Geotechnical Investigation

• Step 1 - Gather Existing Information

•Structure Data
•Bridge, building, road, wall, etc.
•Type - stories, loads, materials, etc

•Known Soil Data

•Your own knowledge of the area
•Geologic or other maps
•Other people
•Aerial photos
 Geotechnical Investigation
• Step 2 - Field Investigation
•Site Recon -Before you move any equipment to
site, visit the site
•A visual inspection can tell you a lot:
•Site access
•existing structures
•evidence of old structures
•environmental hazards
•non-engineered fill
•sinkholes
•topography
•condition of nearby structures
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• Step 2 - Field Investigation - cont’d
•Subsurface Investigation
•Test Pits - holes dug with a backhoe
•Borings
–Solid Flight
–Hollow Stem
–Rotary Wash
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• Step 2 - Field Investigation - cont’d
•Borings used to obtain samples at various depths
•Samples needed depend on project
•Most common method of sampling is the
Standard Penetration Test - SPT
Recall SPT is 140 lb hammer dropped 30”
 Geotechnical Investigation
•Borings - cont’d
•Drill rig – Hollow Stem Auger - SPT
 Geotechnical Investigation
•Borings - cont’d
•Drill rig – Hollow Stem Auger - SPT
 Geotechnical Investigation
•Borings - cont’d
•Drill rig – Hollow Stem Auger - SPT
 Geotechnical Investigation
•Borings – cont’d
•# of borings project dependent
•For a building, will typically start with corners
and in the middle
•Based on what is found, more borings can be
drilled as needed to define areas of concern or to
obtain additional data
 Geotechnical Investigation
•Borings – cont’d
•Layout depends on footprint too
•Depth depends on anticipated soil conditions
and foundation type
•We want to be sure we sample all soil
potentially influenced by the foundation system
 Geotechnical Investigation
•Borings – What are we looking for?
•Soil classification
•Soft compressible soils
•Competent foundation soils
•Bedrock
•Ground water
•Any other subsurface that could affect the
project
 Geotechnical Investigation
•Step 3 – Laboratory Investigation
•Most common tests include:
•Plasticity (atterbergs)
•Sieve
•Moisture
•Unit Weight
•Proctor
•Strength tests (unconfined, direct shear, etc.)
 Geotechnical Investigation
•Step 4 – Design
•The design process will take into account all data
•Consider loads, soils, type and use of facility, etc.
•GE often asks “what is needed” vs. what is
calculated
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•Step 4 – Design – cont’d
•Some of the main items conveyed to client:
•Types of soils
•Groundwater
•Recommended foundation type or options plus design
and construction criteria
•Depth to bedrock
•Excavatability
•Soil compaction criteria
•Slope recommendations
•Retaining wall design
•Boring and Lab test results