ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND WATER

PROJECT COORDINATION UNIT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES– FIRMS SELECTION)
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Ministry of Energy and Water
Organization: Project Coordination Unit (PCU)
Project: Irrigation Restoration and Development Project (IRDP)
Assignment Title: Soil Investigation work for the Building of Energy and Water Ministry
(C-959)
Reference No.: MEW/PCU/REOI/08/C-959
Announcement Date: 25-Jan -18 Closing Date: 05-Feb-18

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this standard is to define specifications to be followed for Soil

Investigation work for the Building of Energy and Water Ministry.

2. SCOPE

These specifications cover the procedure for soil investigations for foundations. The work
shall be carried out in accordance with the specification set out below and as directed by
the MEW Engineer, wherever necessary. These specifications conform to the relevant
standards on soils and foundations for field investigations and laboratory testing.
Reference to any code in these specifications shall mean the latest revision of the code
unless otherwise mentioned. In the event of any conflict between the requirements in these
specifications and the referred codes, the former shall govern.

3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1. GENERAL

The purpose of the proposed sub-soil investigation programme is to provide adequate

information on sub-surface and surface conditions of soil for the foundations and other
substructures for the proposed project, leading to their safe and economical designs. The
planning of the work, choice of the method of boring, selection of the type of samples and
procedure for sampling though indicated in the Tender (here). Tenderer, however, shall
furnish his tentative program regarding the above along with his offer which, necessarily,
should take into account the site conditions and time schedule for completing the work,
comprising subsurface features, borings, in-situ tests, sampling, visual observations and
laboratory tests of samples, reporting of the test results, including discussions, correlating
the field and the laboratory test values, foundadtion design, analysis and
recommendations. The building is an office building the plan of the building is attached
with this technical specification of geotechnical. However; the building plan is 42.4 meter
in length and 13.5 meter in width, it has seven stories on ground and one basement.
3.2. GEOTECHNICAL PLAN FOR SOIL EXPLORATION

The exploration plan is the site to be propesed by the bidder based on the required set it as
below as suited to the site conditions and keeping into account the size and weight of the
building. The planning of the site exploration program involves location, number and
depth of borings, test pits or other methods to be used, and methods of sampling and tests
to be carried out. The purpose of the exploration program is to determine, within practical
limits, the stratification and

Engineering properties of the soils underlying the site. The principal properties of interest
will be the strength, deformation, and other. The program should be planned so that the
maximum amount of information can be obtained at minimum cost. AED / USACE's
Engineer Manual 1110-1-180 Geotechnical Investigations, contains information useful for
the planning and execution of geotechnical explorations.

3.3. SITE INVESTIGATION

Explorations shall be conducted at a minimum in the footprint of the building. To

maximize subsurface data for interpolation it is quite important to trace the explorations
points in a strategically manner. The Contractor shall develop all relevant geotechnical
design and construction parameters based on findings from site investigation, in-situ
testing, laboratory tests and analysis results. All geotechnical laboratory and field works
shall be based on standards set forth by ASTM International Standard. Contractor shall not
use any other standards, unless prior approval from MEW. Standard penetration test (SPT)
shall be performed per ASTM D1586. Given the presence of loess in many regions of the
country, the selected geotechnical testing lab must be able to perform ASTM D 5333 and
justify the soil being collapsible or not as well as capable to prepare collapsibility
mitigation mehtod. The contractor should add the codes and standards in Geotechnical
Plan that would be applied to the subsoil investigation services and obtain approval from
the Client before the commencement of works. The tentative number of boreholes, test
pits, and their locations are drawn in a borehole map attached with this specification.

