Case Study

FORENSIC GEOTECHNICAL DISTRESS EVALUATION OF DAMAGED

BUILDINGS IN ALLUVIAL-LOESSIC SOILS;
Prepared By :
Yash Agarwal
(191010012026)
Guided By :
Dr. Kannan Iyer
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
Institute of Infrastructure, Technology, Research And Management
 Site Information

Fig 2 layout
Fig 1 Map
 Field Investigation
Distresses are mostly visible in walls
in the nearest of kitchen, and
sewerage tank shown in Figures 3

Distresses are relatively much lesser

in walls with onlythe bathrooms, Fig 3 Cracked walls along kitchen, bathroom and
Sewerage tank

Most of the cracks are diagonal;

initiating from floor and window
sills to the corners in the roof
 fig4
 Field Investigation
we investigate the soil up to a depth of 6m
Geologically, the upper soil of research site is
alluvial-loessic
while deeper layers are a product of spontaneous
weathering of underlain layers of limestone

Fig 6 fig 5 : Cross Section

 Lab Investigation
Mineralogy : Carbonate & Silicate group
Free swell : 115% to 185%
Crumb Test : High Slacking & Low turbidity
Void Ratio : decrease with depth
Moisture Content : increase with depth
 Graphs

engineering property
index property
 Root Cause of Failure
The upper alluvial layer containing gravels has
typical problems of collapse and differential
settlements.
Chemical analysis indicates the clay type to be
“Montmorollonite belonging to Smectite Group”.
Such clays under wet conditions produce substantial
swelling pressure.
The upper layer has high permeability while
underlying
CH layer has much lower permeability.
.
GEOTECHNICAL REMEDIAL MEASURES

Stabilization of foundation soils

Underpinning of Existing Foundations
Retrofitting of Damaged Parts of Buildings
Water storage ponds within the house and 10 m beyond must be
banned.
Underground pipes must of non-corrosive material and
joints must of highest quality.
 Leason learnt

We can prevent time and money loss by providing simple

geotechnical remedial measures
when we know our structure is relay on problematic soil then we
must try to prevent water with boundry wall