TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
1.2 SCOPE OF TESTING
1.3 Site investigation
1.4 Laboratory testing
1.5 Discussion of field testing
1.6 Standard penetration tests
1.7 Natural Moisture Content
1.8 Disturbed and Undisturbed Soil Sample
1.9 Preparation of Borehole log
2.0 DISCUSSION OF LABORATORY TESTING
2.1 Grain Size Analysis
2.2 Liquid and Plastic Limit Test
2.3 Soil Classifications
2.4 Bearing Capacity Analysis
2.5 Depth of Ground Water Table
Recommendations
Annexure

A Summary of Test Results

B Bore Hole Logs
C Lithological profile
D Bore Holes Location Plan
Appendix
A Grain Size Analysis Test
B Atterberg Limits Test

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 Sub-Soil Investigation of Plot No. 436, Street No. 01, Bahria Springs
Phase VII, Rawalpindi

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

Investigation of the underground conditions at a site is prerequisite to the

economical design of the substructure elements. To properly define the
engineering properties of soil as these exist at site, the assignment of
Geotechnical Investigation was entrusted to M/S GEO MATERIAL TESTING
LABORATORY AND GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES Rawalpindi.
The sub-soil investigation report presents the scope and methodology of sub-
soil investigation executed at the project site. Details of field and laboratory
testing, analysis of test results, determination of allowable bearing capacity
and depth of column footing etc are recommended in this report
. The Team of GMTL reached on the proposed site for geotechnical study of the
sub-soil. Plot is about 12.0 ft -15 up from road Level. Two (02) bore holes have
been drilled up to the depth of 05.0 ft to 12.ft from ESL of plot. Further drilling
was not possible due to rock. Backfill material was encountered up to 04.0 ft
depth in BH-01 and up to 03.0ft depth in BH-02 from ESL of plot. Water table
was not encountered in all of the bore holes. The sub soil stratum at the
project site is classified as Inorganic ROCK (Shale & Sand Stone) in
accordance with unified soil classification system (USCS). Bore hole locations
are shown in Anx-C of this report.
1.2 SCOPE OF GEOTECHNICAL STUDIES

Foundation of a structure has a direct bearing to the engineering

characteristics of the underlying deposits of soil. Hence it is the main purpose
of the soil investigation to evaluate the various deposits of the same or
different characteristics, principal constituents and the engineering properties.
Irrespective of the size and type of the project, the engineering procedure
almost remains the same for determining the most appropriate type and size

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 of the foundation under determined characteristics of the soil. So drilling of 02
bore holes were made for sub soil profiling purpose.
The site investigation work comprised of performing standard penetration test
(SPT), determination of moisture content, drilling of bore holes and collection
of disturbed soil samples for laboratory testing, discussion of site investigation
and laboratory test results. Analysis of strength and index properties of soil and
assessment of bearing capacity are also included in this report.
1.3 SITE INVESTIGATION

Following Tests were conducted on the site according to AASHTO / ASTM

testing procedure and results are summarized in Anx - A
a. Standard Penetration test (SPT). (ASTM D 1556-84)
b. Natural Moisture Content. (ASTM D 2216-90)
c. In situ Bulk Density (ASTM-D-2939)
d. Collection of disturbed soil samples.
e. Preparation of bore hole Logs
1.4 LABORATORY TESTING

Following tests were conducted in GEO MATERIAL TESTING LABORATORY

according to ASTM testing procedure for evaluation of index and strength
properties of soil, for analysis of bearing capacity and behavior of settlement
under footing are also included in this report. Test results are summarized in
Anx-A.
a. Grain size analysis. (AASHTO) T 11-91)
b. Atterberg limits (AASHTO) T89-93 T90-92)
c. Soil classification. (USCS ASTM D 2487-85)

1.5 DISCUSSION OF FIELD TESTING

Keeping in view, discussions of test results with standard testing procedure of
ASTM / AASHTO are mentioned:
1.6 STANDARD PENETRATION TEST

