2403 DEPTH OF BORES

2403.1

The bores shall be taken below the proposed founding level to a depth of at least 1.5 times the width of
foundation. In case the soil at that level is found to be unsuitable or of doubtful bearing capacity, the
depth of investigation below the proposed founding level, shall be extended to 4 times the width of
foundation or till firm and stable soil or rock is met with. If rock is met with, the depth of drilling into
rock having RQD more than 75, may be limited to 3 meters.

2403.2

For embankments and guide bunds, the depth of bore should cover all strata likely to cause undesirable
settlement affecting their stability. The depth of bore holes below the ground level may ordinarily be 2.5
times the maximum height of the embankment/guide bund, subject to a minimum of 20 m. However,
borings can be terminated at shallower depths when firm strata or bed rock is encountered. Where
highly compressible strata are encountered, the boring may have to be taken deeper. In order to ensure
that firm strata is sufficiently thick, the boring should extend 3 meters into the firm strata.
1102 SUBSURFACE INVESTIGATIONS

1102.1

The complete subsurface investigations of strata in which pile foundations are proposed shall be carried
out in advance along with in-situ pile tests. For details of geo-technical subsurface explorations, refer
Section 2400 of these Specifications. Borings should be carried up to sufficient depths so as to ascertain
the nature of strata around the pile shaft and below the pile tip. Depth of boring shall not be less than:

i) 1.5 times estimated length of pile in soil or 15 m below the proposed founding level

ii) 15 times diameter of pile in ordinary / jointed rock but minimum 15 m in such rock

iii) 4 times diameter of pile in hard rock but minimum 3 m in such rock
 Depth of Exploration

S.No Type of Foundation Depth of Exploration (D)

(i) Isolated spread footing or raft One and half times the width
(ii) Adjacent footings with clear spacing less One and half times the length of the footing
than twice the width
(iii) Adjacent rows of footing Fig 1
(iv) Pile and well foundations To a depth of one and a half times the width
of structure from the bearing(toe of pile or
bottom of well)
(v) a) Road cuts Two meters below ground level or equal to
b) Fill the height of the fill whichever is greater.