Foundations Engineering (0504421)

By:
Dr Mahmoud Alrsai
(m.alrsai@ahu.edu.jo)

20/07/2022 Dr Mahmoud ALRSAI 1

 Subsoil Exploration

The test boring can be advanced in the field by several methods. The simplest is the
use of augers.

a. Posthole auger;
b. Helical auger
c. Gasoline-engine-powered Hand Auger

 can be used for making boreholes up to a

depth of about 3 to 5 m. They can be used
for soil exploration work for highways and
small structures.

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 Subsoil Exploration

When the boreholes are to be advanced to greater depths, the most common method
is to use continuous-flight augers, which are power operated.

1. Continuous flight augers:

• Generally limited to stiff cohesive soils

where the boring walls are stable for
the entire depth of the boring.
• Cutting are carried to the surface on
helical flights

 Flight augers bring the loose soil from the

bottom of the hole to the surface. The
driller can detect the change in soil type
encountered by the change of speed and
the sound of drilling.
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 Subsoil Exploration

When the boreholes are to be advanced to greater depths, the most common method
is to use continuous-flight augers, which are power operated.

2. Hollow Stem Continuous Flight Augers:

a. In general hollow stem augers are very

similar to the continuous flight auger except, as
the name suggests, it has a large hollow center.

b. Hollow-stem auguring methods are

commonly used in clay soils or in granular soils
above the groundwater level, where the boring
walls may be unstable.

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 Subsoil Exploration

When the boreholes are to be advanced to greater depths, the most common method
is to use continuous-flight augers, which are power operated.

3. Short flight and plate auger:

a. Short flight and plate auger are loaded
with cutting and then pulled out of the
hole.
b. At the surface, the cutting are spin off
the auger
c. Short flight augers are used for large
diameter hole
Used for :
a. Site investigation
b. Holes for cast in-situ foundation piles
c. Mineral sampling
d. Access hole

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 Subsoil Exploration

**Please watch this YouTube!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9eQcc7ilVw

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Subsoil Exploration
The common in-situ tests include:

1. Standard Penetration Test (SPT),

2. Cone Penetration Test (CPT),

3. Flat Plate Dilatometer Test (DMT),

4. Pressure meter Test (PMT),

5. Vane Shear Test (VST).

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Standard Penetration Test (SPT):

• The SPT involves the driving of a hollow thick-walled tube ( split-barrel sampler) into
the ground and measuring the number of blows to advance the sampler a vertical
distance of 1 ft (300 mm).
• The sampler is driven into the soil by hammer blows to the top of the drill rod.
• The standard weight of the hammer is 622.72 N, and for each blow, the hammer
drops a distance of 0.762 m.
• The number of blows required for a spoon penetration of three 152.4-mm (6in)
intervals are recorded.
• The number of blows required for the last two intervals are added to give the
standard penetration number, N, at that depth.
• Finally, the soil sample recovered from the tube is placed in a glass bottle and
transported to the laboratory.

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Subsoil Exploration

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 Subsoil Exploration

**Please watch this YouTube!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cUOBSF8bMg

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 Subsoil Exploration

**Example of an SPT
record.

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• Standard Penetration Number (N60):

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 Subsoil Exploration

• Standard Penetration Number (N60):

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 Subsoil Exploration

• Standard Penetration Number (N60):

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 Subsoil Exploration

• Standard Penetration Number (N60):

SPT hammer types, (a) Donut, (b) Safety, and (c) Automatic
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 Subsoil Exploration

• Correlations for (N60) in Cohesive Soil

1. Correlations between N60 and consistency index (CI):

The consistency of clay soils can be estimated from the

standard penetration number, N60. In order to achieve
that, Szechy and Vargi (1978) calculated the consistency
index (CI) as

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 Subsoil Exploration

• Correlations for (N60) in Cohesive Soil

2. Correlations between N60 and the undrained shear strength of clay (Cu)

3. Correlations between N60 and the over-consolidation ratio (OCR)

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 Subsoil Exploration

• Correlations for (N60) in Granular Soil

1. Relative Density of Granular Soil

Cubrinovski and Ishihara (1999) also proposed a correlation between N60 and the
relative density of sand (Dr ) that can be expressed as:

