Report by :

CENGRS GEOTECHNICA PVT. LTD.

SOIL AND FOUNDATION EXPERTS

Interim Report on:

Geotechnical Investigation for

Proposed Group Housing Project
at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh,
Punjab

Submitted to:

M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

nd
SU No. 64-65, 2 Floor, Sector-17A, Chandigarh, Punjab

Project No. FG-21601 Date: 24th February, 2016 Revision: 0

Cengrs Geotechnica Pvt. Ltd. ISO/IEC 17025:2005

Corporate Office : A - 100, Sec - 63, Noida - 201309 (U.P.) India. Certified Laboratory
Phone : +91 120-4206771, Fax : +91 120-4206775, E : cengrs@gmail.com, W : www.cengrs.com (NABL)
ISO 9001:2008
CERTIFIED Registered Office : Cengrs House, B - 3/87, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi - 110029
Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Project Description 1
1.2 Purposes of Study 1
1.3 Scope of Geotechnical Investigations covered in this Interim Report 1

2.0 GENERAL SITE CONDITIONS 2

2.1 Site Description 2
2.2 Regional Geology 2
2.3 Site Stratigraphy 2
2.4 Groundwater 3

3.0 FOUNDATION ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 3

3.1 General 3
3.2 Liquefaction Susceptibility Assessment 3
3.3 Foundation Type and Depth 4
3.4 Suggested Allowable Bearing Pressures 4
3.5 Definition of Gross and Net Bearing Pressure 5
3.6 Basement Design 6

4.0 CLOSURE 6

Project No. FG-21601 i

Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Caption Plate

Plan of Field Investigation 1

Satellite of Image & Test Locations 2
Summary of Borehole Profiles 3
Standard Penetration Test 4 to 5

-------------------------------------------------------

DEFINITION OF ACRONYMS

CENGRS Cengrs Geotechnica Pvt. Ltd.

NABL National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories
ISO International Standards Organization
BIS Bureau of Indian Standards
EGL Existing Ground Level
NGL Natural Ground Level
RL Reduced Level
SPT Standard Penetration Test
NCEER National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research
UUT Unconsolidated undrained triaxial shear test
DS Consolidated drained direct shear test

BIS REFERENCES

ƒ Compendium of Indian Standard on Soil Engineering (Part-2, Field Testing of Soils for Civil Engineering
Purposes), SP36 (Part-2:1988)-RA 2006

ƒ Compendium of Indian Standard on Soil Engineering (Part-1, Laboratory Testing of Soils for Civil
Engineering Purposes), SP36 (Part-1:1987)-RA 2006

Project No. FG-21601 ii

Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Description

M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd. is planning to construct a group housing project at village Dhode
Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab. The site covers an area about 10.46 acres. We understand the
proposed project will comprise of several multi-storeyed buildings of about G + 18 storeys. A single
basement is also planned to be constructed.

M/s. Cengrs Geotechnica Pvt. Ltd. has carried out the geotechnical investigations at the project
site. The geotechnical investigation work on site has been carried out in accordance with Drawing No.
nd
WD-S01 entitled “BOREHOLE Location”, dated 2 February, 2016 issued to us. A layout plan showing
the borehole locations of our field investigation is illustrated on Plate 1.

As on this date, the field work is ongoing at the site. This interim report is based on limited data
of 5 boreholes completed at the site till date. The recommendations given in this report may please be
taken as preliminary and subject to change. Our final report shall be submitted after completion of the
field and laboratory testing program.

1.2 Purposes of Study

The overall purposes of this study are to investigate the stratigraphy at the site and to develop
geotechnical recommendations for foundation design and construction. The study was carried out in the
following phases:

(i) drilling sixteen (16) borehole (6 boreholes to 15 m and 10 boreholes to 30 m depth) to specified
depths or refusal, whichever is earlier, in order to determine site stratigraphy and to collect soil
and groundwater samples for laboratory testing,

(ii) testing selected soil and groundwater samples in the laboratory to determine pertinent index and
engineering properties; and

(iii) analyzing all field and laboratory data to develop geotechnical recommendations for foundation
design and construction.

1.3 Scope of Geotechnical Investigations covered in this Interim Report

Details of the boreholes completed on site are tabulated below:

(1)
Borehole Survey Coordinates , m Borehole Termination
Location
Designation Depth, m
X Y
Tower-8 BH-5 26875 151980 30.45

Tower-7 BH-6 28000 105865 30.40

Commercial Tower-1 BH-10 15560 197045 15.45

- BH-14 41585 13985 15.45

Central Landscape
BH-15 101455 108760 15.45
Green
(1)
Survey coordinates were provided to us by client.

• A layout plan indicating the borehole locations of our field investigations are illustrated on Plate 1.

Project No. FG-21601 Page 1 of 6

Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

• The borehole locations were marked on the field by the client representative and recorded by us
using a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS). A satellite image indicating the borehole
locations (as recorded by GPS) is presented on Plate 2.

• The depths referred to in this report are with respect to the existing ground levels (EGL) at the time
of our field investigation.

2.0 GENERAL SITE CONDITIONS

2.1 Site Description

The proposed site is located near Dhoda Majra village, New Chandigarh, Punjab; about 2 km
west of the Kurali-Chandigarh road.

At the time of our field investigations, the site was fairly level and vegetation-free.

2.2 Regional Geology

(1)
Four physiographic units are encountered in Chandigarh as given below:

- The Siwalik range trending NW-SE forms the northeastern boundary of Chandigarh and is
exposed in a small patch on the northeastern side.
- Southwestern slopes of the foothills are covered with loose talus material deposited by hill
torrents forming alluvial fans. These alluvial fans coalesce to form piedmont Kandi formation,
running parallel to the hill ranges.
- The Kandi formations merge into Sirowal formation in south and southwest.
- The Sirowal merges with the main Alluvial plains (Indo-Gangetic Alluvium) towards south and
southwest.

The piedmont deposits at the foot of Siwalik Hills comprise cobbles, pebbles and boulders
associated with sand, silt and clay. The piedmont deposits are followed by soils of the alluvial plains
consisting of clay, silt and sand.
(2)
The alluvial deposits are of Quaternary age and comprise layers of fine sand and clay. The
soils are loamy sand at surface and calcareous sandy loam in subsurface layers. The hard clay forms
pan at depths varying between 20 and 30 m. In northern parts, the soil is sandy to sandy loam where as
it is loamy to silt loam in southern parts. The soils are light yellowish brown to pale brown in color. The
soils are calcareous in nature and normally have kankar (calcareous nodules).

2.3 Site Stratigraphy

The soils at the site are alluvial in nature and belong to the Indo-Gangetic Alluvium. Based on
the completed borehole data, the natural soil may be divided into three generalized stratums as
described below:

Stratum-I: In stratum-I, firm to stiff clayey silt/sandy silt is met to about 1.5-4.5 m depth. The sandy silt /
clayey silt layers absent at BH-10 location. The field SPT values in stratum-I range from 6 to 16 to about
4.5 m depth.

(1)
Sushil Gupta (2007), “Groundwater Information Booklet, Chandigarh (U.T)”, Central Ground Water Board, Govt. of
India, North Western Region, Chandigarh.
(2)
Krishnan, M.S. (1986), “Geology of India & Burma”, CBS Publishers, New Delhi.

Project No. FG-21601 Page 2 of 6

Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

Stratum-II: Below stratum-I, medium dense silty fine sand is met to about 8.5-12.0 m depth. The field
SPT values in this stratum range from 17 to 28 to about 8.5-12.5 m depth.

Stratum-III: Below stratum-II, very stiff to hard clayey silt is met to the maximum explored depth of 30 m.
The field SPT values range from 20 to 31 about 24 m depth and from 26 to 35 to the maximum explored
depth of 30.45 m.

A summary of the borehole profiles is illustrated on Plate 3. Plots of field and corrected SPT
values versus depth are presented on Plates 4 and 5, respectively.

2.4 Groundwater

Based on our measurements in the completed boreholes, groundwater was met at 4-6 m depth
below EGL during the period of our field investigations (February, 2016). The water level measured at
each the completed borehole is summarized in the table below:

Borehole Designation Measured Depth of Groundwater, m Period of Measurement

BH-5 4.1 February, 2016

BH-6 5.8 February, 2016
BH-10 4.0 February, 2016
BH-14 5.8 February, 2016
BH-15 6.0 February, 2016

Fluctuations may occur in the measured groundwater level due to seasonal variations in rainfall and
surface evaporation rates.

3.0 FOUNDATION ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 General

A suitable foundation for any structure should have an adequate factor of safety against
exceeding the bearing capacity of the supporting soils. Also the vertical movements due to compression
of the soils should be within tolerable limits for the structure. We consider that foundation designed in
accordance with the recommendations given herein will satisfy these criteria.

3.2 Liquefaction Susceptibility Assessment

Liquefaction is defined as the transformation of a granular material from a solid to a liquefied

state as a consequence of increased pore-water pressure and reduced effective stress (Marcuson,
(3)
1978) . Increased pore pressure may be induced by the tendency of granular materials to compact
when subjected to cyclic shear deformation, such as in the event of an earthquake.

As per IS: 1893-2002, liquefaction is likely to occur in loose fine sand below water table.

The following points are highlighted for the soils encountered at the site, with reference to the
liquefaction susceptibility assessment:

(3)
Marcuson, W.F. (III) (1978), “Definition of terms related to liquefaction”, J. Geotech Engg. Div,, ASCE, 104(9),
1197-1200.

Project No. FG-21601 Page 3 of 6

Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

ƒ Groundwater was met at 4.0-6.0 m depth during the period of our field investigation (February,
2016).

ƒ Based on the limited data available, the SPT values in the sand strata exceed the limits
prescribed in IS: 1893 (Part-1) – 2002 for liquefaction potential. The sandy silt / clayey silt layers
are not likely to liquefy due to the high fines content and plasticity.

As per our assessment of the limited borehole data, we are of the opinion that liquefaction is
not likely to occur at the project site in the event of an earthquake. According to Fig.1 of IS: 1893
(Part-1)-2002 showing seismic zones, the project site falls under Zone-IV. The design for seismic forces
should be done considering the project site in Zone-IV.

3.3 Foundation Type and Depth

We understand that the proposed buildings shall have G + 18 storeys with a single basement.

We are of the opinion that raft foundations may be a suitable foundation scheme to support the
structural loads of the proposed towers at basement level. Open spread foundations, isolated footings
or strip footings with interconnecting beams may be provided in the non-tower / extended basement
areas at the single basement level.

Please refer to Section 3.4 for preliminary foundation recommendations.

3.4 Suggested Allowable Bearing Pressures

Our suggested values of net and corresponding gross allowable bearing pressure for open/raft
foundations are given below:

• Raft Foundations for Tower / Single Basement Areas

Suggested values of net and corresponding gross allowable bearing pressures for raft
foundations bearing at the single basement level are given below:

Suggested Net Corresponding Gross Suggested

Foundation Allowable Bearing Allowable Bearing Modulus
2 2
Level Pressure, T/m Pressure, T/m of
Structure Foundation Type
below Subgrade
Total Total Total Total
EGL, m Settlement Settlement Settlement Settlement
Reaction
3
= 40 mm = 50 mm = 40 mm = 50 mm (k), kN/m

Towers 1 m thick Raft 3.5 10.8 13.5 16.8 19.5 3800

with Foundations
Single
Basement (B ≥ 6 m) 4.5 12.8 16.0 20.0 23.2 4600

• Open Foundations for Non-Tower / Extended Basement Areas

Suggested values of net allowable bearing pressures for open foundations in the non-tower /
extended basement areas are given below:

Project No. FG-21601 Page 4 of 6

Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

Foundation Suggested Net Allowable

2
Foundation Embedment Bearing Pressure, T/m Suggested
Foundation Embedment Depth Below Modulus of Sub
Structure Total Total
Type Depth below lowest grade Reaction
EGL, m Basement Settlement= Settlement= (k), kN/m
3

Level 40 mm 50 mm

Non-Tower Open
3.5 1.0 m 8.0 10.0 2000
/ Extended Foundations
Basement (3m ≥ B
Area ≥ 6 m) 4.5 1.0 m 10.0 12.5 2500

The following points are highlighted with reference to the recommended bearing pressures given
in the above table:

1. The above values include a bearing capacity safety factor of 2.5.

2. The appropriate values of net bearing pressure may be selected as per the permissible
settlement criterion.

3. Net bearing pressures for foundations at intermediate depths may be interpolated linearly
between the values given above.

4. The gross bearing pressure has been computed by adding the overburden pressure to the net
bearing pressure.

5. For open foundations, the lateral edge-to-edge spacing between the foundations should at least
be equal to “0.8B” where “B” is the width of the larger footing.

6. Fill placed above EGL should be treated as surcharge load.

7. The suggested modulus of sub grade reaction (k) has been computed based on empirical
(4)
relationships as given in published literature , and is applicable for minimum 3-6 m size square
footing at the center of the loaded area.

3.5 Definition of Gross and Net Bearing Pressure

For the purposes of this report, the net allowable bearing pressure should be calculated as the
difference between total load on the foundation and the weight of the soil overlying the foundation
divided by the effective area of the foundation. The gross bearing pressure is the total pressure at the
foundation level including overburden pressure and surcharge load.

The following equations may be used –

qnet = [(Ps + Wf +Ws) / Af] - Sv

qgross = qnet + Sv = (Ps + Wf + Ws) / Af

where:

qnet = net allowable bearing pressure

(4)
Bowles, J.E. (1996), "Foundation Analysis and Design Fifth Edition", The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc., pp. 503

Project No. FG-21601 Page 5 of 6

Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

qgross = gross bearing pressure

Ps = superimposed static load on foundation
Wf = weight of foundation
Ws = weight of soil overlying foundation
Af = effective area of foundation
Sv = overburden pressure at foundation level prior to excavation for foundation.

It may please be noted that safe bearing pressures recommended in this report refer to “net
values”. Where filling is done, it should be treated as a surcharge over the foundation.

3.6 Basement Design

Groundwater was met at 4.0-6.0 m depth during the period of our field investigation (September-
February, 2016). The basement should be designed to resist lateral earth pressure as well as hydrostatic
pressure.

For design purpose, the ground water may be considered at ground level. The basement floor
slab design should be checked to ensure it shall resist the consequent hydrostatic uplift with an
adequate factor of safety. The basement retaining wall should be designed to resist horizontal earth
pressure as well as hydrostatic pressure.

We suggest the following values of coefficients of lateral earth pressure for design of basement
retaining walls:

Depth, m
ka kp k0
From To

0.0 5.0 0.34 2.90 0.51

where:

ka = Co-efficient of active earth pressure

kp = Co-efficient of passive earth pressure
k0 = Co-efficient of earth pressure at rest

A suitable safety factor should be applied on the passive earth pressures in the design of the
wall.

4.0 CLOSURE

We appreciate the opportunity to submit this preliminary report. We wish to emphasize here that
the recommendations given in this report are preliminary and subjected to change. Laboratory testing of
soil samples collected is currently in progress.

Our final report will be submitted upon detailed analysis of all field and laboratory data. In the
meantime, please feel free to contact us for any further information.

for CENGRS GEOTECHNICA PVT. LTD.

(RAVI SUNDARAM)
DIRECTOR

Project No. FG-21601 Page 6 of 6

Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

BH 10

BH 5

BH 15
BH 6

BH 14
LEGEND
Symbol Type of Test

Borehole (BH)

Plan of Field Investigations

Project No. FG-21601 Plate: 1 of 5

 Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

UTM Coordinate (Zone-43R)

BH-No.
N
Easting Northing

BH-5 663825.00 m E 3410178.00 m N

BH-6 663826.00 m E 3410133.00 m N

BH-10 663814.00 m E 3410222.00 m N

BH-14 663840.00 m E 3410042.00 m N

BH-15 663901.00 m E 3410135.00 m N

Satellite image taken from Google Earth®

Test Locations marked as per GPS coordinates taken on site using hand-held Garmin® device
Accuracy of hand-held GPS device generally ranges from 4-6m, and varies depending on the availability of satellite connection at the site

Satellite Image of Site and Test Locations

Project No. FG-21601 Plate: 2 of 5
 Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

BH-5 BH-6 BH-10732 m BH-14 BH-15

N-Value N-Value N-Value N-Value N-Value
0
14 7 7 6 10
1.5 20 1.5
16 7 9 15
2.5
19 8 22 12 12
4
4.5 4.5
33 20 24 20 39
26 46 25 22 19
7.5
8 28 23 17 25 22
8.0 8.5
9.0
19 23 26 18 26
22 20 26 20 11.0 28
12 12.0
18 12 27 22 17
19 13 28 25 24
14.5
31 15.0
20 77 26 31
16
15.45m 15.45m 15.45m
Depth, m

17.5
Commercial Central
22 20
Tower-1 Landscape
20 Green

25 23

23.5
24 35 32

26.5
26 33
28

30.0 102/25cm
28
30.40m
32 30.45m
Tower-7
Tower-8

36
LEGEND
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION
Silty fine sand (SM)
Sandy silt (CL)
Clayey silt (CI)
Water table

Summary of Borehole Profiles

Project No. FG-21601 Plate: 3 of 5

Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

Standard Penetration Test

IS : 2131-1981, RA-2007

Borehole Details
Symbol Borehole Number Location
BH-5 Tower-8
BH-6 Tower-7
BH-10 Commercial Tower -1
BH-14 -
BH-15 Central Landscape Green

Field SPT Value (N)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
0

12
Depth, m

16

20

24

28

102/25cm

32

Field SPT Values vs. Depth

Project No. FG-21601 Plate: 4 of 5

Proposed Group Housing Project at Village Dhode Majra, New Chandigarh, Punjab
M/s. Ambika Realcon Pvt. Ltd.

Standard Penetration Test

IS : 2131-1981, RA-2007

Borehole Details
Symbol Borehole Number Location
BH-5 Tower-8
BH-6 Tower-7
BH-10 Commercial Tower -1
BH-14 -
BH-15 Central Landscape Green

Corrected SPT Value (N")

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
0

12
Depth, m

16

20

24

28

32

Corrected SPT Values vs. Depth

Project No. FG-21601 Plate: 5 of 5