Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Copyright©2020 Urban Resilience Project: RAJUK Part. All rights reserved. The contents and
opinions expressed in this paper are of URP: RAJUK Part”.
JV. Group is an international consortium of three research partner, as follows: NKY, Protek-Yapi, and
Sheltech Co.
This Report has been prepared by SDE as subcontractor of JV for performing Standard Penetration
Test in DMDP area.
Revision History
Version Approved by Approved by
Revision Date Prepared by
No. JV-TL-S05 PIU-PD
August 26, JV of NKY-PROTEK- Prof. Mohsen Mr. Abdul-Latif
01.00
2020 SHELTECH Ghafory-Ashtiany Helaly
September 30, JV of NKY-PROTEK- Prof. Mohsen Mr. Abdul-Latif
01.01
2020 SHELTECH Ghafory-Ashtiany Helaly
Prof. Mohsen Mr. Abdul-Latif
JV of Ghafory-Ashtiany Helaly
October 26,
02.00 NKY-PROTEK-
2020
SHELTECH
S5 Project Technical Team
iv
L IST OF F IGURE
L IST OF T ABLE
v
Table 4.29: Summary Table of Test Results of BH258 .......................................................................... 49
Table 4.30: Summary Table of Test Results of BH304 .......................................................................... 50
Table 4.31: Summary Table of Test Results of BH290 .......................................................................... 51
Table 4.32: Summary Table of Test Results of BH380 .......................................................................... 52
Table 4.33: Summary Table of Test Results of BH146 .......................................................................... 53
Table 4.34: Summary Table of Test Results of BH131 .......................................................................... 54
Table 4.35: Summary Table of Test Results of BH116 .......................................................................... 55
Table 4.36: Summary Table of Test Results of BH092 .......................................................................... 56
Table 4.37: Summary Table of Test Results of BH177 .......................................................................... 57
Table 4.38: Summary Table of Test Results of BH067 .......................................................................... 58
Table 4.39: Summary Table of Test Results of BH273 .......................................................................... 59
Table 4.40: Summary Table of Test Results of BH062 .......................................................................... 60
Table 4.41: Summary Table of Test Results of BH173 .......................................................................... 61
Table 4.42: Summary Table of Test Results of BH221 .......................................................................... 62
Table 4.43: Summary Table of Test Results of BH081 .......................................................................... 63
Table 4.44: Summary Table of Test Results of BH001 .......................................................................... 64
Table 4.45: Summary Table of Test Results of BH103 .......................................................................... 65
Table 4.46: Summary Table of Test Results of BH069 .......................................................................... 66
Table 4.47: Summary Table of Test Results of BH064 .......................................................................... 67
Table 4.48: Summary Table of Test Results of BH002 .......................................................................... 68
Table 4.49: Summary Table of Test Results of BH070 .......................................................................... 69
Table 4.50: Summary Table of Test Results of BH075 .......................................................................... 70
Table 4.51: Summary Table of Test Results of BH077 .......................................................................... 71
Table 4.52: Summary Table of Test Results of BH066 .......................................................................... 72
Table 4.53: Summary Table of Test Results of BH003 .......................................................................... 73
Table 4.54: Summary Table of Test Results of BH076 .......................................................................... 74
Table 4.55: Summary Table of Test Results of BH079 .......................................................................... 75
Table 4.56: Summary Table of Test Results of BH088 .......................................................................... 76
Table 4.57: Summary Table of Test Results of BH087 .......................................................................... 77
Table 4.58: Summary Table of Test Results of BH068 .......................................................................... 78
Table 4.59: Summary Table of Test Results of BH071 .......................................................................... 79
Table 4.60: Summary Table of Test Results of BH074 .......................................................................... 80
Table 4.61: Summary Table of Test Results of BH072 .......................................................................... 82
Table 4.62: Summary Table of Test Results of BH098 .......................................................................... 83
Table 4.63: Summary Table of Test Results of BH095 .......................................................................... 84
Table 4.64: Summary Table of Test Results of BH065 .......................................................................... 85
Table 4.65: Summary Table of Test Results of BH094 .......................................................................... 86
Table 4.66: Summary Table of Test Results of BH085 .......................................................................... 87
vi
Table 4.67: Summary Table of Test Results of BH086 .......................................................................... 88
Table 4.68: Summary Table of Test Results of BH006 .......................................................................... 89
Table 4.69: Summary Table of Test Results of BH007 .......................................................................... 90
Table 4.70: Summary Table of Test Results of BH110 .......................................................................... 91
Table 4.71: Summary Table of Test Results of BH101 .......................................................................... 92
Table 4.72: Summary Table of Test Results of BH082 .......................................................................... 93
Table 4.73: Summary Table of Test Results of BH091 .......................................................................... 94
Table 4.74: Summary Table of Test Results of BH127 .......................................................................... 95
Table 4.75: Summary Table of Test Results of BH090 .......................................................................... 96
Table 4.76: Summary Table of Test Results of BH102 .......................................................................... 97
Table 4.77: Summary Table of Test Results of BH100 .......................................................................... 98
Table 4.78: Summary Table of Test Results of BH012 .......................................................................... 99
Table 4.79: Summary Table of Test Results of BH142 ........................................................................ 100
Table 4.80: Summary Table of Test Results of BH073 ........................................................................ 101
Table 4.81: Summary Table of Test Results of BH099 ........................................................................ 102
Table 4.82: Borehole-wise Site Classification ..................................................................................... 103
vii
A CRONYMS
JV Joint Venture PIU Project Implantation Unit
NKY NKY Architects and Engineers RAJUK Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha
Protek Protek-Yapi Engineering Consultancy PWG Project Working Group
SDE Smart Development Engineering POC Project Oversight Committee
Limited
BRTC Bureau of Research, Testing and DAP Detail Area Plan
Consultation
BUET Bangladesh University of Engineering SPT Standard Penetration Test
and Technology
BNBC Bangladesh National Building Code DMDP Dhaka Metropolitan Development Plan
viii
[Geotechnical Report] | [February 24, 2020] – UPP/RAJUK/S5
Chapter 1
Introduction
1 I NTRODUCTION
This report provides the results of a city-wide geotechnical investigation based on Standard
Penetration Test (SPT) to fulfil the requirements of an attempt made by the Government of
Bangladesh (GoB) to study the earthquake hazard analysis considering the local site effects and
develop microzonation maps for the Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP) in Dhaka. The Global
Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) of the World Bank has provided funds to
undertake Technical Assistance projects entitled “Bangladesh Urban Earthquake Resilience Project
(BUERP)”. The activities of the project have been being carried out in close coordination with
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).