Standard penetration test (SPT) is most commonly used through the world
wide for rapid determination of in situ shearing strength of soil and consistency
of soil texture. In this method split spoon sampler is used. It is an open-ended
steel cylinder, which splits longitudinally into two halves. It is 60cm (24 inches)
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 long and has 5.08cm (2.0 inches) outer and 3.81cm (1.50 inches) inner
diameter. A standard cutting shoe at the lower end holds together the two
halves and a coupling at upper side connects the sampler to the drill rod. A
Drop Hammer weighing 64 kg (140 lbs.) falling free from a height of 76cm
(30.00inchs) drives the sampler into the soil. The number of blows required
penetrating the sampler 30cm (12.00 inches) into the undisturbed soil strata is
recorded as standard penetration resistance or SPT blows count. The test was
performed at the site after 5.0 ft depth intervals according to testing
procedure of ASTM D 1556-84 and N-value at 12 inch penetration is recorded
in borehole logs. The test is halted and refusal if,
• 50 blows are encountered for any 6 inch penetration.
• 100 blows are obtained for last 12 inch penetration.
• 10 successive blows produce no advance.
The SPT corrected ‘N’ values at the said site is Refusal in the bore holes.
1.7 NATURAL MOISTURE CONTENT

Determination of natural moisture content is a routine field/laboratory test to

determine the amount of water present in soil air voids, usually amount of
water expressed as in percent. Natural moisture content (NMC) is most
important parameter and is considered in foundation designing purpose.
Disturbed soil samples were collected from 3.0ft depth intervals of bore holes
and label according to ASTM testing procedure of sampling, and transported
to GMTL laboratory for finding the %age of natural moisture content. The
results of % age of natural moisture content are summarized in ANX-A. The
values of natural moisture content ranges from 5.2 to 6.3 %.
1.8 DISTURBED AND UNDISTURBED SOIL SAMPLES.

Soil samples were collected carefully at the site during drilling phase to
accurately determine the engineering characteristics of sub-soil. Collection of
disturbed soil samples was carried out from bore holes at specified depths.
These samples have been tested in laboratory, to perform the sieve analysis
and Atterberg Limit test for classification purpose.
1.9 PREPARATION OF BORE HOLE LOGS

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 Bore Hole logs are presented to describe classification of soil and detailed
geological and geotechnical description of soil and rocks and are attached
in Anx-B of this report.

2.0 DISCUSSION OF LABORATORY TESTING

Following tests were conducted in GEO MATERIAL TESTING LABORATORY

according to ASTM Standard testing Procedure.
a. Grain Size Analysis
b. Atterberg Limits Test
2.1 GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS (AASHTO DESIGNATION T 11-91)
Grain size analysis or sieve analysis test divide the soil in groups through US or
BS standard sieves. For example coarse grained soil (Gravel) is consisting of 50
% or > 50 % retained on NO 4 sieve. Fine grained soil (Clay or Silt) is consisting
of 50 % or > 50 % passing No 4 Sieve. Same as No 200 sieve separates the fine
grained soil into further two sub groups. For example clay or silt particles
consisting of 50 % or > 50 % passing NO 200 sieve. Sand particles consisting of <
50 % passing NO 200 sieve. . For course grained soil, particle size is determined
against 10%, 30% and 60% passing, this may be denoted as D10, D30 and D60
respectively.
Uniformity Co-efficient=D60/D10
Co-efficient of curvature= D(30)2/(D10xD60)
For this purpose grain size analysis of each bore hole at different depth have
been conducted in laboratory and results are attached in Appendix-A

2.2 ATTERBERG LIMITS TESTS AASHTO (T 89-93) and (T 90-92)

The liquid and plastic limits are used internationally for soil identification and
classification and for strength correlations. Air dried soil samples are used for
Atterberg limits test in Casagranda liquid limit apparatus. The liquid limit is
defined as that water content which produces a standard groove closure of
1/2" for 25 blows in the liquid limit machine. Plastic limit is the range of water
content at which soil thread become 3.2 mm and crumbles with finger
pressure. The test results are shown in appendix-B of this report.
2.3 SOIL CLASSIFICATION

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 Unified soil classification system was introduced by Casagranda in 1942 for
classifying the soil elements groups. Based on % ages of grain size and plastic
index (PI) of soil, classification of proposed site suggested as Inorganic ROCK
(Shale & Sand Stone) according to unified soil classification system (USCS). The
soil is of homogenous nature at the site having same relative engineering
properties.
2.4 BEARING CAPACITY ANALYSIS

