Ground Investigation Requirements and

Derivation of Characteristic and Most

Probable Design Parameters

Dr Ng Tiong Guan, Golder Singapore

15 Oct 2019
Content
• Introduction – Framework on OM
• Requirement for Ground Investigation
• Determination of Geotechnical Design Parameters
• Characteristic value
• Most probable value
• Statistical method
• Work Examples Using Statistical Method
• References
Introduction – Framework on OM
 Annex A
(OM for Design and Construction of ERSS Works)
 Annex A
(OM for Design and Construction of ERSS Works)

i. Adequate GI & testing to satisfy the minimum requirement

ii. Characteristic design parameters
iii. Most probably design parameters
Annex A
(OM for Design and
Construction of ERSS Works)
Annex A
(OM for Design and
Construction of ERSS Works)

BCA WD

“Characteristic values of geotechnical parameters”

 More favourable

Annex A
(OM for Design and
Construction of ERSS Works)
 More favourable

Annex A
(OM for Design and
Construction of ERSS Works)

Keywords:
➢ Characteristic design parameters
▪ Within 1 Std. Dev. from the mean
➢ Most probably design parameters
▪ Average (mean) of available values
➢ Statistical methods
Requirement for Geotechnical
Investigation
 Geotechnical investigations
EN 1997-1

EN 1997-2
Geotechnical investigations
EC7-1 Section 3: Geotechnical Data
EC7-2 Section 2: Planning of ground investigations

Gathering of all relevant information about the site

Groundwater investigation

Ground investigation

Preliminary investigation (conceptual design) – desk studies &

site inspection. e.g. Singapore Geological Map, SLA/INLIS
Design investigation (detailed design) – specify relevant
investigation methods i.e. field tests/ lab tests to justify
choice of foundations, geotechnical works. Locations and
depths of investigation points.
Control investigation (construction stage) - Verification of
choice of foundation method and design procedure, control
of ground improvement works and stability during
construction
Design investigations – No of BH
Structures Type
Buildings –
Up to 10 stories high
More than 10 stories high
Large area
Roads, railways, canals, pipelines, inland 1 BH every 20 to 200m
dikes
ERSS, retaining wall < 6m high
ERSS, retaining wall >= 6m high
Tunnelling in built-up area
Tunnelling in green field area
Dam, costal dikes, weirs
Road Bridges, tower stacks, heavy
machinery foundation
Number of investigation points
recommended
15m to 40m grid, minimum 1 BH per block, and 3
BHs per site
10m to 30m grid, 1 BH per 300sqm, minimum 2 BHs
per block, and 3 BHs per site
≤ 60 m grid per BH, at designer’s discretion
1 BH every 15 to 40m
1 BH every 10 to 30m
1 BH every 10 to 75m
1 BH every 20 to 200m
1 BH every 25 to 75m along vertical sections
2 to 6 BHs per foundation
Design investigations – Depth of BH

EN 1997-2 Annex B
Design investigations – Depth of BH

EN 1997-2 Annex B
Design investigations – Depth of BH

EN 1997-2 Annex B
Design investigations – Depth of BH

EN 1997-2 Annex B
Determination of Geotechnical
Parameters -
What is Characteristic Values
 GEOTECHNICAL PARAMETERS

Value of geotechnical

Derived values
parameter obtained
by theory, correlation
or empiricism from
test results
Characteristic

Xk
values

Xd = Xk / g
Design
values

General framework for selection

of geotechnical properties
EN1997-2 Figure 1.1
 GEOTECHNICAL PARAMETERS
SPT N values
Value of geotechnical

Derived values
parameter obtained
by theory, correlation
cu=5N
or empiricism from
Eu=2N
test results
Characteristic

Xk
values

Xd = Xk / g
Design
values

General framework for selection

of geotechnical properties
EN1997-2 Figure 1.1
 GEOTECHNICAL PARAMETERS
SPT N values
Value of geotechnical

Derived values
parameter obtained
by theory, correlation
cu=5N
or empiricism from
Eu=2N
test results
Characteristic

Xk
values

Xd = Xk / g
Design
values

General framework for selection

of geotechnical properties
EN1997-2 Figure 1.1
 WHAT IS CHARACTERISTIC VALUE?

• EN 1997-1 C2.4.5.2(2)P defines the characteristic value as being

“selected as cautious estimate of the value affecting the occurrence of
the limit state”

• Each word and phrase in this clause is important:

• Selected – emphasizes the importance of engineering judgement
• Cautious estimate – some conservatism is required
• Limit state – the selected value must relate to the limit state
(failure mechanism)
 WHAT IS CHARACTERISTIC VALUE?

• For ERSS, the volume of material being mobilised at the occurrence of the
limit state (ie collapse for the ULS) would be sufficiently large to average
out any variation in soil strength.

