Housing and Infrastructure Board (HIB)

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Guidance Document

Design Criteria for Housing and Infrastructure Projects

Geotechnical Investigation
2015

Rev. Date Description Prepared Verified Approved

Guidance Document Eng. Nasreen M Binyouness
Draft 9/12/2015
Geotechnical Investigation Eng. Wafik Alhaji
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Contents

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 3
2. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ........................................................................................ 3
3. DETAILD INVESTIGATION .................................................................................................. 4
3.1. FIELD INVESTIGATION ................................................................................................ 4
3.1.1 Field Investigation Program .................................................................................. 5
3.1.2 Locations And Depths of The Exploration Points .............................................. 5
3.1.3 Drilling, Excavation and Sampling ...................................................................... 10
3.1.4 In-situ Testing ........................................................................................................ 11
3.2. LABORATORY TESTING ........................................................................................... 13
3.3. GEOTECHNICAL REPORT ........................................................................................ 16
3.3.1 Factual Report ....................................................................................................... 16
3.3.2 Interpretative Report ............................................................................................. 17
4. REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 19
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1. INTRODUCTION
The intent of the geotechnical investigation is to develop foundation design that is
compatible with the geologic conditions and that conform to the international
codes and standards. The geotechnical effort also is intended to provide the
required data and recommendations in the form of Geotechnical Report.
All geotechnical work shall be developed by professional staff managed by an
experienced professional geotechnical engineer who is knowledgeable in the
requirements of the geotechnical engineering. Design shall be performed in
accordance with the best professional practice. The Geotechnical Report shall be
signed and stamped by the professional geotechnical engineer.
The geotechnical investigation and design shall conform to the requirements and
guidelines outlined herein. However, the criteria presented in this section describe
minimum requirements and do not preclude independent thinking by the engineer.
Descriptions of alternatives, advantages, calculations, economic analysis, if
required, and cost information must be included. The final decision on any
changes will be made by the CM/CS after consultation with the HIB and PMD.

2. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
In large scale project, it may be beneficial prior to any detailed planning or design
to undertaken preliminary evaluation of the general nature and character of the
site in such a way that adequate data are obtained, if relevant, to:
- assess the overall stability and general suitability of the site;
- assess the suitability of the site in comparison with alternative sites;
- assess the suitable positioning of the structure;
- evaluate the possible effects of the proposed works on surroundings, such
as neighbouring buildings, structures and sites;
- identify borrow areas;
- consider the possible foundation methods and any ground improvements;
- plan the design and control investigations, including identification of the
extent of ground which may have significant influence on the behavior of
the structure.

The preliminary investigation can be an office (desk) study based on available

information and may include a field work with some boreholes for soil and
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sampling, a limited number of core holes into rock and possibly some preliminary
seismic refraction lines. This information would be used to answer questions
raised by an office study.

Examples of information and documents that can be used for desk study are:

- topographical maps;
- old city maps describing the previous use of the site;
- geological maps and descriptions;
- engineering geological maps;
- hydrogeological maps and descriptions;
- geotechnical maps;
- aerial photos and previous photo interpretations;
- aero-geophysical investigations;
- previous investigations at the site and in the surroundings;
- previous experiences from the area;
- local climatic conditions.

A preliminary ground investigation should supply estimates of soil data

concerning, if relevant:

- the type of soil or rock and their stratification;

- the groundwater table or pore pressure profile;
- the preliminary strength and deformation properties for soil and rock;
- the potential occurrence of contaminated ground or groundwater that might
be hazardous to the durability of construction material.

3. DETAILD INVESTIGATION
3.1. FIELD INVESTIGATION
If relevant, field investigations in the detailed investigation phase should comprise:
- drilling and/or excavations (test pits including shafts and headings) for
sampling;
- groundwater measurements;
- in-situ tests.
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3.1.1 Field Investigation Program

The field investigation program shall contain:
- a plan with the locations of the investigation points including the types of
investigation;
- the depth of the investigations;
- the types of sample (category, etc.) to be taken including specifications for
the number and depth at which they are to be taken.
- specifications on the groundwater measurement.
- the types of equipment to be used.
- the standards to be applied.

3.1.2 Locations And Depths of The Exploration Points

The points of exploration, e.g. boreholes, soundings, pits, should be so located
that a general geological view of the whole site can be obtained providing details
of the engineering properties of the soils and rocks and of groundwater conditions.
The depth of investigations shall be extended to all strata that will affect the
project or are affected by the construction. For excavations below groundwater
level, and where dewatering work is involved, the depth of investigation shall also
be selected as a function of the hydrogeological conditions.
More detailed information should be obtained at positions of important structures
and earthworks, at points of engineering difficulty or importance and where
ground conditions are complicated, e.g. suspected buried valleys and old slipped
areas. the investigation points for a building or structure should be placed at
critical points relative to the shape, structural behavior and expected load
distribution (e.g. at the corners of the foundation area).In the absence of other
criteria, a regular array of exploration points may be used in the initial design of an
investigation. However, sufficiently close supervision and flexibility (in the
contract) should be provided to allow amendments to be made to this pattern as
the work proceeds. Sometimes it is not possible to locate structures until much of
the ground investigation data has been obtained. In such
Cases, the programmer of work should be modified accordingly. In most cases,
boreholes should be carefully backfilled, concreted or grouted up. Trial
excavations should be outside proposed foundation areas. For highways, it is
important that some exploration points are arranged at offsets to the Centre-line of
the proposed road, so that lateral variation in ground conditions can be revealed
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and material obtained to test suitability for use as fill material. It is essential that
the locations and ground levels for all exploration points be established, if
necessary by survey.
For linear structures, investigation points should be arranged at adequate offsets
to the Centerline, depending on the overall width of the structure, such as an
embankment footprint or a cutting.
For structures on or near slopes and steps in the terrain (including excavations),
investigation points should also be arranged outside the project area, these being
located so that the stability of the slope or cut can be assessed. Where
anchorages are installed, due consideration should be given to the likely stresses
in their load transfer zone.
The investigation points should be arranged so that they do not present a hazard
to the structure, the construction work, or the surroundings (e.g. as a result of the
changes they may cause to the ground and groundwater conditions).
The area considered in the design investigations should extend into the
neighboring area to a distance where no harmful influence on the neighboring
area is expected.
Where ground conditions are relatively uniform or the ground is known to have
sufficient strength and stiffness properties, wider spacing or fewer investigation
points may be applied. In either case, this choice should be justified by local
experience.
In cases where more than one type of investigation is planned at a certain location
(e.g. CPT and piston sampling), the investigation points shall be separated by an
appropriate distance.
If bedrock is encountered before the depth required by the criterion above is
achieved, exploration depth should be great enough to penetrate a minimum of 3
m into the bedrock, but rock exploration should be sufficient to characterize
compressibility of infill material of near-horizontal to horizontal discontinuities. for
highly variable bedrock conditions, or in areas where very large boulders are
likely, more than 3 m or rock core may be required to verify that adequate quality
bedrock is present.
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Structures / Building, Pump station, Tanks , Treatment plant , Transformer.

Structure Number of Depth of BH Note

area,m2 Boring

<1000 3 For the foundation footings , the larger For structures

value of the following conditions should be small in plan area,
1000-1500 4 applied exploration should
be made at a
za > 6 m
1500-3000 5 minimum of three
za > 3,0bF.
points, unless
>3000 Minimum 6.
where bF is the smaller side length of the other reliable
Spacing not more
foundation. information is
than 30m
For raft foundations and structures with available in the
Large area Grid pattern with several foundation elements (spacing of immediate vicinity.
structure points not more foundation footings is less than about three
than 60m. times the width) whose effects in deeper
strata are superimposed on each other:
za > 1,5×bB
where bB is the smaller side of the
structure.
The reference level for za is the lowest
point of the foundation.
For piles, the following three conditions
should be met:
− za > 1,0bg
− za > 5,0 m
− za > 3DF
where
DF is the pile base diameter; and
bg is the smaller side of the rectangle
circumscribing the group of piles forming
the
foundation at the level of the pile base.
Estimated length of pile should be
mentioned
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Linear Structures

Features Number of Boring Depth of BH Note

Roads 1 Exploration point / 20 the depth of exploration should

– 200 m be varies from 2 m to 3 m below
the proposed formation level.

