Lec.#3. ES256. Soil Mechanics - Spring 2023. Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr

3/23/2023
SITE INVESTIGATION (Soil exploration)
ES256 - Spring 2023

Prof. Dr. Mohamed A. Sakr
Prof. of Geotechnical Engineering, Tanta University, Egypt
Dean, Alexandria Higher Institute of Engg. & Tech. (AIET)
Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 1
The soil exploration or site investigation

includes the following steps:
 Boring: Advancing a test hole in the ground.
 Sampling: Extracting soil samples from the test
hole.
 Testing: Carrying out geotechnical tests on these
samples (Field tests – Laboratory tests).
 Engineering Analysis: Analyzing the obtained data
by geotechnical specialist.
 Geotechnical Report.
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The purpose of soil exploration for a new

structure is to obtain information on the
following items:
 Selection of alternative type / depth of foundation.
 Determination of the soil bearing capacity (B. C.).
 Settlement prediction.
In certain cases, it may be necessary to carry out
exploratory program to evaluate the structural
condition of an existing structure.
Planning program for soil exploration:
 Soil exploration programs depend on:

 The size & nature of the project;
 The geological conditions of the site, and;
 The proposed type of foundation.
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In planning a soil exploration program, some or

all of the following steps should be included:
 Preliminary design data of the structure.
 Building code requirements (Contact local public
officials).
 Reconnaissance of the site:
 The general topographical feature of the site.

 Type & conditions of the existing adjacent structures ..
such as verticality, settlement, cracks, etc..
 The soil type, ground water level. These information can
be obtained from local people, drillers or engineers in the
area.
BORING METHODS
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Boring Methods:
Geotechnical borings are a critical component of any subsurface
exploration program. They are performed to satisfy several
objectives including:
 Identify the subsurface soil layers distribution including

properties and thicknesses;
 Retrieve samples of each layer for laboratory tests to determine
engineering properties;
 Determine depth to groundwater; and
 Provide access for the introduction of in-situ testing devices.
Auger Borings:
Large diameter auger Small diameter continuous flight auger
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Schematic of drilling rig

for rotary wash methods:
Typical drilling configuration

and Settling basin (mud tank).
SAMPLING METHODS
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Disturbed Sampling of Soil:
 Disturbed sampling of soil provides a means

to evaluate stratigraphy by visual examination
and to obtain soil specimens for laboratory
index testing.
 Shallow disturbed samples can also be
obtained by using hand augers and test pits.
11
Undisturbed Sampling of Soil:

 High-quality undisturbed soil samples are
required for performing laboratory strength
tests.
 The goal of high-quality undisturbed sampling is
to minimize the potential for:

 alteration of the soil structure;
 changes in moisture content or void ratio; and
 changes in chemical composition of the soil.
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Sampling:
 The label should be written directly on the tube with a
permanent marking pen, and include:
 Tube and boring identification number;
 Sample depth;
 Top and bottom of sample;
 Length of recovery;
 Sampling date;
 Job name and/or number; and
 Sample description.
13
Undisturbed Sampling of Rock (Rock Coring):

 The dimensions, type of core barrel, type of coring bit,
and drilling fluid are important variables.
(a) Single,
(b) and (c)
Double tube rock
core barrels
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Coring bits:
Diamond (top left), Carbide (top right), and Saw tooth (bottom center)
15
Core Handling and Labeling:

 Rock cores should be stored in structurally sound core boxes made of wood.
 Cores should be handled carefully during transfer.
 If there is less than 100 percent core recovery for a run, a cardboard tube
spacer of the same length as the core loss should be placed.
Core box for storage of recovered rock and labeling
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CORE RECOVERY (CR)
17
The Core Recovery:

 The core recovery is the length of rock core recovered from a
core run. The recovery ratio is the ratio of the length of core
recovered to the total length of the core drilled on a given run,
expressed as either a fraction or a percentage.
 When the recovery is less than the length of the core run, the
non-recovered section should be assumed to be at the end of the
run unless there is reason to suspect otherwise (e.g., weathered
zone,..).
 Recoveries greater than 100 percent may occur if core that was
not recovered during a run is subsequently recovered in the next
run.
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ROCK QUALITY DESIGNATION

(RQD)
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Rock Quality Designation (RQD):

 The RQD is a qualitative measure.
 The RQD is an index of rock quality.
 the RQD is the sum of the lengths of all pieces of
sound core over 4 in (100 mm) long divided by the
length of the core run.
 Problematic rock that is highly weathered, soft,
fractured, sheared, and jointed typically yields lower
RQD values than more intact rock.
21
Modified
core
recovery
as an
index of
rock mass
quality.
22
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IN – SITU TESTS
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STANDARD PENETRATION TEST
(SPT)
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STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT):
25
Standard Penetration Test (SPT):

