FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

SEMESTER OCT. 2021 – MARCH 2022

ASSIGNMENT ECG353
GROUP: EC1105I
PREPARED BY:

BIL NAME STUDENT ID

1. MUHAMMAD FAIZ BIN JAAFAR SIDEK 2019435374
2. FIKRI NAJIB BIN ISMAIL 2019432126
3. MUHAMMAD AQIL BIN ZULKIFLY 2019429062
4. MUHAMMAD RAFID BIN ABDUL RAZAK 2019264696

MARKS:

NO. CRITERIA Weightage CO1:PO1 CO2:PO3

1. Introduction about the selected boreholes ( /5) * 2
2. Discussion on site investigation of ( /5) * 4
boreholes
Analysis on the subsoil profile and ( /5) * 6
3.
vertical stress distribution
4. Justification of the soil suitability with ( /5) * 6
regards to the vertical stress distribution
5. Conclusion ( /5) * 2
6. Video Demonstration: creativity ( /5) * 2
7. Video Demonstration: contents ( /5) * 6
8. References ( /3) * 2
6 24
TOTAL MARKS

LECTURER: FARAH WAHIDA MOHD LATIB

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 12 DECEMBER 2021

CONTENTS

NO. CONTENTS PAGES

1.0 Introduction 1-2

2.0 Discussion on site investigation of boreholes 3-6

3.0 Analysis on the subsoil profile and vertical stress 7 - 10

distribution

4.0 Justification of the soil suitability with regards to the 11 - 12

vertical stress distribution

5.0 Conclusion 13

6.0 References 14 - 15

7.0 Borehole log of the site project 16 - 17

 1.0 INTRODUCTION

A borehole is a hole drilled in the ground, either vertically or horizontally. The

extraction of water or liquids such as petroleum or gas, as a study of geotechnical
work, environmental site assessment, mineral exploration, temperature measurement,
as a hole for installing poles or an underground utility, installing geothermal, or for
storage of hazardous materials and undesirable underground such as carbon capture
and storage are among the purposes of this drilling. There are three methods for
managing this borehole that are commonly used. Rotary drilling, Wash boring, and
Percussion rig boring are a few examples.

Wash Boring is a technique for drilling holes in most soil types while preserving
gravel and rock for site exploration and geotechnical investigations. The procedure is
simple and quick to implement, and it makes use of low-cost, portable handling and
drilling equipment. It is preferable to evaluate the quality of a specific soil by inspecting
the discoloration in the slurry flowing out of the pit. Because the collected samples are
completely disturbed, assessing certain geotechnical qualities for very soft soils, fine
to medium-grained soils, or cemented soils is ineffective.

Figure 1: Wash Boring Instructional Technology

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 Rotary drilling is commonly used to drill large holes in large quarries, open pit
mines, petroleum production, and other areas. The two main rotary drilling groups are
rotary crushing with high point loading into the rock from three cones and rotary cutting
with shear force from drag bits. Rotary cutting can also be used to drill small drill holes
in soft rock. Rotary drilling, for example, is frequently used in coal mines to drill small
holes up to 25 mm in diameter for bolt installation. For medium to hard rock, rotary
crushing is used, while for soft rock, rotary cutting is used.

Figure 2: Rotary drilling system

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2.0 DISCUSSION ON SITE INVESTIGATION OF BOREHOLES

Site investigation refers to the field and laboratory studies required to obtain or
deliver significant data on soils. For example, soil actual trademark and strength, which
is required in geotechnical structure planning. This site investigation should be carried
out and managed in order to achieve the following goals:

• To comprehend the plan prerequisites by organising the best development strategy

in order to anticipate and mitigate any difficulties and delays that may arise throughout
the development cycle as a result of the ground or other neighbourhood conditions.

• To determine the overall suitability of the site and surrounding region for the proposed
works, taking into account any previous use or tainting.

• To enable the creation of temporary works as well as the preparation of a suitable

and cost-effective design.

• To determine what changes may occur on the ground and how to deal with them in
terms of environmental conditions, as well as the impact of such changes on the
environment works and works in the surrounding area.

• To offer advice on the suitability of various sites or scenarios. If there are alternatives,
they should be elements of the same site.

This site investigation also provided the stages to be used as a guideline for the
site studies.

Figure 4: The stages of site investigation

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Site investigation is divided into four stages: reconnaissance, data and map study, in-
depth investigation, and laboratory testing.

