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Examples of the various types of field investigations are:
(i) Field testing (e.g. CPT, SPT, dynamic probing, WST, pressuremeter tests,
dilatometer tests, plate load tests, field vane tests and permeability tests);
(ii) Soil sampling for description of the soil and laboratory tests;
(iii) Groundwater measurements to determine the groundwater table or the
pore pressure profile and their fluctuations
(iv) Geophysical investigations (e.g. seismic profiling, ground penetrating
radar, resistivity measurements and down hole logging);
(v) Large scale tests, for example to determine the bearing capacity or the
behaviour directly on prototype elements, such as anchors.
Where ground contamination or soil gas is expected, information shall be gathered
from the relevant sources. This information shall be taken into account when
planning the ground investigation. Some of the common methods of exploration,
sampling and ground water measurements in soils are described in Appendix D.
3.4.4 Number and Location of Investigation Points
The locations of investigation points, e.g., pits and boreholes shall be selected on the
basis of the preliminary investigations as a function of the geological conditions, the
dimensions of the structure and the engineering problems involved. When selecting
the locations of investigation points, the following should be observed:
(i) The investigation points should be arranged in such a pattern that the
stratification can be assessed across the site;
(ii) The investigation points for a building or structure should be placed at
critical points relative to the shape, structural behaviour and expected
load distribution (e.g. at the corners of the foundation area);
(iii) For linear structures, investigation points should be arranged at adequate
offsets to the centre line, depending on the overall width of the structure,
such as an embankment footprint or a cutting;
(iv) For structures on or near slopes and steps in the terrain (including
excavations), investigation points should also be arranged outside the
project area, these being located so that the stability of the slope or cut
can be assessed. Where anchorages are installed, due consideration
should be given to the likely stresses in their load transfer zone;
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(v) The investigation points should be arranged so that they do not present a
hazard to the structure, the construction work, or the surroundings (e.g.
as a result of the changes they may cause to the ground and groundwater
conditions);
(vi) The area considered in the design investigations should extend into the
neighbouring area to a distance where no harmful influence on the
neighbouring area is expected. Where ground conditions are relatively
uniform or the ground is known to have sufficient strength and stiffness
properties, wider spacing or fewer investigation points may be applied.
In either case, this choice should be justified by local experience.
(vii) The locations and spacing of sounding, pits and boreholes shall be such
that the soil profiles obtained will permit a reasonably accurate estimate
of the extent and character of the intervening soil or rock masses and
will disclose important irregularities in subsurface conditions.
(viii) For building structures, the following guidelines shall be followed:
On uniform soils, at least three borings, not in one line, should be made
for small buildings and at least five borings one at each corner and one
at the middle should be made for large buildings. As far as possible the
boreholes should be drilled closed to the proposed foundations but
outside their outlines.
Spacing of exploration depends upon nature and condition of soil, nature
and size of the project. In uniform soil, spacing of exploration (boring)
may be 30 m to 100 m apart or more and in very erratic soil conditions,
spacing of 10 m or less may be required. The following chart gives
an approximate idea about spacing of boring required for small
and multistoried buildings having different horizontal stratification of
soil.
Type of Spacing of Bore Holes (m)
Building
Type of Soil in Horizontal Stratification
Uniform Average Erratic
Small buildings 60 30 15
Multistoried 45 30 15
buildings
3284 evsjv‡`k †M‡RU, AwZwi³, †deªæqvwi 11, 2021
(ix) For large areas covering industrial and residential colonies, the
geological nature of the terrain will help in deciding the number of
boreholes or trial pits. The whole area may be divided into grid pattern
with Cone Penetration Tests (Appendix D) performed at every 100 m
grid points. The number of boreholes or trial pits shall be decided by
examining the variation in penetration curves. At least 67% of the
required number of borings or trial pits shall be located within the area
under the building.
3.4.5 Depth of Exploration
The depth of investigations shall be extended to all strata that will affect the project
or are affected by the construction. The depth of exploration shall depend to some
extent on the site and type of the proposed structure, and on certain design
considerations such as safety against foundation failure, excessive settlement,
seepage and earth pressure. Cognizance shall be taken of the character and sequence
of the subsurface strata. The site investigation should be carried to such a depth that
the entire zone of soil or rock affected by the changes caused by the building or the
construction will be adequately explored. A rule of thumb used for this purpose is to
extend the borings to a depth where the additional load resulting from the proposed
building is less than 10% of the average load of the structure, or less than 5% of the
effective stress in the soil at that depth. Where the depth of investigation cannot be
related to background information, the following guide lines are suggested to
determine the depth of exploration:
(i) Where substructure units will be supported on spread footings, the
minimum depth boring should extend below the anticipated bearing
level a minimum of two footing widths for isolated, individual footings
where length 2 times of width, and four footing widths for footings
where length 5 times of width. For intermediate footing lengths, the
minimum depth of boring may be estimated by linear interpolation as a
function of length between depths of two times width and five times
width below the bearing level. Greater depth may be required where
warranted by local conditions.
(ii) For more heavily loaded structures, such as multistoried structures and
for framed structures, at least 50% of the borings should be extended to
a depth equal to 1.5 times the width of the building below the lowest
part of the foundation.
