Ground Investigation (GI) 

Ground Investigation (GI)
Land ‐ Field Works

Ground Investigation • Conventional GI Methods 

and Sampling Techniques - (1) Excavation
Top‐up course for TCP T3 on GIFW and  ( )
(2) Drilling
ll
Building Works with Significant  (3) Sampling
Geotechnical Content  (4) Field Testing Å
20 November 2013 (5) Instrumentation
By A.K.P. Ng Part III
2013/10/29 GI Section 1 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 2

Field Testing –
Common Field Testing General Objectives

• Field Testing ‐ To obtain soil and rock  To identify & confirm ground conditions:

properties / design parameters  1.Geological settings, environments
• Codes of Practice refer to: 
Codes of Practice refer to: 2 Geological structures beddings folding or discontinuities;
2.Geological structures, beddings, folding or discontinuities;
a. BS 1377 for Field Testing 3.Subsurface stratigraphy, Beddings, layers units;
4.Hydrogeological environments;
b. Eurocode 7,  part 2, Ground Investigation & 
5.Construct ground profile & models;
Testing 
6.Concerned weak materials i.e. landslide debris, colluvium, 
c. Geoguide 2 : Guide to Site Investigation  alluvium, lacustrine sediments or terrace deposits;
(1987), Geotechnical Engineering Office 7.Obtain Geotechnical parameters for analysis and design
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 3 4

Field Testing – Specific Objectives  Field Testing in Trial Pit / Trial Trench

• To obtain soil/rock insitu engineering  
properties / geotechnical parameters  for  ‐ Dynamic Probe (
Dynamic Probe (GCO Probing) 
GCO Probing) 
analysis and design
﹣Strength ‐ Insitu Compaction Test
﹣Deformation Sand Replacement Test (SRT)
﹣Compressibility Density Test
﹣Hydrogeological conditions, Permeability
﹣Discontinuities / orientations /Joint spacing & 
nature 

29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 5 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 6

1
 Land GI ‐ Field Testing in Boreholes 
Common Field Test

− Dynamic Probing  (Standard Penetration  • Borehole Discontinuity Survey 
Test) i.e. SPT
Test) i.e.  SPT <Impression Packer Test>  
− V
Vane Shear
Sh • Cone Penetration Test ;  
C P t ti T t
− Permeability in soil  • Geophysics Acoustic / Optical borehole 
(Falling/Rising/Constant)    televiewer ; 
− Packer [water absorption]  • Point Load Test
− Pressuremeter
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 7 8

Ground Investigation Land ‐ Dynamic Probing Test
Field Testing GCO Probe
Drop H
300mm

• To investigate existing 
slope 
END • To obtain a general 
To obtain a general
subsurface profile.
Field Testing • To indicate state of  Hammer
10 kg
compaction of fills and 
thickness
Rod = 1m
10 div(s)

29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 9 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 10

Dynamic Probing Field Test GCO /  Dynamic Probing Field Test 
GEO Probe  GCO / GEO Probe Record

• Main components : A hand 
dynamic probe
• Hammer = 10 kg
• dropped height = 300mm.
pp g
• Blow count for each 100mm 
penetration.
• Probe can be driven down to a 
max depth of 25m of granular 
soils.
• correction factor apply to depths 
> 5m

11 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 12

2
 Sand Replacement Test (SRT) Sand Replacement Test (SRT) / 
(Notice, Unlike this picture, the plastic bag should be 
Determine Insitu
Determine Insitu Density & dry density of Soil Density Test
kept closed while transferring to the lab to avoid 
moisture loss and consequently weight of the soil)

• Obtained weight of soils

• Measured volume of the
soil from the sand cone
• Find
i d out Bulk
ul density
de sity and
a d
dry density of the soil
collected in Lab

• Dig up a 10 ~15 cm deep  hole at the  • Having the valve closed turn the 
selected location  in field gallon‐cone upside down, 
gallon‐ • Close the valve & turn the gallon‐
Close the valve & turn the gallon‐cone upside down, 
• Place the cone in the center hole of  • Place the cone in the center hole of the tray and open the valve so that sand 
(Notice, Unlike this picture, the plastic 
the tray and open the valve so that  flows down to the hole.
bag should be kept closed while 
sand flows down to the hole. • After flow of sand stops close the valve and pick the assembly up, 
transferring to the lab to avoid moisture 
• The sand in the cone will be  poured into the tray. 
loss and consequently weight of the soil) 13 14
• These sand will be left there in the field.

