Geotechnical Investigation

Site Topographical Survey

• The land of the plain is mostly fertile.
• The entire area of the site is monotonously flat.

ELEVATION
• Highest Elevation - 210 meters above msl
• Lowest Elevation - 208 meters above msl
Seismic Zone
• As per the seismic zoning map of India (IS 1893,
Part-1, 2002), the project site is located in the
Zone, classified as MSK 8.
• It is the area having high risk zone.
• The foundation design will take into account the
required seismic resistance.
Scope of Work
In order to establish the sub-soil characterstics
at the area marked for construction of the
project. The entire investigation program has
been divided into field and laboratory tests.

FIELD TESTS
• Standard Penetration Test
• Plate Load Test
LABORATORY TESTS
• Grain Size Analysis
• Plastic Limit Test
• Liquid Limit Test
• Specific Gravity
• Proctor compaction Test
Standard Penetration Test
Standard Penetration tests have been conducted
as per IS:2131-1963 in each borehole at interval
of 1.5m or at the change of strata, whichever
encountered earlier. The penetration resistance
(SPT) is expressed as number of blows required
for 30cm.
Observation
‘N’ of Bore ‘N’ of Bore ‘N’ of Bore
Depth
Hole 1 Hole 2 Hole 3

1.5 9 7 8

3.0 19 15 16

4.5 36 30 33

6.0 47 43 45

7.5 64 57 62

9.0 82 75 79

10.0 93 80 88
Correlation of ‘N’ values with the consistency
N Consistency

0-2 Very Soft

2-4 Soft

4-8 Medium

8-15 Stiff

15-30 Very Stiff

>30 Hard
Grain Size Analysis
This analysis is used in the classification of soil.
The coefficient of permeability depends to a
large extent on the size of the particles. The
grain size distribution provides an index to the
shear strength of the soil. A uniform soil is more
compressible than a well graded soil.
Observation
Size Percent finer (%)
4.75mm 54
425micron 21
75micron 16

Grain Size Distribution Curve

100
90
80
70
Percent finer(%)

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Sieve size (mm)
Consistency Limits
The water contents at which the soil changes
from one state to the other are known as
consistency limits or Atterberg’s limit.
1. Plastic Limit – It is the water content below
which the soil stops behaving as a plastic limit.
2. Liquid Limit - It is the water content at which
the soil possess infinitesimal small shear
strength.
Observation
• Plastic Limit - 38.1%
• Liquid Limit - 23.1%
• Plasticity Index - 15%

I.S. PLASTICITY
CHART
Specific Gravity
The specific gravity of solid particles is defined as
the ratio of the mass of a given volume of solids
to the mass of an equal volume of water at 4°C.
The weighted average specific gravity - 2.69
Specific Gravity of different soils
S.No. Soil Type Specific Gravity
1 Gravel 2.65-2.68
2 Sand 2.65-2.68
3 Clayey Sand 2.66-2.7
4 Silt 2.66-2.7
5 Inorganic Clays 2.68-2.80
6 Organic Soils May fall below 2.00
Proctor Compaction Test
To assess the amount of compaction and the
water content required in the field, compaction
tests are done on the same soil in the laboratory.
The tests provide a relationship between the
water content and the dry density. The water
content at which the maximum dry density is
attained is obtained from the tests provided
Observation
Proctor Compaction Curve
21

20.5
Dry Density (kN/m3)

20

19.5

19

18.5

18
5 10 15 20
Moisture Content (%)

Maximum Dry Density - 20.05KN/m3

Moisture Content - 11.8%
Inferences & recommendations
Based on field and laboratory investigations,
following inferences & recommendations can be
made:
1. The SPT ‘N’ values indicates that site is medium to
hard dense.
2.The ground water table was encountered during
borehole drilling, thus there will be a requirement of
dewatering during the construction of the
foundation.
3.Grain size analysis, plasticity index and specific
gravity indicates that the soil is Clayey sand,
however the upper layers contain loam as well.
4.The soil is to be compacted to 95% of 20.05KN/m3
at the moisture content of 11.8%.
5.Raft foundation has to be designed for
Qnet - 17.5 t/sq.m.
Qgross - 27.5t/sq.m

6.For pile foundation following shear strength

parameters are to be considered
• Cohesion (c) - 2t/sq.m
• Angle of internal friction (Φ) - 33°
7.Modulus of sub grade reaction was observed as
1.5kg/cm3 and 2kg/cm3 at 2m and 5m depth
respectively for all design purposes.