REF: R3-DX22-025-Pre 01 Date: 28/06/2022

To,
M/s. GSR Contracting LLC
Dubai - UAE.

Project: Dewa G Station Solar PV System

Subject: Preliminary Report

Dear Sir,

Concerning the subject project and the completed geotechnical investigation site works in
Two (02) boreholes; We, Geoscience Testing Laboratory, are hereby pleased to submit
the preliminary Geotechnical Investigation Report, incorporating the very preliminary results
observed from the drilled boreholes drilled 2.50m below existing current level and in-situ test
results.

The objective of investigative works is to determine the subsurface conditions at the

proposed project site and to provide the necessary geotechnical information and data to aid
the structural engineer in designing the suitable foundation for the proposed development of
the project “Dewa G Station Solar PV System”. The locations of the borehole were
provided by the client Keeping in mind the nature of project, proposed structures and purpose
of this investigative work mainly related to foundations have been included in this preliminary
report.

1.0 Stake out of the Investigative Locations

The boreholes locations at the project site were identified and staked out by the client based on
their design /design/construction and requirements. The site plan reflecting the proposed
borehole locations is included in appendix-A for reference.
Table-1: Borehole Depth Details & Coordinates
Drilled Depth Borehole Coordinates
Borehole No.
(m, below EGL) Easting Northing
BH 01 478418.383 2772096.704
BH 02 2.95 478443.194 2772124.823

REF: Q3-DX22-025–Pre 01 Page 1 of 7

2.0Ground Water Level
At the time of investigation, groundwater was not encountered up to drilled depth below existing
ground level.
3.0 General Stratigraphy
Table -2: General Stratigraphy BH-01 to 02
*Depth, m Description

Brown, gravelly, silty, fine to medium grained, calcareous SAND, with

0.00 to 0.50 m occasionally fine shell fragments. Gravels are weathered fine to
medium sized rock pieces.
Loose, brown/light gray, slightly gravelly, silty, fine to medium grained,
0.50 to 1.00 m calcareous SAND. Gravels are weathered fine to medium sized
sandstone and other rock pieces.
Medium dense to dense, light gray, slightly gravelly, silty, fine to
1.00 to 2.95 m medium grained, calcareous SAND, with occasionally shell fragments.
Gravels are weathered fine to medium sized sandstone rock pieces.
4.0 Engineering Discussion and Recommendations
Based on the type of the proposed structure and the subsoil conditions encountered on site,
shallow foundation analysis has been carried out and the allowable bearing capacities at
different depths below exact existing ground level for a limiting settlement of 25.0mm (for
isolated / strip foundation)is provided in this section.

Allowable bearing pressures are dependent on the shear strength of the soil and the
tolerance of the proposed structure to settlement. In granular soils, the latter factor is
normally more critical. Settlement in such deposits normally takes place during construction
and initial loading but, where more silty or cohesive materials exist; there could be a degree
of time deptime-dependentdation.
4.1 Choice of the Type of Foundations
The choice of particular type of foundation depends upon the character of the soil, the presence
of ground water at the site, the magnitude of the imposed loads, and the project characteristics.
One has to choose the type of foundation, which is not merely safe but also economical.
For the particular case, the following prevailing load and site conditions exist:
• The imposed loads from the proposed structure on the foundation soil are light to
meditatively load due to the nature of the proposed structures.
• The observed sub-surface conditions are such that relatively medium load bearing soils
are present at the desired foundation depth.

REF: Q3-DX22-025–Pre 01 Page 2 of 7

4.2 Shallow Foundation.
Meyerhof equation has been used for the bearing capacity (allowable) with the limiting
settlement of 25mmfor isolated foundation and 50mm for the raft foundation. Immediate
settlement has been calculated with Schmertmann Method.
It is highly recommended to carry out the Plate Load Test at the foundation level in order to
verify the net allowable soil bearing pressure.

4.2.1 Allowable bearing capacity calculations by Meyerhof Method

The allowable bearing pressures are calculated using practical experience, the results
obtained from the field / laboratory tests and the empirical equations established by Terzaghi
/ Meyerhof and developed by Joseph E Bowles:
𝑞𝑎 = 20 𝑁 𝑘𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐵 ≤ 1.22𝑚
𝐵+0.305 2 ∆H
𝑞𝑎 = 12.5 𝑁 ( ) 𝑘𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐵 > 1.2𝑞𝑎 = 12.5 N ( 25 ) k d For Raft /pad footing
𝐵

Where:
𝐷
𝑘𝑑 = 1 + 0.33 ( ) < 1.33
𝐵
QA = allowable bearing capacity (kN/m2)
B =width of footing (m)
D = Depth of footing (m)
N =number of blows from SPT (N is the average for the footing influence zone of about
0.5B above the footing base to at least 2B below).
ΔH = allowable settlement for Raft, 50mm and for isolated/strip/pad, 25mm

The modulus of sub-grade reaction is a conceptual relationship between soil pressure and
deformation/settlement.
q
Ks =

Where,
Ks = Modulus of Sugared reaction (kN/m3)
q = Allowable bearing pressure (kN/m2)
δ = Corresponding settlement (mm)

4.2.2 Settlement Calculation by Schmertmann and Hartman Method

REF: Q3-DX22-025–Pre 01 Page 3 of 7

Immediate settlement for layered, predominately sandy soil has been calculated using the
semi-empirical strain influence factor proposed by Schmertmann and Hartman (1978).
According to them, the settlement is:
z2
S e = C1C2 (q − q )
Iz
z
0 Es
Where:
Iz =Strain influence factor
C1 = A correction factor for the depth of foundation embedment
= 1 − 0.5q / (q − q )
C2= A correction factor to account for creep in soil= 1 + 0.2 log (time in years/0.1)
q = Stress at the level of the foundation

q = D f
Based on the above equations, shallow foundation analyses are reported in the table
below. References are made from the books “Foundation Analysis& Design” by Joseph E
bowels & “Foundation Design & Construction” by MJ Tomlinson.