Compaction Tests  Compaction Test Comparisons
(c)Nuclear density
Water Replacement Test apparatus
Sand Cone Balloon Dens met Nuclear Gauge
(c)Nuclear density
test
Sand Replacement 
SRT • thru direct 
Test (SRT)
transmission  or 
Not  "backscattering" 
suitable  method Advantages * Large sample * Fast *Fast, Accurate
ρ compared to   for very  • Source * Accurate * Deep sample * Easy to redo
maximum  soft soils • (cesium‐137) * Under pipe haunches * More tests (statistical 
reliability)
Proctor density  *Non‐destructive
obtained
obtained  *
* More applicable
l bl to deeper 
d
earlier subsoil
Disadvantages * Many steps •Slow *No sample
* Large area required * Balloon breakage * Radiation
* Slow * Awkward * Moisture suspect
* Halt Equipment * Encourages amateurs
* Tempting to accept  * Expensive
flukes

Errors * Void under plate * Surface not level * Miscalibrated

* Sand bulking * Soil pumping * Rocks in path
Not suitable  * Sand compacted * Void under plate * Surface prep required
* Soil pumping * Backscatter
for small 
holes15 Cost2013/10/29 * Low * Moderate * High
2013/10/29 Methods of Determining Unit Weight of Soils GI / GEO 16

Standard Penetration Test (SPT) (GI) Land ‐ Field Works

Field Testing Standard Penetration Test (SPT
I Obtain soil shear strength、relative 
Obtain soil shear strength、
density & other parameters for 
foundation design or other 
Geotechnical study
63.5 kg
I Drive standard split spoon sampler 
into soil by a hammer (63.5kg) with a 
falling height (760mm).
I Trip Hammer operate at hole top, 
I Split spoon  sampler connected by  760 mm

drilling rod 
I Sampler is driven at hole bottom for 
a depth (450mm), which is divided 
from 6 intervals  with each of 
(75mm).  17 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 18

3
 Standard Penetration Test Standard Penetration Test Errors

• No of counts for the 1st  & 2nd Intervals called seating  • System Limitations

drives (D1 & D2) = 150mm – Suitable for cohesionless / granular soils
• Count the last 4 penetrations (Test drives) – 4*75mm  – No record of Energy applied & measured to probe
– Energy dissipated in various forms
gy p
• Total penetration depth of 4 Test Drives = 300mm 
T t l t ti d th f 4 T t D i 300
– Friction induced along drilling rods / sidewall
SPT N Values ‐ N= T1 + T2 +T3+ T4 – Record & report only average blows of strata
• GEO / Public Works  contract termination criteria  • Human Errors 
N= 50 bbs ‐Seating drive  terminated criterion • Hammer falling height
N = 100 bbs ‐Test drive  terminated criterion • Incomplete free falling, string 
• Termination for HA contract > 200 blows • Uneven sampler surface
• Damaged / deformed cone or sampler surface
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 19 20

Vane Shear Test 
ASTM D2573 ‐ 08 Vane Shear Test ‐ Strength & Compressibility 
• Measure the undrained shear 
strength of soft/firm clays.
• Such as ‐ marine deposits. 
• The common vane sizes (D/H) 
Vane Sizes
Æ (50/75, 75/150)
(50/75 75/150) D/H = 1/1.5 OR 1/2

• Carry out at ground level or the 
specified depth or inside a  
borehole base
• Push a 4‐bladed vane into soil, 
which is  mounted with a solid 
rod.
• 0.5m above the required depth
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 21 22

