CONSTRUCTION AND UPGRADATION OF DITTE-

DIMME-MIGGING
  ROAD (DESIGN CH. FROM KM 152.810
TO KM 173.340 EXISTING CH. FROM KM 167.100 TO KM
189.100) TO 2-LANE WITH HARD SHOULDERS UNDER
PROJECT BRAHMANK IN THE STATE OF ARUNACHAL
PRADESH ON EPC MODE (PACKAGE-IV).
GENERAL METHODOLOGY FOR GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION FOR PROPOSED MINOR BRIDGES.

Methodology for Geotechnical Investigation for proposed Minor Bridges.

i. OBJECTIVES OF INVESTIGATION

The purpose and objectives of the investigation were to obtain reliable information
regarding subsurface conditions at the site so as to evaluate the soil parameter
which are required for evaluating the safe bearing capacity of soil for design and
suitability of foundation for the proposed structures. The knowledge of general
geotechnical subsoil characteristics, compressibility and information about
groundwater table is an essential requirement for the geotechnical engineer, which
would assist the designer to design the foundation system.

ii. SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work of geotechnical investigation for the project was limited to the
following:
 Mobilization of equipment and personnel to the project site, setting up
the equipment and carrying out the field investigation and demobilization
of the same after completion of fieldwork.

 Drilling of boreholes in all types of soil up to a specified depth using drilling

tools (engine driven) along the entire length at each designated location

 Conducting a standard penetration test at regular depth intervals of 1.50m or

at the change of strata whichever occurs earlier and collect each SPT sample
for further testing.

 Collection of the undisturbed soil samples in 450mm long sampling tubes (of
38mm dia) 450 mm long) at every 3.0m depth interval (first at 2.00m) and at
the change of the strata.

 Collection of the disturbed soil samples at depths were failed to collect

undisturbed soil samples.

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GENERAL METHODOLOGY FOR GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION FOR PROPOSED MINOR BRIDGES.

 Recording the depth of groundwater table (If observed).

 Conducting all necessary and relevant laboratory tests on representative soil
samples limited to the following:

 Natural moisture content

 Grain Size Distribution

 Liquid and Plastic limit

 Specific gravity

 Bulk and Dry density

 Consolidation Test

 Unconfined Compression Test

 Triaxial Shear Test

 Direct shear test

 Corrosion Potential of soil and water, and

 Evaluating Safe Bearing Capacity of open foundation as per latest IS codes.

 Submission of soil testing report in duplicate including interpretation of test

results and suggesting recommendations for safe bearing capacity of open
foundation.

iii. FIELD INVESTIGATION

 The testing equipment and personnel for carrying out the requisite field works were
mobilized to the site. These were shifted from one test location to another location
during the course of fieldwork and demobilized after satisfactory completion of the
entire fieldwork.
 The prescribed boreholes of 100mm dia in soil stratum were drilled at the proposed
site using rotary drilling machine in accordance with IS: 1892 - 1976. The location of
borehole as per chainage is mentioned in the Table-1 given below:
 Standard penetration tests were conducted in all boreholes at regular intervals of
1.5m. For this, bore was cleaned up to the desired depth where the SPT test was to
conduct. Standard split spoon sampler was attached to lower end of ‘A’ size drill rods

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GENERAL METHODOLOGY FOR GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION FOR PROPOSED MINOR BRIDGES.

and driven into borehole by means of a standard hammer of 63.5 kg falling freely
from a height of 75 cm. The sampler was driven 45cm into soil by blows of this
hammer and the numbers of blow required for each 15 cm penetration were
recorded. Blows required for first 15cm penetration are not taken into account for N
value as it is considered as seating drive. The number of blows for last 30 cm
penetration is designated as SPT ‘N’ values. ‘Refusal’ for SPT is stated when less
than 15 cm penetration is received in 50 blows.
 Soil samples obtained from standard split spoon sampler for all above standard
penetration tests were collected in the polythene bags of suitable size. These
samples were properly sealed, labeled, recorded and carefully transported to the
laboratory for further testing.
 Un-disturbed soil samples were collected by using thin walled steel sampling tubes of
38mm dia and 450mm length from all the bores at regular intervals of 3.0 m as per
IS: 2131-1986. These sampling tube after retrieval from the boreholes were properly
waxed and sealed on both ends. These were carefully labelled and transported to the
laboratory for testing.
 The groundwater table in the borehole is generally measured after 24 hours of the
boring or after the full stabilization of water level in boreholes.

iv. LABORATORY INVESTIGATION

The following laboratory tests were conducted on selected soil samples recovered
from the boreholes:

a) Natural moisture content

b) Bulk and Dry density
c) Grain size analysis
d) Liquid and Plastic limit
e) Specific gravity
f) Triaxial Shear Test.

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