SOIL

INVESTIGATION
Geotechnical Investigation
 Following are the objectives of site investigation or subsurface
exploration.

1. To know about the order of occurrence of soil and rock

strata.

2. To know about the location of the groundwater table level

and its variations.
OBJECTIVES OF 3. To determine engineering properties of soil.

SITE
4. To select a suitable type of foundation.

5. To estimate the probable and maximum differential

settlements.
INVESTIGATION 6. To find the bearing capacity of the soil.

7. To predict the lateral earth pressure against retaining

walls and abutments.

8. To select suitable soil improvement techniques.

9. To select suitable construction equipment.

10. To forecast problems occurring in foundations and their

solutions.
 Site Reconnaissance

Stages in Site Preliminary site exploration

Investigation
Detailed exploration

Preparation of soil investigation report

Site Reconnaissance

The general observations made in site reconnaissance are as follows :

1.Presence of drainage ditches and dumping yards etc.
2.Location of groundwater table by observing well in that site.
3.Presence of springs, swamps, etc.
4.High flood level marks on the bridges, high rise buildings, etc. are observed.
5.Presence of vegetation and nature of the soil.
6.Past records of landslides, floods, shrinkage cracks, etc. of that region.
7.Study of aerial photographs of the site, blueprints of present buildings, geological maps, etc.
8.Observation of deep cuts to know about the stratification of soils.
9.Observation of Settlement cracks of existing structures.
Preliminary Site Exploration

T h e d a t a c o l l e c t e d a b o u t s u b s o i l s h o u l d b e s u ffi c i e n t e n o u g h t o d e s i g n a n d
build light structures. Following are some of the general information obtained
through primary site exploration.

1.A p p r o x i m a t e s v a l u e s o f s o i l ' s c o m p r e s s i v e s t r e n g t h .

2.P o s i t i o n o f t h e g r o u n d w a t e r t a b l e .

3.D e p t h a n d e x t e n t o f s o i l s t r a t a .

4.S o i l c o m p o s i t i o n .

5.D e p t h o f h a r d s t r a t u m f r o m g r o u n d l e v e l .

6.E n g i n e e r i n g p r o p e r t i e s o f s o i l ( d i s t u r b e d s a m p l e )
. Detailed Site Exploration

In this stage, numerous field tests such as in-

situ vane shear test, plate load test, etc. and
laboratory tests such as permeability tests,
compressive strength test on undistracted
soil samples are conducted to get exact
values of soil properties.
Preparation of Report of Sub-Soil Exploration

After performing preliminary or detailed site exploration methods a report

should be prepared. A sub-soil investigation or exploration report
generally has the following sections :
• Introduction
• Scope of site investigation
• Description of the proposed structure, purpose of site investigation
• Site reconnaissance details
• Site exploration details such as number, location and depth of boreholes, sampling details etc.
• Methods performed in site exploration and their results.
• Laboratory tests performed and their results.
• Details of Groundwater table level and position.
• Recommended improvement methods if needed.
• Recommended types of foundations, structural details, etc.
• Conclusion.
IMPORTANCE OF SOIL INVESTIGATION IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING

These investigations form the basis for planning, designing, and constructing the structures. The
serviceability and performance of the structure depend on the accuracy and adequacy of these
i n v e s t i g a t i o n s . H o w a c c u r a t e t h e i n f o r m a t i o n i n t h e g e o t e c h n i c a l r e p o r t i s s t r o n g l y i n fl u e n c e s t h e d e s i g n ,
c o n s t r u c t i o n , p r o j e c t c o s t , a n d s a f e t y.

U n f o r t u n a t e l y, m a n y p e o p l e u n d e r e s t i m a t e t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f p r o p e r g e o t e c h n i c a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n d u r i n g
t h e c o n c e p t u a l p h a s e o f a p r o j e c t . O n e o f t h e g r e a t e s t c a u s e s o f f o u n d a t i o n f a i l u r e i s i n s u ffi c i e n t
knowledge of ground conditions.

There have been some instances where attempting to save on such site investigations have led to
d i s a s t r o u s r e s u l t s . I t m a y a l s o r e s u l t i n l o s s o f l i f e a n d p r o p e r t y, e n d a n g e r e d r e s i d e n t s , d a m a g e
adjoining structures, and essentially be rendered non-functional for intended purpose.

Thus soil investigations provide the engineer with knowledge of the subsurface conditions at the site of
an engineering project. It allows the engineer to work out safe and economical design of a project and
i n f o r m t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n e n g i n e e r a b o u t t h e m a t e r i a l a n d c o n d i t i o n s h e w i l l e n c o u n t e r i n t h e fi e l d .

This is a critical step in the construction process that we do not take for granted. As everyone says, our
s a f e t y m u s t b e o u r p r i o r i t y. S o i l i n v e s t i g a t i o n i s j u s t o n e o f t h e m a n y w a y s t h r o u g h w h i c h w e e n s u r e i t .