Module 2

Module 2
EXPLORATION, SAMPLING, AND IN

SITU SOIL MEASUREMENTS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
• know the methods or techniques used to obtain accurate information of soil
conditions and its physical properties
• know determine the in-situ properties through field tests analysis.
• determine the engineering properties of the soil and rock strata that affects the
performance of the structure..
OVERVIEW
Soil exploration is a method or technique used to obtain accurate information of soil
conditions and physical properties through field laboratory testing and investigation. It is
used to intelligently design and successfully construct an earth dam, retaining walls,
foundations or any structure.
Until about 1930’s soil exploration was consistently inadequate because rational
methods for soil investigation had not yet been developed. On the other hand, at the
present time the amount of soil exploration and testing and the refinements on the
techniques for performing to the practical value of the results. To avoid either of these
extremes, the exploratory program must be adapted to the soil conditions and to the
size of the job.
The choice of the foundation and its depth, the bearing capacity, settlement analysis
and such other important aspects depend very much upon the various engineering
properties of the foundation soil involved.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
- To determine the nature of the soil deposits
- To determine the depth and thickness of the various soil strata & their extent
in the horizontal directions
- To locate the ground water table (GWT)
- To obtain soil and rock samples from various strata
- To determine the engineering properties of the soil and rock strata that affects
the performance of the structure.
- To determine the in-situ properties through field tests analysis
COURSE MATERIALS
1.0 REQUIRED DATA
1) SOIL PROFILE – layer thickness and identification
It is the layers of soil often called HORIZON A, B and C
a. HORIZON A – refers to the upper layer of soil, nearest the surface and
commonly known as the TOPSOIL. This layer of soil usually provides
plants with nutrients they need for a great life as it is sometimes very rich
soil known as humus. Humus is a rich soil from organic litter, such as
fallen leaves and twigs found in areas that have not yet been plowed or
tilled, It helps prevent erosion, holds moisture and decays
b. HORIZON B – the soil layer found below topsoil, litter is not present in
this layer and less humus. It does contain some elements from Horizon A
because of the process of leaching. Moist from organic litter, leaching may
also bring some minerals from horizon B down to Horizon C.
c. HORIZON C consists mostly of weatherized big rocks. This solid rock, as
you discovered in soil formation, gave rise to the horizons above it
2) Index properties –water content, atterberg limits (Liquid limit, Plastic limit,
shrinkage limit) etc.
3) Strength & compressibility characteristics
4) Others, such as water table depth.
2.0 Methods of Soil Exploration
1) Direct Soil Exploration Method

a. Actual excavation through probing, boring, or test pits. Samples are taken
from the strata of the rocks and soils.
b. Performed through field test or laboratory test
c. Samples of the soil are taken from the site, the GWT characteristics are
determined.
2) Indirect Soil Exploration Method

a. These types of methods provide boundaries between the strata of the
different composition of the soil.
b. Done by first observing the changes in the electrical resistivity in the soil or
the wave velocity of the soil, or may be in some electrical or magnetic
field.
c. It provides satisfaction of the visual inspection.
d. These methods are suitable for best quality sampling, Both disturbed and
undisturbed.
e. It does have the capability of assessing difficulties of excavation.
3.0 EXPLORATION, SAMPLING AND IN SITU SOIL MEASUREMENTS

Definition:
In situ -
situated in the original, natural, or existing place or position: The archaeologists were ab
le to date the vase because it was found in situ.
Data Required
• Information to determine the type of foundation required (shallow or deep).
• Information to allow the geotechnical consultant to make a recommendation on
the allowable load capacity of the foundation.
• Sufficient data/laboratory tests to make settlement predictions.
• Location of the groundwater table
• Information so that the identification and solution of construction problems
(sheeting and dewatering or rock excavation) can be made.
• Identification of potential problems (settlements, existing damage, etc.)
concerning adjacent property.
• Identification of environmental problems and their solution.
Methods of Exploration
• Soil Boring – most widely used method of subsurface investigation for compact
sites.
▫ Site Exploration Category
 Disturbed samples
 Undisturbed samples
▫ Variety of In SituTest
 Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
 The Mechanical Cone Test (CPT)
 Vane Shear Test
 Plate Load Test
Planning the Exploration Program

• The purpose of the exploration program is to determine the stratification and
engineering properties of the soils underlying the site. The principal properties of
interest will be the strength, deformation, and hydraulic characteristics. The
program should be planned so that the maximum amount of information can be
obtained at minimum cost.
• Assembly of all available information on dimensions
• Reconnaissance of the area.
• A preliminary site investigation.
• A detailed site investigation.
Soil Boring
• Hand Tools
▫ The earliest method of obtaining a test hole was to excavate a test pit
using a pick and shovel
• Hand augers
• Gasoline-engine-powered
• Mounted Power Drills

▫ For numerous borings to greater depths and to collect samples that are
undisturbed. The only practical method is to use power-driven equipment.
• Wash boring
• Rotary drilling
• Continuous-flight augers
• Percussion drilling
Soil Sampling
• The most important engineering properties for foundation design are strength,
compressibility, and permeability.
▫ Undisturbed samples – sample where some precautions have been taken
to minimize disturbance of the existing soil skeleton.
Factors that make an undisturbed sample hard to obtain

