Twelfth Southeast Asian Geotechnical Conference, 6-10 May, 1996, Kuala Lumpur

Some Engineering Properties of Weathered Kenny Hill

Formation in Kuala Lumpur

JAMES WONG United Engineers (M) Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

MUHINDER SINGH Pengurusan PLRT, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

SYNOPSIS

Recent infrastructure and hill side building developments in Kuala Lumpur have taken place in areas underlained by residual
soils derived from the Kenny Hiil Formation. Some engineering properties of this formation were previously reported by Toh
et. al. (1989) and Todo et. al. (1994).This paper supplements the previous work and reports the findings on some of the
engineering properties, particularly, the undrained shear strength and the effective strength parameters which were
characterized using data obtained from eight test sites. In addition, values of the pressuremeter modulus (Epm) correlated to
standard penetration tests obtained from these test sites are also presented.

INTRODUCTION

Residual soils derived from the Kenny Hill Formation
occurs extensively in part of the Kuala Lumpur area
as well in the Shah Alam area. Although geotechnical
engineers are familiar with the design of shallow or
deep foundation in this material, most of the design
methods are based on correlation with Standard
Penetration tests (SPT), instrumented test pile data or
results from plate load tests. Toh et. al. (1989) have
published. a useful paper outlining the guidelines on
the design of bored piles in the Kenny Hill
Formation. Recently, there have also been extensive
use of pressuremeter te~ing to derive elastic or shear
modulus values for carrying out numerical design
techniques such as finite element modeling and pile
group analysis.
In the past, there have been little published data on
the engineering properties of the residual soils since
the friable nature of the material prevents recovery of
suitable samples for laboratory testing. With the
recent upgrading of drilling techniques in site
investigation works which include the use of Mazier
sampler with the aid of air-foam as flushing medium,
it is now possible to obtained undisturbed samples in
soils with SPT N-values as high as 50. With the
availability of good quality samples, laboratory
testing for strength determination can now be
performed with greater confidence.
Todo et al (1994) have summarized some engineering
properties of the residual soils with emphasis on the
grading, index and some undrained shear strength
data. This paper is intended to supplement this work
but will only highlight the undrained shear strength
and effective strength parameters of the residual soils.
The data presented were collected using improved
drilling and sampling techniques from eight test sites
located in the Kuala Lumpur area. It is felt that with
an existence of such a database, the selection of
parameters for the design of slopes or deep
excavations/tunnels in this geological formation type
can now be better characterized. Needless to say, the
database is still site specific and strength parameters
will greatly depend on the degree of weathering,
presence of fractures and fissures and the grain
analysis of the residual soil of concerned
'
The paper will also briefly present results of
pressuremeter tests which were conducted at the test
sites with some estimates of the pressuremeter
modulus correlated with SPT values.
GEOLOGY
The distribution of the Kenny Hill Formation in
Kuala Lumpur ahd the adjacent area is typically
shown in Fig 1. The Kenny Hill Formation is a
sequence of interbedded sandstone, siltstones and
shales/mudstones believed to be of the Upper

