College of Built Environment Prepared by:

Laboratory Manual Ainaa Solehah Binti Mohamed Nizar

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING & SURVEYING

BUILDING SURVEYING DEPARTMENT

BST110
MATERIAL PROPERTIES

MODUL 9: PROBE MACKINTOSH

GROUP 1
PREPARED FOR: DR. NOR DIANA BINTI AZIZ
PREPARED BY: AINAA SOLEHAH BINTI MOHAMED NIZAR
MATRIC NO: 2023841506
COURSE: CFAP1191C
College of Built Environment Prepared by:
Laboratory Manual Ainaa Solehah Binti Mohamed Nizar

REFERENCES

The differences of Mackintosh Probe, JKR Probe and Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

INTRODUCTION
The site investigation must be completed prior to the start of building construction. This is due to
the fact that the soil condition at the site must be identified in order to establish the appropriate
foundation use for the structure, and soil plays an important part in supporting the load that comes
from the building, and the building need a suitable foundation to transmit the weight to the ground.
As a result, soil testing is required to determine the type of soil and confirm that it can support the
load.

OBJECTIVES
The Mackintosh Probe is a research tool, specifically for soil examination. The Mackintosh Probe
test is used to determine the bearing capacity, or soil strength. The test result provides a rough
estimate of the soil layer at a given site. It is also responsible for collecting a disturbed soil sample
for grain-size analysis and soil classification, determining subsurface stratigraphy and identifying
current components, and evaluating soil density and in-situ stress conditions.

EQUIPMENTS
1. Boring rods
2. Rods couplings
3. Penetration cone
4. Measuring tape
5. Hammer
6. Oil/lubricant
7. Gloves
8. Lifting tool
9. Trowel
10. Metal dish
College of Built Environment Prepared by:
Laboratory Manual Ainaa Solehah Binti Mohamed Nizar

PROCEDURE
1. The test equipment has been assembled. The cone diameter is measured in SI units.

2. The boring rods and hammer are joined by the rod coupling. Grease is swept up for
subsequent disassembly.

3. Distances of 0.3m are measured and marked on the rod beginning at the tip of the cone.

4. The equipment is placed on the ground.

Figure

5. The hammer is pulled till it reaches its limit. The hammer is dropped freely to force the
cone into the ground.

Figure

6. The total number of strikes for penetration of 0.3m is recorded in the data sheet.
College of Built Environment Prepared by:
Laboratory Manual Ainaa Solehah Binti Mohamed Nizar

7. The hammer is removed from the last 0.3m of each rod and replaced with another rod,
followed by the hammer. When the blow is more than 400 for 0.3m penetration, the blow
is sustained and consistently stopped.
- The depth was 15 meters.

8. Using lifting tools, pull the rods once the penetration has reached the required depth.

9. Disassemble the apparatus and prepare a small metal dish to collect soil that clings to the
rods.

10. Take note of the weight of the empty plate.

Figure

11. Place the soil sample in the same empty plate as before.

Figure
College of Built Environment Prepared by:
Laboratory Manual Ainaa Solehah Binti Mohamed Nizar

12. Bake the dish for 24 hours to dry up moisture in soils.

Figure

13. Collect the soil sample, and all data will be entered into the sheet.
College of Built Environment Prepared by:
Laboratory Manual Ainaa Solehah Binti Mohamed Nizar

OBSERVATION OF RESULT

1) Probe Mackintosh Result

Point 1 Point 2 Point 3

No Depth No of Cumulative No of Cumulative No of blows Cumulative
of (m) blows blows
rods
0.0-
0.03
103 103 71 71 116 116
0.03-
0.06
70 173 50 121 57 173
1 0.06-
0.09
28 201 105 226 122 295
0.09-
0.12
137 338 104 330 61 356
0.12-
0.15
136 374 36 366
0.15-
0.18
40 414
2 0.18-
0.21
0.21-
0.24

SAMPLE OF GRAF

160

140

120

100
No of blows

80 point 1
point 2
60
point 3

40

20

0
0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.8
Depth (m)
College of Built Environment Prepared by:
Laboratory Manual Ainaa Solehah Binti Mohamed Nizar

SOIL HUMIDITY RESULT

SUBJECT SAMPLE 1 SAMPLE 2

Mass of empty dish

19.08 21.36
Mass of empty dish + soil
(before oven dry)
27.92 28.10

Mass of soil only

(before oven dry)
8.64 6.74

Mass of dish (after oven dry)

26.74 25.89
Mass of soil only
(after oven dry)
7.63 4.53