SECTION 3000 – SUB-SURFACE GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS

Page No.
3001 SCOPE 30-1
3002 FIELD INVESTIGATION 30-1
3003 METHOD OF EXPLORATIONS 30-2
3004 LABORATORY TESTING 30-11
3005 WATER SAMPLES 30-12
3006 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 30-12
3007 MEASUREMENT 30-12
3008 PAYMENT 30-12
APPENDIX 30.1
SECTION 3000 – MISCELLANEOUS WORKS

3001. SCOPE

For the design of foundation, the scope of subsurface exploration shall be to

determine soil parameters and rock characteristics and their suitability by insitu
testing or testing of samples/cores taken out of exploration. It shall be planned in
such a way that the profiles of different types of soil and/or rock up to the desired
depth for at least in the full length of the proposed bridge are recorded and other
information such as physical/mechanical properties like grain size distribution,
sensitivity, existence of deleterious materials, etc. in soil and/or ground water etc.
are also determined.

3002. FIELD INVESTIGATION

Unless otherwise specified, the field investigation of subsurface shall be carried

out in three phases, namely, Reconnaissance, Preliminary Explorations and
Detailed Explorations.

(1) Reconnaissance

It shall include review of available topographic and geological information,

aerial photographs and data from previous investigations and site
examination.

(2) Preliminary Explorations

It shall include the study of existing geological informations, previous site

reports, geological maps/aerial photos interpretations, and sub-surface
geological examination. Geophysical investigations of the site shall also be
conducted during this phase in order to have information about
stratifications. Detail subsoil exploration shall be planned depending on
these information.

Preliminary exploration shall be carried out to determine the soil profile

showing the boundaries between the different types of soil and between
loose and dense parts in the same type of deposits. For this purpose, as a
first step, a suitable type of sub-surface sounding (e.g. static or dynamic
cone penetration test) shall be carried out. As many soundings as necessary
shall be made until penetration data is complete to provide the general shape
and the trend of boundaries of the various soil deposits. Exploratory drill
holes shall then be made at one or two locations where average condition
prevails and near those points where the penetration diagrams indicate
maximum deviations from the average.
 (3) Detailed Explorations

The scope of the detailed exploration shall include boring programme based
on data obtained after preliminary investigations. The bridge site, types of
structure with span arrangement and the location & type of foundation shall
be tentatively decided based on data obtained after preliminary
investigations. Extent of explorations, number of boreholes, type of
soundings, types and number of tests, open trial pits, etc., shall be decided
for the execution of the exploration so as to collect adequate data considered
necessary for the detailed design and execution of the related structure.

For bridge works, the investigations shall be comprehensive enough to

enable the designer to estimate or determine the followings:

(a) the engineering properties of the soil and/or rock,

(b) the location and extent of soft layers under the hard founding strata,
(c) the geological condition like type of rock, faults, fissures or subsidence
due to mining, porosity etc.,
(d) the ground water level,
(e) artesian conditions, if any,
(f) the location, type and extent of different layers,
(g) quality of water in contact with the foundation,
(h) probable settlement and probable differential settlement of the
foundations,
(i) likely sinking or driving effort,
(j) likely construction difficulties,
(k) the depth and extent of scour,
(l) suitable depth of foundation, and
(m) bearing capacity of the foundation.

3003. METHOD OF EXPLORATIONS

Any of the following methods of exploration or their combination shall be used

depending upon type of structure and strata.

(a) Geophysical Exploration

(b) Test/Trial Pits
(c) Boring
(d) Static Cone Penetration Test
(e) Dynamic Cone Penetration Test
(f) Plate Load Test
(g) In-situ Vane Shear Test

(1) Geophysical Exploration

Use of geophysical methods shall be limited to the detection of voids, buried

channels or rock mass classification.
 The two main geophysical methods to be used shall be:

(a) Electrical Resistivity Method.

(b) Seismic Method.

(2) Test/Trial Pits

Test/trial pits shall be used for direct visual examination of the soil and its
stratification including water table. This will also allow for the execution of
in-situ tests like plate bearing tests, shear tests, etc. A test/trial pit shall be at
least 1 m square at the bottom of the pit. The depth of the pit shall be 3 m,
unless otherwise specified. Below a depth of about 1.5 m, the sides of the
pit shall be supported or shall be excavated at safe angle. Pits shall be left
open for some time so 1I1at seepage lines on the sides of the pit can be
examined and the existing ground water level can be indicated.