179
Palaeozoic age. The formation is also known to have
undergone mild and regional metamorphic event, resulting
in changes of sandstone/siltstone to quartzite and
schist/phyllite respectively.
Sandstone is pre-dominant in certain areas such as at the
Bangsar, Jalan Duta areas in Kuala Lumpur. However, the
test sites reported in this paper have revealed phyllite to be
more dominant and even thicker when compared to
sandstone. As a result of the weathering process, clayey
silt material is present ranging from one to several meters
thick. The weathering profile derived from shales which is
often foliated and laminated exist in thinner layer ranging
from a few centimeters to a few meters.
The weathering process of the rock material which is
rather complex have been described by Raj ( 1983 ). The
residual soils derived from the Kenny Hill formation
generally comprise silty sand or sandy silts, depending on
the mineral composition of the parent rock and the
weathering processes. The rocks at the surface are
generally weathered into residual soils such as
shales/mudstones changing to a mass of silt and clay or
sandstone changing to sands or gravel or both.
In the following sections of the paper, the term "residual
soil" is defined as Grade VI material according to the
classification scheme used by Pengurusan Lebuhraya
Berhad as described by Muhinder et. al.( 1990). The
residual soil layer is generally found in upper horizons of a
strata and is followed by material which is subsequently
weathered into Grade V (completely weathered) and IV
(highly weathered) before intact rock of Grade III, II and I
is encountered at greater depths.
TEST SITES AND TEST METHODS
The data that will be presented in this paper were based on
samples obtained eight test sites located in various part of
the Kuala Lumpur city center and Petaling Jaya. A
summary of the in-situ tests a~d laboratory tests at each of
the site is summarized as in Table 1. The test sites are also
indicated in Fig. 1.
Although conventional bentonite was used in drilling at
some sites, the use of air-foam as flushing medium was
also extensively used in most sites. This method of drilling
coupled with the use of O.Sm runs of the Mazier samples
have resulted in improved sample recovery of the residual
soils. These -improved site investigation techniques have
been reported by Chin et. al. ( 1990). Standard Penetration
180
tests were conducted followed by Mazier sampling in
typical boreholes.
In some of the boreholes, pressuremeter testing were
carried out to determine the initial elastic modulus and
shear modulus of the residual soil. The pressuremeter tests
were performed using the Oyo Elastmeter 2 which is
capable up to a maximum pressure of 20 MPa. The probe
which is 72mm in diameter with a test length of 720mm
(LID ratio equals 10) was inflated by gas and the radial
expansion recorded by lever arm type displacement
transducers. The preparation of the borehole for each
lateral expansion tests require careful and controlled
drilling using a combination of the lowest gear and low
flushing pressure during advancement of a core tube of
about 68mm in diameter. Unload-reload cycles were also
performed as part of the test.
Laboratory tests at each of the test sites generally consist
of the determination of physical properties such as bulk
density, moisture content, Atterberg Limits, specifie
gravity and grading analysis. Atterberg limits were
conducted on samples passing the 425J..lm sieve.
Undrained shear strength parameters were obtained by
carrying out unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests (UU)
which were performed on 73mm diameter samples to
avoid trimming from the Mazier tubes. The samples were
tested at confining stresses close to the estimated effective
overburden stress, av ' and the undrained shear strength,
Cu were reported at the av ' stress level. The effective
stress parameters were determined from the Consolidated
Isotropic Undrained Triaxial tests (CIU) which were
carried out on three individual samples of 73mm in
diameter. Sometimes, multistage testing on a single
specimen was carried out when samples were limited.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
The typical physical properties of the Kenny Hill residual
soils at each of the test sites are as shown in Fig. 2a to 2h.
Site 1: Near Plaza Yow C!n~an, Jalan Ampang/Jalan
Damai
The soil profile at this site consist of an upper 8m of recent
alluvium underlained by the Kenny Hill Formation of
Grade IV to V up to depths of about 34m. Grading
analysis revealed that the residual soil mainly consist of
sandy silt material and a higher gravel content was
observed between 8m to 16m. The clay content of 18%
were almost constant with depth. SPT blow counts were
UNDRAINED SHEAR STRENGTH
Fig 3 shows a graph of undrained shear strength (Cu)
values which were derived from UU tests plotted on a
logarithm scale against adjacent SPT values obtained from
the test sites. A increasing trend of Cu with increasing
values of SPT is noted. A CufN ratio of 4 kPa appear to fit
the data. This finding is consistent with the correlation by
Stroud ( 1974) who suggested that the CufN ratio ranges
from 4kPa to 6kPa with decreasing plasticity. The
database of Cu is also plotted against the particle size
distribution for the samples tested as shown in Fig 4. In
general, the Cu values range between 35 kPa to 200 kPa
for residual soils with clay, silt and sand content not
exceeding 20%,40% and 40% respectively. Weathered
Kenny Hill containing gravel content greater than 20%