Vane Shear Test ‐ Setup Procedures    
cont’ Vane Shear Test ‐ Procedure cont’
z Drive the vane slowly with cover to the location about 1 – 0.5m above the required depth
depth，
，
z Connect to coupling sleeve & torque shaft housing,
z Rotate Vane at a constant speed at about (6 o to 12 o/ min )
o o 
• Rotate with a continuous speed about (6 to 12 / min ) 
recommended by ASTM ;
• Record 
Record values of 
values of Torque
Torque and 
and Rotation
Rotation ;
• Take readings 
Take readings of both at 
of both at Intervals
Intervals of of 15 
15 ‐‐ 30s ;
• Rotate the vane for a short distance 
the vane for a short distance beyond the Maximum 
beyond the Maximum 
torque and ;
torque  and ;
• Rotate rapidly 
Rotate rapidly for a minimum of 10 revolutions;
for a minimum of 10 revolutions;
• Obtain 
Obtain remoulded strength, it is required to perform 
remoulded strength, it is required to p erform remoulded
remoulded
test as for previous undisturbed test immediately after the 
remoulding revolutions.

29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 23 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 24

4
 Vane Shear Test Vane Shear Test in Marine 
Application/Limitation cont’ Investigation
• For both land and over water site investigation 
• Useful in strata where sampling is difficult 
• Determine
Determine peak and remoulded
Determine peak and 
peak and remoulded undrained shear 
shear
strength of soft/firm clay,
• For Su  < 75kpa 
• Gravel / large particles give erratic test results
• Minimize initial disturbance  of vane insertion
• Maintain steady rotational speed 
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 25 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 26

Permeability Tests in Soil Permeability Tests in Soil
• Carry out in drill-
drill-hole with a. Falling / Rising head permeability test
Standpipe / Piezometer is commenced by raising/lowering the water
level in the piezometer by a minimum of 3
• Setup - drillhole be flushed
m, or the maximum practical.
before performing test b. Water levels measured in the piezometer by
• Graded filter material & sand means of a suitable dipmeter
c
c. Record at the following elapsed times
should be approved by the (minutes) from the start of the test :
Engineer and placed in the hole d. T = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
by tremie pipe 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150,
180. The test shall be terminated at this
• Ambient GW level should be time, or earlier:
allowed to equalise in the e. Water level has returned to its initial level,
completed installation for at or
least one hour before the test f. A head ratio (Ht/Ho) of 0.3 is achieved,

27 28

Permeability Test in Soils Falling / 
Permeability Field Testing 
Rising Head
• Both types of Procedures
tests should be
repeated once • Record water level dropping to H1, H2… measure 
in order to t1、t2
time t1、 t2、、…etc until restore to original water 
demonstrate
consistent
i
level.
results • Plot relationship of Water Flow Rate 
Plot relationship of Water Flow Rate Vs 
Vs Water 
Water 
obtained Pressure head
within 20%.
• Calculate coefficient of Permeability (k) from field 
• Otherwise
repeat the tests
measurements 
again Both tests generally used in relatively
29/10/2013
permeable soils
Ground Investigation 29 30

5
 Permeability Test Application and  (GI) Land ‐ Field Works
Field Testing – Rising / Falling Head
Limitations
• Study characteristics
Study characteristics of soils permeability 
of soils permeability ，，
• Estimate ground water flow for  Design analysis and 
Estimate ground water flow for Design
Construction methods
• Carry out  tests for different soils with different GWL
• Falling / Rising  Head for relative 
Falling / Rising  Head for relative Permeable  soils, 
Permeable soils, 
(granular / 
(granular / cohesionless
cohesionless))
• Constant Head for all soils, often used for 
Constant Head for all soils, often used for fine 
fine soils
soils
(cohesive)
choice depends on hydrogeolgocial conditions and well size and
• All depends on actual site conditions  construction methods
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 31 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 32

