UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

CENTRE OF STUDIES FOR QUANTITY SURVEYING

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND SURVEYING

ASSIGNMENT - COURSEWORK

COURSE/COURSE CODE: CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY I / BQS402

PROGRAM: BACHELOR (HONS) OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (AP224)
SEMESTER: 01 (OCT 2021– FEB 2022)

TITLE:

COURSEWORK

PREPARED BY:

AMMAR HARITH SHAH BIN AZMAN SHAH

2021898108

AP 224 1C

PREPARED FOR:

DR. SITI NOR AZNIZA AHMAD SEKAK

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

28th JANUARY 2022

 TABLE OF CONTENT

NO CONTENT PAGE

1. Introduction 1

2. Type of Soil 2–3

3. General method of the site 4-8

4. Recommendation 8 - 10
5. Recommendation method (Standard Penetration Test) 11

6. Pros and Cons Selected 11 – 12

7. Procedure and equipment involve in selected method 12 - 15

8. Conclusion 15

9. References a

LIST OF TABLE AND FIGURES

NO LIST OF FIGURES PAGE

Figure 1 Classification of residual soil of granite 3
Figure 2 Map Study 9

Figure 3 Data depth of utility line 10

Table 1 Equipment of SPT 12-13
Figure 4 Method of installation SPT 14
Figure 5 Method measure SPT 15

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 1. INTRODUCTION

Eco-Laguna Bayu is a land developer that involve 100 unit of double-story terrace
house. This project will be carried out in negeri Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia. The
Client need my help to help them involve in preliminary phase. They need a help
because this Eco-Laguna Bayu project been surrounded by a busy road with a very
complicated proposed site. The Client want me to get ready the site and soil investigation
that need to handle before project get construct or commences. This activity needs to
run because it required to ensure the suitability and viability of the proposed site
development which is Eco-Laguna Bayu in Johor for this situation.

Soil investigation important for a big project development that involve a large land
area to maintain the building strong and stable. This activity will identify the ground
conditions. Its also will increase the sensitivity that might be affect the proposed
development. After that, a regular work that will be involved in this project will be safe
and increase the economic development depend on The Client sensitivity and
responsibility to the project which is Eco-Laguna Bayu. Site and soil investigation have
been a common requirement that developer need to do because the result need to be
sent to local authorities to get a license.

Ground conditions also was not about top soil only but what have in the underlying
soils and rock were the problem that we need to get highlight. Groundwater regime or
any contamination and effect of previous site were a thing that will mess up the situation.
There were many various reports over that contain and get financial risk affect by
element that lies in the ground site. This problem has possibility led the project received
delay of completions project that make the investor in high risk to get high cost overruns.
NEDO a sort of National Economic Development Office has a statistic that 1 of 3 project
once being overrun by more than a month delay buy the issue of unforeseen ground
conditions.

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 2. TYPE OF SOIL

Soil have been covered near all land in this planet earth. We always step in into it
while walking around every day even in forest, park, and our home yard. The building
that have been construct got a soil in the bottom of it to make it as a foundation. The
important of soil in our daily life was crucial because the landscape surround you where
the plants and trees grow need to stay healthy to be a create a nice agriculture. Soil
contains air, biota, mineral, mineral and organic material and for sure earth soil was the
best for make a living thing because contain a crucial thing like water. The features of it
depend to the parent material, climate, organisms that life on it, topography of soil and
time of the soil have been created.

Malaysia generally got three main soil that have been classifications which is
residual soils of granite, coastal alluvial soils and residual soil of sedimentary rock.
Granitic soil was the largest soils that have been covered the area of Peninsular of
Malaysia. Malaysia got a great topography with a hillside and mountain ranges cover
the peninsular. This soil normally can be discovered on it because generally its granitic
soil contains high sand with low water content. After that, we will talk about alluvial soil
that also have been called as fluvial soils or alluvium. These types of soil have been
transported to their position by river and streams. In this country, peat have been
classified as one of three major soil group. There was a study that show Malaysia have
been cover approximately 4 million hectares. For education thing, Malaysia does not use
the AEZ sort of agroecological zones to plan for crop production. Instead, they are being
based on the state or regional classifications.

Type of soil which have been choose for this project was residual soils of granite.
As been told that residual soils of granite covered near most of the land in the peninsular.
Which I choose this type of project was not excluded from it. Residual soils of granites
have been formed by weathering process of rock. Malaysia got a heavy rain season
which conduct a ground motion then triggers landslide due to certain size that rainwater
came. After that, the heavy rains will see the ground into the slope and push it to get
move. The heavy rain can reach an hour of 70 mm or a day with 100mm. An absorbs
water in soils can easily make an effectively trigger of a landslide on slopes such as in
clay and sandy soil. In good news they will increase the pore water pressure inside of
the soil which will disturb the slope stability especially when residual soil forms.

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 Figures 1 Classification of residual soil of granite

In the word of study, residual soil research has been undertaken by some former
researchers, and that provide the restrictions for residual soil engineering from
classification of grade VI, V and IV. The result of the study has been discus by soil
characteristics related to the properties of the index, the soil development index and also
the soil engineering properties. However, there are not any researches have been made
on the tropical volcanic associated with the movement that made by the soil.

Clay soil was the type of soil under the classified of residual soil of granites. Clay
soil comprised a very great mineral particles and not contain a very high organic material.
The resulting soil is quite sticky since there was not many spaces between the mineral
particles but not to drain as well at all. A water that tends to a puddle on the ground rather
soak in was what a soil clay likely. Soil that consists over than 50 percent of clay particle
will be classified as “heavy clay”.

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 3. GENERAL METHOD OF SITE INVESTIGATION

Site Investigation have been classified into four stages which is reconnaissance after
that data then map study and lastly in-depth investigation and laboratory testing. All four
stages will be conduct by the client or selected third party and will be authorised by local
authority. It is an integral part of any construction project because the information that
we have achieved from a site investigation report enables them who was a designer to
create a design that strong and lasting civil project depend on the site.

After that, site investigation also can be very unique to one by one project and it will
be planned based on project requirement. The reports that we achieved after done it
cannot be transferrable even though another project will make with the same site. The
new report for new project can be used it as a reference but not fully covered. Site
Investigation Board of Engineers Malaysia are developed aid in testing even
investigating the properties of surface and subsurface that were relevant to a specific
project which in case was Eco-Laguna Bayu. The testing method were a lot and the
famous activities were boring test, drilling test, sampling, and non-destructive testing
methods, as required, depend of employed to conduct site investigation. Sampling and
testing will be done remotely from the surface at some distance below the ground
surface.

a) RECONNAINSSANCE

First phase we calling it as reconnaissance. Reconnaissance was an activity to

simply scouting site area and perimeter around it to provide a lot of new information that
we not able to see in naked eye. A crucial information such topography and geological
features need to be highlight first for make a great planning involve with the project.

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 What we are looked during site reconnaissance were included with a scanning
topography of the land. Topography is an information that contained water bodies,
estuaries even reserved land also quarries that can be found in near of perimeter or area
of project. After that, we can detect a land slopes in the area of site and we need it the
detail such as the angles and orientation of it to complete the phase. This activity also
can detect the presence of structures that we overlook with a heritage structures that we
can not label it before then the size of area that acquired the trees and any human activity
that once have been work in this area such as utility lines.

The surrounded area that maybe contains an industry factory get a high potential will
be presence of hazardous or wasted material. This material could be a high risk involved
public area once the construction work starts. There we can see that if this site once has
been a waste disposal sites or got affect by hazardous from industries player surrounded
the project. Then we also can highlight to the health of the soil then get an information.
Loose soil if dangerous for work area even for building structures with patches of soil
discoloration we can see if the type of soil in the project area can be get handled the
structures building that will been build. An excess growth of vegetation or foul smell also
an important information to make an action for counter it back before any activities get
starts. Lastly, an information that we already contained from this activity will used to
make a comparison of available plan with a new situation and get at possibility for
changing and make an addition of new structures or utility lines.

b) DATA AND MAP STUDY

After the activity what is reconnaissance already worked. The details that we got
from reconnaissance need to interpreted and understood in order to make a
determination of the necessary test and samples that will be collected for the next stages
of site investigation which in-depth investigation and lab testing. The information’s that
have been obtain by multiply resources such as libraries, local county record and survey
offices, utility and service provider that involved and local municipalities were one of the
ways to get the data beside commercial databases through the internet.

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 The plans of the site which current one and the old plans can be obtained by execute
the survey or went to local records department. Geological map also can be applied by
using these two activities. The data that we will look forward were presence of licensed
of licensed water abstraction and discharge consent. This licensed need to apply in for
make the local authority know what activity we do and then proved our work basically
legal in local law. After that, we need to get the data about affect of world war that
commonly being using as landfills or waste disposal sites.

It shows that the history of site important to develop the area. For an example, we
got a very common problem which is hazardous incidents. The Chernobyl Disaster has
been one of the famous hazardous incidents that show the area cannot be develop for
another twenty thousand years more. It shows that hazardous incident is not a simple
thing that we can take it easy.

Quality of surface water and groundwater need to get classified if there is something
vulnerability that you need to look forward and fix it. Water can be dangerous to the
building which is it will bother the foundation. The water will mix the soil and it will be
loose and for sure your foundation will be moved. A past local borehole also need to be
recorded to show what the purpose of the activity and then the affect of the borehole to
surrounded area. After that, the presence of coal and other mines need to be record for
crucial information. These mines need to be dig out for safety reasons in the future.
Historical mapping also needs to get look forward to know what happened in the past to
the land of the site area which is a waterway that changing the map. A buried and
overhead supply and utility lines will be the last data that possible to be a problem of the
building that we build.

c) IN- DEPTH INVESTIGATION

Base on the study that we already settle down, we can choose the selected area that
can be a trial pits and reuses the boreholes for saving the time and not giving
unnecessary activity to the working timeline. The area that have been chosen should be
a completed geologic sub-surface perspective can be achieved. Using at least three
point, the trial pit can be used with spacing of ten to thirty meters and it depend own the
condition and type of project that we involved. Commonly that probes, trial pits and do
not forget about boreholes will be used to undertake in-depth investigation.

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 Boreholes was the first want that I will explain. It used extensively for site
investigation because they were less disruptive to the top soil than trial pits, and for sure
it must be can be taken to a greater depth than the others. After that, boreholes can be
drilled using any types of subsurface that coming through using the two-type drilling
which were percussion drilling and rotary drilling. Wash boring and power augering also
can be used in this situation. The method of percussion is suitable for installation in
groundwater monitoring systems, which basically will provide you a crucial information.
Next in rotary drilling way we can see that a drill bit will be rotated at the bottom of the
borehole using core drilling or open-hole drilling. For sure that we need to preferred more
to the core drilling because once the core was retained within the core barrel next it will
be brought it to the surface for investigation. It usually smaller than we taught and
portable drilling equipment may be need to standby to used where accessing ideal
sampling locations is difficult.

After that we will look forward to the probing. This method has a dynamic and static
cone penetration methods. Dynamic probing was familiar with a standard penetration
test which is the short form was SPT. By using this method, we need to measure and
record the number of blows that required to drive the cone 100 mm. Then we can see
also that static the probing will be using a sensor records at the head of the cone and
count on the resistance that the head got to driving force.

The lastly for in depth investigation was the trial pits that excavated in soils so it can
support themselves for a time that they needed to conduct the investigation. For loose
soils environment, we need a shoring method to handle it. There were depth restrictions
in trial pits and as a result the area of ground that is disturbed was also quite large. It is
show that a sensitive environment location cannot permitted the trial pits method. There
is an advantage that indicates vertical and side variations in the subsoil strata.

d) LABORATORY TESTING

Laboratory Testing was the last phase of the soil investigation. The soil that we
achieved during in-depth soil investigation phase must be tested in the lab and this stage
were what we talk about. The material that we obtained was classified and can be
characterized with based on the project, the geotechnical parameters of site area. The
basic test that we must take were classification test and shear strength test.

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 We will look first at the first test which is classification test. For a cohesive soil, the
test will be done if the moisture content, plasticity index, particle size distribution and bulk
density have been obtained. It will show that how the cohesive soils ready to take on
the construction period and post construction period. For granular soils, test was done
for tiny particle size distribution and density of bulk. We up to the shear strength test that
for granular soils need to be confirm that can be done for short- term and also long-term
stability analysis.

4. RECOMMENDATION

We need to look back to our site project which Eco-Laguna Bayu in Johor. The
project was talk about one hundred double story terrace houses with surrounded by busy
road and complicated purpose site. We can see the main road that located in front of
the project site were connect a housing area with commercial centre and a shopping mall
with a main station of public transport which is train and bus station. Across the road the
was a public high school that surrounding communities using.

From the site investigation that has been done show that the was a relic site of
an abandoned commercial building project. That not the only want that have appeared
a small temple also been detected. The study then showing us that the abandoned
commercial building project make an existence of underground services that connected
with it such as communication cables, drain lines after that sewer and electricity cabling
with gas pipelines. As your can see in the figure 2 that show underground services layout
that connected with the lasted abandoned project. So, basically the method of soil
investigation that been reconnaissance for this Eco-Laguna Bayu project need to be
done thorough and carefully to give an extra cost from damage that came from
underground services.

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 Figures 2 Map Study

Next, lets we move to data and map study. As we can see the data that we
received also showing the measure of depth every single each of the underground
services. Each of them has been located at different depth which are, communication
cables in 200 mm after that drain and sewer lines 350 mm, water in 400 mm electricity
cabling in 450mm and the last was gas pipelines with a 550 mm in the ground.

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 Figures 3 Data depth of utility line

I need to suggest the standard penetration test or what we call SPT for this in-
depth site investigation. The reason why I choose this method of activity because with
a busy surrounding area with a community building at every corner, it likely easy to use
this SPT to minimizing the noise pollution that can be create on other test. A suitable
equipment that can be taken anywhere for use will give the work more effective and void
an unnecessary interference. Project Eco-Laguna Bayu will be developed one hundred
double story terrace house which means showing that it will be involves a large area of
land that need to consider for the activities. Standard penetration test equipment
basically was purposed to aim in performing in a big range of soil investigations. Fast,
low cost and uncomplicated were a perfection that this method of activity can bring in.

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 5. RECOMMENDATION METHOD (STANDARD PENETRATION TEST)

Standard Penetration Test have a possibility to sample that have been disturb and
undisturbed sample with a spilt barrel-sampler way which will be used in phase 4 which
is laboratory test. This activity was an in-situ project that providing a soil sample for
identification purposes and the laboratory test activity allow it to use the sample that have
been disturb. The method of consisting soil using a split-barrel sampler can obtain will
be the representative and simultaneously got a measure of the resistance of the subsoil
to the penetration of standard sampler. As we can see the site project was having an
old building project and we can used some of borehole for testing it. A split spoon what
the equipment that we using will attach to the bottom of the core barrel and then lowered
into the position at the bottom of borehole that we used. The sampler is driven into the
ground by dropping a hammer with a weight of sixty-eight kilogram falling through a
seventy-six centimetres. The data that we need to take notes was the number of that
hammer blow when do that activities. The number of drive the sampler three successive
one-hundred and fifty-millimetres increment was recorded. The first one which from zero
to one-hundred and fifty millimetres will be not included in the N value as it been assumed
as the top of the test area has been disturbed by a drilling process. The activities N was
the data of number of blows that required to achieve penetration from one-hundred and
fifty millimetres until four-hundred and fifty millimetres. The hammer weight, height of
drop, rope and spoon diameter were a standard dimension. After the test have been
done, sample that remaining inside of the spill spoon will be preserved on an airtight
container for and inspection and description by laboratory testing.

6. PROS AND CONS SELECTED METHOD

ADVANTAGES OF SPT

• Quick and easy to perform

• Able to measure the penetration of dense layers, gravel and fill
• Equipment and test conductor widely available
• Overburden the pressure and density of SPT N-Value with a function of soil type,
particle size and age of sample.
• Provide a representative soil sample
• Provides an index of strength and compressibility of the soil.

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DISADVANTAGES OF SPT

• SPT method do not provide a continuous data and some of important data will be
missed.
• Slower than the others
• Problem is stress of the bottom of the borehole with dynamic energy reaching the
sampler and interval of the impact, resistance of penetration that will count and
sampler design.
• Samples that obtained can be disturbed samples.

7. PROCEDURE AND EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IN SELECTED METHOD

ITEM DESCRIPTION ITEM FIGURES

a. Drilling Rig. Used to penetrate the

surface of the Earth's
crust.

b. Split spoon Marked the measure that

(tube). how many blows to take to
drive the tool

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 c. Drop hammer 65 Designed for driving the
kg split tube sampler or cone

d. Driving head Transmit hammer energy

(anvil). into drill rods

e. Guiding rod. Maintain the position of

driving

f. Tripod. Both motion and still to

prevent rods movement
and provide stability

g. Extension rods. Allows you to drop a split

spoon further from surface
than the standard rod it
comes with allows

Table 1 Equipment of SPT

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 Figures 4 Method of installation SPT

First, we need to stand the tripod over the test hole and assemble the other unit.
Then, we decline the spoon to the bottom of borehole. Next, we drive the spoon with
blow of the the hammer falling seventy-five centimetres until have been penetrated or
100 blows have been applied. Record the number of blows that we do each of fifteen
centimetres of penetration but the first fifteen centimetres will be considered as seating
drive. Lastly, the number blow that we need to receive another second and third fifteen
centimetres will be a penetration resistance in record. The record the length, composition,
colour, stratification and condition of sample need to be obtained.

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 Figures 5 Method measure SPT

8. CONCLUSION

For the conclusion, we can see that most suitable method of soil investigation for
Eco-Laguna Bayu Project was Standard Penetration Test or we call it SPT. SPT method
have been selected because the equipment that suitable for performed under site
situation and not to costly. It was a very quick process and can void any unnecessary
problem that can disturbed surrounded society such as public high school, housing area
and commercial centre. We need to minimized the noise to avoid a complaint from them.
With a large area of project that we need to considered for sure Standard Penetration
Test will be the best.

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 9. REFERENCES

1. UKEssays. (November 2018). Purposes of Site Investigations. Retrieved from

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/construction/why-carry-out-site-investigation-
construction-essay.php?vref=1
2. T. M. (2019, February 19). Understanding the 4 Stages Of Site Investigation.
Understanding the 4 Stages of Site Investigation.
https://www.trenchlesspedia.com/understanding-the-4-stages-of-site-
investigation/2/4167#:~:text=Site%20investigation%20can%20be%20broadly,d
epth%20investigation%20and%20laboratory%20testing..
3. A. M., & MOHD YUSOFF, S. Y. (2017). Major Soil Type, Soil Classification, And
Soil Maps | Aminaton Marto,. Taylor & Francis.
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/b21934-4/major-soil-type-
soil-classification-soil-maps-aminaton-marto-safiah-yusmah-mohd-yusoff.
4. Y S Wibawa et al 2018 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 118 012041
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-
1315/118/1/012041/pdf#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20residual%20soil%20can
,transported%20from%20its%20original%20place.
5. UKEssays. (November 2018). Geotechnical Engineering Properties of Soils
Tests. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/engineering/standard-
penetration-test-spt-engineering-essay.php?vref=1

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