tend to indicate Cu values which are greater than 200 kPa.
Cu is commonly used in the design of bored piles,
particularly in estimating the ultimate shaft resistance fsu
and the shaft resistance factor K5 (=f5/N). Toh et. al. '
(1989) has back-analyzed data from instrumented test
piles and showed the relationship between Ks against N
for the Kenny Hill deposits. The data obtained from the
laboratory derived Cu values are recomputed and plotted
onto Fig 4. The results are somewhat scattered and falls
below the average line for Kenny Hill Formation as
proposed by Toh et. al.( 1989) which were based on
backanalysing data from instrumented test piles.
PRESSUREMETER DATA
Pressuremeter results are presented in Fig 5 in a plot
showing Epm versus N for data collected from the test sites.
Epm is computed based on the initial modulus value of the
pressure-radial expansion curve. Although there appears to
be some scatter in the data, it is observed that the data are
bounded by the lower and upper limits of Epm/N ratio
equals 3 kg/cm 2 and 8 kg/cm 2 respectively. An average
2
Epm/N ratio of 6 kg/cm is evident from the data and are
similar to values in Fig. 3 as reported by Toh et. al (1989).
From the preceding section, with an average Cu/N ratio of
4. kPa from the database, the Epm /Cu ratio is estimated to
be about 150.
This trend is shown in Fig. 7 which plots sin ¢/ against
plasticity index values. Although there appear to be a
scatter, the trend is consistent with the fact that increasing
plasticity index values correlates to lower ¢' values.
182
EFFECTIVE STRENGTH PARAMETERS
The strength of soil obtained from conventional triaxial
tests is normally plotted based on the Mohr-Coulomb
failure criteria which can be written as
r' = c' +a' tan¢'
where 1:'= shear strength, c'= intercept on a shear stress
axis, a'=effective normal stress,and ¢' = friction angle.
This equation defines a line in the a' :1:' stress plane and if
the Mohr's circle of effective stress touches this line, then
failure of the soil will occur. The stress condition can also
be represented by using the critical state soil mechanics
concept established from "Cam Clay" theories. The
equations for defining the triaxial stress variables are as
follow:
q=m'-m' and p={cn'+2m'}/3
where a 1' and a 3 ' are the major and minor principal
stresses respectively.
Fig. 6a to 6h show the results of all CIU tests conducted
on weathered Kenny Hill Formation at each of the test
sites based on the q:p variables. Only the end points of
each CIU test is plotted for the purpose of clarity. The line
joining the end points represents the yield loci known as
the critical state line (CSL) and the gradient of the line, M
equals 6sin¢'/(3-sin¢'). Therefore, ¢' can be computed
once M is known. c' can be computed from q/(M+cot ¢')
when p equals zero. A summary of the effective stress
parameters obtained for each of the test site is summarized
as in Table 1 below.
The ¢' ranges from 29° to 39 ° but data from two site
indicated values as low as 23 °. The low ¢' values may be
attributed to a higher clay/silt content and a lower sand
content when compared to the particle gratings of the
samples for the other sites. Even the plasticity index
values were higher at SITE 5 and 7, thus giving rise to
lower ¢' values.
 SUMMARY Chin C.H. and Tan S.G. ( 1990).Improved core recovery
using Foam. Proc. PLUS Seminar on Geotechnical
I) A database of some engineering properties of the Aspects of the North-South Expressway,5-6 November
weathered Kenny Hill Formation is presented in this 1990, PJ,pp. 37-45.
paper. A total of 8 test sites within the Kuala Lumpur
area were investigated. Muhinder Singh, Teo C.B. and Zulkifli M Yusoff (1990).
Proc. PLUS Seminar on Geotechnical Aspects of the
2) The weathered Kenny Hill Formation observed from North-South Expressway,5-6 November 1990, PJ,pp. 37-
boreholes at most test sites revealed that phyllite to be 45.
more dominant than sandstone.
Raj, J.K (1983). A study of residual soils and the stability
3) Undrained shear strength obtained from triaxial tests of their cut slopes in Peninsular Malaysia. PhD
show an average value of 4 kPa for the CJN ratio Dissertation. University Malaya, Malaysia.
which compares well with the range of values reported
by Stroud (1974). Stroud, M.A. (1974). The Standard Penetration Test in
insensitive clays and soft rocks. Proc. European Symp. on
4) Pressuremeter tests performed in the weathered Kenny Penetration Testing, (2.2), pp 367-375,Stoc~olm.
Hill Formation was correlated to SPT values and
2
revealed an average ratio ofEpm/N equal6 kg/cm . This Todo H., Sagae,T., Orihara, K. and Yokokawa, I. (1994).
value is similar to those reported by Toh et. a!. (1987). Geotechnical Property of Kenny Hill Formation in Kuala
Lumpur. Proc. 4th Geotropika, July 1994, pp 3-13,
5) Effective strength parameters for each of the test sites Mel aka.
were presented using critical state variables. The
strength of the material varies with grading and Toh, C.T., Ooi, T.A., Chiu, H.K., Chee, S.K. and Ting,
plasticity index values as demonstrated in the results. W.H. (1989). Design parameters for bored piles in a
weathered sedimentary formation. Proc of the 12th
test sites c' ¢' (deg) remarks International Conference on Soil Mechanics and
(kPa) Foundation Engineering, 13-18 August 1989, pp 1073-
SITE 1 0 29 nil
1078, Rio De Janeiro.
SITE 2 0 31 nil
SITE3 0 29 nil
SITE4 12 30 nil
SITE 5 0 23 lower sand
content, greater
silt content &
Ip (>15%)
SITE 6 0 37 high sand
content > 50%
SITE 7 1 23 lower sand
content, greater
silt content &
lp (>15%)
SITE 8 0 39 high sand
content> 50%

