9/18/2019

Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design
Geotechnical Site Investigation (CE 829)
Knowledge of precedents

Instructor: Tariq M. Bajwa , PhD Familiarity with soil mechanics procedure

NUST, Pakistan
Office # 112 (NIT Building) Develop a cynical pessimistic approach
Key attributes for successful GSI
Email: tariq.bajwa@nice.nust.edu.pk
Understanding of geology

Search for all possible failure mechanism

Similitude
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Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design Planning and conceptual design

• Knowledge of precedents - build up a data base of case records

Consolidation - compatibility with existing structures

• Examples

Slope stability – total stress or effective stress

o appropriate case records of field failures and a site investigation should be planned to provide the correct
values required.
18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq BajwaFigure: Information and activity flow chart for geotechnical site investigation 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa

Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design Planning and conceptual design

The development of the geological model • Familiarity with soil mechanics principles – computational methods to solve
engineering problems
Seepage
Planning of GSI The identification and evaluation of hazards Calculations of earth pressure

Parametric considerations Settlement

Slope stability
The geotechnical design of the project Bearing capacity

Conceptual design and unnecessary parameters ?

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Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design Planning and conceptual design

• Understanding of geology – built up of sound appreciation of the site geology • Similitude – develop model– best to the field conditions and design parameters to tackle GP

Origin of the materials encountered Prototype model

How did they get there ?

Have the properties changed since deposition?

Parametric considerations Analytical model Similitude Narrow down differences
Are the soils residual or transported ?

What is the distribution of pwp across the site

best approach!
Will the engineering operations to be carried Field model
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out to alter the engineering properties? 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa

Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design Planning and conceptual design
o Similitude
o Search for all possible failure mechanisms: Try to anticipate the unexpected!
• “Bad' geotechnical design is where you put the wrong parameters into the wrong analysis
• In addition to the 'standard’ problems to be considered (such as bearing capacity,
and get the wrong answer.

settlement, earth pressure, slope stability and seepage) hazards lurking in the • 'Good' geotechnical design is where you put the wrong parameters into the wrong analysis

background which could trap the unwary? and get the right answer!

Examples: The collapse of an existing retaining wall due to abnormal rainfall, or the
failure of a nearby slope, or ground deformations due to the presence of an underground
undetected void could have serious consequences.
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• This is because in good design we assess how wrong our parameter determinations are
and how wrong our analyses are and make a compensating correction based on
precedent.
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Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design Planning and conceptual design

• All potential hazards should be considered so that the site investigation will
o Develop a cynical pessimistic approach
identify such problems at an early stage. Starting a risk register at the outset is the
key to best practice
• Never forget Murphy's Law:

• The site investigation should be specifically designed for each individual job.
• 'If something can go wrong, it will!' (this law has other names!).

• Check and cross check everything. • The days of a standard site investigation of two boreholes to a depth of 10 m, with
U100 samples at depth intervals of 1·5 m in clays and Standard Penetration Tests
• Take nothing for granted. (SPTs) at depth intervals of 1·5 m in granular soils are long over!

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Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design Planning and conceptual design

Key elements in the planning of investigation: o Borehole layout and spacing – key principles:

• The spacing of boreholes for foundations for

Bore hole layout and spacing structures often lies in the range of 20 m to 40 m

Procurement • The position of each bridge structure should be

carefully investigated by up to four boreholes 25 m
Development of the geological model
to 30 m deep.
Conceptual design and case studies (precedent) • For piled foundation, the boreholes should extend

The desk study and walk over survey to a depth below the elevation of the pile tips

Geotechnical hazards and risk management Figure: Typical borehole layouts for (a) a large
Parameters determination: classic and modern methods warehouse and (b) a multistorey block of flats
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Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design Planning and conceptual design

Key elements in the planning of boreholes and spacing o Bore hole layout and spacing – key principles:
Guidance from some of the case records
The nature of project

Cost Which one is preferred ?

Time allocation
Technical specifications
Variations in ground conditions
Size of the project
Availability of labor and equipment
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Examples:
• Motorway in UK – one bore hole at
the centre line with 150 m spacing
down to 5 m depth
• High embankment – more depth
• Deep cutting – special consideration
due to water pressure distribution
Figure: Suggested borehole depths for various foundation conditions. (a) Individual footing or raft, (b)
Closely spaced footings (c) Piled raft.
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Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design Planning and conceptual design
o Key principles in the planning of boreholes and spacing o Borehole layout and spacing on sloped surfaces:
• Boreholes should be sunk as close to the proposed foundations in case of irregular bearing stratum • Place three to five boreholes in a straight line up the slope

• If the layout of the structures has not been decided at the time of carrying out the site investigation, an evenly spaced • For extensive area, more than one line necessary

grid of boreholes may be adopted • Terminated bore holes only reaching a competent stratum

• Most adverse water pressure distribution investigation throughout the slope

• Borehole layout and frequency are partly controlled by the complexity of the geological conditions.
• The location of any slip surfaces needs to be thoroughly investigated and this
• If the ground conditions are relatively uniform, a wide spacing of boreholes may be satisfactory
may require continuous samples or test pits
• if the ground conditions are complex , a closer spacing of boreholes will be required.
• For any site to sink at least one borehole to a sufficient depth to establish the
• The depth to which boreholes should be sunk is governed by the depth to which the soil is significantly affected by the
solid geology

foundation loading. • It is good practice to extend some boreholes 3 m to 6 m into rock to check the
Figure: Suggested borehole layout for
• It is common for boreholes to be taken down to a depth of 1·5B or 2B below the elevation of a foundation of breadth B depth of weathering and the possible existence of a boulder.
investigating a landslip
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Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design - Procurement Planning and conceptual design - Procurement
• Role of procurement in the planning of investigation:
Shortcomings in the planning of investigation:
Package arrangement made with the Employer (Design and direction, together with all
Inadequate finance physical work, testing and reporting as required, by a single contracting party)
Lack of client awareness
allows full use to be made of the expertise of the specialist contractor
Lack of geotechnical expertise
Advantage
Inappropriate conditions of contract System II
avoids any division or confusion of responsibilities