• The sample is always unloaded from the in situ confining pressures.
• Samples collected from other than test pits are disturbed by volume
displacement of the tube or other collection device.
• Sample friction on the sides of the collection device tends to compress the
sample during recovery.
• There are unknown changes in water content depending on recovery method
and the presence or absence of water in the ground or borehole.
• Loss of hydrostatic pressure may cause gas bubble voids to form in the sample.
• Handling and transporting a sample from the site to the laboratory and
transferring the sample from the sampler to testing machine disturb the sample
more or less by definition
• The quality or attitude of drilling crew, laboratory technicians, and the supervising
engineer may be poor.
• On very hot or cold days, samples may dehydrate or freeze if not protected on-
site, Furthermore, worker attitudes may deteriorate in temperature extremes.
Under Water Sampling

• Common constructions that require some kind of underwater exploration program
include bridge piers, port structures, pipelines, oil well platforms, land recovery
(fills to extend the shore line or for an island)
• The in situ testing and recovery procedures for underwater samples, either in a
freshwater or a saltwater environment, are not much different from those for dry
land for water depths up to about 45m.
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

• The standard penetration test, developed around 1927, is currently the most
popular and economical means to obtain subsurface information (both on land
and offshore)
SPT Correlation
• The SPT has been used in correlations for unit weight, relative density, angle of
internal friction, and undrained compressive strength.
• Used to estimate the bearing capacity of foundations and for estimation the
stress-stain modulus.
Other Penetration Test Method
• The cone penetration test (CPT) – one of the most popular penetration method.
• Swedish weight sounding method – suited only for very soft silt or soft clay
deposits.
• Dynamic cone penetrometers – for dynamic penetration testing. For gravelly soil
deposits.
• Hand-held penetrometer – the device has most application at shallow depth.
Cone Penetration Test
• The CPT is a simple test that is now widely used in lieu of the SPT, particularly
for soft clays, soft silts, and in fine to medium sand deposits.
Field Vane Shear Testing (FVST)
• The vane shear test VST is a substantially used method to estimate the in situ
undrained shear strength of very soft, sensitive, fine-grained soil deposits.
The Borehole Shear Test (BST)
• This test consists in carefully drilling a 76-mm diameter hole (usually vertical but
may be inclined or horizontal) to a depth somewhat greater than the location of
interest. Next the shear head is carefully inserted into the hole to the point where
the shear strength is to be measured.
The Flat Dilatometer Test (DMT)
• This test consists of inserting the dilatometer probe to the depth of interest by
pushing or driving. The CPT pushing equipment can be used for insertion of the
device, and in soils where the SPT N is greater than 35 to 40 the device can be
driven or pushed from the bottom of a predrilled borehole using SPT drilling and
testing equipment.
The Pressuremeter Test (PMT)
• The borehole pressuremeter test is an in situ test developed in 1956 where a
carefully prepared borehole that is sufficiently but not over about 10 percent
oversized is used.
• It is consist of 3 parts (top, cell, and bottom)
Other Methods for In Situ Ko

• Glotzl cell
• Iowa stepped blade
• Hydraulic fracture
Rock Sampling
• In rock, except for very soft or partially decomposed sandstone or limestone,
blow counts are at the refusal level (N > 100)
• If samples for rock quality or for strength testing are required it will be necessary
to replace the soil drill with rock drilling equipment.
Groundwater Table (GWT) Location
• Groundwater affects many elements of foundation design and construction, so
the GWT should be established as accurately as possible if it is within the
probable construction zone; otherwise, it is only necessary to determine where it
is not.
• Soil strength (or bearing pressure) is usually reduced for foundations located
below the water table.
Number and Depth of Borings
• Buildings – minimum of 3 boring.
• Building corners and centers – preferable 5 borings.
• For Non Uniform – 4 to 5 Borings.
Drilling and/or Exploration of Closed Landfills or Hazardous
• Seldom is a soil exploration done to place a structure over a closed landfill or
hazardous waster site. Where exploration is necessary, extreme caution is
required so that the drilling crew is not exposed to hazardous materials brought
to the surface by the drill. Various gases that may be dangerous if inhaled or
subject to explosion from a chance spark may also exit the drill Hole. In addition
to providing the drilling crew with protective clothing it may be necessary also to
provide gas masks.
The Soil Report
• Soil strength parameters of angle of internal friction and cohesion
• Allowable bearing capacity (considering both strength and probable or tolerable
settlements)
• Engineering parameters such as
▫ Es, JJL, G', or ks.
The report generally contains the following:

1. Letter of transmittal
2. Title
3. Table of contents
4. Narrative of work done and recommendations.
5. Summary of findings
Appendices that contain log sheets of each boring
(source:
http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=bAwVvO71FXoC&pg=PA32&lpg=PA
32&dq=soil+exploration+methods&source=bl&ots=k3HalUdt6S&sig=6U6oT
VRgXB560d2O_cZD3m1nfn4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=VaXyUc_nHcifkgWO_oGQ
DQ&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=soil%20exploration%20methods
&f=false)
(source: http://www.facweb.iitkgp.ernet.in/~nilanjan/CE20100_Lecture_4-
GPS%20and%20Soil%20Exploration.pdf)

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Module 2

EXPLORATION, SAMPLING, AND IN

2.0 Methods of Soil Exploration

1) Direct Soil Exploration Method

2) Indirect Soil Exploration Method

3.0 EXPLORATION, SAMPLING AND IN SITU SOIL MEASUREMENTS

Planning the Exploration Program

• Mounted Power Drills

Factors that make an undisturbed sample hard to obtain

Under Water Sampling

Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

Other Methods for In Situ Ko

The report generally contains the following:

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