Ground investigation.

All site investigation activities were conducted in accordance to BS 5930: 1999 “Code of practice for
site investigations” and included drilling of boreholes using rotary drilling, sampling, and standard
penetration tests. Five boreholes (rotary boreholes) were drilled each descending to a depth of 10m
in total 50m were drilled. 50 standard penetration tests were performed, 50 undisturbed samples
were picked and 4 undisturbed samples were obtained out of the 5 boreholes for further laboratory
analysis.

Significance of ground investigations.

Sufficient information must be obtained to enable a safe and economic design to be made and to
avoid any difficulties during construction. The principal objects of the investigation are:

(1) to determine the sequence, thicknesses and lateral extent of the soil strata and, where
appropriate, the level of bedrock;

(2) to obtain representative samples of the soils (and rock) for identification and classification

and, if necessary, for use in laboratory tests to determine relevant soil parameters;

(3) to identify the groundwater conditions.

The investigation may also include the performance of in-situ tests to assess appropriate soil
characteristics. Additional considerations arise if it is suspected that the ground may be contaminated.
The results of a ground investigation should provide adequate information, for example, to enable the
most suitable type of foundation for a proposed structure to be selected and to indicate if special
problems are likely to arise during excavation.

Borehole drilling method.

Rotary drilling.

Rotary drilling is used primarily for penetrating the overburden between the levels of which samples
are required (samples were obtained by the standard penetration test).

On site the form of rotary drilling used was core drilling, where the diamond bit was used to cut an
annular hole in the soil and an intact core enters the core barrel.

Why rotary drilling technique.

The advantage of rotary drilling in soils is that progress is much faster than with other investigation
methods and disturbance of the soil below the borehole is slight.

However, the method is not suitable if the soil contains a high percentage of gravel (or larger) particles
as they tend to rotate beneath the bit and are not broken up and also the natural soil properties like
moisture are greatly altered by the drilling fluid.
Procedures for drilling as they were undertaken on site.

 The drilling machine was setup such that the coring rod was directly above testing spot. The
location and elevation of the spot were then determined from a hand held GPS.
 A hole was dug a distance of about 1.5m from the testing spot and a small channel was created
such that it connected the testing spot to the dug hole. This was intended to allow the drilling
water to be recycled.
 The diamond coring bit was fixed to the lower end of the coring rod which in turn was carried
by the drilling rods. Using a piece of chalk marks at intervals of 1m were made along the coring
rod. The coring rod was in turn driven by the power rig.
 Water (drilling fluid) was poured in a drum and pumped down the hollow drilling rod by the
mud pump and passed under pressure through narrow holes in the coring bit.
 As the rods with the attached bit were rotated, a downward pressure was being applied to
the drill string to obtain penetration, and drilling fluid under pressure was introduced into the
bottom of the hole through the hollow drill rods and the passages in the bit or barrel. The
coring bit cut an annular hole around and the intact core which entered the barrel and is
retrieved.
 The drilling fluid cools and lubricates the drilling tool and carries the loose debris to the surface
between the rods and the side of the hole. The fluid also provides some support to the sides
of the hole since no casing is used and at the same time it served the purpose of forcing out
the disturbed sample from the coring barrel (rod).

However, the natural water content of the material is liable to be increased due to contact with the
drilling fluid. Diameter of the bit used was 100mm.

Summary of borehole drilling activities.

BH No Start date Finish date Drilling No. of SPT coordinates Elevation

depth (m) samples (m)
BH 1 4 / 7 /2018 4 / 7 / 2018 10 10 0438165 mE 1167
0004647 mN
BH 2 5 / 7 / 2018 5 / 7 / 2018 10 10 0438144 mE 1153
0004646 mN
BH 3 5 / 7 / 2018 6 / 7 / 2018 10 10 0438140 mE 1153
0004660 mN
BH 4 6 / 7 / 2018 6 / 7 / 2018 10 10 0438159 mE 1163
0004662 mN
BH 5 7 / 7/ 2018 7/ 7 / 2018 10 10 0438152 mE 1172
0004651 mN
Standard penetration test and sample extraction.