3.4. QUALIFICATION OF PERSONNEL

The laboratory shall submit with their Geotechnical Plan, an organizational chart showing
the structure of the working team and the number of personnel who will be employed for
the works. All laboratory’s staff involved in the works shall be recognized qualified
personnel; the laboratory shall submit qualifications of their personnel to the client at the
time of submissions of the plan along their proper commitment letters. The key personnel
(e.g. lab manager, geotechnical engineer, site engineer and senior technician) shall be a
qualified and expert in Geotechnical Engineering & material tesing or similar field of civil
engineering with a minimum of 5 years’ experience. The geotechncial engineer/lab
manager should have at least 5 years’ experience with a post-graduation degree or 10
years’ bachelor

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Degree experience in the areas related to geotechnical investigation, analysis, design and
construction material testing. Likewise, the site technicians shall have at least a High
School Certificates and with a minimum relevant similar work experience of 5 years. The
Client reserves the right to reject any of the nominated personnel if not fulfilled the
requirement for the work commencement without stating the reason.

3.5. LABORATORY

The laboratory should be a certified from a well-known accredited agency in Afghanistan

such as US Army Corps of Engineers/ABA, MEW Technical Inspection Team’s approval
or other such agency acceptable for MEW. The laboratory should be equipped with good
quality testing machinery and skilled staff along appropriate management. The laboratory
provides a valid audit audit report will be an advantage.

3.6. EQUIPMENT

The Laboratory shall indicate in the plan, the type and number of equipment and facilities
they intend to use in the works, and shall use the same or better in quality during the
execution of the contract. The Laboratory shall maintain the equipment in good working
order during the period of the project. If the operations are producing unsatisfactory
results, or are delayed due to any fault of the equipment, the Client has the right to instruct
the laboratory to replace a part or all of the equipment and operators, at the Laboratory’s
own costs.

3.7. COORDINATION

The Laboratory shall all times keep the Client informed of the progress and the state of the
works related to the investigations. In particular, the Contractor shall give notification to
the Client 72 hours in advance of commencing the investigations. The Laboratory shall
provide the Client with access to the investigation sites in the field and laboratories at all
the times. The Laboratory shall offer assistance to the Client’s personnel in charge of the
inspection of the works, and provide all necessary minor equipment.

3.8. CONDITION

Notwithstanding the involvement of the Client in inspecting the investigations, the

Laboratory carries full responsibility for carrying out the works described in accordance
with the relevant codes and common professional practices. The Laboratory endures full
responsibility for the accuracy of the results obtained from the investigation. MEW
witness will not relieve the

Laboratory from miss investigation and result. MEW witness, review, clearance for
testing, construction, or approval will not relieve the Laboratory from responsibilities for
any error or omission in such submittal, nor from responsibility for complying with the
requirements of this contract and future consequences of the wrong submittals.

3.9. TIME SCHEDULE

The Laboratory shall include with his plan a working schedule showing at least the
following activities on bar chart (Primavera/Ms. Project/Ms. Excel). o Mobilization time.
o Boring work for each Borehole. o Laboratory Tests. o Interim Reports. o Submission
of final report.

3.10. PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

After the locations for field investigations work have been determined, routes of access to
the area and the specific sites for borings and excavations should be selected with care to
minimize damage to the environment. Environmental engineering aspects of civil works
projects are discussed in EM 1110-2-1202, -1204, -1205, and -1206 and Keller (1992).
Operation of equipment will be controlled at all times and the extent of damaged areas will
be held to the minimum consistent with the requirements for obtaining adequate data.
Local laws pertaining to permissible levels of sediment flow from the site should be
investigated. After the exploratory sites have served their purpose, the disturbed areas will
be restored to a natural appearance. All borings and test pits should be backfilled in
accordance with state environmental regulations.

4. DRILLING WORKS

4.1. BOREHOLE LOCATION

The locations for the drillings or test pits shall be as indicated in Geotechnical Plan. The
final numbers, locations and depth of boreholes & test pits shall be subject to Client’s
approval.

4.2. SITE VISIT AND EXISTING INFORMATION

The Laboratory shall satisfy themselves as to the character of the site and all its various
materials, strata, obstacles, existing services, etc. and all items and things liable to affect or
be encountered in the performance of their works by site visit. Laboratory should collect
the information, particulars, information and geological surveys, regarding the nature of
the ground and subsoil conditions from the past study if any of this kind had been
executed.