(3) Borings

Boring a hole shall be started by driving casing to prevent it from caving in.
Casing shall be cleaned by means of chopping bit, etc., with the water
pumped through drill rod and water overflows at the top carrying soil
particles. The hole shall be advanced by raising, rotating and dropping the
bit into the soil at the bottom of the hole. In rotary boring, drill bit shall be
rotated with the simultaneously application of pressure to advance the hole.
In case where sample disturbance is not critical, hand or powered auger
boring can also be carried out with the prior approval of the Engineer.

(A) General Requirements of Boring/Drilling

The equipment for boring shall be automatic hydraulic or mechanical

feed with properly working indicator of drilling pressure. The
equipment shall be with transmission gear to adjust spindle speed. The
Contractor shall supply all necessary flush water for the execution of
boring and pertinent tests. Clear water shall only be used.
Nevertheless, the equipment shall be capable of handling mud flush.
The barrels for boring shall be double tube core barrel. Only in certain
circumstances, use of single tube core barrel shall be allowed.
The drilling machine shall be equipped with different sizes of casings
in order to allow proper telescoping of definite sizes. The final
diameter of the borehole shall be such that allows extraction of
samples with proper dimension in order to properly conduct tests, such
as consolidation, shear, triaxial, permeability, etc.

(B) Methods of Boring

Boring shall be done by any of the methods mentioned below

depending on the soil type and types of samples required for the
investigation.
 (a) Auger Boring (Manual and Mechanical)
(b) Percussion Boring
(c) Wash Boring
(d) Rotary Boring

(a) Auger Boring

(i) Hand Auger Boring

In the hand auger boring method, light hand operated

equipment shall be used. The auger and drill rods shall be
lifted out of the borehole without the aid of a tripod and no
borehole casing shall be used. Boreholes up to 200 mm
diameter shall be made in a suitable ground condition up to a
depth of about 5.0 m. Hand auger boreholes shall be used for
ground water observations and to obtain disturbed samples and
small tube samples.

(ii) Mechanical Auger Boring

Small portable power augers, shall be suitable for boring to

depth of 10- 15 m. The hole diameter shall be in the range of
75 to 300 mm.

(b) Percussion Boring

Adaptation of standard boring methods shall be suitable for soil

and weak rock. The size of the borehole casing and tools shall
generally be 100 mm, 150 mm, 250 mm and 300 mm giving a
maximum borehole depth of about 60 m in suitable strata. The
drill tools, hooked on a wire rope using the clutch of the winch for
the percussion action, shall be a clay cutter for dry cohesive soils, a
shell or baler for cohesion less soils and a chisel for breaking up
rock and other hard layers. The clay cutter and shell shall bring up
disturbed material for laboratory testing and identification of strata.

(c) Wash Boring

Wash boring shall be carried out as per IS ,BS , ASTM or

equivalent standard.

(d) Rotary Drilling

In rocky strata rotary drill shall be used. Open hole drilling, in

which the drill bit cuts all the material within the borehole, shall be
used for more rapid progress in hard material. Better quality
samples of soil and rocks shall be obtained using core drilling, in
which an annular bit fixed to the bottom of outer rotating tube of a
 rotary core barrel cuts a core, which is retained within the inner
stationary tube of the core barrel and brought to the surface for
examination and testing.

(C) Size of the Borehole for Sampling

Rotary drills and/or percussion drilling shall be used for getting

undisturbed soil sample. The size of casing shall be sufficient to
provide space for retrieving undisturbed sample by sampler tube for
soil. For rock sample, the size of casing shall be sufficient enough to
allow use of single or double tube barrel as required for retrieving core
sample.

(D) Condition of Boring

While conducting detailed borings, the resistance to the speed of

drilling i.e. rate of penetration, core loss, etc., shall be carefully
recorded to evaluate the different types of strata and to distinguish
specially sand from sandstone, clay from shale, etc.
For good coring either in soil or in rock, the driller shall carefully
watch and record the speed of the rate of cutting of bit, bit pressure, bit
feed, pump pressure and discharge.

(E) Extent of Boring

The depth of boring shall depend upon the type of proposed structure,
its total weight, and type of subsoil encountered. Normally tests shall
be taken down below the foundation level depending upon the type of
foundation e.g.

(a) foundation requiring shallow

depth: up to a depth: where the magnitude of stress due to
the structure load is equal to 10% of
the overburden pressure, but at least
one boring shall be made deep
enough preferably up to hard strata
or rock to ascertain the existence of
any exceptionally compressible
stratum that are unsuitable for
foundation

(b) for rock foundation: until sound

bed rock is reached and confirmed
by at least 3 m coring by rotary
drilling. In sound bed rock more
than 6m drilling may not be required.
In residual profile it may be
necessary to drill further 3 m to
 differentiate rock from drill bit the
boulder.

