SOIL INVESTIGATION

CE3350 Report

Aryamaan Singh
CE20B017
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 2
Site Reconnaissance................................................................................................................. 2
Methods of Soil Exploration.................................................................................................... 2
Open Pit................................................................................................................................ 2
Advantages........................................................................................................................2
Disadvantages................................................................................................................... 2
Bore Holes............................................................................................................................ 2
Advantages........................................................................................................................3
Disadvantages................................................................................................................... 3
Types of Samples..............................................................................................................3
Design Features of Sampler..............................................................................................3
Types of Samplers.............................................................................................................4
In-Situ (Field Strength) Tests............................................................................................4
Seismic Refraction Method.................................................................................................. 9
Electrical Resistivity Method..............................................................................................10
References.............................................................................................................................. 11
INTRODUCTION
Soil investigation and explorations are done to perform site investigation and get clear
information about soil properties and hydrological conditions in that area.

SITE RECONNAISSANCE
It refers to the inspection of the site and topographical investigation to obtain detailed
information about soil and groundwater condition. Through soil exploration we are able to
compile information about,

1. Order of occurrences and extent of soil and rock strata

2. Nature and engineering properties of the soil and rock
3. Location of groundwater and its variation

METHODS OF SOIL EXPLORATION

OPEN PIT
This method is used for exploring shallower depths from 2m to 5m. These pits are usually
square in plane and are dug by hand or excavating equipment. In cohesion less soils, the sides
of the pit are sharply sloped while in cohesive soils, bracing is required to keep the sides of
the pit vertical.

ADVANTAGES
1. If a soil is cohesive, it is easy to lift the sample from different depths making the
visualisation and examination of different strata easy.
2. Through the process of chunk sampling undisturbed samples can be lifted

DISADVANTAGES
1. Excessive ground disturbance
2. Limited exploration depth
3. Lack of ability to conduct in-situ geotechnical testing

BORE HOLES
A borehole is a deep vertical hole with small diameter drilled into the ground to obtain soil
samples for investigation in order to construct suitable foundation for the planned structure.
Boreholes must be carefully planned to minimise the cost and obtain maximum information
of the soil strata.

Methods of boring:

1. Auger Boring: It is a process in which a casing pipe is driven into the Earth’s surface
while simultaneously rotating helical augers remove the excavated soil.
 2. Wash Boring: Water is forced through the wash pipe which emerges along the
chopping bit through a small opening with a high velocity. Due to the velocity of
water, the soil is cut into fragments and the slurry comes up through the annular space
between the wash pipe and casing.
3. Percussion Boring: In this method a heavy hammering or cutting bit is attached to a
cable and inserted into the borehole. The heavy bit is repeatedly lifted and dropped
thus boring the Earth.
4. Air or Mud Rotatory Boring: It is a process in which the rock penetration is achieved
by the rotation of the hollow cutting tool.

ADVANTAGES
1. Requires low skilled labour which is easy to find
2. Provides physical sample allowing engineers to examine the different layers
physically hence giving context of the readings
3. Acts as a benchmark for the reading made using other methods like CPT

DISADVANTAGES
1. Sample gets disturbed which results in change in its property from the original soil
resulting in inaccurate readings through laboratory testing
2. Additional costs involved in transporting of sample from site to the lab
3. Low accuracy and efficiency

TYPES OF SAMPLES
1. Disturbed samples: Soil structure gets altered or modified during sampling operation.
a. Representative Samples: If natural moisture content and proportion of mineral
is preserved.
b. Non-Representative Samples: If natural moisture content and proportion of
mineral is NOT preserved.
2. Undisturbed Samples: If any sample does not satisfy the criteria for disturbed sample,
it is called undisturbed sample.

DESIGN FEATURES OF SAMPLER

The extent of disturbance to the sample due to the sampler depends on its design feature like
cutting edge, Inside wall friction and non-return valve. For an undisturbed sampler, the
design features are as follows,

1. Area Ratio = [(D22 – D12)/(D12)] x 100%

a. < 10% for sensitive clays
b. < 20% for stiff formations
2. Inside Clearance = [(D3 – D1)/(D1)] x 100%
a. Should be between 1-3%
b. Reduces the friction between sample and inner surface of the sampler
 c. Allows elastic expansion of the sample
3. Outside Clearance = [(D2 – D4)/(D4)] x 100%
a. Reduces friction when sampler is being driven and withdrawn

TYPES OF SAMPLERS
1. Standard Split Spoon
2. Shelby Tube
3. Open Drive and Piston
4. Double Tube Core
5. Piston Type

IN-SITU (FIELD STRENGTH) TESTS

It is performed when it is difficult to obtain “undisturbed” samples from the soil. They are
applied on cohesionless soils and sensitive clays.

VANE SHEAR TEST (VST)

It is used to determine shear strength of soft clays. It is good for loose cohesionless soils that
loose part of their strength when disturbed. To perform this test, push the vane tester into the
soil and apply a torque to the vertical shaft. Cohesion of clay is calculated as:
ADVANTAGES
1. Can be performed in lab and field
2. Quick and easy
3. Shear strength of soft clays at greater depth can be obtained

DISADVANTAGES
1. Cannot be conducted on fissured clay specimen
2. Inaccurate if failure envelop is not horizontal

STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT)

It is carried out in borehole; this test will measure the resistance of the soil strata to the
penetration undergone. Extremely useful for determining relative density and angle of
shearing resistance of cohesionless soils. It is also used to determine the confined
compressive strength of cohesive soils. Tools required to conduct SPT are Standard Split
Spoon Sampler, Drop Hammer (63.5kg), Guiding Rod, Drilling Rig and Driving head.

