Soil Inv.

for the Development of North Oman Solar PV Plant with Battery Energy Storage System Independent Power Project at Saih Rawl, J-7723, Nov’2022

RQD Rock Description

(%)

0 – 25 Very Poor

25 – 50 Poor

50 – 75 Fair

75 – 90 Good

90 – 100 Excellent

Referring this table, the rock strata encountered in the Boreholes can be categorized as
of ‘Very Poor to Good’ strength quality upto the depth explored.

Seven core samples collected from Boreholes were subjected to Uniaxial Compressive
Strength Test. The test result shows the compressive strength ranging from 3627 kN/m2
to 36596 kN/m2. Thus the rock encountered here can be classified as ‘Weak to
Moderately Strong’ as per the chart given in BS 5930 and reproduced below:

Term Compressive Strength

MN/m2

Very Weak Less than 1.25

Weak 1.25 to 5

Moderately Weak 5 to 12.5

Moderately Strong 12.5 to 50

Strong 50 to 100

Very Strong 100 to 200

Extremely Strong Greater than 200

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 Soil Inv. for the Development of North Oman Solar PV Plant with Battery Energy Storage System Independent Power Project at Saih Rawl, J-7723, Nov’2022

4.3 Soil Electrical Resistivity Test:

The test results are as given below:

SR. ERT No. Location * - Co-ordinates Electrode spacing Resistivity

No. (m) (Ohm – m)
Easting Northing

1.0 69.394

2.0 63.428

1. ERT – 1 Near BH-3 501279.696 2375702.100 5.0 43.332

10.0 22.922

15.0 11.775

* Co-ordinates provided by the Main Contractor (WGS 84 System)

4.4 Thermal Resistivity Test:

The test results are as given below:

Sr. Test Location * Co-ordinates Depth Temperature Thermal Thermal

No. No. Conductivity Resistivity
O
Easting Northing (m) C (W/m.K) (m.K/W)
Near
1. 1SRT-1 501279.696 2375702.100 Surface 38.4 0.402 2.484
BH-3

* Co-ordinates provided by the Main Contractor (WGS 84 System)

4.5 Ground water Condition:

Groundwater was encountered in the Boreholes explored at this site during the time of
conducting the field investigation. The static water level was found to vary from
11.80 m to 13.0 m depth below the existing ground level. The ground water levels
were measured during the period of field work at site. No long term monitoring of the
ground water was specified. Thus the SWLs established are applicable for the time of
investigation only and are subject to variation due to climatic changes and if any
dewatering takes place in the vicinity. Reconfirmation of ground water level is
recommended prior to any work relating to the ground water regime. Ground water
samples were collected from the Boreholes. Two such samples collected from the
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 Soil Inv. for the Development of North Oman Solar PV Plant with Battery Energy Storage System Independent Power Project at Saih Rawl, J-7723, Nov’2022

Boreholes were tested for Chemical Constituents i.e. for Water Soluble SO 3, Cl and
pH. The analysis results and test certificates are given in Annexure VII.

The details of groundwater level is as given below:

Groundwater level
S. No. BH No.
(m)

1. BH - 1 12.40

2. BH - 2 13.00

3. BH - 3 12.60

4. BH - 4 12.10

5. BH - 5 11.80

6. BH - 6 12.80

5.0 DISCUSSION ON FOUNDATION CONDITIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS:

After examining the subsurface condition, SPT / SPT(C), its relative density, coring,
RQD details and considering the presence of Gypsum content, we suggest to excavate the
substrata in the proposed structure foot print area upto a depth of 0.50 m below the
foundation level plus an additional width of 0.50 m all around the structure. Then, the
bottom of excavation has to be backfilled with imported, good quality, well graded,
granular material (engineering fill materials of Type - A or B) laid in layer of 150 mm
thick and compacted to + 95% of maximum dry density with an optimum moisture
content to create a soil raft of 0.50 m thick. Then, the foundation may be placed on the
compacted ground. The following net allowable bearing pressure may be considered for
design of Isolated pad footing type foundation and RCC Raft foundation placed on soil
raft at various depths below the lowest existing ground level (LEGL) of each structure.

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 Soil Inv. for the Development of North Oman Solar PV Plant with Battery Energy Storage System Independent Power Project at Saih Rawl, J-7723, Nov’2022

a. Depth of Foundation: 0.50 m below the lowest existing ground level

Thickness of Engineering Fill Material below Foundation Level - 0.50 m

(i) Isolated Footing:

Sr. No. Width of Footing Net Allowable Anticipated Modulus of Subgrade

(m) Bearing Pressure Settlement Reaction
(kPa) (mm) (kN/m3)

1. 2.0 150 2.3 65622

2. 3.0 150 2.8 54361

3. 4.0 150 3.4 44403

4. 5.0 150 4.0 37932

(ii) Raft Foundation:

Sr. No. Size of Foundation Net Allowable Anticipated Modulus of Subgrade

(m x m) Bearing Pressure Settlement Reaction
(kPa) (mm) (kN/m3)

1. 10 x 10 120 5.8 20718

2. 20 x 20 120 11.0 10952

3. 30 x 30 120 16.1 7431

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 Soil Inv. for the Development of North Oman Solar PV Plant with Battery Energy Storage System Independent Power Project at Saih Rawl, J-7723, Nov’2022

b. Depth of Foundation: 1.00 m below the lowest existing ground level

Thickness of Engineering Fill Material below Foundation Level - 0.50 m
(i) Isolated Footing:

Sr. No. Width of Footing Net Allowable Anticipated Modulus of Subgrade

(m) Bearing Pressure Settlement Reaction
(kPa) (mm) (kN/m3)

1. 2.0 200 2.4 81685

2. 3.0 200 3.2 61963

3. 4.0 200 4.1 49144

4. 5.0 200 5.0 39980

(ii) Raft Foundation:

Sr. No. Size of Foundation Net Allowable Anticipated Modulus of Subgrade

(m x m) Bearing Pressure Settlement Reaction
(kPa) (mm) (kN/m3)

1. 10 x 10 150 7.1 21246

2. 20 x 20 150 13.5 11078

3. 30 x 30 150 20.0 7487

c. Depth of Foundation: 1.50 m below the lowest existing ground level

Thickness of Engineering Fill Material below Foundation Level - 0.50 m
(i) Isolated Footing:

Sr. No. Width of Footing Net Allowable Anticipated Modulus of Subgrade

(m) Bearing Pressure Settlement Reaction
(kPa) (mm) (kN/m3)

1. 2.0 250 2.6 95762

2. 3.0 250 3.7 68175

3. 4.0 250 4.8 52447

4. 5.0 250 5.9 42040

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