The spacing of borings shall be such as to reveal any major changes in

the thickness, or properties of the strata over the base area of the
structure and in its immediate vicinity.

A preliminary estimate of spacing may be modified depending upon

the information revealed by boring. The Boring Agency shall notify
the Engineer the situation and shall seek his approval for such
modification(s).

(F) Records of Test/Trial Pits and Borings

For all test/trial pits and borings, general information as detailed below
shall be given. A site plan showing the position of the bore holes/trial
pits shall also be attached.

(i) Boring Company

(ii) Location with reference map
(iii) Pit /Bore -hole number
(iv) Reduced level (R.L.) of ground surface or other reference
point with arbitrary permanent Bench Marks
(v) Dates of starting and completion
(vi) Name of supervising engineer and driller
(vii) Dimensions and methods of advancing exploration
(viii) Any other information and remark including
weather/climatic condition, difficulties encountered, etc.

(G) Bore Hole Log

The final bore hole tog shall be based on the visual examination,
description of the samples, laboratory test results, driller's daily report
forms and geology of the site. All the relevant data collected by the
driller, once checked and amended where necessary, shall be recorded.
The bore hole log shall be maintained in the format shown in
Appendix 30.1

The bore log shall contain the elevation at which the water table and
the upper boundary of each of the successive soil strata were
encountered, the investigator's classification of the layer on the basis
of general information obtained from field examination and the value
of the resistance obtained by means of Standard Penetration Test
(hammer wt.65 kg & falling height 75 cm for rotary drilling attached
with standard split barrel sampler at the bottom connected with drill
rod) or Static Cone Penetration as specified. The type of tools used for
boring shall be recorded. If the tools were changed, the depth at which
the change was made and the reason thereof shall also be noted.
 Incomplete and abandoned borings shall be described with no less care
than successfully completed drill holes. The notes shall contain
everything of significance observed on the job, such as the elevation at
which wash water was lost from the hole, etc. All field and final logs
shall be signed by the supervising Engineer.

(H) Sample Core Recovery and Core Boxes

Only samples that are unaltered and not damaged by drilling process
shall be considered as core. Core drill shall be so designed that in
sound rock, continuous recovery is achieved. Run shall be short in
order to achieve maximum core recovery. Where there is core loss, it
shall be noted on field borelog. It shall be shown by placing wooden
stick in the core box so that Engineer can judge how much core has
been achieved.

For getting disturbed soil (granular) sometime water is circulated

down the hollow rods which returns outside them, carrying the rock
cutting to the surface as sludge. These shall be retained as samples in
transversing friable rock where cores cannot be recovered. It shall be
ensured that boulders or layers of cemented soils are not mistaken for
bedrock. For laboratory determination of uniaxial compressive
strength of rock materials, the final size or dimensions (minimum) of
the specimen shall be after trimming in the form of circular cylinder
having height to diameter ratio of 2.5 to 3.0 and the diameter of core
shall not be less than 54.7 mm.

Sufficient quantity of core boxes shall be available at site before the

commencement of boring. Further drilling works shall be stopped if it
is found that boring is carried out without core boxes and undisturbed
sampler tube.

The core box shall be made of good and durable material. The boxes
shall bear lids and hinges. The files inside the core boxes shall have a
length of 1.05 m.

Cores shall be placed in core boxes in a proper order and direction.

The end of each core run shall be marked by a cross piece with
indication of depth. The box shall provide information on borehole,
depth of corresponding core, number of box etc. The coreboxes shall
be transported to the location instructed by the Engineer. The
provided core with coreboxes shall be available for inspection as and
when required by the Engineer. The boxes shall be the property of
Department of Roads.

The cores shall be carefully extracted out of the core barrel and placed
in core boxes. Core shall correspond each time to the fixed depth with
accuracy of 1 cm.
 A minimum core recovery of 80 % in hard rock and 50 % in other
strata (except sand strata) shall be achieved. If possible none or
minimum quantity of water shall be added while boring through soft
cohesive soils and cohesionless soils above water table in order to
maintain its natural moisture content and stress condition for further
in-situ and laboratory tests.

(I) Sampling

There shall be two types of samples, (a) Disturbed sample and (b)
Undisturbed sample. The usual methods for sampling shall be as
stated below.

(i) Disturbed Sample

(a) Soil

Types of disturbed samples shall be:

 Hand Samples
 Auger Samples
 Sludge Samples
 SPT Sample
 Sample Extracted from Barrel

Disturbed samples shall be obtained in the course of excavation

and boring. For taking samples from below the ground water
level, special type of sampler shall be used. Where standard
penetration test is conducted, representative samples shall be
obtained from the split spoon.