The SPT based geotechnical investigation deals with performing a number of 400 Standard
Penetration Test (SPT) of not more than 15000 m. For the uniform distribution of deliverables of the
SPT work, it was decided in the project coordination meeting that the deliverables of the whole SPT
work will be submitted in several volumes where each volume will generally represent the test
report of 80 SPTs. This report is the test report of the geotechnical investigation of 1st 80 SPTs among
the whole SPT work. The scope of the investigation of 1st 80 SPTs includes the following:
Drilling Eighty (80) boreholes in southern part of DMDP.
Collecting disturbed and undisturbed samples.
Conducting required laboratory tests (based on the ToR) to survey physical and mechanical
properties of the subsurface soil profile.
Chapter 2
Methodology
2 M ETHODOLOGY
The entire geotechnical investigation was categorized into three (3) tasks – Reconnaissance, Field
Exploration and Laboratory Tests. The reconnaissance includes checking location of the site,
topography, accessibility etc. The field exploration has been carried out using rotary drill with
hydraulic arrangement. Standard laboratory tests were carried out to reveal physical and mechanical
properties of the subsurface soil profile.
2.1 R ECONNAISSANCE
A total of eighty (80) numbers of boring locations was proposed primarily for the investigation. Prior
to the field exploration, SDE carried out the reconnaissance survey of those locations regarding the
accessibility and location details to ensure smooth mobilization of the drilling setup. All of those
eighty (80) locations were reported accessible for starting the field exploration with a flexibility of
alternate location within a 500m diameter range from the previously proposed locations. This
accessibility was reported by considering some salient features of the site such as: accessibility, site
condition, nearest accessible location, property type, machine storage, tent facility, nearby water
source etc.
After confirmation of location from the reconnaissance report, field exploration of SPT was carried
out in the updated location. Rotary drilling rig was used for drilling boreholes in wash boring method
and collecting field data according to ASTM D1586 – 18 (Standard Test Method for Standard
Penetration Test and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils). Field SPT N-value was recorded at each 1.5 m
interval in each borehole.
Among the 1st 80 SPTs, variable depth was found for boreholes ranging from 30.0 m to 85.5 m.
2.2.2 S AMPLING
Disturbed and undisturbed sampling both were carried out in the field according to proper ASTM
standard. Disturbed or split-barrel sampling was done according to ASTM D1586 – 18 (Standard Test
Method for Standard Penetration Test and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils) and sample was collected
in zipper bag and stored in airtight plastic box. For undisturbed sampling, Shelby tube was used
according to ASTM D1587/D1587M – 15 (Standard Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Fine-
Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes). After collection, all samples were sent to the Laboratory
with proper precaution.
All the collected samples were tested in the Geotechnical Laboratory of SDE with properly calibrated
equipment to reveal their physical and mechanical properties which meet the requirement of raw
data for site characterization and preparation of microzonation map of DMDP (Dhaka Metropolitan
Development Plan) area. All the calibration certificates of pertinent laboratory equipment were
issued by BRTC (Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultation), BUET. All the tests were carried out
according to ASTM standard as mentioned in Table 2.1:
Name of the
Description Standard
Test/Procedure
Moisture Moisture or Water Content (of a material)—the ratio ASTM D 2216 – 98
Content expressed as a percent of the mass of “pore” or “free”
water in a given mass of material to the mass of the solid
material. A standard temperature of 110° ± 5°C is used to
determine these masses.
In this test, a test specimen is dried in an oven at a
temperature of 110° ± 5°C to a constant mass. The loss of
mass due to drying is considered to be water. The water
content is calculated using the mass of water and the
mass of the dry specimen. This test method covers the
laboratory determination of the water (moisture) content
by mass of soil, rock, and similar materials where the
reduction in mass by drying is due to loss of water.
Water content has several significance and use such as:
(a) the water content of a material is used in expressing
the phase relationships of air, water, and solids in a given
volume of material, (b) In fine-grained (cohesive) soils, the
consistency of a given soil type depends on its water
content. The water content of a soil, along with its liquid
and plastic limits, is used to express its relative
consistency or liquidity index.
Wet Sieve These test methods cover determination of the amount of ASTM D 1140 – 00
Analysis material finer than a 75-μm (No. 200) sieve by washing.
In this test a specimen of the soil is washed over a 75-μm
(No. 200) sieve. Clay and other particles that are dispersed
by the wash water, as well as water-soluble materials, are
removed from the soil during the test. The loss in mass
resulting from the wash treatment is calculated as mass
percent of the original sample and is reported as the
percentage of material finer than a 75-μm (No. 200) sieve
Name of the
Description Standard
Test/Procedure
by washing.
Material finer than the 75-μm (No. 200) sieve can be
separated from larger particles much more efficiently and
completely by wet sieving than with dry sieving.
Therefore, when accurate determinations of material
finer than 75-μm sieve in soil are desired, this test method
is used on the test specimen prior to dry sieving. Usually
the additional amount of material finer than 75-μm sieve
obtained in the dry sieving process is a small amount. If it
is large, the efficiency of the washing operation should be
checked, as it could be an indication of degradation of the
soil.
Sieve Analysis Sieve analysis is a determination of the proportions of ASTM D 422 – 63,
particles lying within certain size ranges in a granular ASTM D 6913 – 04
material by separation on sieves of different size
openings.
Soils consist of particles with various shapes and sizes.