4.3. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS

 The type of equipment used shall be hollow stem augur boring equipment or straight
rotary drilling equipment depending on soil type and samples required for the
investigation.  The drilling equipment for boring and rock coring shall consist of power
driven machinery of an approved type complete with necessary special devices,
accessories and supplies.  The equipment shall include heavy duty drilling rigs
provided with hydraulic feed mechanisms to facilitate obtaining undisturbed soil samples.
 Drill rods should have a minimum outer diameter of 50mm supplied by the specialized
manufacturer. Rods and joints have to be in perfect condition to avoid failures and
deviation of boreholes.  No additional allowance or payment will be made for
penetration of boulders, cementing, and use of bentonite circulation and reaming/casing of
the hole.  Cementing and bentonite circulation may only be applied after approval of
the Client.  The Laboratory shall provide such platforms as may be necessary to
maintain drill rigs level when making horizontal or vertical borings on sloped land, soft
ground and similar.  The Laboratory shall provide pontoons and such platforms as may
be necessary to maintain drill rigs level when making vertical borings in the middle of a
river.  Coring of rock and undisturbed sampling shall be done with rigs mounted on a
fixed platform to avoid any crucial disturbance.  No water shall be added while boring
through cohesive soils and cohesion-less soils above water table. While boring through
cohesion-less soil below water table, water in the casing shall always be maintained at or
above the water table.  Percussion drilling should not be used to advance boreholes for
undisturbed samples. Vibrations caused by percussion drilling creates disturbance to a
depth of several borehole diameters.

4.4. SAMPLING IN THE SITE

The bore holes and test pits shall be well distributed among the entire building area and
other places as directed by the Engineer in charge or approved in the geotechnical plan. 
Use good quality painted wooden core/sample boxes for samples are packaged and
shipped for testing (see Practices ASTM D 5079).  The Contractor shall adjust the
procedures of drilling and sampling to the geological conditions in order to achieve the
necessary quality of samples. It is suggested that the following procedures to be taken into
consideration. o The minimum sample diameter should be at least being NX size
(76.2mm) o The drilling holes in vertical or inclined up to 10º to vertical as directed, in
hard rock. o Coring of rock and undisturbed sampling shall be done with rigs mounted on
a fixed platform.

During execution, it is the Laboratory’ responsibility to ensure smooth and efficient

continuity of procedure avoiding disturbances from wind, rainfall etc.

4.4.1. DISTURBED SAMPLING

 Disturbed samples shall be obtained from borehole cuttings and split-spoon for visual
classification at site and stored in core/sample boxes.  The samples shall be taken at
every at 0.75 m intervals of soil depth up to 4.50 meter, and at 1.5m intervals of soil depth
beyond 4.5-meter depth or at every identifiable change of soil strata to give a reliable
record of the variations in the conditions of the sub-soil.  The core/sample samples shall
be well preserved and maintained on well-constructed and approved core/sample boxes.
 The core/sample boxes shall be of wood and not more than 1.5 meters in length
separated lengthwise with wooden partitions to accommodate 75mm core samples.  The
number of core boxes/sample boxes shall be according to requirement.  The samples
shall be placed in order and marked according to related depth.  The core/sample boxes
shall be labeled. The following information shall be indicated on core/sample boxes at
least. o Project Name. o Location of borehole o Number of borehole o Sequence number
of box. o Depth (approximate round up) o Date of Start and Dates of Boring Completion.

