erratic, more insitu testing is capacity for the specified depth of
more meaningful. drilling i.e. open hole rotary drilling or
- classification & index tests from
disturbed & undisturbed samples are
mainly for classification, identification
& simple preliminary correlations for
shear strength parameters & other
engineering properties/behaviour.
- shear strength tests from block
samples and undisturbed samples (UU,
CU, CKUC, CIUC, CLUE, CD triaxial
tests, direct shear test, UCS, etc.) are
for analysis and design.
- consolidation & permeability tests from
undisturbed samples or block samples
are for settlement analysis and
seepage evaluation
- compaction/CBR tests from bulk
samples coupled with index properties
are for fill suitability evaluation and
stability analysis etc.
5. COMMON SI METHODS
SI methods and the type of equipment or
samplers required for a SI job depend on the
nature of terrain, access, type of geological
formation, type of lab tests and intended use of
the data.
Experience plus engineering judgement are
required in selection of SI methods. Common SI
methods are briefly outlined as follows:
(a) JKR Probes
Results can be used to determine
thickness of unsuitable material to be
removed and also for preliminary
design of embankments. Usually
carried out near HA or DB positions
and filling areas to verify the
consistency of subsoil of medium
strength up to maximum of 12m deep.
(b) Hand Auger (HA)
(d)
Used in soft to stiff cohesive soils or
sandy soils above water table. Usual
spacing is 60m - 600m. Maximum
depth is about 5m. Very extensively
used for road projects because
extensive open tube samples of 50
mm to 100 mm diam. along the
alignment can be obtained at a
relatively fast and low price for the
basic and index properties; used for
identification, classification and
correlation of engineering properties
such as permeability, strength and
deformation etc. HA is particularly
valuable in connection with ground-
water determination.
(c) Deep Boring (DB)
(e)
Boreholes should be advanced by
power rotary drilling with adequate
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casing advancement drilling method.
To avoid disturbance of the underlying
soil stratum, only side discharge of
flushing medium (water) from drilling
rod bits is allowed; bottom discharge
from casing should not be permitted.
Water used for flushing should be clear.
If coarse sand or fine gravel are
encountered, then bentonite or mud
water is used to flush the coarse sand
out from the borehole. Borehole size of
NW or HW are preferred. For boreholes
deeper than 20m, rods with a stiffness
equal to or greater than BW drill rods
but less than 10 kg/m should be
specified. Invaluable to determine
stratigraphical formation and subsoil
properties in cut and filling areas.
Usual spacing is 60m - 600m. Field tests
such as SPT, vane shear, for soft to stiff
strata) permeability and
pressuremeter tests can be carried out
in the boreholes. Disturbed and
undisturbed samples can be taken for
various laboratory tests to determine
strength and deformation properties.
Piezometers can also be installed in
the borehole at predetermined strata
to monitor the piezometer levels and
ground water conditions. SPT tests are
usually carried out at change of soil
type or 1.5m or 1.0m intervals. For soft
clay and residual soil strata, stationary
piston and Mazier samplers are
respectively used to take quality
undisturbed samples for laboratory
strength tests.
Continuous soil sampling (Swedish or
Delft Samplers) is specified if
identification of soil fabric or depth of
changes in distinct strata and
properties are required. For uniform
subsoil, more sampling for lab tests;
but for erratic subsoil more field tests
should be carried out.
Deep Sound (DS) - 100 kN/200 kN
capacity
This is the static Dutch Cone
Penetrometer Test. It is usually used to
supplement Deep Boring results in
filling areas which are fluvial or soft
formation. Not suitable for boulder or
gravel abundant subsoil. The results
can be used to correlate and
ascertain strength and deformation
properties, etc., of the subsoils. Useful
and adequate to determine subsoil
profile. Piezocone tests which can also
measure pore water pressure,
consolidation properties, etc, are
preferred in soft ground if subsoil
profiling is required.
Test Pit, Bulk Samples & Block Samples
Usually test pit can be up to 2m deep
or more it excavator is adopted.