This test method is used to separate particles into size
ranges and to determine quantitatively the mass of
particles in each range. These data are combined to
determine the particle-size distribution (gradation). This
test method uses a square opening sieve criterion in
determining the gradation of soil between the 3-in. (75-
mm) and No. 200 (75-μm) sieves. The gradation of a soil is
an indicator of engineering properties.
The gradation of a soil is an indicator of engineering
properties. Sieve Analysis has several significances and
use such as; (a) the gradation of the soil is used for
classification, (b) The gradation (particle-size distribution)
curve is used to calculate the coefficient of uniformity and
the coefficient of curvature. (c) Selection and acceptance
of fill materials are often based on gradation and many
more which can be found in the respective ASTM
standard.
Liquid Limit & Liquid limit (LL)—the water content, in percent, of a soil at ASTM D 4318 – 05
Plastic Limit the arbitrarily defined boundary between the semiliquid
and plastic states. The specimen is processed to remove
any material retained on a 425-μm (No. 40) sieve. The
liquid limit is determined by performing trials in which a
portion of the specimen is spread in a brass cup, divided
in two by a grooving tool, and then allowed to flow
together from the shocks caused by repeatedly dropping
the cup in a standard mechanical device. The multipoint
liquid limit, Method A, requires three or more trials over a
range of water contents to be performed and the data
from the trials plotted or calculated to make a
relationship from which the liquid limit is determined. The
one-point liquid limit, Method B, uses the data from two
trials at one water content multiplied by a correction
Name of the
Description Standard
Test/Procedure
factor to determine the liquid limit.
Plastic limit (PL)—the water content, in percent, of a soil
at the boundary between the plastic and semi-solid
states.
The plastic limit is determined by alternately pressing
together and rolling into a 3.2-mm (1⁄8-in.) diameter
thread a small portion of plastic soil until its water
content is reduced to a point at which the thread
crumbles and can no longer be pressed together and re-
rolled. The water content of the soil at this point is
reported as the plastic limit.
These test methods are used as an integral part of several
engineering classification systems to characterize the fine-
grained fractions of soils and to specify the fine-grained
fraction of construction materials. The liquid limit, plastic
limit, and plasticity index of soils are also used
extensively, either individually or together, with other soil
properties to correlate with engineering behavior such as
compressibility, hydraulic conductivity (permeability),
compactibility, shrink-swell, and shear strength. The liquid
and plastic limits of a soil and its water content can be
used to express its relative consistency or liquidity index.
In addition, the plasticity index and the percentage finer
than 2-μm particle size can be used to determine its
activity number. More details use can be found in
respective ASTM standard.
Shrinkage Limit Shrinkage limit, SL—the maximum water content at which ASTM D4943 – 08
a reduction in water content will not cause a decrease in
volume of the soil mass. For this test, a sample of fine-
grained soil is thoroughly remolded with water to form a
paste that is approximately the liquid limit consistency.
This paste is used to fill a small dish to form a soil pat. The
initial moisture content of the wet soil pat is determined
using a water submersion technique. A coating of wax is
used to prevent water absorption by the dry soil pat. Then
the moisture-content loss to dry the soil to a constant
volume is determined and subtracted from the initial
moisture content to calculate the shrinkage limit. The
measurement is used to compote the soil constant. The
term shrinkage limit, expressed as a moisture content in
percent to the nearest whole number, represents the
amount of water required just to fill all of the voids of a
given cohesion soil at its minimum void ratio obtained by
oven drying. The shrinkage limit can be used to evaluate
the shrinkage potential, crack development potential and
swell potential of earthwork involving cohesion soils.
Direct Shear This test method covers the determination of the ASTM
Test consolidated drained shear strength of one specimen of a D3080/D3080M –
soil material under direct shear boundary conditions. The 11
Name of the
Description Standard
Test/Procedure
specimen is deformed at a controlled rate on or near a
single shear plane determined by the configuration of the
apparatus.
This test method consists of placing the test specimen in
the direct shear device, applying a predetermined normal
stress, providing for wetting or draining of the test
specimen, or both, consolidating the specimen under the
normal stress, unlocking the shear box halves that hold
the test specimen, and shearing the specimen by
displacing one shear box half laterally with respect to the
other at a constant rate of shearing deformation while
measuring the shearing force, relative lateral
displacement, and normal displacement. The shearing
rate must be slow enough to allow nearly complete
dissipation of excess pore pressure.
The test has a wide range of use which includes the
determination of strength properties such as angle of
internal friction, cohesion etc. The significant use is
provided in respective ASTM standard.
Hydrometer This test method covers the quantitative determination of ASTM D 422 – 63,
Analysis the distribution of particle sizes of the fine-grained ASTM D7928 – 17
portion of soils. The sedimentation or hydrometer
method is used to determine the particle-size distribution
(gradation) of the material that is finer than the No. 200
(75-μm) sieve and larger than about 0.2-μm. The test is
performed on material passing the No. 10 (2.0-mm) or
finer sieve and the results are presented as the mass
percent finer versus the log of the particle diameter. This
method can be used to evaluate the fine-grained fraction
of a soil with a wide range of particle sizes by combining
the sedimentation results with a sieve analysis resulting in
the complete gradation curve. The method can also be
used when there are no coarse-grained particles or when
the gradation of the coarse-grained material is not
required or not needed.
For a sample from the source material contains particles
larger than the 3⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) sieve, a reduced sample
passing the 3 ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) sieve shall be obtained. This
reduced sample shall meet the minimum mass
requirements in as per standard for the 3⁄8-in. (9.5-mm)
sieve. The material is processed using the moist (referee)
preparation method unless the material is received in the
air-dried state. The entire reduced sample is separated
using the separation sieve. The sedimentation sample is
then split to obtain the appropriate mass for the
sedimentation test specimen and a water content test
specimen. The sedimentation test specimen is mixed with
a dispersing agent and test water. The slurry is allowed to
condition and is then thoroughly mixed and placed in a
Name of the
Description Standard
Test/Procedure
cylinder with additional test water. Readings are taken
with a hydrometer and thermometer over specific time
intervals. The mass of particles passing specified particle
diameters are calculated and recorded. The results
produce a tabulation of particle size versus percent
passing that can be graphically presented as a gradation
curve. The plot is typically expressed as percent
passing/finer than the separation sieve size versus the log
of the particle size in millimeters.
Particle-size distribution (gradation) is a descriptive term
referring to the proportions by dry mass of a soil
distributed over specified particle-size ranges. The
gradation curve generated using this method yields the
amount of silt and clay size fractions present in the soil
based on size definitions, not mineralogy or Atterberg
limit data. There are more significant use of hydrometer
test which is mentioned in the ASTM standard.
Specific Gravity Specific gravity of soil solids, Gs, n - the ratio of the mass ASTM D 854 – 02
of a unit volume of a soil solids to the mass of the same
volume of gas-free distilled water at 20°C. These test
methods cover the determination of the specific gravity of
soil solids that pass the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, by means
of a water pycnometer. The specific gravity of soil solids is
used in calculating the phase relationships of soils, such as
void ratio and degree of saturation. The specific gravity of
soil solids is used to calculate the density of the soil solids.
This is done by multiplying its specific gravity by the
density of water (at proper temperature).
Unconfined Unconfined compressive strength (qu)—the compressive ASTM
Compression stress at which an unconfined cylindrical specimen of soil D2166/D2166M –
Test will fail in a simple compression test; in this test method, 13
unconfined compressive strength is taken as the
maximum load attained per unit area or the load per unit
area at 15 % axial strain, whichever is secured first during
the performance of a test. In this test method, a
cylindrical soil specimen is unconfined laterally while
loaded axially at an axial strain rate between 0.5 to 2
%/min. Measurements are made of elapsed time, axial
deformation, and axial load. The unconfined compressive
stress, qu, is calculated as the compressive stress at
failure. The shear strength, su, is one half of the
unconfined compressive strength. This test method
covers the determination of the unconfined compressive
strength of cohesive soil in the intact, remolded, or
reconstituted condition, using strain-controlled
application of the axial load.
One The gradual reduction in volume of a soil mass resulting ASTM
Dimensional from an increase in compressive stress. These test D2435/D2435M –
Consolidation methods cover procedures for determining the magnitude 11
Name of the
Description Standard
Test/Procedure
Test and rate of consolidation of soil when it is restrained
laterally and drained axially while subjected to
incrementally applied controlled-stress loading. In these
test methods a soil specimen is restrained laterally and
loaded axially with total stress increments. Each stress
increment is maintained until excess pore water pressures
are essentially dissipated. Pore pressure is assumed to be
dissipated based on interpretation of the time
deformation under constant total stress. This
interpretation is founded on the assumption that the soil
is 100% saturated. Measurements are made of change in
the specimen height and these data are used to
determine the relationship between the effective axial
stress and void ratio or strain. When time deformation
readings are taken throughout an increment, the rate of
consolidation is evaluated with the coefficient of
consolidation. The data from the consolidation test are
used to estimate the magnitude and rate of both
differential and total settlement of a structure or earth
fill. Estimates of this type are of key importance in the
design of engineered structures and the evaluation of
their performance. Except the mentioned use, there are
several uses of the test results listed in ASTM.
USCS This practice describes a system for classifying mineral ASTM D 2487 – 06
Classification and organo-mineral soils for engineering purposes based
on laboratory determination of particle-size
characteristics, liquid limit, and plasticity index and shall
be used when precise classification is required. This
classification system identifies three major soil divisions:
coarse-grained soils, fine-grained soils, and highly organic
soils. These three divisions are further subdivided into a
total of 15 basic soil groups. This standard classifies soils
from any geographic location into categories representing
the results of prescribed laboratory tests to determine the
particle-size characteristics, the liquid limit, and the
plasticity index.
Triaxial This test method covers determination of the strength ASTM D2850 – 95
Compression and stress-strain relationships of a cylindrical specimen of
Test - either undisturbed or remolded cohesive soil. Specimens
Unconsolidated are subjected to a confining fluid pressure in a triaxial
Undrained (UU) chamber. No drainage of the specimen is permitted
during the test. The specimen is sheared in compression
without drainage at a constant rate of axial deformation
(strain controlled). In this test method, the compressive
strength of a soil is determined in terms of the total
stress, therefore, the resulting strength depends on the
pressure developed in the pore fluid during loading. In
this test method, fluid flow is not permitted from or into
the soil specimen as the load is applied, therefore the
Name of the
Description Standard
Test/Procedure
resulting pore pressure, and hence strength, differs from
that developed in the case where drainage can occur.
The unconsolidated undrained triaxial strength is
applicable to situations where the loads are assumed to
take place so rapidly that there is insufficient time for the
induced pore-water pressure to dissipate and for
consolidation to occur during the loading period (that is,
drainage does not occur).
Triaxial This test method covers the determination of strength ASTM D4767 – 95
Compression and stress-strain relationships of a cylindrical specimen of
Test - either an undisturbed or remolded saturated cohesive
Consolidated soil. Specimens are isotropically consolidated and sheared
Undrained (CU) in compression without drainage at a constant rate of
axial deformation (strain controlled). In this test method,
the shear characteristics are measured under undrained
conditions and is applicable to field conditions where soils
that have been fully consolidated under one set of
stresses are subjected to a change in stress without time
for further consolidation to take place (undrained
condition), and the field stress conditions are similar to
those in the test method.
Triaxial This test method covers the determination of strength ASTM D7181 – 20
Compression and stress-strain relationships of a cylindrical specimen of
Test - either intact or reconstituted soil. Specimens are
Consolidated consolidated and sheared in compression with drainage at
Drained (CD) a constant rate of axial deformation (strain controlled).
The test specimen, either intact or reconstituted, is
mounted in the testing apparatus using either a dry or
wet mounting procedure. The test specimen is cylindrical
in shape and dimensions are measured prior to mounting.
The test specimen is then back pressure saturated. After
saturation, the specimen is isotropically or anisotropically
consolidated. The test specimen is then axially loading at
a constant rate and with the drainage lines open to allow
the sample to drain. The shear strength determined from
this test method can be expressed in terms of effective
stress because a strain rate or load application rate slow
enough to allow pore pressure dissipation during shear is
used to result in negligible excess pore pressure
conditions. The shear strength may be applied to field
conditions where full drainage can occur (drained
conditions), and the field stress conditions are similar to
those in the test method. The shear strength determined
from the test can also be used in embankment stability
analyses, earth pressure calculations, and foundation
design.
Moreover, Unit Weight (ϒ) of disturbed granular samples was calculated using Moisture Content and
correlation between Relative Density (Dr) and SPT N-value. At first, Relative Density (Dr) was
calculated using the correlation given in Figure 2.1 [Principles of Foundation Engineering, 8th Edition
by B M Das, Chapter 3, Figure 3.17, Page 103]:
Then Dry Unit Weight (ϒd) was calculated using the following equation:
{ }
where Maximum and Minimum Unit Weight were assumed as follows based on the characteristics of
the soil of DMDP area:
Finally Unit Weight (ϒ) was calculated using the following equation:
All the results of laboratory tests and calculated parameters are attached in the annexure.
Chapter 3
Subsurface
Conditions
3 S UBSURFACE C ONDITIONS
To assess the earthquake hazards, surveying the subsurface of the intended area is important.
Bangladesh is the largest delta in the world in terms of sediment load. The growth rate of the delta,
however believed to has been retarded because of bypassing of most of the river sediments. A
process of deltaic sedimentation, into a slowly and continuously subsiding tectonic basin has
developed the geology of Bangladesh.
The tectonic framework of Bangladesh is broadly divided into two major tectonic units:
1. Stable Precambrian platform in the northwest, and
2. Geosynclinal basin in the southeast
A third unit, a narrow northeast-southwest trending zone called the ‘Hinge Zone’ separates the
above two units almost through the middle of the country.
Areas of greater Dhaka are in the geosynclinal basin. This basin is characterized by the huge
thickness, maximum of about 20 km near the basin center, of clastic sedimentary rocks, mostly
sandstone and shale of tertiary age. The geosynclinal basin is subdivided into two parts, i.e. fold belt
in the east and a foredeep to the west. The fold belt is characterized by folding of the sedimentary
layers into a series of anticlines (upward folds) and synclines (downward fold). The intensity of the
folding is greater towards the east, causing higher topographic elevation.
❒ Geology
Dhaka is situated on the southern tip of a Pleistocene Terrace, called the Madhupur Tract as shown
in Figure 3.1. Two characteristic units cover the city and surroundings, viz. Madhupur clay of
Pleistocene age and alluvial deposits of recent age. The subsurface sedimentary sequence, up to the
explored depth of 300 m, shows three distinct entities: one of them is the Madhupur clay formation
of Pleistocene age and is characterized by reddish plastic clay with silt and very line sand particles.
The Madhupur clay is the oldest sediment exposed in and around the city area having characteristic
topography and drainage.
❒ Geotechnical properties
Soil profiles in the DMDP area, in general, showed soft to very stiff cohesive layers up to 6m~18m. At
greater depths, the layers consist of loose to very dense sandy soils. However, in some regions such
as eastern Dhaka metropolitan, there has been trace of cohesive layers up to greater depths.
Geotechnical properties, in general, liquid limit and plasticity index decrease with the increase in soil
depth. The percentage of coarser material increases with the increase in soil depth.
The tectonic evaluation of Bangladesh can be explained as a result of collision of the north moving
Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate And the south-western arm of the Burma sub Plate. The Dauki
fault and Sylhet fault in Sylhet, proximity of the highly disturbed south-eastern Assam with Jaflong
thrust, Naga thrust and Disang thrust, is a zone of high seismic risk. Northern Bangladesh comprising
greater Rangpur and Dinajpur Districts are also high seismic regions because of Jamuna fault and
faults in India. The Chittagong Tripura folded belt experiences frequent earthquakes due to
proximity to the Burmese Arc. Dhaka is also located in a region not far from the above-mentioned
earthquake sources and can be subjected to severe damage in the event of a major earthquake.
Dhaka metropolis, together with its surroundings, is situated in the seismic zone 2, which has a basic
seismic coefficient, Z=0.20 (BNBC 2017). During the last century, it has suffered from six medium to
large earthquakes occurring in 1762, 1775, 1812, 1876, 1885 and 1897, respectively. The effects of
earthquakes of 1762, 1775 and 1885 were reported to be severe, damaging several houses and
buildings in the metropolis. It has been observed that the NNW-SSE trending Madhupur fault is
associated with two earthquakes epicenters of 6 and 7 magnitude. The N-S Bansi fault is also
associated with another earthquake-epicenter of 5.9 magnitude (Hoque et al., 1994). As both the
Madhupur and the Bansi faults are very close to the metropolis Dhaka and magnitudes with which
they are associated are remarkably high in the context of seismicity, now it is evident that the
metropolis and its surroundings are seismically as well as tectonically very much active.
Amplification factors vary from 1.2 to 2.6. Low values are encountered for stiff soils and high values
for soft soils. Most of Dhaka is covered by old natural levee, flood plain and gully fill, active natural
levee, abandoned channel, depressions and other channels. The topographical zone of Madhupur
clay exhibits non-liquefiable state and the remaining zones are classed to be liquefiable. This
liquefiable zone encompasses the city's flood plain areas.
The surface elevation of the city area ranges from 1.5 to 15 m above the PWD (Public Works
Department) datum (± 1 m to mean sea-level). The elevation differences are reflected by the distinct
landforms: highlands, flood plains, and abandoned channels and depressions. The ground surface
elevation of the lowlands and abandoned channels and depressions (about 50% of the total city
area) varies from 1.5 to 3.5 m above PWD datum, which makes the area vulnerable to monsoon
flooding. The area is linked with the Ganges-Brahmaputra river system (locally known as Padma-
Jamuna-Meghna river system) by the interconnecting streams and retention basins. Four rivers—the
Buriganga, Turag, Balu and the Tongi Khal (canal)—form the Dhaka metropolitan area borders. These
local rivers feed the flood plains and marshy lands in and around the city.
At the land surface, Pleistocene alluvium occupies the dissected uplands, and alluvium of recent
river-borne deposits covers the low-lying flood plains. The area is characterized by a 400–500-m-
thick unconsolidated sequence of fluvio-deltaic deposits of Plio-Pleistocene to Holocene age. The
Madhupur and/or flood-plain clay materials overlie the unconsolidated fluvio-deltaic sediments
composed of gravels, sands, silts and clays. These underlying unconsolidated layers form the main
aquifer system for the city of Dhaka and are effectively confined by the Madhupur clay, which is
known to be part of the Dupi Tila Formation. This formation is believed to be eroded and/or
subsided within the floodplain and depressed areas at the edges are filled up by Holocene sediment
known as the Dhamrai Formation and Bashabo Formation. The Dhamrai Formation widely serves as
the aquifer for the western region outside of the city while the Bashabo Formation acts as a localized
shallow aquifer on the Madhupur Tract, merging with the floodplain in the southeast part of the city.
Results
4 R ESULTS
All the results of field and laboratory tests are summarized and presented for each borehole
according to Table 4.1. Also, the site classification of all borehole locations has been determined and
is presented in Table 4.82.
Elevation
Serial No. Table No. Borehole No. Coordinates Depth (m) Water Level (m)
(m)
01 Table 4.2 BH020 23°45'11.700"N, 90°13'45.300"E 10 57.0 -4.11
02 Table 4.3 BH171 23°45'10.400"N, 90°14'52.400"E 06 43.5 -3.55
03 Table 4.4 BH174 23°45'27.450"N, 90°18'07.171"E 07 52.5 -4.00
04 Table 4.5 BH176 23°45'13.900"N, 90°20'48.300"E 04 37.5 -2.30
05 Table 4.6 BH175 23°44'59.201"N, 90°25'24.499"E 12 54.0 -2.00
06 Table 4.7 BH022 23°45'27.511"N, 90°23'33.461"E 15 30.0 -2.20
07 Table 4.8 BH178 23°45'12.269"N, 90°19'23.311"E 09 52.5 -1.00
08 Table 4.9 BH165 23°44'20.310"N, 90°26'34.760"E 10 30.0 -2.00
09 Table 4.10 BH180 23°45'22.601"N, 90°27'20.999"E 07 42.0 -1.10
10 Table 4.11 BH026 23°46'28.294"N, 90°25'34.741"E 12 30.0 -4.00
11 Table 4.12 BH021 23°45'10.519"N, 90°24'33.091"E 12 30.0 -
12 Table 4.13 BH182 23°45'33.800"N, 90°30'03.899"E 08 36.0 -2.00
13 Table 4.14 BH181 23°45'31.986"N, 90°29'18.362"E 10 46.5 -3.00
14 Table 4.15 BH184 23°45'29.902"N, 90°31'55.801"E 08 42.0 -0.86
15 Table 4.16 BH179 23°45'09.479"N, 90°26'18.870"E 10 30.0 -1.50
16 Table 4.17 BH060 24°02'42.799"N, 90°25'08.890"E 15 42.0 -2.50
17 Table 4.18 BH183 23°45'19.249"N, 90°31'14.549"E 08 60.0 -1.00
18 Table 4.19 BH397 24°03'54.202"N, 90°24'57.600"E 16 30.0 -3.10
19 Table 4.20 BH185 23°45'40.684"N, 90°33'20.333"E 05 34.5 -2.00
20 Table 4.21 BH348 23°59'58.729"N, 90°25'38.899"E 18 30.0 -3.00
21 Table 4.22 BH372 24°00'27.799"N, 90°24'28.102"E 14 30.0 -3.90
22 Table 4.23 BH391 24°03'19.321"N, 90°24'57.463"E 14 30.0 -
23 Table 4.24 BH334 23°56'48.120"N, 90°24'53.741"E 11 30.0 -2.00
24 Table 4.25 BH400 24°04'36.469"N, 90°25'12.749"E 18 34.5 -4.50
25 Table 4.26 BH322 23°55'53.800"N, 90°24'58.799"E 14 34.5 -4.20
26 Table 4.27 BH056 23°59'06.454"N, 90°25'00.062"E 14 39.0 -4.50
27 Table 4.28 BH037 23°49'37.672"N, 90°25'16.230"E 12 30.0 -2.00
28 Table 4.29 BH258 23°51'34.999"N, 90°25'34.298"E 12 45.0 -2.10
29 Table 4.30 BH304 23°54'50.000"N, 90°25'16.201"E 07 46.5 -3.50
30 Table 4.31 BH290 23°53'52.721"N, 90°25'10.981"E 11 42.0 -1.00
31 Table 4.32 BH380 24°01'13.800"N, 90°25'04.199"E 13 43.5 -1.50
32 Table 4.33 BH146 23°42'49.201"N, 90°26'44.099"E 06 30.0 -1.70
33 Table 4.34 BH131 23°42'13.900"N, 90°26'50.100"E 09 30.0 -3.50
34 Table 4.35 BH116 23°40'19.369"N, 90°26'18.391"E 09 45.0 -9.00
35 Table 4.36 BH092 23°38'00.560"N, 90°26'22.380"E 08 31.5 -
36 Table 4.37 BH177 23°45'13.000"N, 90°21'54.101"E 15 34.5 -4.00
37 Table 4.38 BH067 23°35'57.120"N, 90°27'04.709"E 06 64.5 -2.70
38 Table 4.39 BH273 23°52'46.301"N, 90°25'14.401"E 14 46.5 -1.00
39 Table 4.40 BH062 23°33'50.800"N, 90°26'50.701"E 07 37.5 -3.20
40 Table 4.41 BH173 23°45'14.101"N, 90°17'27.499"E 09 58.5 -4.00
41 Table 4.42 BH221 23°48'33.502"N, 90°25'06.398"E 13 40.5 -1.50
42 Table 4.43 BH081 23°36'53.759"N, 90°26'48.300"E 08 54.0 -3.20
43 Table 4.44 BH001 23°35'13.200"N, 90°26'55.500"E 05 34.5 -3.70
44 Table 4.45 BH103 23°39'05.000"N, 90°26'46.000"E 05 34.5 -4.50
45 Table 4.46 BH069 23°36'01.948"N, 90°28'52.892"E 07 51.0 -5.00
46 Table 4.47 BH064 23°35'02.602"N, 90°29'26.999"E 00 36.0 -3.30
47 Table 4.48 BH002 23°34'48.000"N, 90°30'17.899"E 09 58.5 -4.10
48 Table 4.49 BH070 23°35'42.000"N, 90°30'14.400"E 08 61.5 -5.00
49 Table 4.50 BH075 23°36'56.902"N, 90°29'01.702"E 07 63.0 -3.00
50 Table 4.51 BH077 23°37'14.560"N, 90°30'51.984"E 09 33.0 -2.50
Elevation
Serial No. Table No. Borehole No. Coordinates Depth (m) Water Level (m)
(m)
51 Table 4.52 BH066 23°35'09.600"N, 90°31'30.000"E 09 43.5 -5.00
52 Table 4.53 BH003 23°36'42.401"N, 90°33'37.199"E 08 57.0 -3.00
53 Table 4.54 BH076 23°37'04.800"N, 90°30'03.600"E 12 36.0 -5.50
54 Table 4.55 BH079 23°37'03.551"N, 90°33'02.128"E 07 39.0 -4.50
55 Table 4.56 BH088 23°38'04.200"N, 90°35'18.600"E 10 40.5 -1.50
56 Table 4.57 BH087 23°38'11.292"N, 90°34'13.224"E 09 39.0 -4.00
57 Table 4.58 BH068 23°35'52.400"N, 90°27'40.601"E 07 60.0 -4.00
58 Table 4.59 BH071 23°35'32.827"N, 90°31'14.250"E 11 54.0 -4.00
59 Table 4.60 BH074 23°36'52.999"N, 90°27'54.698"E 07 85.5 -4.00
60 Table 4.61 BH072 23°35'56.501"N, 90°31'45.502"E 09 55.5 -3.50
61 Table 4.62 BH098 23°39'04.500"N, 90°35'25.199"E 08 48.0 -5.00
62 Table 4.63 BH095 23°38'52.102"N, 90°32'14.600"E 07 30.0 -1.10
63 Table 4.64 BH065 23°34'54.055"N, 90°31'18.476"E 07 72.0 -2.43
64 Table 4.65 BH094 23°39'00.000"N, 90°30'03.600"E 06 45.0 -1.00
65 Table 4.66 BH085 23°37'50.527"N, 90°31'33.805"E 10 31.5 -1.50
66 Table 4.67 BH086 23°38'15.601"N, 90°33'15.098"E 09 30.0 -3.70
67 Table 4.68 BH006 23°39'09.400"N, 90°27'52.499"E 09 42.0 -4.10
68 Table 4.69 BH007 23°38'57.001"N, 90°28'58.001"E 08 37.5 -1.00
69 Table 4.70 BH110 23°41'15.896"N, 90°17'24.684"E 09 40.5 -5.00
70 Table 4.71 BH101 23°39'49.712"N, 90°21'57.683"E 07 51.0 -4.00
71 Table 4.72 BH082 23°38'59.302"N, 90°25'23.689"E 06 37.5 -0.60
72 Table 4.73 BH091 23°38'46.990"N, 90°24'03.510"E 05 34.5 -4.20
73 Table 4.74 BH127 23°41'55.716"N, 90°19'33.827"E 06 48.0 -3.00
74 Table 4.75 BH090 23°39'19.717"N, 90°21'12.229"E 07 55.5 -3.90
75 Table 4.76 BH102 23°39'48.838"N, 90°24'07.200"E 07 30.0 -3.50
76 Table 4.77 BH100 23°39'57.722"N, 90°19'55.816"E 06 43.5 -5.00
77 Table 4.78 BH012 23°41'09.499"N, 90°23'13.430"E 04 30.0 -
78 Table 4.79 BH142 23°43'20.766"N, 90°19'39.061"E 09 43.5 -3.10
79 Table 4.80 BH073 23°37'49.198"N, 90°25'27.529"E 08 30.0 -6.00
80 Table 4.81 BH099 23°39'57.629"N, 90°18'30.787"E 07 30.0 -3.50
Borehole-wise summary table is given in Table 4.2 to Table 4.81 for the 1st 80 SPTs.
Baed on the test results given in Section 4.1 for the 80 SPTs; the preliminary site classification is
shown in Table 4.82 according to BNBC 2017. The information in this table will be completed
throughout the investigation.
Conclusion and
Recommendations
This chapter provides interpretation of the results based on the geotechnical investigation of DMDP
area by means of standard penetration test (SPT) for selected 80 borehole locations. The location of
the borehole was selected by geotechnical experts from the consultant (Joint Venture). Among the
80 boreholes, 44 boreholes have been drilled for SPT across North-South and East-West direction of
DMDP and 36 boreholes in southern part of DMDP area.
Based on the test results following conclusion and recommendations have been drawn:
Minimm depth of the borehole was set to 30.0 m and maximum was set to 60.0 m in the Term of
reference (ToR) in this project. However, the depth crosses the upper limit sometime, while keeping
the minimum depth 30.0m. In any case, the final depth of any borehole was not pre-determined.
The termination of a borehole was done according to the prescribed guidline (See section 2.2.1) and
sample collection stoped at same depth.
In this phase of work, maximum depth of SPT was 85.5 m. Among the 80 no. of boreholes, half of
them have a depth between 30.0 m and 40.0 m, one forth of them has a depth between 40.0 m to
50.0 m and the rest goes beyond 50.0 m.
This observation has similarities with past studies. Therefore, data from past studies can also be
used to study the top soil for potential erodibility during flood and other relevant hazards.