4.4.2. UNDISTURBED SAMPLING

 Undisturbed samples shall be obtained in soft cohesive soils.  The samples shall be
taken at every one-meter interval or at every identifiable change of strata to cover the
entire clayey layer.  The size of thin walled sampler (Shelby tubes) should be such that
a sample having a minimum size of 75 mm diameter and 350 to 400 mm length can be
recovered.  The Shelby tube sampler shall be forced into the soil layer by jacking, and
hammering shall not be permitted.  Thin-walled sampling is necessary to properly
sample soft to medium stiff clays (i.e., cohesive alluvium, glacio-marine, and glacio-
lacustrine soils) in preparation for strength and compressibility lab testing. For further
details on thin-walled sampling, see ASTM D 1587-00 (2004) or latest version, “Standard
Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes.”  NX-size
(76.2mm) rock cores advanced an adequate depth into the bedrock are necessary to
distinguish between dense tills, boulders, and bedrock, and to obtain samples for

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Classification, determining Rock Quality Designation (RQD) of Rock ASTM D 6032, and
laboratory testing.  At every extraction of undisturbed samples, the recovery ratio
should be recorded.  Immediately after extraction the sample shall be trimmed at the
edges and sealed with wax to prevent moisture loss, the top and bottom marked, stored in a
wooden box lined with soft material to preclude sample damage.  A label indicating the
following details should be attached to each sample tube.

o Project name. o Location of borehole o Number of borehole o Sequence number of

Sampler Tube o Depth (approximate round up) o Dates of Commencement and
Completion of Boring

4.4.3. STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT)

This test is performed in conjunction with split-barrel sampling. It provides a rough

approximation of the relative density or consistency of foundation soils and should always
be made when piles are to be driven. For a single test results, the split spoon is driven a
total of 457 mm (18 inch); the penetration resistance in blows per foot (or N-value) is
based on the last 305 mm (12 inch); the first 152 mm (6 inch) being to seat the sampler in
undisturbed soil at the bottom of the boring. "Refusal" is usually taken at a blow count of
50 per 6 inches. This test must be performed in accordance with ASTM D 1586; that is, the
split-barrel sampler must conform to specified dimensions and it must be driven by a 63.5-
kg hammer, which drops 760 mm to impose a “blow.” On large projects, the SPT data
should be used in conjunction with tests on undisturbed samples. At least one SPT test
should be recorded for each 0.75 m elevation change down to 4.5 m. Below 4.5 m depth,
at least one SPT test is needed for every 1.5 m elevation change. Standard Penetration
Testing (SPT) is a common sampling technique that approximately measures of in-situ
relative density or consistency, while simultaneously recovering samples for classification
and testing. The field SPT values indicated on the test boring logs can be misleading at
face value and should be properly corrected and interpreted by the Geotechnical Engineer.
The test shall be conducted after driving the casing to the bottom of the borehole and after
cleaning with drill bits and other tools, to ensure the stability of tested soil at targeted
depth.

The SPT test shall be terminated when the SPT value more than 50 The N-values as
observed shall be reported in the bore log without any correction for overburden or water
table.

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The disturbed samples shall be taken from the SPT tube and place in an air tight
containers, labeled with the following details:

Project name. Dates of test o Location of borehole o Depth of SPT test o Number of
SPT blows

Note: The standard penetration test (SPT) shall be performed for all samples in boreholes,
and when possible, in test pits too.

4.4.4. ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY TEST

This test shall be conducted as per ASTM G 57 or IS 1982. The test shall be done by using
4 points. The locations, where ERT is going to be performed shall be finalized in
consultation with Ministry of Energy and Water.

4.4.5. GROUND WATER LEVEL

The depth of the water table shall be measured from the surface of the Borehole. The level
of the water table shall be measured daily and recorded before boring is continued the next
morning. The position of the water table will also be recorded after 24 hours of completion
of the borehole or whatever standard requires

4.4.6. END OF BOREHOLE

Termination of the boreholes when it reached to the desired depth as indicated in the plan
shall be carried out only after it has been checked carefully by the method approved by the
Client. The back filling of the bore hole shall be carried out with an approved material as
directed by the Client or as it has been approved in geotechnical plan. After completion of
the boring at any borehole, a borehole log shall be prepared in detail and submitted to the
Client in triplicate. All the site borelogs should be signed by Laboratory as well as the by
client’s representative who witnessed the drilling and testing in the site.

