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Documente Profesional
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The soil is the most important yet most neglected in a construction project. All
structures, buildings, roads, bridges, dams and even life itself is based on the
soil.
The soil is the natural foundation that supports all structures and investment.
Most clients see soil investigation as a waste of fund despite being the cheapest
in the construction process, hardly is the cost of soil test up to one percent of
the cost of construction.
A well designed soil investigation can often lead to project cost savings in the
long term by allowing contractors to foresee potential problems.
The cost of soil investigation is 0.1% to 5% of construction cost.
It is specifically related to the subsoil beneath the site under investigation and
could be part of or separate from the site investigation.
Conducting all field tests for determining the strength and compressibility characteristics of the
soil
Study of ground water level conditions and collection of water samples for chemical analysis
Preparation of report
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
Inspection
The first step in this connection is the inspection of the site and its
vicinity to get a preliminary idea of the site conditions.
This includes the study of the existing buildings in the neighborhood and
if possible the type of their foundations.
The subject can be discussed with those persons who were associated in
constructing buildings in the surroundings with regard to their
experiences and difficulties encountered by them.
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SOIL IN
PRELIMINARY
INVESTIGATION
Geological and Agricultural Maps
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SOIL IN
PRELIMINARY
INVESTIGATION
Geological and Agricultural Maps
Aerial Photographs
Drainage patterns and color and tone can
indicate what type of soil
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SOIL IN
PRELIMINARY
INVESTIGATION
Geological and Agricultural Maps
Aerial Photographs
Area Reconnaissance
Other structures performance in the area
Wells can indicate groundwater levels
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SOIL IN
SUBSURFACE
INVESTIGATION
Geophysical Methods
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SOIL IN
SUBSURFACE
INVESTIGATION
Geophysical Methods
Test Pits
Test pits are dug by hand or by excavating
machines.
The size of the pit should be such that a person
can easily enter the pit and have a visual
inspection.
Both disturbed and undisturbed soil samples are
collected from the pit for detailed analysis.
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SOIL IN
SUBSURFACE
INVESTIGATION
Geophysical Methods
Test Pits
Probing
This will give a rough idea of the underlying
soil.
In this, a steel bar of 25 to 40 mm (1 inch to
1.5 inch) in diameter is driven into the ground
until a hard stratum is met with. The bar is
driven by a hammer. The bar is then drawn
out at intervals and the soil sticking to the bar
is examined to get an idea of the type of the
soil.
An experienced workman can assess the
nature of the soil by observing the way the
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SOIL IN
SUBSURFACE
INVESTIGATION
Geophysical Methods
Test Pits
Probing
Boring
In this process, bore holes are made in the ground and the soil samples
collected.
It
inof
obtaining:
helps
Extent
each strata of soil/rock
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SOIL IN
SUBSURFACE
INVESTIGATION
Geophysical Methods
Test Pits
Probing
Boring
The depth and number of boreholes will depend upon the type of the
structure and nature of the soil as obtained from preliminary examination.
The depth of boreholes is governed by the depth of the soil affected by the
loading. As a rough estimate, it is advisable to investigate the subsoil to a
depth of at least twice the width of the anticipated largest size of the
foundation. In case of a pile foundation, the depth of boring should extend
into the bearing stratum.
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SOIL IN
Auger Boring
The examination of the soil for ordinary buildings can be done by a post
hole auger. The auger is held vertically and is driven into the ground by
rotating its handle. At every 30 cm of depth, the auger is taken out and the
soil samples collected.
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SOIL
Auger Boring
Wash Boring
Auger Boring
Wash Boring
Core Drilling
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SOIL
Auger Boring
Wash Boring
Core Drilling
Percussion Boring
In this method, the substrata is broken by repeated
blows by a bit or chisel. Water is circulated in the
hole and then the slurry is bailed out of the hole.
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SOIL
BEARING CAPACITY
The bearing capacity of a soil is defined as the capacity of the subsoil to
support the load of the structure without yielding.
The bearing capacity of the soil depends upon the characteristics such as
cohesion, friction, and unit weight. The bearing capacity can be
determined in the field and also from the results of tests conducted in the
laboratory on the soil samples.
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