Quantity of samples required for laboratory testing shall not be

less than as shown in Table 30.1.

Table 30.1: Required Quantities of Samples

S.No. Purpose of sample Soil type Wt. of sample (kg)

1 Identification, Natural moisture content, Soil 2
Mechanical analysis and index properties
2 Identification, Natural moisture content, Sand 5
Mechanical analysis and index properties
3 Identification, Natural moisture content, Fine to medium 5
Mechanical analysis and index properties type of gravel
4 Identification, Natural moisture content, Coarse gravel 30
Mechanical analysis and index properties

(b) Rock
 The sludge from percussion borings or rotary borings which
have failed to yield a core, shall be collected as disturbed
samples. It may be recovered from circulating water by
settlement in a trough.

The types of disturbed samples shall be:

 Wash Samples from Drilling

 Sludge Samples

(ii) Undisturbed Sample

(a) Soil

Samples shall be obtained in such a manner that moisture

content and structure do not get altered. This shall be ensured
by careful use of correctly designed sampler, protection and
packing.

Type of undisturbed sampling sampler shall be as follows:

A. Block sampling (Hand Samples) shall be carried out by

manual excavation inside the trench or pit.

B. Thin-walled Sampler Tube: for soft and firm soils

(internal diameter 75mm to 250 mm)

C. Open Tube Sampler: for firm to stiff clays, disturbed

samples for weak rock (100mm diameter open tube
sampler, like U100)

D. Stationary Piston Sampler: for soft sensitive clays,

noncohesive fine grained soil and firm to stiff soils not
containing coarse material.

E. Sand Sampler: for silts and sands below the water table
(like Bishop sand sampler)

For compression test, samples of 40 mm diameter and 150 mm

to 200 mm length may be sufficient, but for other laboratory
tests, samples of 100 mm diameter and 300 mm length shall be
taken unless otherwise instructed by the Engineer.

While preparing samples the upper few millimeters of sample

shall be removed.

(b) Rock
 A. Block samples: Such samples taken from the rock
formation shall be dressed to a size about 90x75x50 mm.

B. Core samples: Cores of rock shall be taken by means of

rotary drills fitted with a coring bit with core retainer and
the diameter of core shall be as mentioned in Sub-clause
3003 (3) (H).

Frequency of sampling shall be at every change in stratum and

at intervals not exceeding 1.5 m within a continuous stratum.

(J) In situ Test on Boreholes

In course of boring works, in situ test as mentioned below shall be

carried out for the determination of bearing capacity. Other tests like
permeability, etc. shall also be se of carried out as directed by the
Engineer. In particular, following tests shall be conducted:

(i) Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

(ii) Vane Shear Test
(iii) Insitu Deformation Properties and Strength Measurements
from a borehole using Pressuremeter.
(iv) Other tests as applicable.

Where undisturbed soil sampling, in-situ vane shear test and SPT are
to be carried out in one layer, the sequence shall be undisturbed soil
sampling followed by in situ vane shear test and SPT.

(K) Protection, Handling and Labeling of Samples

Care shall be taken in handling, labeling and transportation of samples

so that they shall be received in an acceptable state for identification,
examination and testing.

The disturbed material in the upper end of the tube shall be completely
removed before applying wax for sealing. The length and type of
sample so removed shall be recorded.

The soil at the lower end of the tube shall be reamed to a distance of
about 20 mm. After cleaning, both ends shall be sealed with wax
applied in a way that shall prevent wax from entering the sample.
Wax used for sealing shall not be heated to more than a few degrees
above its melting temperature. The empty space in the samplers, if
any, shall be filled with moist soil, saw dust etc., and the ends shall be
covered with tight fitting caps.

(4) Static Cone Penetration Test

 This test shall be carried out for deep foundation of bridges for cohesive soil
according to the stipulations of IS: 4968 (Part 3) or equivalent standard.

(5) Dynamic Cone Penetration Test

This test shall be carried out as per IS: 2131. Wherever applicable, this test
shall also be carried out as per IS: 4968 (Parts 1 &2).

(6) Plate Load Test

For cohesion less soil in deep foundation, plate load test shall be carried out
as per IS: 1888.

(7) In-situ Vane Shear Test:

Vane shear test shall be conducted as per IS: 4434 on cohesive soil for deep
foundation.