4.4.7. BACKFILLING BOREHOLES AND EXPLORATORY EXCAVATIONS

Except where the hole is being preserved for future use, all boreholes and exploratory
excavations should be backfilled. The reasons for backfilling holes are to: eliminate safety
hazards for personnel and animals, prevent contamination of aquifers, minimize
underseepage problems of dams and levees, and minimize adverse environmental impacts.
Many states have requirements regarding backfilling boreholes; therefore, appropriate
state officials should be

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consulted. Holes preserved for the installation of instrumentation, borehole examination,

or downhole geophysical work should be backfilled when no longer needed. As a
minimum, borings that are preserved for future use should be protected with a short
section of surface casing, capped, and identified. Test pits, trenches, and shafts should be
provided with suitable covers or barricades until they are backfilled.

5. LABORATORY TESTS

All Laboratory tests shall be carried out in accordance with ASTM standards. Type and
number of tests shall be approved by the Client as per requirement. The results of all tests
shall be submitted in the format approved by the Client. Samples shall be dispatched to the
laboratory as soon as possible after being obtained and shall not be allowed to accumulate
on site without any logical reason.

5.1. PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMEN

The preparation of test specimens for the various tests shall be carried out in accordance
with procedures laid down in relevant standards and codes. In the case of soft cohesive
undisturbed soils test samples for all types of shear tests and consolidation tests shall be
prepared strictly by hand trimming and / or soil lathe. Care shall be taken against bending
of samples at the time of horizontal ejection of samples from the sampling tubes.

5.2. UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST

Each unconfined compression test shall comprise tests on minimum of three soil/rock core
specimens not less than 38 mm diameter for soil strata and not less than 54mm diameter
for rock strata and height to diameter ratio of 2 or according the ASTM D 2166 (Standard
Test Method for Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil) / ASTM D 7012
(Standard Test Methods for Compressive Strength and Elastic Moduli of Intact Rock Core
Specimens under Varying States of Stress and Temperatures).

5.3. CONSOLIDATION TEST

Consolidation test shall be conducted on the undisturbed samples. The loading on each test
specimen shall be applied in according ASTM D 2435 and unloading as well.

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5.4. SOLUBLE SULPHATE CONTENT

Tests shall be carried out in accordance with ASTM standards. Chemical Tests of soil, such
as Soluble salt content: pH (ASTM D 4972-01), chlorides (AASHTO T291) and sulfate
(ASTM C 1580-05), calcium carbonate content, organic matter content.

5.5. COARSE-GRAINED SOILS

For Coarse-grained soils, the tests listed below are required at least  Grain size/ sieve
analysis (ASTM D 422) on every sample  Atterberg limits (ASTM D4318) on all
samples with fines content greater than 5%  Soil classification according to Unified Soil
Classification System (ASTM D 2487) on every sample  Moisture content (ASTM
D2216) on every sample  Specific gravity (ASTM D854) on a sample from each stratum
or where soil type changes for each exploration  Direct shear test under consolidated
drained conditions (ASTM D3080) on samples collected from borehole or test pits the
frequency can be mutual agreed prior test beginning at lab.

5.6. FINE-GRAINED SOILS

For fine-grained soils, the tests listed above and below are required:  Hydrometer test
(ASTM D 422) on samples collected; if 20 percent or more passes the No. 200 Sieve, a
hydrometer analysis shall be performed.  A grain-size distribution curve shall be
provided and should include the combined results of the sieve analysis.  One
dimensional consolidation test (ASTM D 2435) on samples collected from borehole, Test
Method A in accordance with Section 11 default load increments;  Unconfined
compressive strength test (ASTM D 2166) on samples collected from borehole/test pits.
 A collapse test (ASTM D 5333) for samples with a liquid limit (LL) and soil dry
density that falls within the “collapsible” soil region, perform

