Geotechnical Design I

Site Investigation

Dr. Y.M. Cheng

Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
http://www.cse.polyu.edu.hk/~ceymcheng/
 References

‰ Principles of Foundation Engineering, 5/e, B.M. Das,

Thomson.
‰ Code of Practice for Foundation, Buildings Department,
2004.
‰ Hong Hong Foundation Handbook, Housing Department,
2010
‰ Guide to Retaining Wall Design, GEO Guide 1, GEO
‰ Guide to soil and rock description, GEO Guide 3, GEO
‰ Foundation Design and Construction, GEO, 2006.
‰ PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES FOR MAN-MADE SLOPES
AND RETAINING WALLS, GEO, 2009
‰ Guide to Site investigation, GEO Guide 2, GEO
‰ Review of design methods for excavation, GCO, 1990
Why geotechnical engineering is important in Hong Kong

‰ Special features of Hong Kong:

‰ Scarce of land, high population
‰ Reclamation and construct adjacent to slopes
‰ Deep basement for various commercial uses
‰ Large amount of materials are involved

‰ Outcome:
‰ Lots of slope failures – average 300 per year
‰ Large diameter deep piles
‰ Deep excavation
‰ High ground tables creates various problems
‰ Loose backfill create settlement and failure problems
 Nature of geotechnical engineering

‰ Material left by nature, difficult to control properties or

distribution
‰ Most problems or structures are 3D in nature
‰ Difficult or impossible to be solved even for simple
problems
‰ Analytical solutions are usually very long and tedious evn
for simple problems
‰ Highly complicated nature of soil

‰ Methods of analysis:
‰ Rule of thumb, statistics, analytical solutions and
computational methods are also used
‰ Experience is important because of the various underground
conditions
 Analysis in geotechnical engineering

‰ Rule of thumb : rely mainly on past experience, useful, but

not applicable to new structure or situations
‰ Statistics : Interpretation of field test results, settlement, soil
movement etc. are not easily assessed
‰ Analytical solutions : Possible for some simple problems,
usually at the ultimate limit state. Use of design graphs and
tables are also common to replace the use of long equations.
Many classical methods rely on assumptions which may be
approximations.
‰ Computational method : Rely on use of computer programs
with less assumptions, need the knowledge and judgment in
using these programs. Without adequate knowledge and
experience, can be dangerous. Rubbish in ⇒rubbish out.
‰ Different from Structural analysis and design
 Site Investigation

‰ The types of subsurface information required for design

include, but are not limited to, the following:
‰ Areal extent, depth, and thickness of each identifiable soil
stratum
‰ Description of the soil
‰ Depth to top of rock and the character of the rock,
‰ Location of groundwater
‰ Engineering properties of soil and rock
‰ Code of practice 2004 requires 5m as the required depth for
definition of “bedrock”
 Typical underground condition
Simplified Borehole Borehole B Borehole A Borehole Simplified
geology log B log A geology

VI VI
Potential risk of using
an overly simplified
V
geological model
V (e.g. layered-model in
corestone-bearing
IV saprolites)
III

III

II

II

I I

Note : (1) Refer to Geoguide 3 (GCO, 1988) for

classification of rock decomposition grade I to grade VI.
 Importance of Site Investigation

‰ Why MTRC island line is so deep ?

‰ Why Chek Lap Kok airport is so
expensive ?
‰ Why Tseung Keung O reclamation
settle ?
‰ Why there are about 300 slope failures
per year in Hong Kong ?
‰ Why are there so many bore piles ?
 DESIGN OF SITE INVESTIGATION

‰ DESK STUDY
‰ SITE RECONNAISSANCE
‰ PLANNING OF SITE INVESTIGATION WORK
‰ CONTRACT PREPARATION AND TENDERING
‰ FIELD WORK (INCLUDING LABORATORY &
IN SITU TESTS)
‰ REPORTING
Stages of a SITE INVESTIGATION
 Constraints

‰ Financial & time - dictate the scope and method of

operation → considered as delay/useless by clients

‰ Buried services and structures, risk to life/adjacent

property, site specific factors (e.g. access, water)

‰ Approval for SI works - MTRC, DLO, HIGHWAYS,

HOUSING & GEO (SEE P.322-323 GEOGUIDE 2)
 Desk study

1. Collection and analysis of information relevant to the site, the

immediate environment and the proposed development. Much
useful information can be obtained through this study.
2. Define the types and amount of subsurface investigation required
to establish parameters for design
3. Features to look for in a desk study :
• Main rock and soil types present on site
• Main geological structure e.g. faults
• Surface features e.g. valley, terraces
• Groundwater conditions
• Nearby Development e.g. foundation of adjacent buildings
• Hazards e.g. landslip, subsidence, toxic waste
 Source of Information
(a) Survey Plan - Buildings & Lands Department's Survey and
Mapping Office
Possible use : identify previous and present land usage, contours, water
courses and other surface features
(b) Other maps and plans - Survey & Mapping Office, Drainage
Department & other utility companies, Hong Kong
Archaeological Society, other Public Libraries
Possible use : identify previous land usage, location of concealed
mineshafts, demolished buildings and abandoned works,
topography and drainage of previous ground surfaces, changes in
water courses and other surface features
(c) Geological Maps and Memoirs
- Allen, P.M. & Stephens, E.A. (1971)
- Geotechnical Area Studies Programme (GASP) Reports and Maps -
Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering Date
 Con’td

(d) Other Publications and Records

- Government Development - Architectural Services Department
- Private Development - Building and Lands Department
- Disused Tunnels - Report prepared by Highways Department
- Disused Mines - Mines Division of the Labour Department
- Water Tunnels, reservoirs, and other related structures, Surface
runoff - Water Supplier Department
- Admiralty Chart and Tide Table
- Meteorological and Seismological Information - Royal Observatory
(e) Aerial Photographs - available from Building and Lands
Department's Survey and Mapping Office
 Con’td

(f) Previous Site Investigation Data

•MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INFORMATION
•Mainly from Geotechnical Information Unit at Geotechnical
Engineering Office
•Available in special publications e.g. Mid-Levels Study
•Tendency to develop database of previous site investigation data
CAUTION :
(a) Interpretation of old investigation data because procedures and
standard have changed, and;
(b) Extrapolating data obtained from an adjacent site.
 Site RECONNAISSANCE

Features to be noted :
•Topographical features.
•Subsurface strata revealed in cut slopes, pits, quarries or natural
exposures - provide data on the material and mass characteristics
of soils and rocks particularly the jointing characteristics, fault
pattern, weathering profile, location of existing slip surfaces or
weak zones.
•Surface depression may be indicative of sinkholes in limestone, pipes
in chalk, depressions from quarries or underground mine
workings.
•Surface drainage pattern.
•Stable angle of existing natural or man-made slopes, availability and
types of suitable construction materials, signs of distress.
 Aerial photos

From Lands Department : 1:500 to 1:1000 and up to 1:5000 to

1:20000 for rural areas
Aerial photos, when viewed stereoscopically, can be used to identify
ground features and soil types.
Interpretation of Aerial photos
Geotechnical area studies programme
Typical examples from Geotechnical area studies
Geological map of Hong Kong
 Methods of exploration

Shallow Trial pit

Function : examining and assessing in situ conditions, In Hong Kong normally hand-
dug, oversea by excavator, dewatering may be required if pit excavated below
groundwater table.
•Advantage : Speed, mobility, flexibility, economical (cost escalates rapidly with pit
depth), allow examination of shallow slip surfaces, in situ structural details and
determination of horizontal variability, allow more intensive in situ testing,
useful for soil derived from insitu rock weathering and colluvium.
•Disadvantages : limited working depth, existing services are more at risk, dangers,
no standard specifications or 'normal practice'.
TYPICAL SIZE : around 1.2x1.2m in plan, depth up to 3m, side support
requirement, (pit can be up to 6m in very exceptional case).
SAMPLING : typically in 0.5m intervals, Disturbed samples, Samples recovered by
Open-Drive or U100 sampler Blocked sample (around 250-300mm cube) →
particularly suitable for sampling relict joints or shear planes
Trial pit
Trial log
 Boring exploration

