ATNAFU DEMELASH 2020

STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY
This report is submitted to Atnafu Demelash for sub surface investigation and

foundation recommendation work located in Gelan city with the understanding that

it will be held in strict confidentiality and will not be used in part or in whole for

any other purpose not specified in the working proposal.

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TABLE OF CONTANT
PART1-GROUND INVESTIGATION REPORT
SUB DIVISION 1-GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION

1. INTRODUCTION

2. PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION AND SCOP OF WORK

2.1 PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

2.2 SCOPE OF WORK

3. LOCATION AND SIGHT DESCRIPTION

3.1 LOCATION

3.2 SITE DESCRIPTION

4. GEOLOGY AND SUB –SURFACE CONDITION

4.1 REGIONAL GEOLOGY

4.2 SITE GEOLOGY AND SUB-SURFASE CONDITION

4.3 GROUND WATER OBSERVATION

5. GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM

5.1 METHDOLOGY AND STANDARD

5.2 FIELD INVESTIGATION

SUB DIVISION 2-EVALUATION GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION

1. GEOTECHNICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FOUNDATION LAYERS

1.1 GEOTECHNICAL CHARACTERSTICS OF FOUNDATION LAYERS

1.2 BEARING CAPACITY AND FOUNDATION RECOMANDATION

1.3 ADDITIONALCONSIDERATION

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PART 3-DCP RESULT

PART4 –LABORATORY TEST RESULT

PART 5-SIGHT IMAGE

PART 6-LEGAL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE CERTIFICATE

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1. INTRODUCTION
This report Describes the geotechnical investigation work executed for a proposed G+5 building,
owned by Atnafu Demelash.

The purpose of the current geotechnical investigation was to explore and evaluate the surface and
sub-surface conditions of the project site in order to provide geotechnical design parameters and
recommendations useful for the design and construction of the project.

The geotechnical investigation program comprised field investigation, laboratory test as well as
preparation of interpretative geotechnical investigation report. The field work which comprised
excavation of two test pit and soil sampling.

This report describes purpose and scope, methodology, and standards of investigation, brief
description of local geology and sub- surface conditions of the study area, geotechnical
characteristics of sub-surface layers at the study site, bearing capacity engineering analysis and
recommendations on foundation type and depth and related issues. Test pit logs and laboratory
test results are also annexed with the main report.

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Part 1-GROUND INVESTIGATION REPORT

SUB DIVISION 1-GEOTECHNICAL
INFORMATION

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2. PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION AND SCOPE OF WORK

2.1 PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE SOIL INVESTIGATION IS:

 Assess and describe the surface and sub-surface conditions at the proposed building site,
 Collecting relevant data from existing site conditions,
 Determine the type and extent of geotechnical layers,
 Determine the engineering properties of the geotechnical layers constituting the sub
surface geology of the site,
 Investigate the presence of ground water and identify its level if encountered.
 Conduct laboratory tests on samples recovered during field work to determine
appropriate index and engineering parameters useful for foundation recommendation for
the proposed building.
 Preparation of interpretative soil investigation report with engineering recommendation
to guide the design engineer in designing economical and appropriate foundation.

2.2 SCOPE OF WORK

The overall scope of the work of the present soil investigation included:

 Excavation of two test pit to investigate the sub –surface condition of the site and recover
soil/rock sampling for laboratory test.
 Carrying out laboratory tests on representative soil samples collected from the boreholes;
 Ground water level measurement in drilled boreholes and
 Preparation of geotechnical investigation report

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3. LOCATION AND SITE DESCRIPTION

3.1 LOCATION
The proposed G+5 commercial building site is located in Gelan city.
The proposed commercial building is located in Gelan city area of land proposed is the date
issued 11/06/12 E.C, Title deed No and undulating rises/rolling (slope, 5-25%)topographical
feature.

Table 1.coordinate elevation and depth of test pits

No TP-ID NORTHING(Y) EASTING(X) PIT-DEPTH(m)

1 976276.3117 482339.6760 3.0
TP-A 976284.0102 482345.9473
97627453.65 482357.5770
976266.6866 482351.1824

3.2 site description

The proposed building site is characterized by flat topographic feature.at the time of field work,
the proposed site was fenced and covered with grass and shrubs.there are no visible
geomorphologic features such as gullies and river cuts.

4. GEOLOGY AND SUBSURFACE CONDITION

4.1 REGIONAL GEOLOGY
Gelan city is situated in the western margin of the main Ethiopian rift and represents a transition
zone between the Ethiopian plateau and the rift with poorly defined escarpment.