(GI) Land ‐ Field Works (GI) Land ‐ Field Works

Field Testing ‐ Constant Head Tests Field Testing ‐ For all Permeability Tests 

• For all soils 
Tips 
• Stress change resulted in significant consolidation or 
‐ inaccurate results  from where a gravel pack 
swelling.
or quicksand pack is present in formation, 
localized effect.
• Water fed into standpipe at constant rate until constant  ‐ Riser (PVC Pipie) diameter and length need to 
level is established. be measured as accurately as possible, and 
• Constant inflow rate to maintain constant head be  ‐ Water level must be stabilized and recorded 
recorded.  as accurately as possible.
• Coefficient of Consolida on, gradient = q / (1/ √t) ‐ make sure no air in the pipe
• Combine with lab data coefficient of compressibility
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 33 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 34

Packer<Water Absorption> Test  Packer<Water Absorption> Test

• Permeability test carrying out in 
Permeability test carrying out in Rock
Rock mass inside 
• Obtain Permeability Coefficient(k) 
Obtain Permeability Coefficient(k) of Rock mass in 
of Rock mass in 
drill holes (V/H);
drill‐‐holes by supplying water under pressure,
drill
• Evaluate hydraulic conductivity;
• Water flow controlled by fractures/joints
y fractures/joints
Water flow controlled by  j in rock, 
• Construct site hydrological model ; not pores
• Estimate the potential inflow of groundwater during  • Test section of drill
Test section of drill‐‐hole sealed by single / double 
hole sealed by single / double 
deep excavation i.e. Tunnels, caverns; packers with gas under pressure
packers with gas under pressure， ，
• Control groundwater inflow; • (k) can be calculated from the relationship 
• Assess / maintain ground stability during excavation; between flow rate and different pressures
between  flow rate and different pressures

29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 35 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 36

6
 Packer<Water Absorption> Test Packer<Water Absorption> Test

Permeability
can be
calculated
l l d ini
Lugeon,,
Lugeon
(ft/yr),
(cm/sec)

29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 37 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 38

Menard Pressuremeter ‐ Borehole
Pressuremeter Test
• The Pressuremeter
The Pressuremeter test was invented by the Menard in 1962 ‐
test was invented by the Menard in 1962 ‐
1963 in France, 
• To determine strength and compressibility parameters for 
routine
routine design, for all types of soil and weak rock
design, for all types of soil and weak rock
• By inserting a measuring probe into a pre
By inserting a measuring probe into a pre‐‐bored hole or 
or directly 
directly 
jacked or driven into the ground, 
• Obtain a Stress‐
Obtain a Stress‐Deformation Curve (applied pressure vs. 
volumetric strain) from in situ measured data. 
• Calibration of every piece of equipment between the pressure 
gauge and the test section as a routine before each test. 

39 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 40

Borehole Pressuremeter Test 
Cone Penetration Test (CPT)

• Pressuremeter placed inside a pre‐
placed inside a pre‐bored drill
bored drill‐‐hole
hole，， Pushing a calibrated cone vertically into the ground
• Increase pressure to the cells by pumping gas and fluid  measuring information :
into the guard cells and measuring cells，
into the guard cells and measuring cells，
• force on the end (tip)
• Cells expand laterally until surrounding soil failure
C ll d l t ll til di il f il
• friction on the sides
• Measure volume change of cell 
• the water pressure induced in the soil
• Plot out Pressure and Volume change curve
• Calculate from the gradient of P
Calculate from the gradient of P‐V curve, Results are used:
• E = A(
E = A(∆p/ ∆V ), (E) Æ Elastic Modulus
∆p/ ∆V), (E)  Elastic Modulus，， • To assess the soil types and their distribution
• Strength and Shear Modulus of soil or rock • To measure the soil strength and other properties
41 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 42

7
 Borehole Pressuremeter (BPM)
Why a Self ‐ Boring Pressuremeter

• Pre‐bored pocket of a slightly larger diameter than 
the probe, was required for the pressuremeter 
probe.
probe
• The self‐boring pressuremeter creates its own test 
pocket of the same diameter as the instrument, so 
in theory, the insitu lateral stress has not been 
relieved nor any disturbance caused to the natural 
ground conditions.

