Assignment 1- Chapter 1 Geotechnical Investigation

Cummings and Kenton (2004)

Question 1: Read case study of Alquist-Priolo Southern California, where several houses
were seismically damaged due to six integrated categories of human errors.
• Geotechnical/Geological Investigations clearly established the active faults. How you explain
followings factors that led to this damage, a) political, b) vested interest and c) conflict of interest.
• After understanding this case study, review the existing bylaws of any local building authority
(CDA/LDA etc.). Is there any third-party review of design report as per by-laws having no conflict of
interest? (Note: In case you do not have access to documents, you may ask someone who works with
these authorities. In worst case if you are not able to access document or concerned person, you may
leave the answer, but I really wanted all of you to understand the 3rd party review and conflict of
interest and its importance in geotechnical design by reading the case study.)

Question 2: Read case history in which Engineer died during the open trench excavation
in Sand to identify fault.
• State three (03) major precautions that you as Geotechnical Site Engineer will always take care during
such site investigations.
• Review SP-BCPP 2007,Does code recommend any such investigation to identify faults in zone of
active seismic regions?
(http://web.ndma.gov.pk/publications/Building%20code%20of%20Pakistan%20with%20seismic%20
provision.pdf )

Shamsher (2020)-28th Sep, 2020 Soil Mechanics (CV332) 1

 Assignment 1- Chapter 1 Geotechnical Investigation

Cummings and Kenton (2004)

• Question 3: Read case study in which rainfall induced the landslide in bentonite.
• How geotechnical engineer can avoid such failure probability through geotechnical investigation
phase? Also, you may list one of the most important factor that even case study had not discussed.

Note:
• Each assignment will comprise of series of questions. Few more questions will be added after lecture 2.
• You need to submit complete assignment by 5th October 2020.
• If you are submitting any written draft with your name that means you understand the draft. Later at submission
stage oral assessment can be done about this submission.

Shamsher (2020)-28th Sep, 2020 Soil Mechanics (CV332) 2