• Under these circumstances, a cautious estimate of the mean strength (i.e.

design value reduced from the mean) would be appropriate as a
characteristic value - confidence level of 95% (moderately conservative
parameters)

• Where local failure is of concerned, e.g. end bearing capacity of piled

foundation, a more cautious estimate of the parameters is recommended -
5% fractile (worst credible parameters).
 HOW TO OBTAIN CHAR VALUES FROM DERIVED VALUES?

EC7 cl. 2.4.5.2 only mentions characteristic values

could be obtained by ‘statistical methods’ but did not
provide details.

“This requirement is not particularly useful for the design of routine embedded retaining walls as the
only method to strictly comply would be to attribute a probabilistic distribution to all variables in the
analysis (for example soil strength, surcharging, water levels, and structural properties) and to
undertake a probabilistic analysis using a Monte Carlo simulation.” .. CIRIA C760
 HOW TO OBTAIN CHAR VALUES FROM DERIVED VALUES?

Although the definition of

characteristic values for
geotechnical design according
to EC7 is not statistical, if
sufficient data are available
and the designer is confident in
its use, the use of statistical
analysis can sometimes be
useful in aiding the definition
of the characteristic value.
– CIRIA 760
 STATISTICAL METHOD
Assuming homogenous soil, the characteristic mean value of a geotechnical
parameter can be calculated using: (EC0 D7.2)
Ck = mC (1- knVX)

Ck = characteristic mean value at 95% reliable or 5%

fractile, depending on the kn input
mC = mean of derived values X
kn = statistical coefficient. A function of (i) n, number of samples;
(ii) statistical level of confidence required
VX = coefficient of variation of parameter X,
for “Vx unknown”, VX = sX/mx

sX = standard deviation

Hence Excel =STDEV() function

Xk = mx (1- kn VX)
= mx - kn sX
 STATISTICAL METHOD
Assuming homogenous soil, the characteristic mean value of a geotechnical
parameter can be calculated using: (EC0 D7.2)

Ck = mx - kn sX
kn = a function of n
, Number of sample

Designers’ guide to Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design

Frank et al (2005)
 STATISTICAL METHOD
Assuming homogenous soil, the characteristic mean value of a geotechnical
parameter can be calculated using: (EC0 D7.2)

Ck = mx - kn sX
kn = a function of n
, Number of sample
Schneider(1999)
Simplified Method
Xk = mx - 0.5sX
(upper bound equivalent to 95%
mean reliable)

Designers’ guide to Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design

Frank et al (2005)
APPLICABLE GEOTECHNICAL PARAMETERS

Applicable Geotechnical Parameters

tan j’ Effective angle of shearing resistance

c’ Effective cohesion value

cu Undrained shear strength

E Elastic Young’s Modulus of Soil

Work Examples Using Statistical
Method
Elastic Young’s Modulus E
from Pressure meter test
BH N E E/N
1 16 18 1.13
2 51 163.9 3.21
3 33 70.6 2.14
4 17 40.9 2.41
5 33 82.8 2.51
6 43 101 2.35
7 19 51.3 2.70
8 20 49.2 2.46
9 31 77.5 2.50
10 47 149.7 3.19
mean = 2.46
sx = 0.58
mean - 0.5sx = 2.17
mean - 0.58sx = 2.12
Elastic Young’s Modulus E
from Pressure meter test
Schneider(1999) Simplified Method
BH N E E/N
1 16 18 1.13
2 51 163.9 3.21
3 33 70.6 2.14
4 17 40.9 2.41
5 33 82.8 2.51
6 43 101 2.35
7 19 51.3 2.70
8 20 49.2 2.46
9 31 77.5 2.50
10 47 149.7 3.19
mean = 2.46
sx = 0.58
mean - 0.5sx = 2.17
mean - 0.58sx = 2.12
 Effective shear strength (c’, f’) from
Consolidated Undrained (CU) Triaxial Compression Test
f’

c’

t’ = (s1’-s3’)/2
q'

t0’

s’ = (s1’+s3’)/2
Effective shear strength
c’ & f’
c' f
BH ID SPT N
(kPa) (o)
BH1 5 16.2 31.9
BH2 22 19.7 27.8
BH3 6 6.4 36.4
BH4 13 14.9 33.3
BH5 10 21.3 37.2
BH6 10 8.3 39
BH7 8 39.6 30
BH8 8 25.3 30.2
BH9 9 14.9 29.6
BH10 8 14 30.5
BH11 12 4.2 35.3
BH12 7 17 28.6
BH13 6 9.4 36.4
BH14 8 28.4 31.6
BH15 13 21.6 24.7
Effective shear strength: c’ & f’
Schneider(1999) Simplified Method
 Effective shear strength: c’ & f’
Method C Wong et at. (2017)
Mean – ½ Quarter Method