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• Correlations for (N60) in Granular Soil

2. Friction angle 𝜙𝜙′ of Granular Soil

Schmertmann (1975) provided the correlation among N60, and 𝜙𝜙′. Mathematically, the
correlation can be approximated as (Kulhawy and Mayne, 1990)

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• Correlations for (N60) in Granular Soil

3. Modulus of Elasticity

The modulus of elasticity of granular soil (Es) is an important parameter in estimating

the elastic settlement of foundations. A first-order estimation for Es was given by
Kulhawy and Mayne (1990) as

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Subsoil Exploration
Cone Penetration Test (CPT):

CPT is used to determine the soil profile and various soil parameters.

From this test, two main measurements are recorded.

• The cone resistance (qc): which is equal to the

vertical force applied to the cone, divided by its
horizontally projected area; and

• The frictional resistance (sleeve friction (fs)):

which is equal to the vertical force applied to
the sleeve, divided by its surface

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Cone Penetration Test (CPT):

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Cone Penetration Test (CPT):

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Cone Penetration Test (CPT):

The point resistance and the friction

ratio obtained from the cone
penetration tests were used for
several correlations to estimate the
properties of soils encountered.

•Relative Density
•Friction Angle
•N60
•Correlations of Soil Types
•Shear Strength

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Flat Plate Dilatometer Test (DMT)

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Flat Plate Dilatometer Test (DMT)

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Pressuremeter Test (PMT)

• Conducted in a borehole.
• Used to measure the strength and deformability of soil.
• Consists essentially of a probe with three cells.
• The top and bottom ones are guard cells and the
middle one is the measuring cell.

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Subsoil Exploration
Pressuremeter Test (PMT)

• The test is conducted in a

prebored hole with a diameter
that is between 1.03 and 1.2
times the nominal diameter of
the probe.

• The probe cells can be

expanded by either liquid or
gas.

• The guard cells are expanded

to reduce the end-condition
effect on the measuring cell.
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Subsoil Exploration
Pressuremeter Test (PMT)

Test procedure
• the measuring cell volume, Vo is
measured, and the probe is
inserted into the borehole.
• Pressure is applied in increments
and the new volume of the cell is
measured.
• The process is continued until the
soil fails or until the pressure limit
of the device is
reached.
• The soil is considered to have
failed when the total volume of the
expanded cavity (V) is about twice
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Subsoil Exploration
Pressuremeter Test (PMT)

• The results of the Pressuremeter test are expressed in the graphical form of
pressure versus volume, as shown in the following Figure:

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Pressuremeter Test (PMT)

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Vane Shear Test (VST).

• The vane shear test may be used to determine

the in situ undrained shear strength (Cu )of
clay soils—particularly soft clays.
• vane shear apparatus consists of four blades on
the end of a rod,
• The height, H, of the vane is twice the diameter, D
• Field vane shear tests are moderately rapid and
economical
• The test gives good results in soft and medium-
stiff clays
• gives excellent results in determining the
properties of sensitive clays

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Vane Shear Test (VST).

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 Soil Exploration Report:

 At the end of the soil exploration program, the soil and rock samples collected from
the field are subjected to visual observation and laboratory tests. Then, a soil
exploration report is prepared for use by the planning and design office. Any soil
exploration report should contain the following information:
1. Scope of investigation
2. General description of the proposed structure for which the exploration has been conducted
3. Geologic conditions of the site
4. Drainage facilities at the site
5. Details of boring
6. Description of subsoil conditions as determined from the soil and rock samples collected
7. Groundwater table as observed from the boreholes
8. Details of foundation recommendations and alternatives
9. Any anticipated construction problems
10. Limitations of the investigation

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 Soil Exploration Report:

 The following graphic presentations also need to be attached to the soil exploration
report:
1. Site location map
2. Location of borings with respect to the proposed structure
3. Boring logs
4. Laboratory test results
5. Other special presentations

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• Remember to do something good today!!!

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