Table 1 Summary of effective stress parameters

REFERENCES

Chin C. H. and Low K.S. ( 1990).Sampling with Mazier

core Barrel. Proc. PLUS Seminar on Geotechnical Aspects
of the North-South Expressway,5-6 November 1990,
PJ,pp. 31-36. El ::::·;."::..:::· -~- CTI ,.... _ !Z;I .....
, ....
r,......,_
CJo..... ,. Qo....... ,.,.. .......
~

Ft9. I. Geology of the Ku•l• l~,~~pur 1re1

Rlout1onoftuts1tes

183
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0 eo 100 240 320 0 10 15 20 25
0 eo 100 240 320 400 0 5 10 15 20 25
400
spt (blowslft) butk demoity (l<NimJ)
spt (blowslft) bulk density (kNimJ)

Fig. 2a- Site l Fig. 2c - Site 3

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spl (blowsJft) bulk density (kN/m3) spt (btowslft) bulk density (kNimJ)

rig. 2b- Site 7 Fig. Zd - Site 4

 0 20 40
"" 00 0 20 40 "" 00 80 100
"" ""
.,
80 100
0 0 20 40 00 80 100
l
\ ·. ·. l
0 20 40 00 80 100
0

5
., ~ .....
5 ~
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10
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-

00
-

120 150
I 25
0 5 10 15 20 25
spC (blowsllt) bulk density (kNiml)
spl (blowslft) bulk density (kNimll

Fig. 2e - Site 5

-
~

0 20 40
"" %
%
Fig. 2g - Site 7

%
00 80 100 0 20 40 00 80 100
0 20 40 00 80 100 0 20 40 00 80 100

0 0 - 0

I ... 0
~ 0
5
II (
5
0
5

t
•• ·~ravel
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• I
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•
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bulk density (l<Niml)
spl (bk>ws/11) bulk density (kNiml)

• Fig. 2f - Site 6
Fig. 2h - Site 8
 apt (blows/It)

10 100 1000
10
7

I I 6

I I II, 5 ' •
' \
.~ ~
'
'
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'~ ' oh
2 '"" ·.._
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··-

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0 40 80 120 160 200 240
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Fig. 5. fsu/N against .N

Fig. 3. Plot of Cu against SPT ASITE1

xSITE2
oSITE4
particle size distribution% eSITE5
0 20 40 60 80 100 cSITE7
SITE I A SITES

SITE I
• I
+SITE3

SITE I

SITE I
• Epm/N ratil

SITE I ' ' 8 6 3

10000
SITE2

SITE2

SITE2 ~/
1000
SITE2

SITEJ
N" o;
SITEJ

SITE3
•
..
E
~
~
100 ~ ~I'
E
Q.
SITE3
w
SITE3
[/ I
/,.
~ITE3 10
SITES

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Cu (kPa)
10 100 1000 10000
t:a clay Fig. 4. Cu Plotted against particle SPT Blowslft
0 silt size distribution
[:J sand
fJ gravel
Fig. 6. Epm against N
e Cu (kPa)

186
 SITE 1 SITE2

2000 2000

1600 1600 I

.. 1200 l 1200
Q.
~
0" 800
~
0" 800
: SITE7 SITE 8

.~y = 1.2 X

400 ' 400

p 2000 3000
~ =1.60 .....
0
0 400 800 1200 1600 2000
p (kPa)
0
0 400 800 1200 1600 2000
p (kPa)
.
Q.

--"
1600
1200
800
y = 0.9 x+2 58
Q.
2500
.. 2000
~ 1500
~
•/
/

0" 0" 1000

(a) (b)
400 ~ ~ •
500
SITE3 SITE4 0
1!!._ 0 I~
0 400 800 1200 1600 2000 0 500 1000 1500 2000
2000 2000 p (kPa)
p (kPa)
'
1600 (g) (h)
1600

.. 1200 Fig. 7. q versus p plots

.. 1200
Q.
~ v = 1.1 X
Q.
~
y = 1.2 + 24.8

......
0" 800
.v 0" 800
j~
00
-..J
400

0
0
:r
400 800 1200 1600 2000
400

0
0
lr
400 800 1200 1600 2000 1.00
p(kPa) p(kPa)
(c) (d)

SITE 5 SITES

2000 2000 J:
~
c:
1600 1600 ·;;;

l 1200 l 1200
9 ~

~
800
~
0" 800
/ y = 1 .52x

il_
0"
y F= 0.86
~ 400
400

0 ~ 0
!f"
0.10
0 400 800 1200 1600 2000 0 500 1000 1 500 2000
0 10 20 30 40 50
p (kPa) p (kPa)
lp%
(e) (f)

Fig. 7 q versus p plots Fig. 8 sin ~ vs Ip