Insufficient and inadequate supervision

Unfair or unsuitable methods of competition

Disadvantage less available experience in the use of System 2, particularly in
Inadequate and unenforceable specification of work large contracts
Insufficient time to carry out a proper investigation
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Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design - Procurement Planning and conceptual design

o Development of a geological model (Fooke’ s model):

• Clients should be aware of the inherent risks associated with site investigation.
Stages involved in a site investigation:
• It is vital that financial decision-makers appreciate that you pay for a site
Desk study
investigation whether you have one or not?
Walk over survey, together with geological mapping and trial pitting
• Many ways to procure ground investigation,
Main ground investigation
• Example: System I and System II (UK)
Supplementary investigation

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Observations made during construction

Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design- Development of a geological model (Fooke’ s model):
Planning and conceptual design - Procurement
• Role of procurement in the planning of investigation:

Design of the investigation and supervision by a Consulting Engineer

Physical work, testing and reporting carried out as required under a separate
contract by a Contractor, chosen by selective tendering.
demonstrate cost accountability through the tendering
System I process.
Advantage

allows the design engineer to participate in the investigation process

Disadvantage difficulty of ensuring that adequate expertise and supervision are

provided by the Engineer.
Figure: Progressive increase in information building up the geological model during the course
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of a site investigation, after Fookes (1997) - desk study (superimposed on basic geology)

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Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design- Development of a geological model (Fooke’ s model): Planning and conceptual design- Development of a geological model (Fooke’ s model):

Figure: Progressive increase in information building up the geological model during the course Figure: Progressive increase in information building up the geological model during the course
18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa of a site investigation, after Fookes (1997) – walk-over survey (superimposed on basic 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa of a site investigation, after Fookes (1997) – supplementary ground investigation
geology) (superimposed on basic geology)

Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design- Development of a geological model (Fooke’ s model): Case study: Underground car park at the House of Commons

o Location = New Palace Yard – a place

close to Parliament Building, Westminster
Hall and Clock Tower
o Excavation = 18 m deep – major
engineering problem
o Through investigation – soil profile and
groundwater conditions

Tower Clock

Figure: Progressive increase in information building up the geological model during the course
18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa of a site investigation, after Fookes (1997) – geophysical survey (superimposed on basic Figure: Location map of House of Commons Car Park 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa
geology)

Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Planning and conceptual design- Development of a geological model (Fooke’ s model): Case study: Underground car park at the House of Commons

Borehole mappings = 14 No.

- Investigate: G/W conditions

and soil profile

Figure: Progressive increase in information building up the geological model during the course Figure: Location plan for boreholes, House of Commons car park
18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa of a site investigation, after Fookes (1997) – main ground investigation (superimposed on 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa
basic geology)

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Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Case study: Underground car park at the House of Commons Case study: Underground car park at the House of Commons

Monitoring: Surface surveying, ground

movements at depth and pore water pressures.
• 60 movement/survey points were established by
levelling stations into the masonry of the
Borehole mappings = 14 No. Proposed parking base surrounding buildings
• Changes in the verticality of the Clock Tower were
Soil profile of the proposed site measured using an 'Autoplumb’
• The horizontal deflections of the diaphragm walls
were measured by inclinometers
• The heave at various depths was measured using
two magnet extensometers.
• Pore water pressures were observed using a
number of standpipes and pneumatic piezometers

Figure: Location of instrumentation, House of Commons car park

Figure: Generalized borehole log, House of Commons car park 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa

Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Case study: Underground car park at the House of Commons Case study: Underground car park at the House of Commons

Casagrande standpipe
UU triaxial tests • The thorough site investigation, the finite element analysis and the comprehensive monitoring
and piezometers

programme all contributed to the successful completion of this complex and sensitive civil
• Oedometer tests
– compressibility engineering project
• Finite element
analysis • An important point to note is that the design parameters adopted were not those resulting from

the site investigation but were based on field measurements of the deformations of the ground

around a similar wall also in the London Clay.

Figure: Soil profile and properties, House of Commons car park 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa

Planning of geotechnical site investigation: Planning of geotechnical site investigation:

Case study: Underground car park at the House of Commons Case study: Underground car park at the House of Commons

Implications:
• the proposed car park there existed a layer of
London Clay containing partings of fine sand
and silt up to 10 mm thick and at 50 mm spacing
near the top of the layer
• The finding of this layer had very important Proposed parking base
implications on the design of the foundations
and retaining walls since the relatively high
horizontal permeability could give rise to high
water pressures beneath the excavation leading
to hydraulic uplift and possible base failure .
• the presence of the sand layers could lead to
difficulties in the construction of the piles,

particularly due to water seepage.

Figure: Typical variation of stiffness with strain for most soils

Figure: Generalized borehole log, House of Commons car park 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa 18/09/2019 / Dr. Tariq Bajwa

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Thank you very much / Dr. Tariq Bajwa

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