Ground Investigation expansion △ V = f(△p)

Menard Pressuremeter - Volumetric
29/10/2013 43 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 44

Impression Packer Survey Impression Packer Survey

• Inflatable Packer covered with Setting up compass for measuring rock joint dip direction 
parafilm before lowering into the
ground for tracing rock joint
orientation
• The Packer was oriented at surface
with a compass & lowered down in the
h l
hole;
• The packer was inflated in the
borehole to allow soft rubber to flow
into the natural opened fractures of the
borehole wall or rock joints in
subsurface.
• After removal from hole, the packer
rubber was inspected
• The trace of the fractures were
highlighted with marker for reference.
45 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 46

Impression Packer Survey ‐ Impression Packer Survey 
Equipment Report

29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 47 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 48

8
 Cone Penetration Test ‐ CPT
Delineate soil stratigraphy, type and Continue rapid 
Cone Penetration Test (CPT) ‐
measurement of parameters like bearing /  Seacalf
settlement / friction. 

20 tonne truck

Soil Layers Down hole 

Seabed  in Drill Pipe
Rods
Tip/End Resistance Value Base
cone tip resistance
(qc).
FR = fs / qc
Side Friction Value
sleeve friction
(fs).
Cone Tip
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation
porewater pressures49(u) 29/10/2013 50

Dutch Cone Penetrometer
Dutch Cone Penetrometer

• Tip measure cone Penetration Resistance, Sleeve measure 
Sensors to measure side‐‐wall friction (Skin Friction ),
side
1. Cone resistance
Cone resistance • Penetrate into soil with steady speed at ( 2 cm/s ),
Penetrate into soil with steady speed at ( 2 cm/s ),
• Frequency of data acquisition should be at least 1Hz but 
2. Cone sleeve friction with modern computers it is easy to acquire data much 
3. Pore pressure more quickly. 
• Frequency of data acquisition defines depth interval 
4. Cone inclination between adjacent points.
• Calculate  Bearing capacity, density
• For marine sediment, not for weathered rock
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 51 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 52

Electrical Cone Penetrometer Electrical Cone Penetrometer

• Penetration Resistance
• Skin Friction
• Pore Pressure ‐‐ u,
Pore Pressure 
• Temperature –– C 
Temperature  C ºº
• equipped with a geophone in order to be able to 
perform shear wave velocity measurements 
• data is normally read by a field computer 
• Measurements can be taken at any intervals 
i.e. 2.5 cm
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 53 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 54

9
 Acoustic Televiewer Acoustic Televiewer
♦ Provide acoustic image of formation fractures
♦ Very high sampling rate, > 180,000 samples per metre.
♦ Slower than most 
Slower than most sondes
sondes at 1.0m/min, however 
much faster than other alternatives
much faster than other alternatives.
♦ Measures borehole diameter, deviation and direction.
♦ Requires open, fluid filled borehole.
♦ Very large files sizes with 50m borehole > 5Mb file.
♦ not depend on clean fluid 

29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 55 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 56

Acoustic Televiewer Output Optical Tele‐viewer

29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 57 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 58

Optical Tele –viewer ‐ Interpreted 
Optical Tele‐viewer
Record
¡ Provides continuous optical image of formation inside
the borehole ;
¡ Produce high resolution Bitmap Image ;
¡ Logging speed of 1m/min
1m/min.
¡ Requires VERY CLEAN water or air for sampling image
¡ Files even larger than Acoustic televiewer
¡ No direct measurement of borehole diameter but does
measure deviation and direction
¡ Deviation logging for correction discontinuities /
fractures deviation between Optical & Acoustic
29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 59 60

10
 • Index tests for Strength classification
• To predict other strengths i.e.
(Point Load Test) Uniaxial Compressive / Tensile /
Strength
Point Load Test Report

Measure Point Load Strength Index

(I ) to fracture the rock samples
29/10/201350 Ground Investigation 61 29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 62

Ground Investigation Land ‐
Field Testing

END
Field Testing

29/10/2013 Ground Investigation 63

11