REPORT ON THE SOIL INVESTIGATION FOR THE PROPOSED THREE STORIED

HOUSE FOR MR.NANDANA SENARATHNE AT THALAHENA

CLIENT
MR.NANDANA SENARATHNE








Forwarded By:

MATERIAL ENGINEERING LABORATORIES
NO. 04, PEPILIYANA,
DEHIWALA






7
th


August 2013






NP GEOTECHNICS-TEL: 0714277843 Page 2 of 5

CONTENTS




1. Introduction
2. Site and Project Descriptions
3. Field Investigation
4. Sub-Surface Conditions
5. Recommendations for foundations


Annexure :
i- Site plan showing Test Locations
ii- Mackintosh Test Results Sheets








REPORT ON THE SOIL INVESTIGATION FOR THE PROPOSE THREE STORIE HO!SE FOR "R#NANANA SENARATHNE


"ATERIAL ENGINEERING LA$ORATORIES Page 3 of 5

REPORT ON THE SOIL INVESTIGATION FOR THE PROPOSED THREE STORIED
HOUSE FOR MR.NANDANA SENARATHNE AT THALAHENA


1. INTRODUCTION

It is proposed to construct a three storied house for Mr. Nandana Senarathne in the site located at
Thalahena as shown on the Site Plan in Fig. 1. The Material Engineering Laboratories was authorized
to carry out the geotechnical site investigation.

This report represents the results of the soil investigation carried out for the said project. Field
investigations consisted of carrying out of mackintosh probing tests along with a hand auger borings.

The site plan showing the approximate test locations and test results sheets are presented in annexure.

2. LOCATION & PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The site proposed for the construction of two storied building is located at Thalahena as shown in the
site plan Fig.1, which is relatively flat and currently vacant. It is rectangular block, which is bounded
by the existing access road at front and by an abandoned paddy land at rear end. Adjoining lands of
the other two ends are currently vacant. These details are shown on the attached site plan Fig.01.

The proposed building is three-storey structure that possibly consists of reinforced concrete columns
frame works with in filled brick walls.

3. FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

Field investigation for the proposed construction consisted of carrying out Mackintosh Probing Tests
along with hand auger borings. The Mackintosh Test Probe locations are denoted as M-01 to M-02 in
the annexed Site Plans Figure-1. Field investigations were conducted on 5
th
August 2013.

3 .1 Mackintosh Test Probing Methodology

Mackintosh probe tests were conducted continuously to refusal depth. The test was carried out as
specified in the British Standard. The test is carried out by driving a 25 mm (diameter) standard
Mackintosh probe into the soil to the depth of 30 cm using a 5 kg hammer falling freely through 300
mm drop. The number of hammer blows required to penetrate the standard probe through 30 cm was
recorded continuously.

The blow counts obtained for every 30 cm of penetration by the Mackintosh Test probe is
approximately correlated to the N value of the Standard Penetration Test.

The approximate correlation is:

N Value = Number of blows for 30 cm with Mackintosh
5
REPORT ON THE SOIL INVESTIGATION FOR THE PROPOSE THREE STORIE HO!SE FOR "R#NANANA SENARATHNE


"ATERIAL ENGINEERING LA$ORATORIES Page 4 of 5

Visual classifications of soil types encountered were carried out from the surface, existing cuts, and
shallow pit samples. In the results submitted, the classification of soil types encountered along the
depth of probed extent and the Mackintosh probe test values obtained are shown. Stabilized ground
water level was observed, if present, and it is given in the results.

4. SUBSURFACE CONDITION

The site stratigraphy at each site is seen from Mackintosh Test Result Sheets M-01 to M-02. The
results of the field investigation reveled that the near surface soil profile is about 0.90 to 1.00 thick
lateritic soil fill followed by very soft organic clay layers extending down to about 3.0 depth. The
profile below 3.0m medium dense clayey sand and stiff clay horizons extending down to the
maximum explored depth of 6.0m.
The typical soil profile at test location MT-01 can be represented by following successive soil layers
along with their respective SPT N values.

No

Layer Description

Position
(m)
Average
SPT N
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Lateritic soil fill
Very soft blackish to grey organic clay
Soft sandy clay
Medium to coarse sand

Clayey Sand

Stiff clay
0.0-1.00
1.00 2.40
2.40- 3.00
3.00 3.60
3.60- 5.40
5.40 6.00
-
2
5
25
15-20
10

Similar layering was observed at test location MT-02 except the layer No.04. The layer No.04 was not
encountered at test location MT-02.

Ground water table was at around 1.00m depth during the field investigation.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOUNDATIONS
The significant features that would determine the foundation type selection and design are:

(i) The site has about 0.90m to 1.00m thick uncontrolled fill.
(ii) Presence of very soft organic clay and soft clay below above down to the depth of
3.0m.
(iii) Presence of strong formation from 3.0m depth downwards.
(iv) The proposed building is going to be a three-storey structure and possibly consists of
reinforced concrete columns frame works with in filled brick walls and floor slabs.