Cuts Boring typically spaced za > 2,0 m

every 60 m (erratic
za > 0,4h
condition) to 120 m
(uniform condition) with where h is the dam height or
at least one boring depth of cutting.
taken in each separate za
landform.
Embankments For high cuts and fills, 0,8h < za < 1,2h
should have a za > 6 m
minimum of 3 borings
along a line where h is the embankment
perpendicular to height.
centerline or planned za
slope face.

Pipelines/ trenches 1 Exploration point / 20 The larger value of:

– 200 m
za > 2 m below the invert level;
za > 1,5bAh
where bAh is the width of
excavation.

Retaining wall Borings spaced every Investigate to a depth below

30 to 60 m. some bottom of wall at least to a depth
borings should be at where stress increase due to
the front of and some estimated foundation
in the back of the wall
load is less than ten percent of
face.
the existing effective overburden
stress at that depth and between
one and two
times the wall height.
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Bridge Structure/
Foundation Number of Boring Depth of BH Note
type
Shallow For substructure, e.g., For the foundation footings , the larger
piers or abutments, widths value of the following conditions should
less than or equal to 30 m, be applied
a minimum
za > 6 m
of one exploration point
za > 4,0bF.
per substructure. For
substructure widths where bF is the smaller side length of
greater than 30 m, a the foundation.

minimum of two For raft foundations and structures with

exploration points per
substructure. Additional
exploration points
should be provided if
erratic subsurface
conditions are
encountered.
several foundation elements (spacing of
foundation footings is less than about
three times the width) whose effects in
deeper strata are superimposed on each
other:
za > 1,5×bB
where bB is the smaller side of the
structure.
The reference level for za is the lowest
point of the foundation.

Deep For piles, the following three conditions

should be met:
− za > 1,0bg
− za > 6,0 m
− za > 3DF
where
DF is the pile base diameter; and
bg is the smaller side of the rectangle
circumscribing the group of piles forming
the foundation at the level of the pile
base.
Estimated length of pile should be
mentioned.
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Landslides /

Number of Boring Depth of BH Note

Minimum 3 borings along a line Extend borings to an elevation below

perpendicular to centerline or
planned slope face to establish
geologic cross-section for
analysis. Number of sections
depends on extent of stability
problem. For active slide, place at
least on boring each above
and below sliding area
active or potential failure surface
and into hard stratum, or to a depth for
which failure is unlikely because
of geometry of cross-section.
Slope inclinometers used to locate the
depth of an active slide must
extend below base of slide.

Material Sites (Borrow sources, Quarries) /

Number of Boring Depth of BH Note

Borings spaced every 30 to Extend exploration to base of deposit or to

60m. depth required to provide
needed quantity.

3.1.3 Drilling, Excavation and Sampling

Methods for advancing geotechnical borings should be in accordance with the
following ASTM standards:

- D1452. Soil Investigation and Sampling by Augers

- D1586: Penetration Test and Split Barrel Sampling of Soil.
- D1587: Thin Wall Tube Sampling of Soils.
- D2113: Diamond Core Drilling for Site Investigation.
- D2487: Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes.
- D2488. Description and Classification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)

Samples should be handled in accordance with the following ASTM standards:

- D4220-95(2000) Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil

Samples
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- D5079-02 Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Rock Core

Samples

Disturbed soil samples should be placed in watertight plastic bags. For moisture
critical geotechnical issues, a portion of the sample should be placed in moisture
tin and sealed with tape. Extreme care must be exercised when handling and
transporting undisturbed samples of soft/loose soil. Rock cores of soft/weak rock
should be wrapped in plastic to preserve in situ moisture conditions. Rock cores
should be placed in core boxes from highest to lowest elevation and from left to
right. Coring intervals should be clearly labeled and separated. Core breaks made
to fit the core in the box must be clearly marked on the core. All soil and rock
samples should be removed from the drill site at the end each day of drilling and
transported to the laboratory as soon as possible.
As a minimum, groundwater levels should be measured/recorded prior to the daily
commencement of drilling activities and upon completion of piezometer
installation. Subsequent monitoring is at the discretion of the geotechnical
designer. Prior to constructing a piezometer, the boring should be thoroughly
purged of drill fluids using clean, potable water.
Exploration pits can be an important part of geotechnical explorations where
significant variations in soil conditions occur (vertically and horizontally), large soil
and or non-soil materials exist (boulders, cobbles, debris) that cannot be sampled
with conventional methods, or buried features must be identified and or
measured. For practical reasons, the maximum depth of excavation is 4 m to 5 m.
Entry by personnel into unsupported pits deeper than 1.2 m is not allowed for
health and safety reasons. In areas with high groundwater level, the depth of the
pit may be limited by the water table. Measurements should be taken and
recorded documenting the orientation, plan dimensions and depth of the pit, and
the depths and the thicknesses of each stratum exposed in the pit.
3.1.4 In-situ Testing
Several in-situ tests define the geo-stratigraphy and obtain direct measurements
of soil properties and geotechnical parameters. The common tests include:
standard penetration test (SPT), cone penetration test (CPT), piezocone test
(CPTu), flat dilatometer test (DMT), borehole pressure meter test (PMT), and
vane shear test (VST). Each test applies different loading schemes to measure
the corresponding soil response in an attempt to evaluate material characteristics,
such as strength and/or stiffness. To develop strategies for planning field
investigations, Table 2.1 can be used as a guide to the applicability of the field
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investigations covered. These tests shall comply with the following ASTM
standards:

In-situ Tests ASTM Designation

standard penetration test (SPT) ASTM D1586
dynamic penetration test (DP) BS 5930
cone penetration test (CPT)
piezocone test (CPTu) ASTM D5778
flat plate dilatometer (DMT) ASTM D6635
borehole pressure meter test (PMT) ASTM D4719
vane shear test (VST) ASTM D2573

The need for more advanced testing or additional site investigation as a function
of the geotechnical aspects of the project, soil type, soil variability and
computation model should be considered.
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3.2. LABORATORY TESTING

Depending on the type of construction, the type of ground and stratigraphy and
the geotechnical parameters needed for design calculations, appropriate tests
shall be conducted on the soil and rock samples collected in the field. The
necessary number of specimens to be tested shall be established depending on
the homogeneity of the ground, and the quality and amount of comparable
experience with the ground. Laboratory tests shall be performed on representative
samples to verify field classifications and to determine typical engineering
properties of soil and rock types encountered in the project area. Classification
tests shall be used to check whether the samples and test specimens are
representative.

Together with detailed sample description, classification tests allow the soils on a
site to be divided into a limited number of arbitrary groups, each of which is
estimated to contain materials of similar geotechnical properties. Subsequent
more expensive and time-consuming tests carried out to determine geotechnical
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parameters for design purposes may then be made on limited numbers of

samples which are selected to be representation of the soil group in question. The
samples for the classification tests should be selected in such a way that the tests
are approximately equally distributed over the complete area and the full depth of
the strata relevant for design. Thus the results should give the range of index
properties of the relevant layers. The primary tests of importance to geotechnical
engineers are:

Laboratory Tests ASTM Designation

Grain-size Analysis (Sieve & Hydrometer) ASTM D422
Atterberg Limits ASTM D4318
Unconfined Soil Compressive Strength ASTM D2166
Unconfined Rock Compressive Strength ASTM D7012
Consolidation ASTM D2435
Point Load Test (Rock) ASTM D5731
Compaction Characteristics of Soil ASTM D1557 or ASTM D698
Specific Gravity ASTM D854
California Bearing Ratio ASTM D1883
Direct shear ASTM D3080
Triaxial compression ASTM D7181, ASTM D4767, ASTM
D2850
Collapse potential test for cohesive soil ASTM D 2435 or ASTM D 4546
One-dimensional swell test for cohesive soil ASTM D 4546

Soil and groundwater chemical analysis for corrosion evaluation

Laboratory Tests Designation

pH AASHTO T-289
Sulfates AASHTO T-290
Chlorides AASHTO T-291
Soil Resistivity AASHTO T-288

Undisturbed soil samples retained in liners or seamless tube samplers shall be

taken out without causing any disturbance to the samples using suitably designed
extruder just prior to actual testing.
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Laboratory tests to determine parameters for geotechnical calculations are given

in

After completion of all tests, a summary of test results for each soil and rock
sample shall be presented in a tabular form.
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The need for more advanced laboratory testing as a function of the geotechnical
aspects of the project, soil type, soil variability and computation model should be
considered.
3.3. GEOTECHNICAL REPORT
The geotechnical report shall be the presentation of all data obtained during the
investigation, both in the field and laboratory, all engineering analyses, and
recommendations for the use or satisfactory treatment of various soils and soil
conditions encountered on the project. The information are presented in two basic
forms:

a. Factual Report (descriptive report)

b. Interpretative Report

3.3.1 Factual Report

Factual Reports is a compilation of all the location plan of boreholes and test pits,
bore logs, test pit logs, test results (field and laboratory) and photographs of site
investigation activities without detailed interpretation of the test results. The report
should contain, at a minimum:

- Site plan showing locations of exploratory holes.

