Assignment #1: Site Investigation and Selection Foundation

1. Explain the difference between Disturbed and Undisturbed samples.

- Disturbed soil samples do not keep the in-situ properties of the soil when in the process of
collection. It changes in stress condition, change in water ratio and void content, disturbance in
soil structure, chemical changes, and mixing and segregation of soil constituents. Undisturbed
soil samples keep the structural integrity of the in-situ soil and they have a higher recovery rate in
the sampler. No change due to the disturbance of the soil structure, and no disturbance of the soil
structure.
2. What is Dilatancy?
- Dilatancy is the volume change observed in granular materials when they are subjected to shear
deformations. Unlike most other solid materials, the tendency of a compacted dense granular
material is to dilate (expand in volume) as it is sheared. This occurs because the grains in a
compacted state are interlocking and therefore do not have the freedom to move around one
another. When stressed, a lever motion occurs between neighboring grains, which produces a
bulk expansion of the material.
3. What is the purpose of a bore log?
- The primary purpose of the soils report is to provide information for the design and longevity of
the project being constructed. The report generally looks at a timeline of 100 years or more and
encompasses permanent structures that will be in place over that time. One secondary purpose of
the soil’s investigation is to gather constructability and shoring applications design information.
The bore log provides us several key pieces of information including the type of soil-cohesive
(clays) or non-cohesive (sands and gravels), water table, and consistency of the soil.
4. What is the objective of site investigation?
- To know the nature of each stratum and engineering properties of the soil and rock, which may
affect the design and mode of construction of proposed structure and foundation.
- To foresee and provide against difficulties that may arise during construction due to ground and
other local conditions.
- To find out the sources of construction material and selection of sites for disposal of water or
surplus material.

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- To investigate the occurrence or causes of all natural and manmade changes in conditions and the
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- To locate the ground water level and possible corrosive effect of soil and water on foundation
material.

5. What is site reconnaissance?

- Reconnaissance is an integral part of site investigation and is carried out at the preliminary stage
before other stages are begun. Reconnaissance involves a field trip to the site where further
investigation is to be carried out. It gives details of landforms and other structures that are above
ground which may form an obstacle for an installation. The data derived from a reconnaissance
survey enables engineers to design feasible routes with proper line and grade.
6. What is significant depth?
- This depth up to which the increase in stress due to structural loading causes shear failure or
excessive settlement of foundation. In other words, the depth at which soil does not contribute
settlement of foundation. 
7. How is the depth of exploration decided?

- Depth exploration depends on the factors such as the type of structure, load on structure, size and
shape of foundation, position of loaded areas, and soil profile and its properties.
8. List the field test used in subsurface investigation.
- Standard penetration test, plant bearing test, cone penetration test, and vane shear test.
9. What is detailed exploration?
- Detailed exploration is preferred for complex projects, major engineering works, heavy structures
like dams, bridges, high rise buildings, etc. In this stage, numerous field tests such as in-situ vane
shear test, plate load test, etc. and laboratory tests such as permeability tests, compressive
strength test on undistracted soil samples are conducted to get exact values of soil properties.
10. What are the factors affecting quality of a sample?
- There are several factors that influence the quality of undisturbed soil sample such as confining
pressure of sampling equipment, volume displacement due to tubes or other collection devices,
friction between collection device and the sample, water-content variation in soil specimen,
sample handling and transportation, the attitude of drilling crew, and environmental conditions.
These factors need to be taken into consideration while undisturbed samples are collected.
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11. What are the various methods of site investigation?
- The investigation techniques include soil and rock sampling, soil vapor sampling, direct
measurement of vapor flux, groundwater sampling, laboratory analysis, and stockpile sampling.
12. The internal diameter of a samples is 40mm and the external diameter is 42 mm. Will you
consider the sample obtained from the sampler as disturbed or undisturbed?
- Undisturbed soil. Samplers used are thin walled sampler as disturbed soil requires a thin walled
seamless tube having a diameter not less than 50mm. Therefore, the lesser the difference in the
external and internal diameter the less the sample is disturbed.
13. How to select the foundation based on soil condition?
- The selection of a particular type of foundation is often based on a number of factors, such as the
foundation must have an adequate depth, must be safe against a bearing capacity failure, must not
settle to such an extent that it damages the structure, must be of adequate quality so that it is not
subjected to deterioration, such as from sulfate attack, must be designed with sufficient strength
that it does not fracture or break apart under the applied superstructure loads, be able to resist
long-term adverse soil changes, be able to support the structure during an earthquake without
excessive settlement or lateral movement.
14. What are the guidelines in terms of inside and outside clearance for obtaining undisturbed
sample?
- Guidelines for obtaining undisturbed samples are the following:
 Inside clearance ratio must be in the range of 0.5 to 3%
 Outside clearance ratio must be in the range of between 0 to 2%
 Area ratio must be 10% or less than 10%
15. What is meant by inside and outside clearance? What is its use?
- The inside clearance should lie between 1 to 3 % and the outside clearance should not be much
greater than the inside clearance. The walls of the sampler should be smooth and should be kept
properly oiled so that wall friction in minimum. Lower value of the inside clearance allows the
elastic expansion of soil and reduces the frictional drag.

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