Typical types of borings include : auger boring, wash boring, rotary

boring, percussion boring
FUNCTION : Well established technique for ground profiling,
sampling and testing.
•Advantage : Many of the most frequently used and special purposed
sampling and in situ testing methods may be carried out, can
reach great depths, well controlled and specified operation.
•Disadvantage : Site accessibility and labour costs → for rough terrain
or inaccessible location, light rigs or platform may be required →
expensive and time consuming for mobilization, supply of water
or flushing medium
 Auger Boring

For general exploration, helical or post-hole type, around 100mm

diameter hole. Auger can be hand-held or power driven.
Not suitable where the soil is hard/unstable, presence of rock
fragments, or where high groundwater table
Auger Boring
 Rotary Boring

Drill bit or casing shoe rotated on the bottom of the borehole, drilling
fluid is pumped down to the bit through hollow drill rods,
lubricates the bit and flushed the drill debris up the borehole.

Flushing medium may be water or drilling mud (water with clay or

bentonite) for stabilizing the stability of opening. Use of air foam
as a flushing medium enables increased core recovery in
colluvium and insitu weathered soil.
Rotary drilling
 Equipment for Rotary Boring

Single core barrels : seldom used

Double-tube core barrels : an inner tube protects the core
from disturbance caused by the rotational action
Triple-tube core barrels : Most widely used in Hong Kong
and incorporates a spring-loaded second inner core
barrel which either advances ahead of the face of the bit
in relatively soft ground or lags when the material is
harder
Core barrel normally 1.5m in length, Common size in Hong
Kong : P, H, N and S size
Cutting bit, drill rod
Common casing sizes
Wash boring
 Other aspects
• Inclined drilling - major use in investigating boulder size,
wall geometry, tunnel
• •Reaming - increase the size of the drillhole by reaming
down a larger casing
• •Small drill rig or portable drill rig
• Wash boring - commonly used during actual construction to
prove a particular stratum or bedrock•
• Reinstatement requirement : backfilled with well compacted
materials or cement grout
• Drilling fluid - Drilling fluid is required for rotary drilling
but not auger drilling
 Foaming agent
‰ Foam may be added to compressed air to enhance its
performance. Foam will help keep the cuttings separated,
reducing sticking and allow larger cuttings to be removed.
Foaming agents are generally biodegradable mixtures of
surfactants.
‰ Water is generally a cost-effective and efficient drilling fluid.
Water alone is however a poor hole stabilizer and may cause
clay and shale to swell.
‰ Bentonite is commonly added to water to stabilize the
cutting. Polymer mud is expensive but the lubricating quality
of polymer is excellent and can noticeably reduce bit and rod
wear.
 Rock coring

(a) Single core barrel (b) double barrel (c) diamond cutting bit
 Sampling
Sample Quality
-Undisturbed samples not possible from granular deposit
-Disturbed samples are usually available as a by-product of the
boring and sampling process
-sample size determined by the type of test to be performed :
generally 100mm in diameter
-sample weight : as defined by relevant BS testing specification.
-BS5930 : Class 1 to 5 samples
-It is possible to obtain a good sample of material not
representing the mass.
-Sample quality should match with the test in
Class of samples
Expected class of samples
Samplers

‰ Thin and thick wall samplers

‰ Open Tube Sampler
‰ Split Barrel Standard Penetration
Test Sampler
‰ Rotary Core Sampler
‰ Block sampler
‰ Piston sampler
Thin and thick wall samplers
Piston sampling
Thin and thick wall samplers
Standard penetration test samplers
Double tube Core barrel
Triple tube Core barrel
Triple tube Core barrel
Hard rock
Piston sampler
 Disturbance in sampling
1. Pieces of hard gravel or shell fragments in the soil, which can cause voids
to develop along the sides of the sampling tube during the sampling
process
2. Soil adjustment caused by stress relief when making a borehole
3. Disruption of the soil structure due to hammering or pushing the sampling
tube into the soil stratum
4. Tensile and torsional stresses which are produced in separating the sample
from the subsoil
5. Creation of a partial or full vacuum below the sample as it is extracted
from the subsoil
6. Expansion of gas during retrieval of the sampling tube as the confining
pressure is reduced to zero
7. Jarring or banging the sampling tube during transportation to the
laboratory
8. Roughly removing the soil from the sampling tube
9. Crudely cutting the soil specimen to a specific size for a
laboratory test
Typical borehole log
Typical corebox
QUESTIONS