m)
ii) Small Diameter Pile: ( 2 < D < 7 m)
iii) Micro Diameter Pile: (1.2 m to 2 m)
iv) Root Pile (Rectangular)
-Used for special projects i,e under pressing or repair
-If length of pile > 7 m, called as pier

19.Determine the conditions that require pile foundations based on Vesic (1977).
i.When one or more upper soil layers are highly compressible and too weak to support the load
transmitted by the superstructure
ii.When bedrock is not encountered at a reasonable depth below the ground surface, piles are used to
transmit the structural load to the soil gradually.
iii.When subjected to horizontal forces, pile foundations resist by bending, while still supporting the
vertical load transmitted by the superstructure.
iv.When the expansive and collapsible soils may be present at the site of a proposed structure
v.The foundations of some structures, such as transmission towers, offshore platforms, and basement
mats below the water table, are subjected to uplifting forces.
vi.Bridge abutments and piers are usually constructed over pile foundations to avoid the loss of
bearing capacity because of soil erosion at the ground surface

20.Determine the categories of loads coming on to the pile foundations?

Catergory I - Point bearing piles
Presence of bedrock or rocklike material at a site within a reasonable depth - extended to the rock
surface.
Ultimate capacity of piles depends entirely on load bearing capacity of the underlying material.
Instead of bedrock - hard stratum of soil.
Catergory II - Friction piles
When no layer of rock or rocklike material is present at reasonable depth - point bearing pile become
very long and uneconomical.
Piles driven through softer material to specified depths.
Most of their resistance is derived from skin friction.
Length of pile depends on shear strength of soil, the applied load, and pile size
Category III - Compaction piles
Under certain circumstances - piles driven in granular soils to achieve proper compaction of soil close
to the ground surface.
Lengths of the piles depends on relative density of the soil before compaction, desired relative density
after compaction, and required depth of compaction.
Piles are short.

21.-Compaction Piles: In order to compact the granular soils and to increase their bearing capacity.
- Anchor Piles: To provide anchorage against horizontal pull from sheet piling walls or other pulling
forces.
- Fender piles: To protect water front structure against impact from ships or other floating objects.
22.From my understanding, bearing capacity is the capacity of soil to support the loads applied to the
ground.The bearing capacity of soil is the maximum average contact pressure between the
foundation and which the shear failure should not produced on the soil surface.

23.From my understanding, Factors of safety (FoS), also known as safety factor (SF), which is a term
describing the load carrying capacity of a system beyond the expected or actual loads. In other words,
the factor of safety is to determine how much stronger the system is than it usually needs to be for
an intended load acting on the pile or shallow foundation.

24.Negative skin friction is usually defined as a downward shear drag acting on a pile or pile group
because of downward movement of surrounding soil relative to the piles. This shear drag movements
are anticipated to occur when a pile penetrates into compressible soil layer that can consolidate.

25.Pile group is the pile foundation which contains group of piles instead of single pile. The supporting
capacity of a group of ‘n’ similar piles in many cases is less than or equal to ‘n’ times the capacity of a
single pile being the zone of soil or rock.There are 3 methods commonly used to analyse pile group,
which are simple static analysis, equivalent bent analysis and elastic continuum analysis.