Engineering Training Report

INSTITUTION: UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN

STUDENT NAME: AJIBOYE MUBARAK ADEBANJO

DEPARTMENT: CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

TRAINING INSTITUTION

GROUNDMAST ENGINEERING LIMITED

TRAINING DURATION: FROM 22/07/2019 TO 4/10/2019

DATE OF REPORT SUBMISSION

2/10/2019

1
 TRAINING SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
The Engineering students’ industrial work experience scheme is a program
training to help students to apply the theoretical knowledge into practical work.
The training took place for a duration of 3 months which the students is meant to
spend in any institution of choice.
The training started on 22/07/2019 and last till 4/10/2019 during which I
was opportuned to gain experience at Geotechnical investigation and Foundation
works.

2
 GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
Soil mechanics is the application of the laws of mechanics and hydraulics to
engineering problems dealing with sediments and other unconsolidated
accumulations of solid particles.
Geotechnics is the application of scientific methods and engineering
principles to knowledge of materials of the soil for the solution of engineering
problems and the design of engineering works. Before the commencement of a
project on a site, these are the common investigation taken:
Sequence of stages in an investigation
1. Desk study
2. Site reconnaissance
3. Preliminary report
4. Selection of exploration methods

 Desk study: These involves planning an investigation for any form of

development to be done. Information relevant to the site, the immediate
environment and the proposed structure should be collected.
 Site Reconnaissance: The engineer should always make a visual inspection (field
trip) of the site to obtain information about: the general topography of the site,
evidence of creep of slopes and deep, soil stratification from deep cuts, the type
of vegetation(nature of soil) at the site, Groundwater level, the type of
construction nearby (settlements) e.t.c.
 Collection of preliminary information: The steps includes obtaining information
regarding the type of structure to be built and its general use. The following are
examples explaining the needed information about different about a structure
information:
 For the construction of building: The approximate column loads and their spacing,
local building codes, basement requirement.
 For the construction of bridge: The length of their spans, the loading on piers and
abutments.
 Selection of exploration: This depends on
a) the site topography, type of ground to be investigated and the ground water
conditions.

3
b) the type of building and foundation proposed.
c) Amounts of existing information.
d) Expected variability of subsoil.
Method of exploration
1. Trial pits :- Shallow trial pits provide an economical method of examining in-situ
conditions. Exploration depths are usually between 2m and 4m. For shallow
foundation, the excavation of trial pits or trenches is often the most efficient
method for observing the true soil conditions. A trial pit can also be used for more
intensive in-situ testing while necessary.
2. Exploration by means of boring or drilling :- In-situ testing and sampling can be
carried out with a wide variety of boring rigs. For rough terrain or inaccessible
location, light rigs are advantageous. Different tools for boring in Geotechnics are
light cable percussion auger, hand auger. Percussion boring, rotary auger rig,
wash boring. Other methods of soil exploration are through the soil sampling
methods, sample preservation e.t.c.
Field testing
In the field testing, we have the
 The in-situ test
 Vane shear test
The IN-SITU test: we have the Cone penetration test and the standard
penetration test
Cone penetration test
It is done using the motorized 10Ton dutch cone penetrometer machine. The
machine consists of series of rods (solid and hollow) at its end which is attached
to a mantle cone. The 10Ton dutch cone penetrometer consist of a thrust
machine compromising a hydraulic jacking unit. The unit is furnished with a cone
having a base area of 1000mm square and an apex angle of 60 degrees. The cone
rods are pushed together into the ground to a distance of 0.2m. The driving
pressure is then applied to the inner rods only and the cone is advanced for a
distance of 0.04m at a rate 0.01m/sec. The pressure required to advance the cone
is transmitted through the capsule in the driving head to a guage and the

4
penetration resistance registered on the guage is recorded. The penetration
machine is capable of recording skin friction value of the material by advancing a
friction jacket behind the cone.
Standard penetration test
This test is one of the most important soil tests for geotechnical engineers. This
test helps to determine the ultimate bearing capacity for the site. The test is
normally performed in the borehole when cohensionless depth is reached. From a
standard weight falling through a standard distance. The blow count gives an
indication of the density of the ground. This test is performed according to the
following procedures:
 A 50mm diameter split tube sampler was driven at a 450mm into the
cohensionless soil with 65kg hammer falling freely at distance of
750mm. The number of blows required to drive the last 300mm of
the 450mm length of the split spoon sampler is the value of
penetration termed (N-value) or the penetration resistance. The
sampler is then withdrawn and the soil sample recovered from the
tube is placed in a test nylon and transported to laboratory.

In Geotechnics, determining the number of boring:

For most buildings, at least one boring at each corner and one at the center
should provide a start. Spacing can be increased or decreased, depending on the
condition of the subsoil. If various soil strata are more or less uniform and
predictable, fewer boreholes are needed than in nonhomogeneous soil strata.

The following table gives some guidelines for borehole spacing between for
different types of structures:

5
 Approximate Spacing of Boreholes
Type of project Spacing (m)
Multistory building 10–30
One-story industrial plants 20–60
Highways 250–500
Residential subdivision 250–500
Dams and dikes 40–80

Determining the depth of boring:

The approximate required minimum depth of the borings should be
predetermined. The estimated depths can be changed during the drilling
operation, depending on the subsoil encountered (e.g., Rock).
Disturbed Samples: These types of samples are disturbed but representative, and
may be used for the following types of laboratory soil tests:
 Grain size analysis.
 Determination of liquid and plastic limits.
 Specific gravity of soil solids.
 Determination of organic content.
 Classification of soil.
But disturbed soil samples cannot be used for consolidation, hydraulic
conductivity, or shear tests, because these tests must be performed on the
same soil of the field without any disturbance (to be representative) The
major equipment used to obtain disturbed sample is (Split Spoon) which is
a steel tube has inner diameter of 34.93 mm and outer diameter of
50.8mm.
Undisturbed Samples: These types of samples are used for the following types of
laboratory soil tests:
 Consolidation test
 Hydraulic Conductivity test.
 Shear Strength tests.

6
These samples are more complex and expensive, and it’s suitable for clay,
however in sand is very difficult to obtain undisturbed samples. The major
equipment used to obtain undisturbed sample is (Thin-Walled Tube).

7
8
An in-situ SPT test using a percussion rig

9
FOUNDATION
A Foundation is the element of a structure which transfers loads from the super
structure to the subsoil. Foundations are generally considered either shallow or
deep foundation.
Shallow foundation can be classified to be raft, strip, pad and combined
foundation.
Strip footing:- A strip footing is provided for a row of columns which are closely
spaced that their spread footings overlap or nearly touch each other. It is also
known as a continuous footings.
Pad footings:- It is provided to support an individual column. A pad footing is
circular, square or rectangular slab of uniform thickness
Combined footings:- A combined footings supports two columns. It is used when
the two columns are so close to each other that their individual footings would
overlap.
Strap footings :- It consist of two isolated footings connected with a structural
strap. The strap connects the two footings such that they behave as one.
Raft footings:- It is a large slab supporting a number of columns and walls under
the entire structure or a large part of the structure. It is required when the
allowable soil pressure is low.
Deep Foundation (Pile foundations)
The most cases when pile is needed is when the soil supporting the structure is
weak, expansible or collapsible. The pile is used to transmit loads from the super
structures to the sub soil layer to allow safety for the structure .The minimum
concrete grade to be used is grade 30(M30)
Piles are classified
a) Based on materials: timber, steel, and concrete pile.
b) Based on mode of installation: bored and driven pile.
c) Based on structural behavior : point load and end bearing.

10
 B. Based on structural behavior :
We have End bearing piles and frictional piles.
End bearing pile:- The bottom end of these pile rests on a layer of especially
strong soil. The load is transferred through the pile onto the strong layer. In a
sense, this pile acts like a column.
Friction piles:- this pile transfers the load of the building to the soil across the
full height of the pile, by friction. The entire surface of the pile, which is
cylindrical in shape, works to transfer the forces to the wall of the pile.
C. Based on mode of installation:

We have
Bored pile:- the bored pile also known as replacement pile is a cast in-situ
concrete pile. This defer from driven pile which was precast. It is commonly used
for tall buildings ,bridges, all of which requires deep foundation. The pile
foundation of bored pile can be installed using a continuous flight auger or an
electric hydraulic drilling machine.
 Pile foundation using the continuous flight auger
The steps taken for the pile installation are as follows:
 After the setting out has been done by the surveyor, the continuous flight auger
was taken to the drilling point and starts drilling.
 Whilst the drilling is going on, the concrete mixer is filled with initially sand, then
granite followed by cement at grade 30
 After the drilling is done with the auger still in, the mix is transferred to the pump
then into the auger.
 Then the hole dug is filled with the concrete through the pump.
 Then the reinforcement was placed into the hole.

11
 Pile foundation using Electric Hydraulic Drilling Machine
This use of Electric hydraulic drilling machine is used due to economy and easy
transport. The machine is powered by its own power and an external power
source. Its power controls the hydraulic movement while the external generator
controls the motor rotation and drilling. The drilling is involved with continuous
pumping of water in the hole while drilling to help sooth the soil

Steps for usage of the electric hydraulic drilling machine

1. After the site preparation and clearing, the Electric Hydraulic Drilling Machine is
stationed at the drilling point.
2. The drilling bit is then fixed at the electric hydraulic drilling machine, then the
drilling machine power is then switched on.
3. A passage way is created from the hydraulic drilling machine to a pit of about
1.5m deep which the chemical water is pumped back to the bore forming a
circulation.
4. Then the external generator is powered and the Electric Hydraulic Drilling
Machine motor is switched on.
5. Then the drilling bits of the Hydraulic Drilling Machine started the drilling till the
wanted depth.
6. While the drlling bit was still in, concrete grade 30 was mixed in the ratio 1:3:6.
7. Then a pipe was placed into the hole and then the mix was filled into the hole till
a quarter
8. Then the drilling bit was removed and then the reinforcement cage wrapped with
a sack was placed into the bored hole.
9. Then the remaining concrete was filled into the hole using the channeled 4 inches
pipe .

Advantages of the Electric Hydraulic Drilling Machine in relation to the continuous

flight auger
1. Easier to transport
2. Less fuel and hydraulic oil usage

12
3. Drilling auger is easier to couple to the hydraulic machine unlike the continuous
flight auger.
Disadvantages
1. More labour needed during the operation.
2. Duration of time during operation is longer

Driven pile:- these are pile precasted before installation. They are installed by
impact hammering, vibrating, or pushing into the ground crust to a design depth
or resistance. The driving of the pile is done using a pie hammer.

13
A diagram showing the machineries used in pile installation using A continuous flight auger

14
Fig 2:- The flight auger extracting the pile spoil from the subsoil during drilling

15
Fig 2:- A Continuous Flight Auger drilling a point

16
17
A reinforcement cage covered in bag before installing to prevent concrete escape when filled

18
19
Diagram of an Electric hydraulic drilling machines

Impact of learned skills in training

Civil engineering needs a practical practice in the field and a place to test the
theory taken in the university, and this training gives this opportunity, which helps
the student become better engineer.
During the training period, I have experience engineers work to be part of
extremely significant contribution and learned how to perform and contribute to
be part of the team. Civil engineer some sort of interaction with workers whether
working in a team situation or just asking questions, advice, engineers have to
have the ability to communicate with people.

20
 CONCLUSION
1. The training is an important course because it shows the gap between the
scientific study and practical study.
2. It helps prove that team work is the most important element in every successful
project.
3. It helps to learn how to control and manage the site and how to behave and
tackle professional problems.
4. It helps to make sure that all plans is right on schedule and time management is
essential for any engineering course.
5. It helps teach how to deal with colleagues and other engineers on site

21