c' f c' Frequency Cumulative %

BH ID o 5 1 6.7%
(kPa) ()
10 3 26.7%
BH1 16.2 31.9
15 3 46.7%
BH2 19.7 27.8 20 3 66.7%
BH3 6.4 36.4 25 2 80.0%
BH4 14.9 33.3 30 2 93.3%
BH5 21.3 37.2 35 0 93.3%
40 1 100.0%
BH6 8.3 39
BH7 39.6 30 f' Frequency Cumulative %
BH8 25.3 30.2 27 1 6.67%
BH9 14.9 29.6 28 1 13.33%
29 1 20.00%
BH10 14 30.5
30 2 33.33%
BH11 4.2 35.3 31 2 46.67%
BH12 17 28.6 32 2 60.00%
BH13 9.4 36.4 33 0 60.00%
BH14 28.4 31.6 34 1 66.67%
35 0 66.67%
BH15 21.6 24.7
36 1 73.33%
37 2 86.67%
38 1 93.33%
39 1 100.00%
 Effective shear strength: c’ & f’
Method A Wong et at. (2017)
s-t Method

to’=11kPa, tan q=0.5615

Each pair of c’ and f’ is inter-related and inseparable sin f = tan q; c’ = to’/cos f
Effective shear strength: c’ & f’
Method A Wong et at. (2017)
s-t Method

1. The shear strength is computed for each set of c’ and f’ for 3

confining pressure of s’3 (e.g. 25kPa, 50kPa & 100kPa).
2. The mean values and std dev of s’ and t’ are computed for each
confining pressure to determine MP and CH values of s’ & t’ using
Schneider (199) Simplified Method.
3. A line that fits through the 3 points of MP & CH values of s’ & t’ will
be used to determine the MP and CH of c’ & f’
 s'3
(kPa)
s'1
(kPa)
s'
(kPa)
t'
(kPa)
s'3
(kPa)
s'1
(kPa)
s' (kPa) t' (kPa)
Effective shear strength: c’ & f’
25
25
139.5
133.9
82.2
79.4
57.2
54.4
50
50
220.8
202.6
135.4
126.3
85.4
76.3
Method A Wong et at. (2017)
25 123.7 74.3 49.3 50 221.8 135.9 85.9
25 140.3 82.6 57.6 50 225.8 137.9 87.9 s-t Method
25 188.0 106.5 81.5 50 289.8 169.9 119.9
25 145.1 85.1 60.1 50 255.2 152.6 102.6
25 211.5 118.3 93.3 50 286.2 168.1 118.1
25 163.7 94.4 69.4 50 239.3 144.7 94.7
25 124.9 74.9 49.9 50 198.7 124.4 74.4
25 126.3 75.6 50.6 50 203.2 126.6 76.6
25 109.4 67.2 42.2 50 202.7 126.3 76.3
25 128.2 76.6 51.6 50 199.2 124.6 74.6
25 135.5 80.2 55.2 50 233.6 141.8 91.8
25 181.2 103.1 78.1 50 261.0 155.5 105.5
25 128.7 76.8 51.8 50 189.6 119.8 69.8
mean 85.2 60.2 mean 139.3 89.3
sx 14.2 14.2 sx 16.0 16.0
mx-0.5sx 78.1 53.1 mx-0.5sx 131.3 81.3

s'3 s'1
s' (kPa) t' (kPa)
(kPa) (kPa) Most Probable
100 383.3 241.6 141.6 s'3 s' t'
100 340.0 220.0 120.0 (kPa) (kPa) (kPa)
100 417.9 259.0 159.0 25 78.1 53.1
100 396.8 248.4 148.4 50 131.3 81.3
100 493.3 296.7 196.7 100 234.8 134.8
100 475.3 287.6 187.6
100 435.7 267.8 167.8
100 390.5 245.2 145.2 Characterisic value
100 346.4 223.2 123.2 s'3 s' t'
100 357.1 228.6 128.6 (kPa) (kPa) (kPa)
100 389.3 244.6 144.6 25 85.2 60.2
100 341.2 220.6 120.6 50 139.3 89.3
100 429.7 264.9 164.9
100 247.6 147.6
100 420.5 260.3 160.3
100 311.6 205.8 105.8
mean 247.6 147.6
sx 25.7 25.7
mx-0.5sx 234.8 134.8
 Effective shear strength: c’ & f’
Summary Table

Most Probable Characteristic

Statistical Method
c' (kPa) f' (o) c' (kPa) f' (o)

Schneider (1999) Simplified Method (B) 17.4 32.2 12.8 30.2

Mean – ½ Quarter Method (C) 16.0 31.2 12.8 30.2

s- t Method (A) 16.4 32.6 14.4 31.4

CONCLUSIONS
 CONCLUSIONS

• To adopt OM Framework, adequate ground investigation should be carried out.

• The number of BH and depth of BH shall comply with EC7 recommendations and
Guidelines by GeoSS/BCA
• Design for both Characteristic and Most Probable Parameters – Critical parameters
shear strength & stiffness
• Design parameters to be derived from statistical method - number of tests within
each governing soil layer shall be adequate (min. 10 samples)
• Examples of statistical method:
- Schneider (1999) Simplified Method, Mean – ½ Quarter Method,
- s- t Method
• The selection of design parameters shall be properly documented and presented in
the Geotechnical Design Report
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
THANK YOU