Soil samples obtained from site were divided into two main categories, undisturbed and disturbed.

Undisturbed samples, which are required mainly for shear strength and consolidation tests, are
obtained by techniques which aim at preserving the in-situ structure and water content of the soil. On
site boreholes, undisturbed samples were obtained by withdrawing the boring tools (coring bit) and
driving or pushing a sampler tube into the soil at the bottom of the hole. The samples must be
protected from water, wind and sun to avoid any change in water content.

However, it should be noted that is impossible to obtain a sample that is completely undisturbed, no
matter how elaborate or careful the ground investigation and sampling technique

Disturbed samples are those having the same particle size distribution as the in-situ soil but in which
the soil structure has been significantly damaged or completely destroyed; in addition, the water
content may be different from that of the in-situ soil. Disturbed samples, which are used mainly for
soil classification tests, visual classification and compaction tests.

On site these were obtained (excavated) from the tools used to advance boreholes (the coring bit). A
representative soil sample that remained intact and had a sufficient length of at least 100mm was
wrapped into a polyethene bag and the remaining samples placed into the sample box.

NOTE;

All samples should be clearly labelled to show the project name, date, location, borehole number,
depth and method of sampling; in addition, each sample should be given a serial number. Special care
is required in the handling, transportation and storage of samples (particularly undisturbed samples)
prior to testing.

The sampling method used should be related to the quality of sample required. Quality can be
classified as follows, according to the uses to which the sample can be put:

Sample quality (class) Uses of the sample Nature of the

sample
Class 1 classification, water content, density, shear strength, Undisturbed
deformation and consolidation tests.
Class 2 classification, water content and density tests Undisturbed

Class 3 classification and water content tests. Disturbed

Class 4 classification tests only Disturbed

Class 5 strata identification only Disturbed

Standard penetration test.

The Standard Penetration Test at the site was performed in the five Boreholes using a standard split-
barrel sampler.

Reference document: BS 1377: Part 9: 1990.

Aim of the test.

The test was conducted to determine the SPT resistances (N-values) that were used to determine the
Allowable Bearing Capacity based on empirical relationships developed by Terzaghi (1967) and provide
an indication of the consistency of the different soil layers encountered.

Standard penetration test as carried out.

 The depth of the borehole was advanced to the required depth (1m interval), the coring rod
and its bit were then displaced off the testing spot by use of control panel of the drilling rig.
 The split spoon sampler was cleaned and a thin film of oil was applied to the inside face of the
standard sampler (sampler without liner). The split spoon was then connected to an extension
rod.
 The 63.5kg donut hammer connected to the guide rod was carried by the drilling rig and the
lower end of the guide rod smeared with grease to provide for smooth connection to the
extension rod. The assembly was connected to the other end of extension drill rod carrying
the split spoon.
 The guide rod was then smeared with oil to reduce on friction as the hammer falls.
 The assembly was now set to sit at the bottom of the borehole, and discs were placed around
the extension rod to act as a reference for measuring the number of blows.
 Three marks were made at 150mm intervals along the extension rod using a piece of chalk
with the measuring reference as the upper edge of the clamps.
 The hammer was held automatically and left to fall freely through a height of 760mm to drive
the spoon into the ground.
 The number of blows required to drive each 150mm into the ground was recorded and the
summation of blows required to drive the second and third 150mm was recorded as the field
N value.
 The sample obtained from the split spoon was retrieved and wrapped in a polyethene bag to
prevent moisture loss and preserve the natural conditions of the sample.

NOTE:

 To avoid seating errors, the blows required for the first 150mm of penetration are not taken
into account; those required to increase the penetration from 150mm to 450mm constitute
the N-value.
 The sample to be classified as disturbed or undisturbed the degree of disturbance of the soil
sample during sampling should be determined by

AR (%) = (DO2 - DI2) (100) / ( DI2 ) , where

AR = area ratio (ratio of disturbed area to total area of soil)

Do = outside diameter of the sampling tube

D1 = inside diameter of the sampling tube

When the area ratio is 10% or less, the sample generally is considered to be undisturbed.