The soil profile from west to the center predominantly mixture of silt and sand within a range 3
~15m of depth where the soil is mostly loose to medium dense. From 15~22m the soil type remains
the same as the overlying layers but with an increase in the density i.e. medium dense to dense.
Beyond 22m the layers consist of dense sand for the most part. After reaching the center point of
two longitudinal sections primarily selected for investigation the trend mentioned above take a new
turn: 3~10m soft clay, 11m~15m soft to medium stiff clay, 16m~20m medium stiff to stiff clay,
20m~30m stiff to very stiff clay and beyond 30m very stiff to hard clay in some places. However,
bottom most layer (defined in section 2.2.1 to stop the boring) of the boreholes is usually very dense
silty sand. In the eastern most part of the longitudinal strip along west to east some places have
mixed soil profiles along the bore log showing no dominant trend.
Along north south strip the soil profile is not well defined as the orthogonal counterpart along west–
east. Starting from the boreholes located in northern region the approximately first 6km first 3~10m
consists of clay. The next 10~20m the layers are of mixture of sand and silt. Beyond 20m, soil layers
are dominantly dense silty sand. The next 22km along the north-south strip, 3~10m soft clay,
11m~15m soft to medium stiff clay, 16m~20m medium stiff to stiff clay, 20m~30m stiff to very stiff
clay and beyond 30m very stiff to hard clay in some places. However, bottom most layer (defined in
section 2.2.1 to stop the boring) of the boreholes is usually very dense silty sand. Although, along
this 22km some locations have mixed category of soil profile. The next 8km which passes through
the center follows the same trend of first 6km. Prior to reaching the Buriganga river there is a 4km
strip which primarily consists of clay to a greater depth having the similar attributes of 22km strip
mentioned above. Just after crossing the river, the soil layers consists of sand with silt having: 3~9m
loose to medium sand, 10~15m medium sand 16 ~25m medium to dense and beyond that dense to
very dense. However, in some places there is a thin layer of clay found.
In the south most part (from southest point to approximately 6 km of DMDP), near river side, the
soil profile are predominantly mixture of silt and sand within a range 3 ~22m of depth where the soil
is mostly loose to medium dense. From 22~45m the soil type remains the same as the overlying
layers but with an increase in the strength i.e. medium dense to dense, some place it was very
dense. But from 45m to 55 m, a layer consists of Stiff to Hard Clay is found. This layer has higher
Plasticity Index in most of the part. However, bottom most layer (defined in section 2.2.1 to stop the
boring) of the boreholes is usually very dense silty sand. But as the soil layer goes away from river
and nearer to the south-east part, this condition changes. The clay layer diminishes and is replaced
with Silty Sand with dense to very dense condition.
After this 6 km from south, the sub-surface condtion changes. This section sprad another 6 km. This
section is mainly South-East part of DMDP area form the very mid section of DMDP. West side is the
Dholesshor River within this 6 km area strip. In this part, 3 ~15m of depth, the soil is mostly loose to
medium dense. 16 ~30m of depth, the soil is medium dense to dense silty sand. After crossing 30m,
the soil becomes dense to very dense silty sand.
However, the further 4km from the earlier part, the study done only for South-West part. Here, in
3~20m depth, the soil is mostly loose to medium dense. In 20~40m depth, the soil is medium dense
to dense silty sand. After crossing 40m, the soil becomes dense to very dense silty sand.
In the bore logs, water level on the last day has been taken as the water table level. The lowest
water table level was found in borehole no. 116 at a of depth of 9.0 m from existing ground level and
the highest water table level found in borehole no. 082 at a depth of 0.6 m from existing ground
level. But in most of the boreholes, water table level is below the level of 3.0 m from existing ground
level.
It is found that site class is mixed and mostly SC in both directions. Along East-West direction, SC is
found in approximately 58% locations. In North-South direction, SC is found in approximately 67%
locations. It was found that site classification is mixed and mostly SD, around 90%, in southern part
of the DMDP area. The 10% site classification with SC is scattered in the area of interest.
This site classification is based on field SPT N value (No. of Blow). However, defining site
classification using shear wave velocities which can be determined using more sophisticated in-situ
testing (i.e. Seismic Downhole Test and/or SCPT) shall be done. A comparison can be made between
these outcomes defined using two in-situ testing methods. The comparison must focus to prepare a
correlation of site classification using SPT values with site class using shear wave velocity.
Furthermore, this correlation can be compared with the provided values in BNBC 2017 (Chapter 2).
After finalizing the site class, the locations near that with site class SD need more rigorous
investigation to have a better insight of those locations.
The recommendations provided in this report are also based on the assumption that the necessary
geotechnical observations and testing during investigation will be performed by representatives of
our firm. The filed observation services are considered continuation of the geotechnical investigation
and essential to check the actual sub-layers conditions whether they are as expected. This also
provides for the procedure whereby the client can be advised of unexpected or changed conditions
that would require modifications of our original recommendations. In addition, the presence of our
representative at the site provides the client with an independent professional opinion regarding the
geotechnical related construction procedures. If another firm is retained for the geotechnical
observation services, our professional responsibility and liability would be limited to the extent that
we would not be the geotechnical engineer of record.
R EFERENCES
Bowles, J. E. (5th Edition) Foundation Analysis and Design, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996
Das, B. M. (8th Edition) Principles of Foundation Engineering, Stamford: Cengage Learning, 2010
Das, B. M. (8th Edition) Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, Stamford: Cengage Learning, 2010
Islam, M. S. and Alam, M. J. (2009) Geological Aspects of Soil Formation of Bangladesh, Bangladesh
Geotechnical Conference 2009 (BGC-2009), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 174-183.
Hoque, M. A., Hoque, M. M., and Ahmed, K. M. (2007) Declining groundwater level and aquifer
dewatering in Dhaka metropolitan area, Bangladesh: causes and quantification, Hydrogeology
Journal, 1523–1534.
Rashid, M. A. (2000) Seismic Microzonation of Dhaka City Based on Site Amplification and
Liquefaction (Thesis), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka,
Bangladesh.
Annexes
A NNEXES