5.7. ROAD SOILS

For samples collected in the proposed road alignments:  California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
Test (ASTM D1883) on samples collected at 1.5 meters.  Laboratory Compaction
Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort ASTM D 1557  Unified Soil Classification
System ASTM D 2487  Moisture content according ASTM D2216 on every sample

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5.8. CHEMICAL TEST OF WATER

Chemical analysis of water is necessary for the purpose of construction and potable. Water
used in mixing concrete shall conform to ASTM C1602. Test the water accordingly by a
certified chemical expert and lab

6. DEPTH, LOCATION, AND SPACING OF EXPLORATION

The number of test pits and boreholes must be sufficient so that a geotechnical contractor
can make an economical design recommendation with an adequate margin of safety. In
spite of these facts, there are no clear-cut criteria for determining the number of test pits or
boreholes. However; the final approval of the location and number of the borehole and test
pits would be finalized upon the geotechnical soil investigation time according the general
standard internationally engineering practice.

There are no hard and fast rules for the spacing of the boreholes. The following section
6.2 gives some general guidelines for borehole spacing. These spacing can be increased or
decreased, depending on the subsoil condition. If various soil strata are more or less
uniform and predictable, the number of boreholes can be reduced.

6.1. BORING LOCATION PLAN

A preliminary boring location plan showing proposed locations of borings, test pits,
resistivity tests, etc. should be prepared. Drilling instructions detailing the type and
required depths of borings should be prepared. The method of locating borings should be
planned and coordinated.

Table 2-4 (EM_1110-1-1804) is presented as a preliminary guide for geotechnical

personnel for planning the boring and sampling program. This program is not intended to
be a rigid requirement for MEW’s geotechnical site investigations. It is suggested merely
as guide for preliminary planning of the boring and sampling program. Although the data
in this table suggests only undisturbed sampling operations, common sense directs that
some general sample (disturbed) borings are needed to guide the planning for the more
expensive undisturbed sampling locations, depths, and sampling intervals. The final boring
program should be sufficiently flexible to permit geotechnical personnel to obtain a
comprehensive understanding of the site, including anomalies or other features, while
operating within budget and time constraints.

6.2. CRITERIA FOR DEPTH AND NUMBER OF BOREHOLES

Major structures:  Reinforced concrete building > 1000 m2  Steel frame building >
3000 m2  Structure with height ≥ one and a half stories  Steel or concrete tank > 350
m3

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Minor structures:  Other than those above  Depths: sufficient to determine the
subsurface conditions within the influence of the structure’s foundation system  For
Major structure: Minimum 3 borings within footprint, 5 for variable soil or earthquake
zone and Minimum Depth = greater of 6 m or twice height of structure  For Minor
structures: 1 to 3 test pits, 1 test pit for every 225 m2, Minimum Depth = 3 m

To assure that boulders are not mistaken for bedrock, rock coring for 5 to 10 feet is
required. When an important structure is to be founded on rock, core boring should
penetrate the rock sufficiently to determine its quality and character and the depth and
thickness of the weathered zone. Rock coring is expensive and slow, and the minimum size
standard core diameter should be used that will provide good cores. NX or larger sizes
may be required in some rock strata (UFC_3_220_03FA).

Trial Pits: Trial pits shall be of minimum 3m x 3m x 3m size at base so as to permit easy
access for a visual examination of the walls of the pit and to facilitate sampling and in-situ
testing operations. Precautions shall be taken to ensure the stability of pit walls, if
necessary by the provision of shoring. Arrangements shall be made for dewatering, if the
pit is extended below water table. In-situ tests shall be conducted and undisturbed samples
obtained immediately on reaching the specified depths, so as to avoid substantial moisture
changes in the subsoil. After completion of tests and examination, the pits shall be
suitably backfilled as directed by the MEW Engineer. Unless otherwise specified, the
excavated soil shall be used for this purpose.

