9/6/22

PROCESS OF GEOTECHNICAL
ASSESSMENT / INVESTIGATION

CE 262: FOUNDATION ENGINEERING

OUTLINE

1. Details of the Structure to be Built (Loads, etc.)

2. Site Visit

3. Preliminary Information / Regional Geology

4. Geotechnical Investigation Methodology

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OUTLINE

5. Handling of Samples

6. Laboratory Testing Program

7. Analysis of Data

8. Geotechnical Parameters

9. Foundation Recommendations
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REQUIREMENTS OF THE STRUCTURE

• Structure Type (building, bridge, warehouse, etc.)

• Location (flat area, slope, offshore)
• Basement
• Dimensions/Footprint
• Underground Utilities
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SITE VISIT

2.1 Adjacent / Existing Structure

• Foundation Demolition
• Ground Movement
• Lateral Movement of Adjacent Building
• Basement Level of Adjacent Building
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SITE VISIT

2.2 Geologic Features

• Rock Outcrops • Water Inundated Areas
• Stream Offset • Dip Areas
• Signs of Landslide
• Presence of Waterways

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SITE VISIT

2.3 Check Topography

• Slope Angle
• Terrain
• Proposal Location of Structure
• Distance of Structure from Edge of Slope
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION

• Adjacent Structures

• Geologic Maps

• Aerial Photograph

• Google Earth

• Industry Network SOURCES: See

References

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SOIL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM

PRE-F.S. F.S. DETAILED MONITORING

cost
uncertainty

SOIL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM

Optimum Level of
Investigation and
Testing

Total Cost of Project

Increased Cost (Not to Scale)

Minimum Total Cost

Cost of Construction

m
sting Progra
atio n and Te
f In vestig
Cost o
(Coduto, 1994)
More Intensive Investigation and Testing Program 10

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SOIL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM

1. SPT – Standard Penetration Test

2. CPT – Cone Penetrometer Test

3. Auger Holes

4. Test Pits
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FIELD SAMPLING - LAYOUT

ü Type of Test

ü Number of Boreholes

ü Location of Boreholes

ü Monitoring Procedures
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SOIL DRILLING GUIDELINES

BUILDINGS
• one at each corner
• one at the middle

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SOIL DRILLING GUIDELINES

POWER PLANTS / INTEGRATED PLANT

• treat each structure as a single unit

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SOIL DRILLING GUIDELINES

DAMS water flow

• upstream
• downstream
• along dam axis
• left and right abutment

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SOIL DRILLING GUIDELINES

Direction of Water
Dam
Axis 16

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SOIL DRILLING GUIDELINES

BRIDGES
• one at each abutment
• one at each pier

BH-1 BH-3
BH-2 17

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SOIL DRILLING GUIDELINES

ROADS

• Test pit every 100 meters (or more)

• Auger sample every 50 meters
• Bridge Guidelines

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SOIL DRILLING GUIDELINES

SLOPES
• boreholes oriented parallel to the direction of failure
• objective is to draw a cross-section BH-3

BH-2

BH-1

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HANDLING OF SAMPLES

Samples should be properly labelled and sealed to

preserve moisture. Sample labels should contain:

• Borehole / Test Pit No.

• Sample No.
• Depth in which the sample is taken
• Description of sample
• Date in which the sample was taken
• Name of person taking the sample

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HANDLING OF SAMPLES

Rock samples are placed in a core box.

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LABORATORY TESTS

• Natural Moisture Content • Soil Classification (USCS

• Atterberg Limits and AASHTO)
• Liquid Limit • California Bearing Ratio
• Plastic Limit • Compaction Test
• Shrinkage Limit • Shear Strength
• Specific Gravity, Gs • Direct Shear Test
• Soil Unit Weight • Triaxial Shear Test
• Grain Size Analysis • Unconfined
• Sieve Analysis Compressive Strength
• Hydrometer Analysis • Consolidation Test

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ANALYSIS OF DATA

• Subsurface soils can then be analyzed for their geologic

character
• Sandy soils in a dense state usually offer a high bearing
resistance and settlements are expected to be immediate
• Clayey soils tend to be moisture sensitive and highly
compressible

From the results of the soil investigation and laboratory tests,

geotechnical parameters can be derived and the appropriate
type of foundation analysis and design can then be applied.

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REFERENCES
Coduto, D.P., (1994). Foundation Design: Principles and Practices. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

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END

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