CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SESSION II: 2021/2022

DCC30112 – GEOTECHNICAL AND HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

LABORATORY
NAME
REGISTRATION
PROGRAM / GROUP
PRACTICAL WORK
DATE

Displays correct procedures for investigating the

problems
Select and uses Tools
Displays the usage of the tools/ apparatus/ machine/
CLO1 to run the study/ laboratory work
PRACTICAL Measures the data with accuracy and quality
(P3) Measurement
Displays performance of data measurement
Time management Follows time management
Housekeeping Displays cleanliness and neatness
𝟎
TOTAL P3 (60%) × 𝟔𝟎% =
𝟑𝟎
CLO2 Safety procedure Adhere to safety procedure during laboratory
SAFETY Personal Protective
(A4) Adhere to safety protocols
Equipment (PPE)
TOTAL A4 (10%)

Result Presentation
(Raw Data/Value/ Plan/ Graph, etc) *if any

Report Analysis Calculation

CLO3 Result Discussions
REPORT
Conclusions
(C4)
Apply a standard format of report
Report Standard (Cover page, title, presentation and tidiness)
Completion of report within the time given

TOTAL C4 (30%)

TOTAL SCORE (P3) + (A4) + (C4) /100

 EXPERIMENT 2 : MACINTOSH PROBE TEST

1.0 OBJECTIVE

a. To determine the value of bearing capacity.

b. To determine sub-surface straits graphed and identity materials present.
c. To identify the using of Mackintosh Probe test result.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students should be able to apply the knowledge and skills they have
learned to:

a. Understand the procedure of Mackintosh Probe.

b. Understand how to determine the shear plane of shallow depth.

3.0 THEORY

Dynamic probing is a continuous soil investigation technique, which is one of the simplest soil
penetration tests. It basically consists of repeatedly driving a metal tipped probe into the ground
using a drop weight of fixed mass and travel. Testing is carried out continuously from ground
level to the final penetration depth. The continuous sounding profiles enable easy recognition
of dissimilar layers and even thin strata by the observed variation in the penetration resistance.

The JKR/Mackintosh Probe Test is a lightweight and portable penetrometer. It is considerably

facter and cheaper tool than boring equipment especially when the depth of exploration is
moderate and the soils under investigation are soft and loose. The JKR/Mackintosh Probe Test
is a simple and economic testing method to gather preliminary data on sub surface conditions.
The data will use for designing the shallow foundation. This test only suitable for the soft and
loose soil such as clay and peat soil layer. The rods consists of 16mm diameter High Yield
Steel each of length approximately 120 cm. Then the rods are connected to each other by 25
mm outer diameter couplings.
The main advantages of the Mackintosh Probe include:
a) Speed of operation;
b) Use in difficult terrain where access is poor;
c) Minimal equipment and personnel are required;
d) Equipment is very low cost;
e) Simplicity of operation and data recording/analysis;
f) Use in the interpolation of soil strata and properties between trial pits and
boreholes;
g) Reduces the number of boreholes required.
4.0 EQUIPMENTS

a. Penetration rod (120 cm long)

b. Coupling
c. Pipe wrenches
d. Penetration cone
e. Hammer nut
f. Drop hammer
g. Lifting handle

Fig 1 : Probe test equipment

Fig. 2 : The set-up and dimensions of Mackintosh Probe.

(source : A. Fakher ET AL, 2006)
5.0 PROCEDURES

1. Identify the point place on the surface area.

2. After the point have been identify, equipment for probe test are assembled.

3. The penetration rods and drop hammer are joint using the rod coupling. Grease is sweep up
for an easy dissembles later.

4. A distance of 300mm on rod is mark and used as a pit stop of blowing when the soil depth
has reached at 300 mm.

5. The equipment is set up on the ground. The hammer is pulled until it reached the
maximum. The hammer is dropped freely to driven the cone into the soils.

6. The sum of the number of blows for penetration of 300 mm depth is recorded in the data
sheet.

7. The hammer is taken off on the last 300 mm of each rod and joined the existing rod with
another rod and lastly the hammer.

8. The probing is continued and stopped when ;

~ the resistance has reached 400 blows/300 mm or

~ the depth has reached 15.0 m, whichever is reached earlier.

9. Pull the rods using lifitng tools after the penetration reached the requirement.

10. The equipment is dissembled and cleaned before storing.

6.0 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

The related formula to find the value of safe pressure are shown below:

For blows > 40 use:

P = [2860 + 550(R − 40)1/2 ] x 0.04788 kN/m2 , where, P = Bearing capacity

R = Num. blows

For blows < 40 use chart as appendix A

Depth (m) Number of blows, R (num.) Bearing capacity, P (kN/m2)

7.0 QUESTIONS

1. Plot a graphs of:

a. Bearing capacity versus number of blows for each point hole.
b. Soil depth versus number of blows.
c. Soil depth versus cummulative number of blows

2. Analyse the graphs to determine the types of soil and suitablity for development.

3. Explain the differences between JKR Probe Test and Mackintosh Probe Test.