Gelan basalt is extensively crops out along akaki,kebena,and dukem rivers at the east to
southeastern part of addis ababa,and represents the oldest unit of the area.it consistsof essentially
sub-horizontal lava flows with thickness ranging from few meters up to 20m.

gelan unit cropes out east of addis ababa and consists of scoria and spatter cones with associated
tabular lava flows and phreato-magmaticdeposits.alluvial deposits covering these units consists
of regolith,reddish brown soils talusand alluvium with maximum thickness of about two meters.

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4.2 SITE GEOLOGY AND SUBSURFACE CONDITION

The building site and its surrounding top part is covered by dark gray(black cotton) expensive
silty clay soil. Subsurface investigation has confirmed presence of the following layer.

From top to bottom these layers are described as follows:

Dark grey silty clay

The layers cover the entire top part of the building site. it is identified to be medium stiff dark
grey expansive silty clay soil.

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Light grey clayey silt soil

The layer is identified to be light grey medium stiff to stiff clayey silt soil

4.3 GROUND WATER OBSERVATION

Ground water was not encountered in both test pits.

5. GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM

5.1 METHODOLOGY AND STANDARDS

The methods of investigation are generally categorized as desk study, field investigation and
laboratory test. All filed and laboratory investigations were made in accordance with soil
investigation method for building specified in the ES EN -7(ES EN 1997:2015)
GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN and other international standards, namely BS and ASTM.

The methods of investigation were:

 Desk study which involved collection and analysis of pertinent data (Regional and local
geological reports, maps ,site investigation reports etc.),
 Walk over survey at and around the building site to assess and record engineering
geological conditions (soil and rock type , geohazards such as
landslides,subsidence,expansive soils, floods etc.)that could affect the building ,
 Excavation of test pits to identify subsurface conditions and recover samples for
laboratory tests,
 Ground water measurements in test pits, and
 Laboratory tests on selected representative soil samples to determine their engineering
properties.

5.2 FIELD INVESTIGATION

The field investigation work involved excavation to test pit and soil/rock sampling for laboratory
analysis.
5.2.1 SAMPLING
According to ISO22475-1,one undisturbed and one disturbed soil samples were collected from
the two test pits during excavation. The collected samples are transported to the central
laboratory.

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FIG 1: ATTERBURG LIMMIT

FIG 2: SIVE ANALYSIS

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PART 1-GROUND INVESTIGATION REPORT

SUB DIVISION 2-EVALUATION OF
GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION

1. GEOTECHNICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SUB-SURFACE LAYERS

1.1 GEOTECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FOUNDATION LAYERS

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Sub-surface investigation at all tests pits has confirmed that from geotechnical point of view, the
project site is dominantly covered by uniform geology composed of grey,silt and clay mixed
with some sand soil. Therefore it is conservatively considered as the only layer which has a
significant contribution for the failure of foundation by settlement.

1.2FOUNDATION ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION

The test pits interested generally in grey silt soil. this information along with laboratory test
result, field test resulted EN-7 (ES EN 1997:2015)GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN and additional
engineering consideration has been used to determine the bearing capacity of the soil and to
recommend suitable foundation.

BEARING CAPACITY DETERMINATION

1. ACCORDING TOES EN-7 1997:2015 GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN (DRAINDED
CONDITION)

Vertical load Q ult =C N c S c d c +qN q Sq d q + 0.5 B ' γ N γ S γ d γ

In this investigation allowable bearing capacity is determined by direct shear test with the
supplement of the classification tests and presumptive values from Ethiopian building code
standard EUROCODE 7, EN 19997-2 four isolated footing foundations type (the simplest to
constract and economical type of foundations) a factor of safety of 2 to 3 is commonly used
under normal loding conditions.

Then taking a safety factor is 3 due to the soil without causing failure of soil in shear or
excessive settlement being tolerable for that structure and also to avoid estimation of the
equivalent free surface stress on the bearing capacity factor so to take as a safety factor for

Q ult
allowable bearing capacity (Q all = ,242.12KPas)
SF

It is recommended to use an allowable bearing pressure 207.39KPas to 291.85KPas

Depending on the foundation width at a depth of 3.0m below the natural ground level for
settlement limited to 25mm.

Table 2: Allowable bearing pressures based on from converted SPT test results

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Proposed Footing 1.0 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50

foundation width (m)
depth Design N- 11.0 11.0 11.0 11.0 11.0 11.0
below
value
reduced
Allowabl 291.85 262.66 241.23 228.81 220.71 207.39 Q all=¿¿
level 3.0m ¿
e bearing
=242.12KPas
pressure
(KPas)

1.3 ADDITIONAL CONCEDERATIONS

Thus following recommendations are given:

 Use isolated foundation system

 Place the foundation at 3.0m depth below the natural ground level.
 Use an allowable bearing capacity of 242.12KPas.
 Width of foundation should not be less than 1.00m

As general remark, the following points are recommended for consideration during design and
constriction of foundation.

