CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1: Introduction
To knowledge about geotechnical properties of soil has a vital role in every project
that involves earth structures that requires a soil or rock foundation or that is
constructed below the ground surface (Dunn, et al.1980).

Soil is unconsolidated assemblages of solid particles between which are void contain
water or air or both. The type of breakdown processes of rock material, amount of
transport undergone by sediments influence the nature of the structure of the soil,
which in turn influence its engineering behavior (Bell, 2000). On the other way, it is
said that geotechnical engineering which deals with the properties, behavior and use
of earth materials (soil and rock) in engineering works.

The geological principle or methods for the purpose of civil or mining engineering
application is also known as engineering geology. It deals with foundation, building
construction, slope embankment, dams, bridge and natural, geo hazards and
environment.

The area of research is associated with the evaluation of the sub-surface ground
condition from geo-engineering point of view. The physical properties of the subsoil
formation of the project area may be determined on the basis of the physical nature as
well as the index properties of the investigated soil. These properties include grain-
size analysis, moisture content, borehole stratigraphy, specific gravity, atterberg
limits, standard penetration test (SPT) analysis, consolidation and shear strength of
the soil.

1.2: Aims and objectives

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is located in the central part of the country. The city
lies between latitudes 23°4′N to 23°54′N and longitudes from 90°20‘E to 90°31‘E. It
is bounded by the Tongi Khal in the north, the Buriganga River in the south and south

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east; the Balu River in the east and Turag River in the west covering an area of about
303 sq. km. It is expanding rapidly and is characterized by tropical, humid climatic
conditions. Many multistoried buildings and many other structures will be constructed
here in near future. For that reason the geotechnical behavior of the subsoil of this
area is to be determined prior to design the engineering structure.

The purposes of subsoil investigation program are to obtain the following

information-
1. To know the geology of the area.
2. To know the grain size distribution of the area.
3. To determine several index parameters like specific gravity, liquid limit, plastic
limit, plasticity index etc. which are responsible for geo-engineering hazards.
4. To evaluate the ground conditions by using SPT and borehole log data.
5. To observe the shear strength parameters of the studied area.
6. To establish an engineering geological soil classification.
7. Finally, comment on the nature of the studied soil.

1.3: Location of the study area

The study area three nos. of six storied building for the 3 rd & 4th class employees of
the National Institute of Chest Diseases & Hospital at the Mohakhali campus is
located in the greater Dhaka city of Bangladesh. The location is shown in the figure-
1.1. Geologically the study area is situated within middle northen part and which is
also the integral part in the middle eastern tip of Madhupur Tract , an uplifted block in
the Bengal Basin.

It is bounded by Gulshan residential area and Gulshan Lake in the east, Banani
residential area and Banani lake in the north, Tejgaon old airport, Shahinbag and West
Nakhalpara in the west and Mohakhali Busstand, Tejgaon industrial area in the south.
Buriganga river is in the south, which is about 3.5 km away from Mohakhali Chest
Diseases & Hospital. The study area is fairly well communicated with other parts of
Mohakhali by metallic roads.

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 Study area

Figure 1.1: Location map of the study area (Banglapedia, 2003).

1.4: Sources of Information

The Authority i.e. the Executive Engineer, Mohakhali PWD division in association
with “HOUSING AND BUILDING RESEARCH INSTITUTE” at Sher-e-
Banglanagar, Dhaka, under the Ministry of Housing & Public Works, carried out a
detailed soil investigation program for the construction of the proposed three nos. of
six storied building for the 3rd & 4th class employees of the National Institute of Chest
Diseases & Hospital at the campus of the same at Mohakhali, Dhaka. The data and
information gathered during this project were collected in this research project.
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The samples have been collected through an extensive fieldwork during the month of
February 2005. Six boring, each extending to the depth of 60’-0”, have been selected
and executed as per direction of the Authority. The location sketches for borehole
points are shown in figure 1.2. The numbers of samples for different boreholes are
shown in the following table 1.1. The experimental data were obtained from the
proper authority of the Housing & Building Research Institute.

N.B: Not to Scale

Figure 1.2: Location sketch for borehole points.

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Table-1.1: The numbers of samples for different boreholes of the study area.

Borehole Number Of Samples

No Disturbed undisturbed
BH-01 12 2
BH-02 12 2
BH-03 12 2
BH-04 12 2
BH-05 12 2
BH-06 12 2

The information is obtained from the field investigation and it reveals soil conditions
that vary in different borings. It is generally necessary to perform laboratory tests on
selected samples from the borings in order to establish the physical parameters
required to analyze the model.

1.5: Research Methodology

In the studied area, six borings, each extending to the depth 60′-0′′, have been selected
and executed as per direction of the proper authority. The method of wash boring
technique was used as a means of advancing the borehole to enable the tube samples
to be taken. An advantage of this technique is that the soil immediately below the hole
remains relatively undisturbed.

The soil samples, in the disturbed state usually have been extracted from each of the
5’-0” depth up to the investigation in the case of the each borehole. The above soil
samples have been collected simultaneously by using split spoon sampler with the
performance of the standard penetration test (SPT). The required specimen of soil
samples in the undisturbed state have been obtained with the help of thin open Shelby
tubes particularly from the top layer of the cohesive soil (clay). The position of the
ground water level (GWL) has been recorded by a measuring tape after 24 hrs
completion of the boring work and found within a variable depth of 4′-0′′ to 5′-4′′,
measured from the EGL (Existing Ground level 1 ton = 2,000 lbs).

The geotechnical parameters were determined in the soil test laboratory in the
Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI), according to ASTM Standards

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(1974) for their specific purposes, and the analyzed data were collected by me to
complete the project.

The project work is done according to the following heads:

1. An extensive field work is carried out in the area to know the soil type, nature,
lithology etc.
2. The desk study of existing data related to geology, hydrogeology, engineering
and environment.
3. The compilation of the geology of the area.
4. Identification and evaluation of bore log data, SPT data.
5. Evaluation of particle size characteristics of soil.
6. Identification and evaluation of several index properties e. g, moisture content,
Specific gravity, Liquid limit, Plastic limit, plasticity index, activity, Liquidity
index etc.
7. Identification and evaluation of shear strength of the soil.
8. Consolidation behavior of the soil.