(8) Exploration for Foundation Resting on Rock

The basic information to be obtained from the exploration shall be as

follows:

(i) Depth of Rock strata and its variation over the site
(ii) Whether isolated boulder or massive rock formation,
(iii) Extent & character of weathered zone
(iv) Structure of rock- including bedding planes, faults, fissures,
solution cavities etc.
(v) Properties of rock material strength, geological formation etc.
(vi) Erodibility of rock to the extent possible.
(vii) Colour of water/sludge

(9) Exploration for Foundation Resting on Rock

The investigation shall be generally to that required for rock. The samples
collected shall be subjected to suitable tests depending upon the material.
Care shall be taken to ascertain erodibility of the matrix . For shallow
foundation, Plate Load Test shall be conducted.

(10) Investigation for Laterites

The investigation shall be generally similar to that required for cohesive

soils, use of penetration tests shall be preferred if suitable correlation charts
are available. This may be static or dynamic penetration tests or vane shear
tests. In the case of hard laterite, recourse may have to be made to core
drilling as for soft rocks. For laterites at shallow depths, Plate Load Test
shall be conducted.

(11) Supervision of the Work

 The supervision of the work shall be the carried out by a qualified and
experienced Engineer.
3004. LABORATORY TESTING

The driller shall be experienced and also responsible for recording the information
obtained from the bore hole.

Laboratory tests shall be carried out on disturbed, undisturbed samples and on

rock extracted by pitting or boring as per requirements for the related type of
structure. Tests shall be carried out among the followings as per contract or as
directed by the Engineer:

 Grain Size Analysis

 Hydrometer Analysis
 Bulk and Dry Density
 Specific gravity
 Natural Moisture Content
 Atterberg's Limit Tests
 Unconfined Compression Test
 Consolidation Test
 Direct Shear Test
 Sulphate and Chloride test
 Vane Shear Test
 Point Load strength test on rock
 Uniaxial compressive strength Test
 Triaxial Tests:
- Unconsolidated Undrained Test
- Consolidated Undrained Test

The above test shall be carried out as per Section 600 of these Standard
Specifications.

3005. WATER SAMPLES

If a trial pit has been excavated or a well exists near the site of exploration, water
samples shall collected. In the case if boring, it shall be collected from the
borehole with the help of a common suction pump having a hose pipe, rubber
tubing etc. which can be conveniently lowered down into the borehole connected
at the suction end. Minimum 5 lit. of water sample shall be collected into a clean
vessel and sent to the laboratory for chemical tests. Tests shall be carried out in
accordance with IS: 3025 or equivalent stanpard as per direction of the Engineer.

3006. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 The investigation shall conclude with the recommendation for the proper type of
foundation for the related structure. The recommendation shall be supported by
all details of investigations and their results

3007. MEASUREMENT

Boring in rock and/or soil shall be measured separately in linear metre with
reference to the ground level in the following multiples:

(a) from ground level upto 3.00 m of depth

(b) from 3.00 m upto 6.00 m of depth
(c) from 6.00 m upto 9.00 m of depth
(d) from 9.00 m upto 12.00 m of depth
(e) from 12.00 m upto 15.00 m of depth
(f) from 15.00 m upto 18.00 m of depth
(g) from 18.00 m upto 21.00 m of depth
(h) from 21.00 m onward in the multiple of 1 m of depth

Trial pits shall be measured in cubic metres. Collection of disturbed and/or

undisturbed samples including provision for transportation and storing of core
boxes shall be measured in number. Each type of tests shall be measured in
number. Mobilisation, demobilisation and shifting of equipment from one
borehole to other borehole shall be measured separately.

3008. PAYMENT

Boring, trial pits, collection of samples, testing of samples and submission of

reports in required number shall be paid at their respective contract unit rates
which shall be the full and final compensation to the Contractor as per Clause 112
and also for the cost of all other operations and incidental works deemed
necessary to complete the work as per the these Specifications.

Mobilization, demobilization and shifting of equipment from one borehole to

other borehole shall be paid separately on lump sum basis.
 APPENDIX 30.1: BORE HOLE LOG SHEET
Project: Date Started:
Client: Date Completed:
Consultant Surface elevation:
Location Sheet no.:
Investigation for: Drilling Machine:
Drill Hole No.: Drilling method:
Depth at which Undisturbed sample taken: Diameter of UD Sample:
Total no. of undisturbed sample taken:
Date Drill run length Core Casing Flush Water SPT Litho- Soil/Rock
(m) recovery return level logy Description
From To (%) Hole Dept (m) 0-15 15-30 30-
(m) (m) size h 45
(m)

Drilled by: Site Incharge: Logged by: Client Representative: