SHEET NO.

1 SUBSOIL EXPLORATION
Assistant Prof./ Dr. Rafi’ M.S.

Q1. A standard penetration test carried out at a depth of (10m) of saturated fine sand
gave (N = 41) . The saturated unit weight of the sand equals (19 kN/m3) . Find the
corrected value of (N).

Q2. A thin-walled tube (OD = 76.2mm, ID = 73mm) was pushed into a soft clay at the
bottom of a borehole a distance of 600mm. When the sampler was recovered a
measurement done inside the tube indicated a recovered sample length of 575mm.
Calculate the recovery and area ratios.

Q3. Available information about:

Structure: Multistory building with 3 stories and basement
No. of columns = 16
Column load = 1000 kN
Raft dimensions: 16m x 16m x 1m
Foundation at 3m below G.S.

Soil profile: γ d = 16 kN/m3 , γ sat = 20 kN/m3

W.T. at 6m below G.S.
Required: Number, layout, and depth of B.Hs.?.

Q4. A wide strip footing applying net pressure of 35 kPa is to be constructed 1m below
the surface of uniform soil having unit weight of 19 kN/m3. the footing is 5m
wide and the water table is at ground surface. Is 12m depth of boring (measured
from ground surface) sufficient for subsoil exploration program?.

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 SOLUTION OF SHEET NO. 1
SUBSOIL EXPLORATION

'
Q1. for N >15: N =15+0 . 5( N field −15 )
'
N =15+0 . 5(41−15)=28 blows
'
σ o=( 19−9. 81 )∗10=91. 9 kPa > 25 kPa

'' ' 2000 2000

N =N ∗0 .77 log =28∗0 .77 log =28 . 84
P̄ o 91. 9 , say 28 blows

575
Lr = =0 . 958
Q2. Recovery ratio: 600
2 2
(76 . 2) −(73 )
A r= x 100=8 . 96 %
Area ratio: (73)2

Q3. Number and layout of borings:

From Table (2.4b), for poor quality and/or erratic subsurface conditions, one
boring is needed for every (100 to 300) m2 of footprint area. Since the total
footprint area is 16x16=256m2 > 200m2 (average value), use one or two borings.

Depth of borings:

(a) d=1 .5 x 16=24 m

16 x 1000+16 x 16 x 1 x 24
q contact = −3 x 16=38 .5 . . kPa
(b) 16 x 16
38.5 x16 x 16
∴ 0.1x 38.5= 2
,.........d=34 .6m
(16+d)

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 38 .5 x 16 x 16
0 . 05[16 x 6+( d−3)(20−10 )]= 2
, .. .. . .. .. d=15 . 5 m
(c) (16+d )
From (b and c) take the smaller d = 15.5m
0. 7 0. 7
(d) d=6 S =6(3 ) =12 . 95 m
From all(24m,15.5m, and 12.95m) take the larger d =24m
∴use .. . D=24+3=27 m from G.S..

P = 16000 kN

2m

1m Raft footing

16m x 16m x 1m

3m
W.T.

 sa t

OR B.H.1
B.H.1
B.H.2

Q4. (a) d=3 xB=3 x 5=15 m

35 x5 x1
0 .1 x 35= , .. . .. .. . .d =4 . 3 m
(b) 10% of contact pressure: (5+d )(1+d )
35 x 5 x 1
0 . 05(9+9 d )= , .. . .. .. . .d =5. 2 m
(c) 5% of overburden pressure: (5+d )(1+d )
From (b and c) take the smaller d =4.3m

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From all(15m, and 4.3m) take the larger d =15m, and so the depth from
ground surface D=15+1=16 m , ∴ 12m is not sufficient.

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