LECTURE 02

SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION
CEET515A: Foundation Engineering
E n g r. I v y n S u n i c o
SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION

It is the process of identifying the layers of deposits that underlie a proposed

structure and their physical characteristics.

The purpose of subsurface exploration is to obtain information that will aid

geotechnical engineer in these tasks:
✓ Selecting the type and depth of foundation suitable for a given structure
✓ Evaluating the load-bearing capacity of foundation
✓ Estimating the probable settlement of a structure
✓ Determining potential foundation problems
✓ Determining the location of water table
✓ Predicting lateral earth pressure for structures such as retaining walls, sheet pile
bulkhead and braced cuts
✓ Establishing construction methods for changing subsoil conditions
SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION PROGRAM
Several steps comprising subsurface exploration program:

Step One Step Two Step Three

Exploration of Reconnaissance Site Investigation

Preliminary
Information
SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION

Procedures for Sampling Soil

Two types of soil: Disturbed and undisturbed

Disturbed soil samples can be used for the

following types of laboratory test:
❖Grain-size analysis
❖Determination of liquid and plastic limits
❖Specific gravity of soil solids
❖Organic content determination
❖Classification of soil
SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION

Phases of Soil Investigation

✓Phase 1: Collection of available information

✓Phase 2: Reconnaissance survey of a proposed site or a site visit to provide a general picture of the
geotechnical topography and geology of the site

✓Phase 3: Preliminary soil exploration

✓Phase 4: Detailed soil exploration

✓Phase 5: Writing a report

SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION

Soil Exploration Report

✓Background of the area to be investigated and the explorations that must be done.

✓Field Investigation Data

✓Test Results

✓Evaluation

✓Recommendation
SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION

“It is not the beauty of a building

you should look at; it’s the
construction of the foundation that
will stand the test of time.”
— David Allan Coe

Source: http://site.iugaza.edu.ps/ahmedagha/files/2014/10/Foundation -Ch.2.pdf