Bearing Capacity is the allowable load that a soil strata can with stand
against the load of the structure. Ultimate bearing capacity is the ultimate
load against which the shearing failure may occur. Whereas the allowable
bearing capacity is the safe bearing capacity where there is no chance of
settlement and shearing of the sub-soil.
There are three types of shearing that may occur in the sub-soil.
1. General shear failure.
It is generally the characteristic of dense sand at low strain say less
than 5 %.
2. Local shearing failure
It may occur in soft to medium soil.
3. Punching shear failure
Loose sand or soft clay may be undergone by this type of shearing
failure.
Bearing capacity can be determined with the help of shearing strength testing
and SPT test.

2.5-1 BEARING CAPACITY ASSESSMENT WITH C & !

Different scientists have proposed theories for the calculations of bearing
capacity. Terzaghi, Meyerohf and Hensen proposed there theories for soils
having cohesion and angle of internal frictions. Hensen and Meyerohf added
inclination, depth and shape factors to that of Terzaghi equation.
Terzaghi equation best describes all the factors necessary to be considered.

For strip Footings

qu=cNc + qNq+0.5 BN For General shear Failure.

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 Where,
qu = ultimate bearing capacity
C = Cohesion Intercept
Nc,Nq & N = Friciton Fractors
q = Overburden pressure
For Isolated Footings
qu=1.2 cNc + DNq+0.4 BN

Meyerohf’s Equation.
For Vertical Load, qu=1.2 c Nc Sc dc+q Nq sq dq+1/2 B Nr Sr dr
For Inclined Load, qu=1.2 cNcScdcIc+qNqsqdqIq+1/2 B Nr Sr dr Ir
Hensen also proposed ground & base factors.
qu=1.2 c Nc Sc dc gc bc Ic+q Nq sq dq gq bq Iq+1/2 r B Nr Sr dr gr br Ir
Inclination, depth and shape factors only give a high bearing capacity values
for vertical and inclined loading and not conservative.
2.5-2 BEARING CAPACITY ASSESSMENT ON THE BASIS OF SPT
VALUES.

Messeri and Skempton introduced an equation based on the un-drained shear

strength (Su) for the determination of allowable bearing capacity of cohesive
soil.
qu (tsf)= 5 Su (1+0.2 D/B) (1+0.2 B/L)
Where D,B and L are depth, width and length of proposed foundation and Su
is un-drained shear strength (Su = qu/2), Where qu unconfined compression
strength. For continuous footing, term (1+0.2 B/L) becomes 1 and simple
relation will be as under:-
qa(ksf) =5 su(1+0.2 D/B)/FOS
Factor of safety (FOS) is taken as 3 by keeping in view the risk of settlement
and loss of shear strength of foundation soil at contact of water during
construction stage. Un-drained shear strength (for clay) from standard
penetration test can be determined with the following simplified relation:-
Unconfined compression strength, qu (tsf) =0.125xNcor: Su=qu/2
For sandy, silty sand and Fine Gravelly soils, Meyerhof’s equation

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 is more conservative for the assessment of bearing capacity:-
qa (ksf)= (Ncor/4) Kd for B(=/<)4ft
qa(ksf) =(Ncor/4) (1+1/B) 2xKd for B>4ft
Where, Kd=1+0.33(D/B) should be (<, =) 1.33
For gravelly soil strata, the bearing capacity is assessed basing on
SPT number of blows with the following simplified formula:-
qa(tsf) =0.116 (Ncor) for B=3 &4 ft and D/B =1
The proposed equation for non-cohesive soil provides allowable bearing
capacity for one inch settlement. The above expressions are for dry type of
soils (M F Atkinson) so the bearing capacity should be halved for the
foundation or there is any risk of leakage of water in foundation soil.
2.5-3 FOUNDATION DESIGN CONSIDERATION

Different rules and considerations for deciding width & depth for structural
engineer.
a. Width of footings.
• The width of footings should be equal to 3 x thickness of the wall.
• The total load including dead load, live load and wind load coming
on the wall per foot length in case of a pier at the center of the pier is
worked out. The width of the footings is worked out and is obtained
as;
B (ft)= P (tons)/ BC (Tsf) For columns
• Width of the footing equal to the sum of twice the thickness of the
wall and twice the projection of the bed concrete. Out the above
three methods, maximum value should be adopted for the design
purposes.

b. Depth of footings.
• It should be taken to the minimum depth of 2’6’’below the natural ground
unless hard soil is available within 2’6’’.
• For loose soil, Rankins formula can be useful to find out the max. depth of
footings.