For the sampler used (standard split-spoon sampler), it had an outside diameter of 50.8mm and inside
diameter 34.93mm, and the degree of disturbance was,

AR (%) = (50.8 2 - 34.932) (100) / (34.93)2 = 111.5%

Results analysis for the standard penetration test.

Having obtained the field N values, they are corrected and an allowable bearing capacity can be
calculated for.

corrections

It is important to point out that several factors contribute to the variation of the standard penetration
number (N) at a given depth for similar soil profiles. Among these factors are the SPT hammer
efficiency, borehole diameter, sampling method, rod length, water table and overburden pressure
important.

Variations of CH, CR, CB, and CS are based on recommendations by Seed et al. (1985) and Skempton
(1986), are summarized below,

variations for hammer efficiency correction CH

Country Hammer type Hammer release CH (%)

Japan Donut Free fall 78
Donut Rope and pulley 67
United states Safety Rope and pulley 60
Donut Rope and pulley 45
Argentina Donut Rope and pulley 45
China Donut Free fall 60
Donut Rope and pulley 50
Europe Donut Free fall (trip) 100

Variations for borehole diameter correction, CB

Diameter (mm) CB
60 – 120 1
150 1.05
200 1.15

Variations for sampler correction, CS

Sampler type CS
Standard sampler 1.0
With liner for dense sand and clay 0.8
With liner for loose sand 0.9

Variations for rod length correction, CR

 Rod length (m) CR
>10 1.0
6 – 10 0.95
4–6 0.85
0–4 0.75

Correlation between N6o and consistency.

N60 Consistency
Less than 2 Very soft
2 to 4 Soft
4 to 8 Firm
8 to 16 Stiff
16 to 32 Very stiff
Over 32 Hard

The corrected N value according to terzaghi (N60), i.e. express the N-value to an average energy ratio
of 60%) is calculated as N60 = (N CH CR CS CB) / (0.6)

Since the soils where cohesive, the overburden correction was taken to be 1, the sampler correction
was 1 because the standard sampler was used, diameter of borehole was 100mm, thus borehole
diameter correction was 1, the hammer used was a donut, free fall hammer type Europe made and
thus a hammer correction of 1.0 was used (this correction value assumes that almost 100% of the
energy is transferred by the hammer to drive the sampler and thus frictional forces as the hammer
was being dropped were neglected) .

For cohesive soils the unconfined compressive strength (qu) is given

Unconfined Compressive strength (qu)=12.5 x N60.

The cohesion Cu = qu / 2 and

ultimate bearing capacity (qult) = 5.14× Cu

allowable bearing capacity = ultimate bearing capacity / 3

Borehole 1

BH Predominant Depth Field CR N60 Qu Cu Qult Allowable

No soil (m) N bearing
values capacity
BH Sandy 1.5 13 0.75 16.3 203.1 101.6 522.0 174.0
01 micaceous 2.5 12 0.75 15.0 187.5 93.8 481.9 160.6
silts 3.5 17 0.75 21.3 265.6 132.8 682.7 227.6
4.5 8 0.85 11.3 141.7 70.8 364.1 121.4
5.5 6 0.85 8.5 106.3 53.1 273.1 91.0
6.5 7 0.95 11.1 138.5 69.3 356.1 118.7
7.5 19 0.95 30.1 376.0 188.0 966.4 322.1
8.5 15 0.95 23.8 296.9 148.4 763.0 254.3
9.5 14 0.95 22.2 277.1 138.5 712.1 237.4
10.5 14 1.0 23.3 291.7 145.8 749.6 249.9
Borehole 2

