Chapachula Geotechnical Investigation Report

ABERDARE HILLS GOLF RESORT
Geotechnical Investigation Report

Chapachula
Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Geology............................................................................................................................................................ 3
1.1. General Geology ........................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Site Descriptions and General Location. .......................................................................................................... 3
1.3. Terrain and Vegetation................................................................................................................................... 3
1.4. Ground Profile............................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Field Work. ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1. Methodology ................................................................................................................................................. 4
2.2. DCP Test Operations ..................................................................................................................................... 4
2.3. Water Rest Level........................................................................................................................................... 4
2.4. DCP Tests .................................................................................................................................................... 4
3. Recommendation .............................................................................................................................................. 6
References ............................................................................................................................................................... 7
Tamcon Consulting Engineers Factual Report on Geotechnical Investigation at Chapachula Village Page 2
Introduction
Tamcon Consulting Engineers carried out geotechnical site investigation at the proposed
Chapachula Village Homes site within Aberdares Hills Golf Resort, Naivasha County of Kenya.
The work included: -
 Digging of five (5 No.) test-pits to an average depth of 1.00m below ground level.
 Carrying out DCP In-situ Test up to a maximum depth of 2.5m below existing ground level
where it was possible.
 Analysis of the In-situ test results.
 Preparation of a Factual report.
The fieldwork was carried out between 7th and 8th November, 2012.
1. Geology
1.1. General Geology
Volcanic activities have dominated the geological history of the Naivasha area since the Miocene
times. The area sediments are mainly composed of pyroclastic material deposited in the lower
Pleistocene times overlying a band of welded tuffs. These beds of sediments vary from grey
pumiceous ash to light grey and red silty soils which are probably of a recent ash in age.
1.2. Site Descriptions and General Location.
The proposed site is in the Chapachula area of the main Aberdare Hills Golf Resort masterplan.
A sketch site plan is presented in Appendix 1.
1.3. Terrain and Vegetation.
The site is elevated in relation to topograpghy of the entrance and undulating gently on all
directions from the crest position site for the club house. On the south western side of the village
the ground rises to a hill.
The general view of the site eastwards from the position of the club house is presented in
Appendix 3 - photographs.
1.4. Ground Profile
The site is on a flat but low lying hill on the South-western corner of the Master Plan.
The top layer is made up of dark grey to black, moist silty CLAY approx. 0.40m thick. The clay
layer is underlain by brown to pale Brown Weathered Welded TUFF, extending to 5m below
ground level.
The ground profiles as logged while carrying out the investigations are presented in Appendix 2.
2. Field Work.
2.1. Methodology
Dynamic Cone penetrometer is an empirical method for field exploration and evaluation of lightly
loaded shallow spread footings developed by Prof. George Sowers.
The dynamic Cone penetrometer uses a 10 kg steel hummer free falling through 0.575m onto an
anvil fixed to a steel rod fixed to a cone of 60° to penetrate through soil medium. The number of
blows taken to drive through 10mm intervals is recorded. The test is continued until no further
penetration is experienced.
2.2. DCP Test Operations
The geotechnical site investigation was carried out using Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Site
Investigation. Five test-pits were dug to depths of 1 to 1.5 metres each. Test-pit (TP2), which was
dug at the position proposed for the construction of the Club House, where as the other 4 test-
pits were made at the extreme corners of the site to represent the ground profiles of the site.
2.3. Water Rest Level
The water table was not reached during the investigation indicating that the depth to ground
water or water table lies lower than the expected foundation depth.
2.4. DCP Tests
Dynamic Cone Penetration Test was done at the bottom of each excavated pit. From the data
collected at each test-pit, the bearing capacity was computed using the formula
E .M
q ult 
1000 . A . h . M  P 
Where,
P = Dead weight of assembly
M = Hammer weight
H = Hammer fall
A = Area of cone tip
h = Drive rod penetration measurement interval
N = Number of blows per 0.1 m penetration
E = Energy
g = Gravitational acceleration (9.81)
Experience with similar sub- strata show that compacted weathered TUFF and Volcanic ASH
lose strength considerably when in contact with water especially when saturated. The strength
obtained from the DCP results need to be reduced by a factor of safety to obtain a safe bearing
capacity
( A F.O.S) of 2 has been adopted, for the project because the proposed structures to be
constructed in this particular site are double storeyed structures that are not critically heavy.
The depth of excavation at each of the test pits are tabulated in Table 1 herebelow:-
Table 1- Grid reference of test-pits, Depth of Test-pit, Maximum depth of investigation
Location or Co-ordinates Depth of Test-pit Maximum depth of

TP No. (m) Investigation (m)
S - 00° 38.641’
1 E - 036° 26.093’ 1.5 2.5
Alt – 1962 m
S - 00° 38.579’
Club House
E - 036° 26.147’ 1.0 1.5
(2)
Alt – 1962 m
S - 00° 38.631’
3 E - 036° 26.220’ 1.1 1.6
Alt – 1956 m
S - 00° 38.521’
4 E - 036° 26.196’ 0.9 1.1
Alt – 1950 m
S - 00° 38.554’
5 E - 036° 26.050’ 1.0 1.1
Alt – 1955 m
Geological logging describing the ground profile was done on each test-pit.
The photographs of the test-pits showing strata formations are presented in Appendix 3.
3. Recommendation
Following observations made from the investigations:-
1. The ground profile over the whole site showed the stratification as seen from the test-pits
of very firm formation at relatively shallow depth, except at TP 1.
2. The strength of the ground soil increased with depth.
3. The depth of penetration by rainwater was noted to be averagely 0.4m below the surface.
The ground formations at this site were observed to be strong in dry state. This was confirmed by
the DCP results which gave the strength for the weakest formation, the Clayey SILT layer making
up the upper 2.5m at TP 1 as 230kN/m2. However these soils experience collapse and lose of
strength considerably when in contact with water or is saturated.
To provide for reduction in strength expected from soaking by rain water surface run-off, poor
drainage or failure of buried water systems, a factor of Safety of 2 was applied to the readings to
determine Safe Allowable Bearing Strengths. These are shown in Table 2 herebelow:-
Table 2- Foundation Depth and Bearing capacities
Ultimate Bearing Safe Allowable

Recommended
TP Capacity (kN/m2) Bearing Capacity
Foundation Depth (m)
(kN/m2)
1 1.50 340 170
2 1.50 610 305
3 1.50 950 475
4 1.20 980 490
5 1.20 1110 550
4. The Volcanic residual soils are normally susceptible to COLLAPSE POTENTIAL. We

recommend that Effective Storm Water Drainage be installed to drain away Roof and
Storm water, away from the foundation. Providing a 1 – 2m wide moisture barrier around
the building.
5. Proper and functional drainage system should be installed around each building to control
subsurface water and moisture.
References
1. GOODMAN, R.E
Introduction to Rock Mechanics, Wiley, 1989
2. TOMLINSON, M.J
Foundation Design and Construction, Longman, 1987
3. BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION
BS 5930:1881 Code of Practice for Site Investigation.
4. ASTM STP 399
Dynamic Cone for Shallow In-situ Penetration Testing
APPENDIX 1
SITE PLAN
APPENDIX 2
TEST PIT LOGS
Tamcon Consulting Engineers Factual Report on Geotechnical Investigation at Chapachula Village
Page 9
TP 1
TP 2
TP 3
TP 4
Tp 5
APPENDIX 3
PHOTOGRAPHS
Photo 1: Site view of the gorge from the position of the Club House
Photo 2: DCP Testing
Photo 3: Site view of the gorge from the position of TP4
Photo 4: DCP TESTING AT TP 1
Photo 5: GROUND PROFILE AT TP 1
APPENDIX 4 – TEST RESULTS

Chapachula Geotechnical Investigation Report

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ABERDARE HILLS GOLF RESORT

Geotechnical Investigation Report

1.1. General Geology ........................................................................................................................................... 3

1.2. Site Descriptions and General Location. .......................................................................................................... 3

1.3. Terrain and Vegetation................................................................................................................................... 3

1.4. Ground Profile............................................................................................................................................... 3

2. Field Work. ....................................................................................................................................................... 4

2.1. Methodology ................................................................................................................................................. 4

2.2. DCP Test Operations ..................................................................................................................................... 4

2.3. Water Rest Level........................................................................................................................................... 4

2.4. DCP Tests .................................................................................................................................................... 4

Location or Co-ordinates Depth of Test-pit Maximum depth of

Ultimate Bearing Safe Allowable

1 1.50 340 170

2 1.50 610 305

3 1.50 950 475

4 1.20 980 490

5 1.20 1110 550

4. The Volcanic residual soils are normally susceptible to COLLAPSE POTENTIAL. We

TEST PIT LOGS

Tamcon Consulting Engineers Factual Report on Geotechnical Investigation at Chapachula Village

APPENDIX 4 – TEST RESULTS

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