6.3. MOBILIZATION AND DEMOBILIZATION

The Laboratory shall mobilize adequate plants and equipment, instruments and personnel
(skilled and unskilled) required to carry out the soil investigation work, including access,
filling, provision of platforms, etc. This scope also includes demobilisation of all
equipment / personnel in orderly manner so as to keep the site clean for any further work
by Owner. No extra payment for such activities in due, but whatever has been covered in
the Bill of Quantities under the Soil/Geo Investigation task’s cost. Based on the field
examination or tests, bore logs shall be prepared in accordance with ASTM D 5434. On
completion of the field records, the soil investigator shall discuss and decide in
consultation with the consultants, the schedule of tests to be performed and the exact
number of samples to be tested for each test.

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6.4. REPORT

Two copies of Draft\Interim Report shall be submitted to MEW Engineer before preparing
Final Report. The record shall be prepared with due regards to above given requirements
in a draft format and submitted for review and comment as soon as field and laboratory
works are completed. Contractor shall incorporate the comments/ remarks, if any,
furnished by MEW upon review of the Draft Report and submit the final report. The draft
copy of the report shall in general include but not be limited to the following: 1. Plot plan
showing all the test locations with respect to reference benchmark. 2. General Geological
information of the site 3. Character and genesis of soil 4. Procedure of investigation and
methods of various testing adopted. 5. Detailed bore-logs indicating co-ordinates, reduced
levels, ground water table etc., sub soil profiles along various profiles along various
sections indicating borehole no. depth wise in-situ tests like SPT and other lab results etc.
6. Generalised soil profile of the underlying strata in cross section and longitudinal section
wise, shall be furnished based on the bore log in grid pattern 7. All field and laboratory
test results shall be plotted against depth and also in tabular form 8. Summary of results
obtained from various tests and other interpretation to evaluate various soil parameters. 9.
Recommend suitable foundation for above ground buildings. 10. Recommend suitable
depth of foundation and foundation to be adopted for all buildings/pavements proposed at
the given location. 11. The Laboratory shall recommend in the report the suitable
foundation system or ground improvements to be adopted for Enclosure wall, roads,
drains, Pipeline pedestals and other structures; the permissible bearing pressure expected
at the founding level with allowable settlement, if any; details of soil improvements, if any
and any other aspect which will have any bearing on the proposed construction. The
Laboratory shall also provide the suggested filling materials characteristics/ parameters
considering locally available soils and economics. 12. Ultimate and safe bearing capacity
from shear as well as from settlement criteria (i.e. for 25mm and 40mm) for the shallow
combined or raft footings.

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13. Recommendation for pile foundation (If necessary) including types of piles, size and
depth of pile and safe load in vertical, lateral and pull out. 14. Recommendations if water
table location suggests use of Geo Textiles. 15. Comments on chemical aggressiveness of
soil and ground water on reinforced concrete, steel and other building materials and firm
recommendations on remedial/ preventive measures. 16. Recommendations of CBR value
for design of road and pavement etc. 17. Recommendation of soil resistivity to be
considered for design purpose. 18. Recommendation of design parameters for pressure
meter test. Recommendation of foundation system with detailed calculations from pressure
meter test result. 18. Recommendation regarding ground water fluctuation, horizontal and
vertical permeability of sub soil strata. Contractor shall submit 2 Sets of Final Reports
along with soft copy in CD.

The Ministry of Energy and Water now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to
indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide
information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience
to perform the Services.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below until

05-Feb-18.

Eng. Nasir Ahmad “Ahadi”

Acting Director of Project Coordination Unit PCU
Ministry of Energy and Water
Address: Ministry of Energy and water,Darul Aman Road, Kabul, Afghanistan
Mobile: 0700686110
Email address: - Ahadi.nasir@eirp-afg.org

Copy to saeed.azizullah@eirp-afg.org and zekrullah.harooni@eirp-afg.org