Scouting around the site to gather information on topography, vegetation,

geological features, and utility lines is referred to as reconnaissance. Data and map
study is the process of properly comprehending the information gathered during
reconnaissance in order to determine the tests and samples that will be required for
the next stages of site investigation, namely in-depth investigation and lab testing.
Data can be obtained via the internet from local governments, libraries, county record
and survey offices, utility and service providers, and commercial databases. The
previous study's findings can be used to select trial pit and borehole locations. The
choice should be made so that a complete geologic subsurface perspective is
obtained. Depending on the site conditions and project type, at least three points with
a 10 to 30 metre spacing should be chosen. In-depth investigations are commonly
conducted using boreholes, probes, and trial pits. In the lab, the soil recovered during
the extensive soil investigation is tested. Based on the project, the obtained material
is classified and characterised, and geotechnical parameters for the design phase are
provided. The fundamental tests are the classification test and the shear strength test.

Subsurface exploration methods are divided into four categories: trial pits
(excavation), hand auger, borehole (percussion rig, rotary drilling, or wash boring), and
rock coring. The borehole site investigation method was discussed in this discussion.
Boreholes are commonly used for site investigation because they are less disruptive
to the surface and can be drilled to greater depths than trial pits. Boreholes can also
be drilled through any subsurface stratum using techniques such as percussion
drilling, rotary drilling, wash boring, and hand augering.

A borehole is a deep vertical hole drilled into the ground with a small diameter
to collect soil samples for soil investigation prior to the construction of a suitable
foundation for the planned structure. Boreholes must be meticulously planned in order

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to obtain the required information at the lowest possible cost. The following is the
procedure for creating a borehole layout for site investigation:

• Selecting location and layout of boreholes

• Deciding number of boreholes

• Depth of boreholes

Boreholes must be precisely located and positioned in order to obtain test

results that accurately represent the nature of the soil at the project site. If the layout
of the structure has not been determined during the site investigation, uniformly
spaced grid boreholes are advised. Boreholes should be placed close to the proposed
foundation if the depth of the bearing stratum varies. As shown in Figure 5, static or
dynamic probing is frequently used to fill the spaces between borings.

Figure 5: The spaces between borings

The number of boreholes required for a thorough investigation of a given site is

difficult to determine because it is influenced by several factors such as time allocated
for investigations, cost, the structure for which the investigation is conducted, and, in
some cases, the availability of necessary equipment and individuals with sufficient
skills and experience. More information about soil conditions is obtained as the
number of boreholes increases, and thus the foundation design becomes more cost

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effective. The possibility of encountering unexpected soil conditions is reduced. This
is extremely beneficial because it keeps the cost of foundation construction from rising
due to unanticipated soil conditions. Borehole numbers are assumed to be cost-
effective unless their price exceeds the amount saved in foundation costs.

The depth of boreholes is determined by the depth of the soil under the
influence of the bearing pressure of the foundation. The depth of the borehole should
be one to three times the width of the loaded area. This is because bearing pressures
below this depth have been suggested to have a negative impact on the structure. If
the shallow strip foundation is considered with significant spacing, as shown in Figure
6, deep boreholes are not required.

Figure 6

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3.0 ANALYSIS ON THE SUBSOIL PROFILE AND VERTICAL STRESS
DISTRIBUTION

3.1 Soil profile

Soil Profile
SPT SPT
Depth Depth
Value Value

Borehole 1 Borehole 2

0.9 4 Silty sand Clay sand 7 1.85

2.8 1 Clay sand with gravel Silty sand 4 3.05

6.7 14 Sandy clay Clay sand 21 7.3

8.25 0 Granite boulder Sandy clay 15 9.75

10.1 17 Sandy clay Clay sand with gravel 10 11.3

11.3 0 Granite boulder Clay sand 8 13.25

14.2 50 4 15.7
Silty sand
16.2 50

17.1 0 Granite boulder Sandy clay 18 19.2

19.55 50 Silty sand

22.9 50 Granite boulder 50 25.3

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Standard Penetration Test Value versus Depth:

Graph 1: SPT-N Value versus test depth Borehole 1

Graph 2: SPT-N Value versus test depth Borehole 2

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3.2 Correlation between Standard Penetration Test and Shear Strength Parameters

Borehole 1:

Depth (m) SPT N Relative Shear Undrained

Value Density angle, φ Shear
(blows) (o) Strength
0.9 4 Loose 28-30 25-50
2.8 1 Very loose <28 <25
6.7 14 Medium 30-36 100-200
8.25 0 Dense 36-41 <25

Borehole 2:

Depth (m) SPT N Relative Shear Undrained

Value Density angle, φ Shear
(blows) (o) Strength
1.85 7 Loose 28-30 50-100
3.05 4 Loose 28-30 25-50
7.3 21 Loose 28-30 200-400
9.75 15 Medium 30-36 100-200

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3.3 Vertical stress distribution

z(m) x(m) a(m) z/a x/a A B IC = (A+B) q (kPa) σ (kN/m2)

1 0 5.0 0.2 0 0.804 0.188 0.992 100 99.2

2 0 5.0 0.4 0 0.629 0.320 0.949 100 94.9

3 0 5.0 0.6 0 0.486 0.378 0.864 100 86.4

4 0 5.0 0.8 0 0.375 0.381 0.756 100 75.6

5 0 5.0 1.0 0 0.293 0.353 0.646 100 64.6

6 0 5.0 1.2 0 0.232 0.315 0.547 100 54.7

7 0 5.0 1.4 0 0.189 0.276 0.465 100 46.5

8 0 5.0 1.6 0 0.156 0.241 0.397 100 39.7

9 0 5.0 1.8 0 0.131 0.210 0.341 100 34.1

10 0 5.0 2.0 0 0.106 0.179 0.285 100 28.5

Graph 3: Vertical Stress Distribution, σ (KN/m2) versus Depth (m)

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4.0 JUSTIFICATION OF THE SOIL SUITABILITY WITH REGARDS TO THE
VERTICAL STRESS DISTRIBUTION

Based on the subsoil profile and vertical stress distribution analyses of

boreholes 1 and 2, Borehole 2 is the appropriate surface area for a constructed water
tank. This is due to the fact that the soil layer in borehole 2 is ideal for constructing a
water tank. Borehole 2's soil is predominantly clayey sand, followed by a second layer
of silty sand to a depth of 10m, as opposed to borehole 1 , which is mostly sand and
gravel.

The properties of the soil in borehole 2 led to the selection of borehole 2 as a

viable location for the water tank. Soft soils have low strength and significant
compressibility, which results in a limited bearing capacity. The bearing capacity of a
foundation is defined as the amount of load or pressure that may be applied to it
without creating harmful movements in the foundation or the superstructure that sits
on top of it.

The total stress parameters are also utilised to calculate the ultimate bearing
capacity of a spread foundation in clays. The underlying soil bearing capacity analysis
is restricted to the sandy clay at the surface. When tested in unconsolidated and
undrained settings, sandy clay is partially saturated and exhibits cohesion and angle
of internal friction for its shear strength characteristics. For clay encountered within
conventional founding depths for shallow foundations, the frictional component of
shear strength is neglected when evaluating ultimate bearing pressures.

Soil stress is determined by the load per unit area. The construction of a
foundation largely increases the strains on the earth. To determine the settling method,
we must evaluate the net increase in vertical stresses acting on the soil as a result of
foundation building. The soil might deform as the stress in it grows. When a load is
applied to soil, it is carried by the water in the pores as well as the solid grains.

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Drainage (flowing out of the soil) occurs as pore water pressure rises, and the weight
is transmitted to the solid grains. The permeability of the soil determines the rate of
drainage. The stresses that exist inside the solid granular fabric determine the strength
and compressibility of the soil. These are known as effective stresses.

To conduct a stress analysis on soil, we must assume that:

1. Soil is semi-infinite (half space)

2. Soil is elastic with a constant modulus of elasticity

3. The soil mass is homogeneous, and it is isotropic

As a result of the borehole study, the vertical stress distribution of the water
tank is established, and the kind of surface force imposed is a uniform circular load.
The water tank has a load pressure of 100 kPa. Meanwhile, x equals 5.0m and 0 for
all depths, the radius of the water tank, and the horizontal distance, respectively, for
all depths, the radius of the water tank, and the horizontal distance. Vertical stresses
are estimated for each depth. Vertical stresses at 1 m depth are 99.2 kN/m2, 94.9
kN/m2 at 2 m depth, and 86.4 kN/m2 at 3 m depth. While the vertical stress value at
a depth of 10 m is 45 kN/m2. As a result, the total vertical stress is 624.2 kN/m2. Lastly,
as the depth grows, so does the vertical depth. This demonstrated that the soil layer
profile that was investigated is consistent with the vertical stress distribution caused
by the circular load that was computed within 10 m depth of water tank construction.

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5.0 CONCLUSION

In the end, we have met all the learning goals of this mini project. First, we need
to figure out what subsurface investigation works. The subsurface investigation is one
of the common site investigations that is used for the planned construction work on
the land. In the site investigation process, we need to gather all the information we
need to see if the site is good for the proposed construction work. This project says
that the client wants to make a circular concrete water tank. So, the first step in site
investigation is to conduct subsurface exploration in preparation for the design and
construction work. For example, boreholes will be drilled from any development that
is going to be built on the site for the site study. In this way, based on the site
investigation, we can start working on a design for a proposed project.

Aside from that, the borehole profile may be used to examine the soil profile of
the planned construction works. Based on the data, we can generate soil profiles for
both boreholes. By plotting the Standard Penetration Test result vs test depth, a soil
profile may be constructed. The soil profile indicated a variety of soil types, such as
silt, clay, sand, and gravel. Depending on the location and procedures used to collect
the sample, the soil profiles for both boreholes may be calculated from the soil profile
table. According to our findings, Borehole 1 employs the BBS technique and primarily
shows the sand and gravel soil profile. While the rotary drilling performed in borehole
2, shows that silt and clay make up most of the soil profile.

Finally, we can analyse the various stresses in soil induced by various surface
loads. We calculated the vertical stress distribution using the data. To assess on the
water tank, we applied the formula of vertical stress distribution due to uniformly
loaded circular area as a given task. Within a 5 m radius of the water tank, the vertical
stress distribution vs depth was plotted using the depth of the subsoil, which is up to
10 m (1 m interval at the tank's centre line). The radial distance interval has a value of
zero for each depth. Vertical stress distribution values will vary depending on soil layer.
This is due to the fact that the vertical stress distribution value changes with depth and
radial distance.

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6.0 REFERENCES

1. Wikipedia Contributors. (2021, July 8). Borehole. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from
Wikipedia website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borehole

2. Trenchlesspedia. (2020, June 17). Wash Boring. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from
Trenchlesspedia.com website:
https://www.trenchlesspedia.com/definition/4202/wash-boring

3. Islam, M. Rafiqul., & Hossain, M. Enamul. (2021). State-of-the-art of drilling. Drilling

Engineering, 17–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-820193-0.00002-2

4. How to Setup Borehole Layout for Site Investigation of Foundations? (2017, October
23). The Constructor. https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/setup-borehole-layout-
site-investigationfoundations/18857/

5. Mishra, T. (2019, February 19). Understanding the 4 Stages of Site Investigation.

Trenchlesspedia.com;Trenchlesspedia.
https://www.trenchlesspedia.com/understanding-the-4stages-of-site-
investigation/2/4167

6. Ngerebara, Dago, O., & Tamunonengiyeofori, W. (2014). Geotechnical Subsoil

Investigation for the Design of Water Tank Foundation. International Journal of
Scientific and Research Publications, 4(3).
http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0314/ijsrp-p27113.pdf

7. Yokoi, H. (1968). Relationship between soil cohesion and shear strength. Soil Science
and Plant Nutrition, 14(3), 89–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380768.1968.10432750

8. Super User. (2019). Cohesion. Geotechdata.info.

http://www.geotechdata.info/parameter/cohesion

9. National Trench Safety. (2016, September 6). Engineer’s Corner: Reading Soils
Reports and Bore Logs from a Contractor’s Perspective - National Trench Safety.
National Trench Safety. https://www.ntsafety.com/2016/09/06/engineers-corner-
reading-soils-reports-and-bore-logs-froma-contractors-perspective/

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10. STRESSES IN A SOIL MASS. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2021, from
https://www.iiserkol.ac.in/~argha.banerjee/courses/id4104/lecturenotes/padmasini1.p
df

11. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231336983_SPT_capability_to_estimate_u
ndrained_shear_strength_of_fine_grained_soils_of_Tehran_Iran

12. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Characteristics-of-soils-based-on-relative-
density_tbl2_331920626

13. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Correlation-between-q-u-NSPT-Terzaghi-peck-
1967_tbl1_231336983

14. SITE PROJECT BOREHOLE.pdf

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7.0 BOREHOLE LOG OF THE SITE PROJECT

Borehole 1:

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Borehole 2:

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