At the rate of 30 blows per minute, the hammer is dropped from 750 mm height. The number
of bows required to drive hammer to the depth of 150 mm are counted. The number of blows
recorded for the first 150mm not taken into consideration. The number of blows recorded for
last two 150mm intervals are added to give the standard penetration number (N).

“N” value has to be corrected as per IS 2131-1981. The corrections are:

1. Overburden Pressure Correction

2. Dilatancy Correction: If N’ > 15 (due to liquefaction effect), proceed with this

correction

ADVANTAGES
 1. Simple and Economical
2. Provides representative samples for visual inspection, classification tests and for
moisture content
3. Actual soil behaviour is obtained
4. Helps to penetrate dense layers and fills
5. Can be applied to variety of soil conditions

DISADVANTAGES
1. Errors due to mechanical or operator or drilling disturbances
2. Costly and time consuming
3. Samples are disturbed
4. Results cannot be reproduced
5. Application is limited to gravels and cohesive soils

CONE PENETRATION TEST (CPT)

In this test a cone penetrometer is pushed into the ground at a standard rate and data are
recorded at regular intervals during penetration. A cone penetration test rig pushes the steel
cone vertically into the ground.

ADVANTAGES
1. Quick and efficient
2. Inexpensive
3. Undisturbed sample
4. Data can be gathered in real time
5. Moe accurate representation of underground conditions

DISADVANTAGES
1. Incorrect value obtained in presence of brickbats, stones etc
2. Not suitable for gravelly soil
 3. Not suitable when SPT value > 50
4. Can not obtain any soil sample

PRESSURE METRE TEST (PMT)

The pressure corresponding to the failure of soil at different depths is recorded in the Pressure
Meter Test. The load is applied uniformly to the sides of borehole in which it is placed.

Types of pressure meters

1. Menard Pressure meter (MPM), which is lowered in preformed bore hole

2. Self-boring pressure meter (SBP), which form its own bore hole and causes much less
disturbance to the soil
PLATE LOAD TEST
It is a field test for determining the ultimate bearing capacity of soil and the likely settlement
under a given load.

1. Test Setup: A test pit is dug at site up to the depth at which the foundation is proposed
to be laid. The width of the pit should be at least 5 times the width of the test plate. At
the centre of the pit a small square depression or hole is made whose size is equal to
the size of the test plate and bottom level of which corresponds to the level of actual
foundation.
2. Testing Procedure: The load is applied to the test plate through a centrally placed
column. The test load is transmitted to the column by one of the following two
methods
a. By gravity loading or reaction loading method
b. By loading truss method.
3. Results: The load intensity and settlement observations of the plate load test are
plotted in the form of load settlement curves.
 4. Limitations:
a. Provide immediate settlement, however in case of clays, primary and
secondary/creep (organic clays) settlements are significant
b. Non-homogeneity of the soil may cause errors due to size effect

SEISMIC REFRACTION METHOD

It is based on the fact that seismic waves exhibit varied velocities in different types of
geomaterials. Waves are refracted when they cross boundaries between layers. The method
allows us to identify the nature of the soil layer and approximate depth of each stratum.
Shockwaves are induced by the detonation of a small charge or impact on plate with a
hammer. The radiating waves are then recorded by geophones.

In denser materials the wave travels faster. The velocities of the direct ray and the refracted
ray can be found out by the time it takes for them to reach the sensor. If the source geophone
is placed at a distance less than Xc, the direct wave reaches the geophone earlier than
refracted wave and visa-versa.
The depth of the layer can be found out by the following formula,

This method is only used for establishing the profiles of different strata. It cannot be used to
determine the exact type of the strata. For that sampling is essential.

ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHOD

Electrical resistivity varies between materials. The test uses this principle to determine the
type of soil. The test is carried out by driving 4 metal electrodes into the ground at equal
distances. The current flow through the outer electrodes produces an electrical field and the
potential between the inner electrodes are measured. This can be used to determine the
resistivity of the material and hence the type.
 The resistivity obtained can then be used to determine the soil type by correlating to the
below table:

REFERENCES

Mishra, G. (2017, December 15). Methods of soil investigation and exploration and
their details. The Constructor. Retrieved October 3, 2022, from
https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/soil-investigation-and-exploration/2411/

Test Pits - Soil Exploration | The Construction Civil

Test Pit Excavation (nge-tft.com)

How to Setup Borehole Layout for Site Investigation of Foundations?

(theconstructor.org)

What is Auger Boring? - Definition from Trenchlesspedia

Wash Boring and Setup of Wash Boring - Engineering Projects

(bestengineeringprojects.com)

Rotary boring | Article about rotary boring by The Free Dictionary

Standard Penetration Test (SPT)-Procedure,Precautions, Advantages - The

Constructor

Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) | Geoengineer.org

Plate Load Test - Determine Bearing Capacity of Soils (theconstructioncivil.org)