BH No Predominant Depth Field N CH N60 QU CU Qult Allowable

soil (m) values bearing
capacity
BH 02 Sandy 1.5 13 0.75 16.3 203.1 101.6 522.0 174.0
micaceous
silts 2.5 10 0.75 12.5 156.3 78.1 401.6 133.9
3.5 10 0.75 12.5 156.3 78.1 401.6 133.9
4.5 11 0.85 15.6 194.8 97.4 500.6 166.9
5.5 18 0.85 25.5 318.8 159.4 819.2 273.1
6.5 20 0.95 31.7 395.8 197.9 1017.3 339.1
7.5 16 0.95 25.3 316.7 158.3 813.8 271.3
8.5 17 0.95 26.9 336.5 168.2 864.7 288.2
9.5 20 0.95 31.7 395.8 197.9 1017.3 339.1
10.5 37 1.0 61.7 770.8 385.4 1981.0 660.3

Borehole 3

BH Predominant Depth Field CH N60 QU CU QUlt Allowable

No soil (m) N bearing
values capacity

BH Sandy 1.5 8 0.75 10.0 125.0 62.5 321.3 107.1

03 micaceous
silts 2.5 8 0.75 10.0 125.0 62.5 321.3 107.1
3.5 13 0.75 16.3 203.1 101.6 522.0 174.0
4.5 20 0.85 28.3 354.2 177.1 910.2 303.4
5.5 22 0.85 31.2 389.6 194.8 1001.2 333.7
6.5 16 0.95 25.3 316.7 158.3 813.8 271.3
7.5 12 0.95 19.0 237.5 118.8 610.4 203.5
8.5 13 0.95 20.6 257.3 128.6 661.2 220.4
9.5 14 0.95 22.2 277.1 138.5 712.1 237.4
10.5 22 1.0 36.7 458.3 229.2 1177.9 392.6
Borehole 4

BH Predominant Depth Field CH N60 Qu Cu Qult Allowable

No soil (m) N bearing
values capacity

BH 04 Sandy 1.5 15 0.75 18.8 234.4 117.2 602.3 200.8

micaceous
2.5 9 0.75 11.3 140.6 70.3 361.4 120.5
silts
3.5 26 0.75 32.5 406.3 203.1 1044.1 348.0
4.5 20 0.85 28.3 354.2 177.1 910.2 303.4
5.5 15 0.85 21.3 265.6 132.8 682.7 227.6
6.5 22 0.95 34.8 435.4 217.7 1119.0 373.0
7.5 20 0.95 31.7 395.8 197.9 1017.3 339.1
8.5 19 0.95 30.1 376.0 188.0 966.4 322.1
9.5 11 0.95 17.4 217.7 108.9 559.5 186.5
10.5 10 1.0 16.7 208.3 104.2 535.4 178.5
Borehole 5

BH Predominant Depth Field CH N60 Qu Cu Qult Allowable

No soil (m) N bearing
values capacity

BH 05 Sandy 1.5 12 0.75 15.0 187.5 93.8 481.9 160.6

micaceous
silts 2.5 11 0.75 13.8 171.9 85.9 441.7 147.2
3.5 20 0.75 25.0 312.5 156.3 803.1 267.7
4.5 23 0.85 32.6 407.3 203.6 1046.7 348.9
5.5 20 0.85 28.3 354.2 177.1 910.2 303.4
6.5 11 0.95 17.4 217.7 108.9 559.5 186.5
7.5 12 0.95 19.0 237.5 118.8 610.4 203.5
8.5 13 0.95 20.6 257.3 128.6 661.2 220.4
9.5 14 0.95 22.2 277.1 138.5 712.1 237.4
10.5 17 1.0 28.3 354.2 177.1 910.2 303.4
Conclusions.

The bearing capacities as calculated according to terzaghi and peck 1967 were in a range of 91.0Kpa
(borehole 1 at 5.5m) as the lowest and 660.3Kpa (borehole 2 at 10.5m) as the highest and no refusals
were encountered.

The soil was made up of mainly moist to very moist, reddish brown mottled yellow and grey sandy
micaceous silts.

Water table was monitored using the piezometer and no water table was encountered.