SITE EXPLORATION

SITE EXPLORATION

Understanding project requirement and site characteristics.

Develop design criteria

Identify possible construction alternatives

Conduct soil investigation

Engineering analysis to evaluate alternatives

Develop recommendation and write report

Monitor design, construction and performance

Potential Problems Related

To Foundation Design

Bearing capacity failure of foundation (strength of soil)

differential settlement of foundation
Excessive overall settlement of foundation
Instability of foundation, embankment, slopes
Damage to surrounding structure due to excavation and
dewatering an excavation
Collapse of excavation as a result of excessive water in flow
Sulphate attack on concrete due to groundwater

Soil Investigation
Should Include

Selection of the type and depth of foundation suitable for a

given structure
Evaluation of the load bearing capacity of the foundation
Estimation of the probable settlement of the structure
Determination of potential foundation problems (e.g..
Expansive soil, collapsible soil, sanitary landfill, etc.)
Establishment of ground water table
Prediction of lateral earth pressure for the structure like
retaining wall, sheet pile well foundation etc.
Establishment of construction methods for changing subsoil
condition.

Site Investigation Phases

Phase I
Collection Of Preliminary Information
Obtain information regarding the type of structure
to be built and its general use
A general ides of the topography and the type of soil
Geological survey map etc.

Site Investigation Phases

Phase II
Reconnaissance
The engineer should always make a visual inspection
of the site.
To provide a general picture of the topography and
geology of the site.

Site Investigation Phases

Phase III
Site Investigation
Consists of planning, making test boreholes and
collection soil samples
For a 30 wide building, depending on number of
stories (1 to 5 stories) 3.0 m to 24 m deep borings can
be made.
For a multi story building borehole spacing is 1030m
The exploration cost is generally 0.1-0.5% of the cost
of the structure.

Site Investigation Phases

Phase IV
Report Writing
A clear description of the soils at the site
Methods of exploration
Soil profile
Test methods and results
The location and condition of the groundwater

Site Exploration Methods

Soil sampling procedure

Disturbed samples :
Used for grain size distribution, liquid and plastic limits,
specific gravity, compaction test, moisture content, soil
classification in the lab.
Undisturbed samples :
Consolidation test, permeability, shear strength test.
More complex jobs or where clay exists
In sand it is very difficult to obtain undisturbed
sample.

Field Strength Tests

1. SPT

Standard
proctor test
2. VST vane shear test
3. PMT
Pressure
meter test
4. CPT

cone
penetration test
5. DMTDilatometer
test

Analysis Of Results And

Report Submission
Recommendations
Construction Work