 SPT was introduced by the Raymond Pile Company in 1902 and
remains today as the most common in-situ test performed
worldwide.
 SPT is performed during the advancement of a soil boring to
obtain a disturbed drive sample (split barrel type) of the soil
being penetrated and an approximate measure of its dynamic
resistance.
 SPT involves driving of a standard sampler spoon into the
ground a vertical distance of 1 ft. (30 cm). A 140 pound (63.5
kilogram) hammer is repeatedly dropped from a height of 30 in
(76 cm) to achieve three successive 6 in (15 cm) increments of
penetration.
26
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Standard Penetration Test (SPT):
 The first recorded increment is considered as a “seating”

penetration, while the number of blows to advance the second
and third increments is summed to give the N-value (blow
count) or SPT-resistance (reported in blows per foot (30 cm)).
 The SPT can be halted when: (SPT refusal)
1. a total of 100 blows have been counted; or
2. if the number of blows exceeds 50 in any given 6 in (150 mm)
increment, or
3. if the sampler fails to advance during 10 consecutive blows.
27
Interpretation of engineering properties using SPT N Values:
Correlation of SPT (N60) Value and Friction Angle for Granular Soils:
28
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Interpretation of engineering properties using SPT N Values:
Correlation of SPT (N60) Value and Undrained Strength (Su) for Cohesive Soils
29
PLATE LOADING TEST
30
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Plate loading test:

For determination of elastic modulus and bearing capacity of
soils and weak rock.
31
Plate loading test:

 Load is applied to the plate in successive increments of
about one fifth of the design loading, and held until the rate
of settlement reduces to less than 0.004mm, measured for a
period of at least 60min. Load increments are applied either
until:
 Shear failure of the soil occurs; or more commonly,
 The plate pressure reaches two or three times the design
bearing pressure proposed for the full-scale foundation.
32
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Plate loading test:
Load – settlement curve
33
Plate loading test:
The plate loading test does not give a

satisfactory value of the ultimate settlement in
cohesive soil because the consolidation of soil
takes time while the loading test is a test of
short duration.
34
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Plate loading test:
The plate loading test does not give a

satisfactory value of the soil bearing capacity
in the case o layered soil.
35
Plate loading test:

 When the clay is homogeneous and saturated to a depth of
2 to 2.5 B (width) of the footing, the settlement of the
footing may be obtained from the following equation:
 In saturated clays the ultimate bearing capacity is

independent of the footing size, thus the bearing capacity
of footing is the same as that of test plate.
q footing = q plate
36
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Plate loading test:

 The settlement of foundation on sand can be estimated
from the results of the plate loading test. If (sp) is the
settlement of the loaded plate 30.5 x 30.5 cm under a given
load per unit of area, and (s) is the settlement of the
foundation of width (B) at the same load per unit area, then
the relationship between (s , sp and B in cm) is given by :
 In sand and gravel, the bearing capacity relationship can

be in the form:
37
GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION
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Electrical Resistivity Methods:
(a) Components of the electrical resistivity apparatus and the common four-
electrode configuration of the Wenner array. & (b) Typical resistivity curve.
39
Typical Resistivity Values for Geologic Materials:
40
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Re - Opening the Hibis Temple after preservation
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Sample of the resulted soil profiles from seismic study
42
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Original portal Pteolomic portal
The foundation depth of Pteolomic and Original portal resulted from GPR investigation
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Questions
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3/23/2023

SITE INVESTIGATION (Soil exploration)

ES256 - Spring 2023

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 1

The soil exploration or site investigation

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 2

The purpose of soil exploration for a new

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 3

Planning program for soil exploration:

 Soil exploration programs depend on:

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 4

In planning a soil exploration program, some or

 Building code requirements (Contact local public

 The general topographical feature of the site.

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 6

 Identify the subsurface soil layers distribution including

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 7

Large diameter auger Small diameter continuous flight auger

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 8

Schematic of drilling rig

Typical drilling configuration

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 9

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 10

Disturbed Sampling of Soil:

 Disturbed sampling of soil provides a means

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 11

Undisturbed Sampling of Soil:

to minimize the potential for:

 changes in moisture content or void ratio; and

 changes in chemical composition of the soil.

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 12

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 13

Undisturbed Sampling of Rock (Rock Coring):

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 14

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 15

Core Handling and Labeling:

Core box for storage of recovered rock and labeling

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 16

CORE RECOVERY (CR)

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 17

The Core Recovery:

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 19

ROCK QUALITY DESIGNATION

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 20

Rock Quality Designation (RQD):

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 21

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 22

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 23

STANDARD PENETRATION TEST

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 24

STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT):

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 25

Standard Penetration Test (SPT):

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 26

Standard Penetration Test (SPT):

 The first recorded increment is considered as a “seating”

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 27

Interpretation of engineering properties using SPT N Values:

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 28

Interpretation of engineering properties using SPT N Values:

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 29

PLATE LOADING TEST

Prof. Mohamed A. Sakr ES256. Soil Mechanics _Spring 2023 30