School of Environmental Engineering

UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PERLIS

EAT 314/4 Geotechnical Engineering

Introduction to Geotechnical
Engineering

SYAKIRAH AFIZA MOHAMMED

syakirahafiza@unimap.edu.my
 Outline

• Introduction
• Issues in Geotechnical Engineering,
• The Importance of Site Investigations,
 Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering

WHAT IT IS?
• Geotechnical Engineering is the discipline that deals with the
behaviour of earth materials (EARTH, SOIL and ROCK).
• Examine the soil and rock layers that make up the earth in order to
determine their physical and chemical properties.
• Using this information, they design foundations and earthworks
structures for buildings, roads, and many other types of projects.
 The goal of Geotechnical Engineering

• To design soil stabilization systems that keep people

safe.
• Ensure a building will remain standing on unstable
soil, or preventing earthquakes and landslides from
impacting major structure.
• Geotechnical engineers may also work on projects
that deal with underwater soils, such as those
affecting marinas or offshore platforms.
 Cont.

• The geotechnical design process starts with a subsurface

investigation, where soil samples are taken using test pits
or bores.
• Geotechnical engineers will then examine the properties
of the soil, including its stability, the presence of air or
rock pockets, and the chemical make up of the earth.
• This investigation allows them to determine the
environmental impact of disturbing the soil, as well as
what steps should be taken to prepare the site for
construction.
 Cont.
• Once subsurface work is complete, a geotechnical
engineering professional can use the results of this
research to design stable footings and foundations.
• These structures are made from steel, concrete, or
masonry, and are placed underground to support and
distribute the weight of the building.
• To create accurate designs, engineers calculate the load of
both building materials and the people inside.
• These systems must also allow the building to settle over
time, and accommodate ground movements and impacts
from weather.
• Typically, the more unstable the soil at a project site is, the
larger and more complex the foundation system will be.
 Cont.
• Geotechnical engineers also design earth support
structures to accommodate roads, tunnels, dams, and
other projects.
• Whenever the earth is moved or excavated, support
systems must be used to keep the remaining earth from
caving in or becoming unstable.
• Earthworks systems may include concrete or steel
retaining walls, which physically hold the soil back and
prevent collapsing or cave-in.
• Temporary earthworks structures may be also be used to
protect workers during excavation and underground work.
 Geotechnical Failure
(Issues in Geotechnical Engineering)
Highland tower
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vWbBv47PxA
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQXTSR9koCg
• https://youtu.be/E-M4KrcKX3k
• https://youtu.be/g7XCEViJ7qw\
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=081PZfvhFOY
• https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/landsli
des
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztVIBlDnYfI
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUxQMylS0G
8
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gTq4WggLp0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIU2n3AV2_s
• Activity 1 :
Define any case study (video from YouTube)related to
geotechnical issues. Discuss the issues involved in that
case study and determine the factors that contributes to
that issues.
Site Investigation
 Site Investigations

• Site investigation is a process of site exploration consisting of boring,

sampling and testing so as to obtain geotechnical information for a safe,
practical and economical geotechnical evaluation and design.
• Generally it is an exploration or discovery of the ground conditions
especially on untouched site.
 Objectives of site investigation
• To assess the general suitability of the site for the
proposed project
• To enable an adequate and economical design to be made
• To plan the best method of construction & prepare for
difficulties or delay during construction
• To explore source of indigenous materials for use in
construction
• To determine the changes that may aris in the ground and
environmental conditions
 The Importance of Site Investigations

• Identify type, depth and location of underlying soil

layers
• Determine physical characteristics of soil layers
• Location of water table
• Evaluate bearing capacity
• Predict lateral earth pressure
 Cont.

• Select type & depth of foundation

• Estimate settlements
• Determine potential problems
• Establish construction method
 Phases of site investigation

• Planning of a site investigation depends on the type,

size, and importance of the structure, the client, the
engineer’s familiarity with the soils at the site, and
local building codes.
• General of site investigation phases:
1. Collection of available information i.e. site plan, type,
size, loading conditions, previous geotechnical reports,
topographic maps, geologic maps, etc.
 Cont.

2. A site visit to provide a general picture of the

topography and geology of the site.

3. Detailed soils exploration to investigate soil strata,

groundwater conditions, obtain disturbed and
undisturbed samples for lab tests, and insitu tests.

4. Write a report.
 Tender Phase i.e: win the job

SITE INVESTIGATION
PHASES OF A TY[ICAL Client Briefing

Desk Study

Site Reconnaissance

Ground Investigation

Laboratory Testing

Synthesis of Information

Reporting

Monitoring during Construction

 Factors that influencing the method
of site exploration.
• Geological nature of site
• Topographical nature of site
• Types of information require
• Cost and Time
SITE EXPLORATION METHODS

1. Exploratory Holes
• Boreholes, Mackintosh/ JKR Probes, Cone Penetration
Tests, Boring (Trial Pits, Rotary Drilling, etc), Hand
Augering (HA) & Geophysical Survey

2. Soil Sampling
• Disturbed, Undisturbed, Bulk & Continuous.

3. In-situ Testing
• SPT, CPT, Pressuremeter, PLT, Vane Shear,
Permeability & Dissipitation.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9eQcc7ilVw
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dVHf-AJxT0
SITE INVESTIGATION REPORT : INFO
• Scope of investigation • Description of subsoil conditions as
1 determined from the soil samples collected.
6
• General description of the proposed
structure for which the exploration has • Groundwater table as observed from the
boreholes.
2 been conducted. 7

• Details of foundation recommendations and

• Geologic conditions of the site. alternatives.
3 8

• Drainage facilities at the site. • Any anticipated construction problems.

4 9

• Details of boring. • Limitations of the investigation.

5 10
SITE INVESTIGATION REPORT : GRAPHIC

• Site location map.

1

• Location of borings with respect to the proposed structure

2

• Boring logs.
3

• Laboratory tests results.

4

• Other special presentations.

5