- Purpose and scope of the investigation.
- Names of all consultants and sub-contractors used.
- Dates between which field and laboratory work was performed.
- Project description
- Site description
- Geology
- A factual account of all field and laboratory work.
- Exploratory hole records “log” (boreholes, trial pits, window sample holes),
including grid co-ordinates and ground elevation.
- In-situ test results
- Laboratory test results including any contamination test results.
- Photographs of the on-site drilling equipment, soil and rock sample
collection, and rock cores.
- Results of groundwater level monitoring and any geoenvironmental
monitoring.
- The provision of data in electronic format
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3.3.2 Interpretative Report

Interpretative reports include the Factual Report as well as an interpretation of the
test results by a geotechnical engineer/ expert to be used by the designers. The
interpretative report presents the interpretation of soil properties from in-situ tests
and laboratory test for the analysis and design of foundations, embankments,
slopes, and earth retaining ,,,, etc. The report should contain, at a minimum:

- A review of the field and laboratory work.

- Detailed description of all formations including their geological context,
physical properties and their deformation and strength characteristics.
- Comments on irregularities such as pockets, depressions, cavities and
boulders.
- Sub-surface profile(s) showing the differentiation of the various
formations.(cross section)
- Identification of geological, geotechnical or other hazards.
- Depth of the groundwater table and its seasonal fluctuations.
- The range and grouping of any derived values of the geotechnical data for
each stratum.
- Summary tables for chemical contamination data with listings of selected
assessment criteria.
- Tabulation and graphical presentation of the results of the field and
laboratory work in relation to the requirements of the project and if deemed
necessary histograms illustrating the range of values of the most relevant
data and their distribution.
- A review and summary of the derived values of geotechnical Parameters
“Design values of soil and rock properties, including any necessary
explanation for their selection.”
- Any proposals for further field and laboratory work, with comments
justifying the need for this extra work and a detailed program for the extra
investigations to be carried out.
- Recommend foundation type (i.e., shallow footings versus mat foundations
or piles)
- Allowable bearing capacity for footings, slab on grade or mat foundations
- Minimum depth of embedment of shallow foundations and corresponding
allowable bearing capacity.
- Estimate of foundation settlement
- Coefficient of subgrade reaction for slab on grade and mat foundations
- Type, size and allowable vertical and horizontal capacities for piles if pile
foundation is required
- Lateral soil and groundwater pressures against underground walls for static
and seismic loading if retaining wall exist in the project
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- Design groundwater elevation if required for design

- Recommendations to resist uplift such as soil anchors if required
- Evaluation of liquefaction potential of loose soils below groundwater table.
- Site Category for seismic design
- Recommendations for reuse of on-site soils
- General fill and structural fill requirements
- Pavement design for roads and parking areas if required
- Recommendations for permanent earth retention structures if required
- Recommendations for trench excavation and backfilling if required
- Recommendations for design of thrust blocks if required
- Recommendations for slope stabilization if required
- Recommendations on corrosion potential of soil and groundwater on
concrete and steel and remedial measures.
- The minimum concrete protection where exposed to soil or groundwater
shall include a 100-mm thick concrete blinding at the bottom and two coats
of hot applied bitumen on the exposed sides.
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4. REFERENCES
- AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 6th Edition, American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, DC, 2012.
- ASTM Volume 04.08 Soil and Rock (I): D420-D5876
- ASTM Volume 04.09 Soil and Rock (II): D5877-latest
- BS 5930 (1999),” Code of Practice for Site Investigation”, British standards Institution.
- BS EN 1997-2:2007 Ground investigation and testing
- Design Criteria for Housing Projects Revision No. 00 June 2009, Housing and
Infrastructure Board (HIB) Program Management Department (PMD).