A. Back fill Material

 The top excavated soil should not be used as back fill around foundation and building,
it should be replaced by well compacted non expansive and impervious selected
material. All back fill materials should be compacted to 95% of standard proctor
density.
 An appropriate material for such purposes will be a granular material with some
fines,i.e. gravel-sand mixtures with few silt/clay-GW-GC/SW-SC, etc. The granular
material shall satisfy from a-2-4 up to a-2-7 soil groups according to AASTO soil
classification and shall have a maximum PI of------The maximum compacted
thickness should not be more than 20cm and the field density should attain 95% of the
maximum dry density according to AASTO-180.

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B. Surface Drainage
 It is recommended to provide at least 1.00m water tight apron all around the building
with surface drainage ditch to drain away from the building.
 Remove at least 0.9m thick soil below the apron and replace with well compacted and
well graded select material.
C.FOUNDATION EXCAVATION
 It is recommended to perform construction during dry season which would make the
excavation work easier and also helps to place the foundation on a dry and stable
ground.

CONCLUSION

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The sub-surface geotechnical investigation conducted for construction of five story

floors and including with ground floor (G+5 below commercial building) tests pits and
laboratory tests. From the investigation three geotechnical layers are identified. The
recommended foundation is at a depth of 3.0m on a layer-5 more over since ground
water is not encountered during excavation activity it is not expected to have no
practical problem during and after foundation construction.
Table 3: summery of allowable bearing capacity for the foundation proposed

Isolated foundation placed on well compacted fractured soil

Bearing depth 3.0m depth below the ground natural level
Allowable bearing pressure 207.39KPas to 291.85KPas for settlement limited to
25mm

The Engineer in charge shall conduct intermittent supervision of the foundation excavation
works during construction to verify/check the actual subsurface conditions, and shall make
adjustments to the foundation recommendation given in this report where actual site conditions
warrant such changes.

 Use allowable bearing capacity of 242.12kpas with 3.0m depth

 As general remark, the following supplementary points should be considered during
foundation construction, since the soil has huge swelling potential
 Excavations. The excavation should be completed as quickly as possible to the design
depth and protected from drying Section of materials
 Back fills should be non-swelling materials
 Concrete should be of adequate strength and workability
 Reinforcing steel should be of adequate size and strength
 Moisture barriers should be durable and impervious.
 Compaction of back fills

Backfills of natural expansive soil should be compacted to minimize effects of volume

changes in the fill on performance of the foundation

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 Drainage during construction provides grading with positive slope to keep the surface
runoff away from structures. Also provide drainage so that water will not pound on the
uphill of the structure due to sloping nature of the site.
 Pavement provides paving around the structures to width of 1 to 1.5 meters. This will
reduce moisture fluctuation under the structures.
 Slopes in gravel and sand deposits are generally stable at inclination from 1.5H: IV with
the steeper inclination used in the more granular soil units with higher relative densities.
They can be also used when cutting or excavation slopes adjusted and to increase the
stability of cut slope the following parameters are essential: -
o Flattering Slopes
o Benching slopes
o Structural systems such as retaining walls or reinforced slopes.

Since this the proposed residential building of foundations shall be safely placed on dark
yellowish fractured gravel, stiff to hard, non-plastic occasional to some sand clay and occasional
to significant fractured gravel derived from highly weathered rock stratum, so these coarse-grain
or gravel and sand are rating as sub grade and they have an essential engineering characteristic
such as:-

 Very good foundation materials for supporting structures

 Very good embankment materials

 Generally, the best backfill materials for retaining walls

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Reference
1) ES-EN-7 (1997:2015) GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN CODE

2) Joseph E. Bowles, foundation Analysis and Design,1998,fourth edition

3) Braja M.Das,principles of foundation engineering ,2004,third edition

4) MJ Tomlinson, foundation design and constraction,1986,fifth edition

5) Code of practice for site investigation,BS 5930:1999,

6) M.Carter and S.P pentley,corerelation of soil properties,1991

7) Morton W.H, Geological Map of Addis ababa,1974

8) Alemayehu tefera, principle of foundation engineering, second edition

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PART 3-DCP RESULT

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PART 4-LABORATORY
TEST RESULT

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PART 5- LEGAL AND QUALITY

ASSURANCE CERTIFICATES

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PART 6- LEGAL AND QUALITY

ASSURANCE CERTIFICATES

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