4.2.3 Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations

Table-3: Allowable Bearing Pressure for Isolated/Pad foundation (BH-01 to 03)
Allowable Modulus of
Depth, m
Foundation Type Width (m) Bearing Pressure Subgrade
below EGL
(kN/m2) Reaction (kN/m3)

Shallow
Limiting settlement 1.6 2.5 125 15000
of 25.0mm
Note: Since exploration depth is limited to 2.5m below EGL and the foundation’s
influence will be up to 3 to 4 times the width of the foundation, we assumed
parameters at 2.5m will be extended up to the influence depth of the foundation.
Accordingly, deeper boreholes can be done to verify the data if required.
4.2.4 Foundation Ground Preparation
• Foundation ground at excavated depth shall be compacted to 95% of maximum dry
density as determined in the Modified (heavy) Proctor Test (BS-1377).
• Any unwanted materials exposed during excavation (if any) shall be removed and
replaced with well compacted granular materials as described in the above sections.
• Existing material at the formation/foundation level should be grubbed (if needed),
graded and compacted to the criteria mentioned above.
• It is also recommended that an experienced engineer further inspect the foundation
ground.

REF: Q3-DX22-025–Pre 01 Page 4 of 7

5.0 Soil/Rock Parameters
This Section provides the assessment of the ground properties adopted in the foundation designs
and their justification.
The geotechnical parameters recommended for design have been derived from the evaluation of
the following:
• Geotechnical laboratory testing results and
• In situ test data and
• The usage of existing in the international literature well-established empirical
relationships.
More specifically, where no in situ or laboratory data is available, specific geotechnical parameters
were assessed empirically, as previously mentioned.
Table-4: Summary of adopted empirical correlations/equations used to assess the
Geotechnical Parameters
Design Correlation
Notation Correlations/Equations Units References
Parameter with
Bowels, ‘Foundation
Analysis &
Unit weight γb SPT, N value Refer Table no:4.1 kN/m3
Design’&AASTHO
LRFD
Modulus of Es = 1000x N
CIRI 143&AASTHO
Elasticity of Es SPT, N value ( For Cohesive material, refer to Table hPa
Soil 4.2) LRFD

The angle of Peck, Hanson, and

(°)
internal Ø SPT, N value
Degrees Thornburn (1974)
(soil)friction

Ka Ka = (1-sin Ø)/ (1+sin Ø)

Earth pressure Bowels, ‘Foundation
Coeffecients
Kp Ø Kp = (1+sin Ø)/ (1-sin Ø) - Analysis & Design’
K0 K0 = (1-sin Ø)

Jacky’s equation -
Poisson’s ratio µ K0 K0 = µ/(1- µ) - Bowels, ‘Foundation
Analysis & Design’
Shear
modulus
G Es, µ G = Es/2(1+ µ) MPa **FHWA

Cohesion
of C UCS C =0.1qu MPa
Rock Kulhawy&
Angle of Goodman,1988
For Very poor to fair rock, having (°)
friction Ø RQD
RQD(%) = 0-70, Ø=27-34 Degrees
)rock(
Modulus of Hoek and Brown,
*GSI, UCS
Elasticity of Em MPa 1998 &AASTHO
value
Rock LRFD

REF: Q3-DX22-025–Pre 01 Page 5 of 7

 Table-4.1: Unit Weight (γb) of Granular Soils

SPTN-Value DensityofSand γb (KN/m3)

<4 Very loose 11– 16
4–10 Loose 14– 18
10–30 Medium 17– 20
30-50 Dense 17– 22
>50 Very dense 20– 24
Table-4.2: Elastic constants of cohesive soil type

Soil Type Range of Equivalent Elastic Modulus (kPa)

Soft sensitive 2,500 to 15,000
Medium stiff 15,000 to 50,000
Very stiff 50,000 to 100,000
Table-4.3: Subsurface Parameters (Estimated from N –Values: SPT)( BH-01 to 02)
Unit 1 Unit 2

Design Parameter
Loose SAND Medium Dense SAND

Depth 0.00 - 1.00 1.00 - 2.95

SPT, N value/ RQD 9 22

Unit weight, γb, kN/m3 15.67 17.20
The angle of internal friction(soil), φ (⁰) 30 33
Modulus of Elasticity of Soil, Es (MPa) 9 22
Modulus of Elasticity of Rock, Em (MPa) - -
Active Earth Pressure Coefficient, Ka 0.34 0.29
Passive Earth Pressure Coefficient, Kp 2.98 3.45
At Rest Earth Pressure Coefficient, Ko 0.50 0.45
Poisson's Ratio, μ 0.33 0.31
Shear Modulus, G (MPa) 3 8
Cohesion, C (kPa) 0 0
Plasticity Index (%) (if SILT/CLAY) - -

REF: Q3-DX22-025–Pre 01 Page 6 of 7

6.0 LIMITATIONS
Please note that the above recommendations are merely based on the investigation results
encountered from Two (02) drilled boreholes, and the laboratory tests are still underway. Hence,
a comprehensive report with test results shall be issued on completion of laboratory test results.
Therefore, kindly note the above recommendations may be altered if the upcoming results show
extensive changes in their results.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or clarifications about the subject.

Yours sincerely,
For GEOSCIENCE TESTING LABORATORY

for

Sheril Chandrabose
Unit Head (Geotechnical)
Email: sheril@gtl.ae

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