Based on the considerations of the above factors, it is recommended that the proposed three storied
structure be supported on individual pad footings that are tied at plinth level in conjunction with
ground improvements under the footings.

In the event of ground improvements under the footings, it is recommended that the foundation
excavation for footings be done at least down to the 3.0 depth below existing ground level in
REPORT ON THE SOIL INVESTIGATION FOR THE PROPOSE THREE STORIE HO!SE FOR "R#NANANA SENARATHNE


"ATERIAL ENGINEERING LA$ORATORIES Page 5 of 5

timbered/shored pits along with dewatering. Resulting excavation should be back filled with quarry
dust or ABC in controlled manner. Such filling shall be done in 30cm loose lifts compacted to 95% of
proctor density. The width and length of such compacted fill below the footings should be at least
50% more than that of footings.
Footings shall be installed using minimum embedment of 0.75m on compacted fill after carrying out
soil replacement as specified above, and be designed for a safe allowable bearing pressure
recommended up to 100kPa. Footings shall be interconnected using connecting tie beams at plinth
level.

Report Prepared by:
Material Engineering Laboratories

..
K.N. P. Gunarathne, B.Sc. Eng, (Hons), P.G.Dip (Geotech. Eng).
Geotechnical Engineer

Bare Land
Bare Land
Roadway
Low-laying abandoned paddy field
5.0m
4.0m
MT-02
4.0m
4.0m
MT-01
8.0m
4.50m
Figure 01 !i"e plan !#owing "e!" lo$a"ion! Figure 01 !i"e plan !#owing "e!" lo$a"ion! Figure 01 !i"e plan !#owing "e!" lo$a"ion! Figure 01 !i"e plan !#owing "e!" lo$a"ion!
MATERIAL ENGINEERING LABORATORIES


MACKINTOSH BORING & PROSPECTING - BS 1377
FIELD TEST RESULTS

Project Proposed house for Mr. Nandana Senarathne
C!"e#t Mr. Nandana Senarathne
Loc$t"o# Thalahena, Malambe

D$te 05/ 08 / 2013
Te%t No MT - 01
E!e&$t"o# !"st"n# $round le%el as &ero
G'L ()* 1.0m



W.O.H. Weight of Hammer NP No Penetration
N.E. Not Encountered GWL Groundwater Level (Depth)








De+t, ()* B!o-
Co.#t%
So"!
De%cr"+t"o#
0.00 ' 0.30
(ater"t") So"l
*+"ll,

-er. soft
bla)/"sh #re.
or#an") )la.


0h"t"sh #re.
)la.

Med"um to
)oarse sand

1la.e. Sand




St"ff )la.



0.30 ' 0.20
0.20 ' 0.30 21
0.30 ' 1.20 30
1.20 ' 1.50 14
1.50 ' 1.80 23
1.80 ' 2.10 10
2.10 ' 2.50 15
2.50 ' 2.40 55
2.40 ' 3.00 24
3.00 ' 3.30 30
3.30 ' 3.20 125
3.20 ' 3.30 125
3.30 ' 5.20 31
5.20 ' 5.50 112
5.50 ' 5.80 103
5.80 ' 5.10 44
5.10 ' 5.50 113
5.50 ' 5.40 52
5.40 ' 2.00 23
2.00 ' 2.30 54
2.30 ' 2.20
2.20 ' 2.30
2.30 ' 4.20
4.20 ' 4.50
4.50 ' 4.80
MATERIAL ENGINEERING LABORATORIES

MACKINTOSH BORING & PROSPECTING - BS 1377
FIELD TEST RESULTS

Project Proposed house for Mr. Nandana Senarathne
C!"e#t Mr. Nandana Senarathne
Loc$t"o# Thalahena, Malambe

D$te 05/ 08 / 2013
Te%t No MT - 02
E!e&$t"o# !"st"n# $round le%el as &ero
G'L ()* 1.0m



W.O.H. Weight of Hammer NP No Penetration
N.E. Not Encountered GWL Groundwater Level (Depth)







De+t, ()* B!o-
Co.#t%
So"!
De%cr"+t"o#
0.00 ' 0.30
(ater"t") So"l
*+"ll,

-er. soft bla)/"sh
#re. or#an") )la.


Soft 0h"t"sh
#re. Sand.
)la.

St"ff sand. )la.


1la.e. Sand





St"ff )la.



0.30 ' 0.20
0.20 ' 0.30 03
0.30 ' 1.20 04
1.20 ' 1.50 11
1.50 ' 1.80 08
1.80 ' 2.10 30
2.10 ' 2.50 21
2.50 ' 2.40 25
2.40 ' 3.00 28
3.00 ' 3.30 24
3.30 ' 3.20 25
3.20 ' 3.30 52
3.30 ' 5.20 35
5.20 ' 5.50 153
5.50 ' 5.80 185
5.80 ' 5.10 110
5.10 ' 5.50 120
5.50 ' 5.40 48
5.40 ' 2.00 23
2.00 ' 2.30 51
2.30 ' 2.20
2.20 ' 2.30
2.30 ' 4.20
4.20 ' 4.50
4.50 ' 4.80