ECG353 – SOIL ENGINERING

WEEK 1 – CHAPTER 1
SUBSURFCE EXPLORATION (PART 2)
BY : NUR’AIN MAT YUSOF
CREDIT TO : FARAH WAHIDA MOHD LATIB
 COURSE OUTCOMES (CO)
 CO1: Apply knowledge of soil engineering concepts responses to
various geotechnical situations
 CO2: Measure solution for soil engineering problem with the design
system component of processes to meet specified need with appropriate
consideration for safety environmental consideration

 PROGRAMME OUTCOMES (PO)

 PO1: Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences, engineering
fundamentals and an engineering specialization to wide practical
procedures and practices.
 PO3: Design solutions for well-defined technical problems and assist with
the design of systems, components or processes to meet specified needs
with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural,
societal, and environmental considerations.
 LESSON OUTCOMES
At the end of the classes, student would be able to:

1.Discuss the purpose of site investigation, SI

(scope & objective of SI).
2.Characterize SI methods & soil sampling.
3.Describe the principle of geophysical exploration.
4.Interpret SI data for in-situ testing.
 IN SITU TESTING
Test for measurement Test for measurement of
Test for measurement Test for measurement in-situ stress,
of volume change
permeability of shear strength preconsolidation pressure
characteristic

Borehole Flat
permeability Shear vane dilatometer Hydraulic
test test test fracturing test

Piezometer Standard Cone

permeability Penetration Penetration Pressuremeter
test test (SPT) Test test

Large scale Pressuremeter Plate loading Total pressure

pumping test test test cell

Cone
Infiltrasion Penetration Piezometer Shear vane
test Test test

Self-boring JKR Probe Screw plate

Plate load test
permeameter test test
JKR/MACKINTOSH PROBE TEST

15 m
JKR/MACKINTOSH PROBE TEST

O Application
• Locate Shallow bedrock profile (limestone
with slump zone)
• Locate Weak zone at shallow depth
• To check bearing capacity for Shallow foundation
• for Structure of low risk
• If in doubt – use borehole
O Limitations
• Shallow depth
• Not for gravelly ground
• Human errors (e.g. wrong counting, non
• non-consistent drop height, exerting force to the
drop hammer
• Misleading results at greater depth
JKR/MACKINTOSH PROBE TEST

Moderate
Cheaper depth

faster
Soft &
loose
soil
 JKR/MACKINTOSH PROBE TEST

• Results of JKR Probe and Mackintosh Probe can be taken as equivalent

• JKR Probe created as equivalent to Mackintosh Probe as
Mackintosh Probe is patented in the early days
JKR/MACKINTOSH
PROBE TEST
JKR/MACKINTOSH PROBE TEST
APPLICATION: IDENTIFYING LOCALISED SOFT/WEAK
OR SLIP PLANE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CtM40aU7QE
STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT)

- Useful for pile foundation

STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT)
STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT)
STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT)

Seating Test
drive drive
STANDARD PENETRATION TEST
(SPT)

NEW TECHNOLOGY

AUTOMATIC SPT
SPT CORRELATION
 SPT CORRELATION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAdCh6Hv6EM
SHEAR VANE TEST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGv3S2qTATc
SHEAR VANE TEST
 SHEAR VANE TEST
Example:
CONE PENETRATION TEST (CPT)
 CONE PENETRATION TEST (CPT)

Typical results of mechanical cone sounding

• CPT is quick to perform with fewer performance error
compared with SPT. It can provide continuous records of
soil conditions.
• However it cannot be used in dense, coarse- grained soil
and mixed soils containing boulders, cobbles, clays and silt.
The cone tip is prone to damage from contact with dense
objects.
 CPT CORRELATION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSvx8Dt_-jw
 PIEZOCONE TEST (CPTu)
• The piezocone test (CPTU) is a cone penetration test (CPT) with
additional measurement of the porewater pressure
at one or more locations (U1, U2 and U3) on the penetrometer
surface.

• The usage are:

To obtain soil profile and stiffness (strength) profile of the subsoil To
determine coefficient of consolidation of soil
Results can also be used directly for design (e.g. pile design)

• Cone penetration testing, with porewater pressure measurements, gives a more

reliable determination of stratification and soil type than a standard CPT. In
addition, CPTU provides a better basis for interpreting the results in terms of
mechanical soil properties.

• Mechanical properties to be evaluated such as;

a. strength parameters deformation and
b. consolidation characteristics.
• The results from a CPTU can be used, directly, for the design of piled foundations in clay.
GEOPHYSICAL METHODS
 SEISMIC REFRACTION METHOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWdAeK9DcGc
 ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHODS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WK1YJotbfw
 EXERCISE
1. In a particular Standard Penetration Test (SPT) the
numbers of blows required for penetration from 0.0 mm to
150 mm were 11, from 150 mm to 300 mm were 13 and from
300 mm to 450 mm were 15. What is the SPT value?

2. A shear vane of length 150 mm and diameter 50 mm was

used to measure the shear strength of saturated clay. if the
torque required on the vane at failure of the clay was
42.24Nm, calculate the apparent undrained shear strength
clay.

3. Elaborate between the undisturbed and disturbed samples.