Soil Boring
SOIL INVESTIGATION AND
SAMPLING
Site Investigation
• Defining the soil profile
• Recovering soil sample
Objectives of Site Investigation
• Determine the nature of the soil
and its stratification
• Recover soil samples for visual
identification and appropriate
laboratory
• Determine the location of the
groundwater table
• Observe drainage conditions
from and into the site
• Assess any special construction
problems with respect to existing
structures nearby
Site Investigation Method
I. Background Literature Search
• Compilation of existing information
regarding the structure (location,
dimensions, intended use, etc.)
• Collection of existing information for
the subsoil condition (geologic survey
maps, soil survey maps, existing soil
exploration reports, etc.)
II. Field Reconnaissance
• Inspection of the site and surrounding
area which may reveal obvious
concerns not evident in the literature
search.
III. Subsurface Exploration and Sampling
• Heart of site investigation
• Explore the subsurface
conditions
• Obtain representative soil
samples
Techniques:
• Auger Boring (Hand Auger, Power
Auger Drilling)
• Wash Boring
• Rotary Drilling
• Percussion Drilling
Soil Boring: Spacing and Depth
For a compact building sire covering an area
of about 0.4-hectare, one bore hole or trial pit
in each corner and one in the center should
be adequate.
For smaller and less important buildings
even one bore hole or trial pit in the center
will suffice.
For very large areas covering industrial and
residential colonies, the geological nature of
the terrain will help in deciding the number of
bore holes or trial pits.
Cone penetration tests may be performed at
every 50 m by dividing the area in a grid
pattern and number of bore holes or trial pits
decided by examining the variation in
penetration curves. The cone penetration
tests may not be possible at sites having
gravelly or boulderous strata. In such cases
geophysical methods may be suitable.
The depth of exploration required depends
upon the type of the proposed structure, its
total weight, the size, shape and disposition
of the loaded area, soil profile and the
physical properties of the soil that constitutes
each individual stratum.