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 D = P/r [(1-sin!)/ (1+ sin!)2 where D is depth of footings in feet, P load on
soil in Psf, r unit weight in pcf.
• D (cm) = 30 + H/10. Here H is height of room in cm. Out of three methods
maximum value is adopted. In case of basement, depth of basement
should be at least 2-1/2 to 3ft below the floor level of basement.

Footing type.
Strip footings are appropriate for single and up to two story building keeping in
view the cost effect and better performance. Isolated footings are for more
than two stories or more on stable ground.

Soil Profile Type for Earthquake Analysis.

Electrical resistivity requires sound experience in interpretation of graph and
averaging of wave velocity as per stratification while SPT number of blows
provides a fair judgment to evaluate stratum consistency.

2.6 DEPTH OF GROUND WATER TABLE

The Depth of ground water table, if encountered, needs to be observed and

recorded on the Borehole logs. The ground water affects many elements and
phases of foundation design and construction. In case of site under
consideration, ground water table was not encountered up to the depth of
12.0 ft during the investigation.

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 Recommendations
Recommendations for Plot No. 436, Street No. 01, Bahria Springs
Phase VII, Rawalpindi are given as below;

Recommended allowable bearing capacity value for footing is

For Strip Footing = 1.15 TSF

For Isolated footing = 1.40 TSF
For Raft Footing = 1.63 TSF

The depth of footing for without basement may be taken at 4.0 feet
below from road level

1) It should be ensured that the foundation should not be placed on fill and
unstable ground if encountered during the foundation excavation at the
project site that should be removed and foundation should be laid down
below natural surface level.
2) Ingress of water through any source to foundation soil should be prevented.
Adequate surface drainage should be provided to avoid accumulation of
rain water and overflows from the over head water tanks.
3) The foundation should be compacted well before the placement of footings
for the firm setting.
4) Ground Water Table was not encountered in all of the bore Holes up to the
Investigated depth of 12.0 ft.
5) Ordinary Portland cement may be used for construction of the foundation
and super-structure of the building.

Geologist
Khawar Shehzad
GMTL Rawalpindi

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 GEO MATERIAL TESTING LABORATORY

BORE HOLE LOG

Project: Plot No: 436, Street No: 01 Location: Phase VII, Bahria Town Rawalpindi

Depth of Water Table: Not encountered Date: 18/03/2019 Bore Hole No: 01

Depth STANDARD PENETRATION TEST

DESCRIPTION SYMBOL Sample S.P.T GWT
(ft) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

0 Backfill

Up to 04.0 ft depth

Comprising
N
Silty Clay with few O
Gravel T

E
N
C
O
04 U
N
Shale T
E
From 04.0 to 11.0 ft R
05 Depth SPT-01 R E
D

10 SPT-2 R

11
Sand Stone

From 11.0 to 12.0 ft

Depth

12
Further drilling was
not possible

END OF BOREHOLE

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 GEO MATERIAL TESTING LABORATORY

BORE HOLE LOG

Project: Plot No: 436, Street No: 01 Location: Phase VII, Bahria Town Rawalpindi

Depth of Water Table: Not encountered Date: 18/03/2019 Bore Hole No: 02

Depth STANDARD PENETRATION TEST

DESCRIPTION SYMBOL Sample S.P.T GWT
(ft) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

0 Backfill

Up to 03.0 ft depth

Comprising
N
Silty Clay with few O
Gravel T

03 E
N
C
O
Sand Stone U
N
From 03.0 to 05.0 ft T
Depth E
R
E
D

05 SPT-2 R
Further drilling was
not possible

END OF BOREHOLE

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