Client: M/s Lanco Amarkantak Power Pvt Ltd

Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 The work of sub-soil exploration for the proposed Lanco Amarkantak Thermal
Power station unit#1(1x 300MW) project(Project) at Pathadi village, Korba district,
Chattisgarh being developed by M/s. Lanco Amarkantak Power Pvt. Ltd,
Hyderabad was entrusted to M/s. Geo Foundations & Structures Pvt. Ltd., 6th Floor,
Alpha Plaza, K.P.Vallon Road, Kadavanthra, Kochi 682020. vide work order #
LAPPL/WO/CIVIL/02 dated 12.03.2005
1.2 The soil investigation studies at site were carried out in August - September 2005
and subsequently the laboratory tests were carried out at our lab in Cochin. This
report summarises the investigations and furnishes recommendations for the
foundations.
2.0 PROJECT INFORMATION
2.0

Location

: 16KM from Korba on Korba-Champa state

highway, Korba District

2.1

2.2

2.4

Longitude

: 82 43'40"E

Latitude

: 22 14' 30"N

Attitude

: 285M above MSL

Seismic Data
Seismic Intensity

: As per IS: 1893-2002

Zone

: III

Importance factor

: 1.5

Ambient Temperature
Maximum dry bulb temperature

: 46 C

Minimum dry bulb temperature

: 13.9 C

Design temperature for elec equipment/device

: 50 C

Relative Humidity
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2.3

2.4

Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

Max.(Mean value of summer month

: 45%

Min.(Mean value of Summer month)

: 30%

Rain Fall
Max. Recorded

: 1600 m m

Average Annual rainfall

: 1300 mm

Period Monsoon (Avg.) showers

: June-Sep

Wind Data
Mean wind speed(Max.)

: 39 m/sec.(As per IS
875 -1987 part-3)

Climatic Conditions

: Hot & Arid

3.0 OBJECT OF INVESTIGATION

3.1 The object of the soil investigation is to ascertain the nature and characteristics of
sub-soil below the ground level at the proposed project site. The study includes
identification of suitable foundation systems for the various buildings, structures,
machines at the project and assessment of safe bearing capacity of the soil in
accordance with standard Engineering Practice, IS codes etc.

4.0 SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work at this site comprised of the following:
4.1 Mobilisation of Two boring rigs with all necessary equipments and personnel.
4.2 Boring of Eighteen bore-holes in project site and three in intake site of 150mm dia
with rotary power drilling equipments through sand, silt & clay etc. to a maximum
depth of 21.0 metres . The boring was carried out at locations indicated by M/s.
lanco in drawing No. LAPPL-GI-01 Rev. 1

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Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

4.3 Conducting Standard Penetration Tests in bore -holes and collecting the disturbed
samples including packing and transportation to laboratory.
4.4 To conduct the following laboratory tests on soil samples:
(a)

(b)

Particle size analysis:

(i)

Sieve analysis

(ii)

Hydrometer analysis

Index properties:
(i)

Liquid limit

(ii)

Plastic limit

(c)

Dry & wet density

(d)

Water content

(e)

Specific gravity

(f) Direct shear test

(g) Tri-axial shear test
(h) Electrical Resistivity Test
(i) Laboratory CBR Test
(j) Modified proctor Test
(k) Lab Permeabiltiy test
4.5 Digging five trial pit of size 2.0m x 2.0m x 2.0m at locations indicated in drawing No.
LAPPL-GI-01 Rev. 1
4.6 Conducting Six Electrical Resistivity test at locations indicated in drawing No. LAPPLGI-01 Rev. 1
4.7 Conducting one Plate Load test
4.8 Conducting Field CBR test
4.9 Preparation and submitting detailed report with field and lab results and
Recommendation.
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Client: M/s Lanco Amarkantak Power Pvt Ltd

Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

5.0 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

5.1 Two boring rigs with all requisite equipments and accessories were mobilised at
the work

site in August, 2005. A team of technical personnel with skilled

labours were deputed.

5.2 Twenty-one boreholes of 150mm diameter were bored to a maximum to
depth of 21.0m below the existing ground level. The boreholes were made as
per IS: 1892- 1979.
5.3 Five trial pits of 2.0m x 2.0m x 2.0m size were also taken at specified locations.
5.4 Six Electrical resistivity test were also conducted at the site.
5.5 Disturbed samples were collected at every change of strata or about 1.50
metres depth interval whichever was earlier. The samples so collected were
carefully sealed and numbered with full particulars for identification and sent
to the laboratory for conducting the required tests.
5.6

Standard Penetration Tests were conducted in the bore- holes at regular

intervals of 1.50m as per IS: 2131-1981. In this test, the standard split spoon
sampler is driven into the ground at the required depth by means of standard
hammer of 63.5 kgs weight, falling from a height of 75cm. Number of blows for
the first 15cm is not taken into consideration because of possible disturbances
or presence of settled, suspended matters at the bottom of the bore- holes.
The total number of blows for the next 30cm depth of penetration is
considered as SPT N values are shown in fig. 1 to fig.26

5.7 Plate load tests and Field CBR tests were not conducted, as the site condition
was not suitable because of heavy rain and the water table available right at
the ground level as a result of water logging.

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Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

TABLE : DETAILS OF BOREHOLES

Borehole
No

Reduced
Level (m)

BH-1

282.61

BH-2

286.07

5.3

14.7

20.0

BH-3

286.191

7.5

7.5

15.0

BH-4

283.656

7.5

2.5

10.0

BH-5

280.876

7.5

2.5

10.0

BH-6

285.759

9.0

11.0

20.0

BH-7

288.151

4.0

6.0

10.0

BH-8

288.151

5.0

5.1

10.1

BH-9

286.376

4.0

6.0

10.0

BH-10

5.0

4.5

10.0

BH-11

287.31

7.5

2.5

10.0

BH-12

289.120

4.0

16.0

20.0

BH-13

277.330

6.0

4.0

10.0

BH-14

288.500

6.5

3.5

10.0

7.2

2.8

10.0

8.8

1.2

10.0

2.0

11.0

13.0

BH-15
BH-16

281.200

BH-17

Depth of investigation
In Soil
In Rock
Total
(Soft/ Hard)
5.0
15.0
20.0

BH-18

284.096

6.5

3.5

10.0

BH-19

215.549

2.0

19.0

21.0

BH-20

265.536

7.0

7.0

BH-21

265.517

4.5

3.7

8.2

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Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

6.0 LABORATORY INVESTIGATION

The following laboratory tests were conducted on the selected samples
recovered from

the test bore-holes:

(a) Particle size analysis:

(i) Sieve analysis
(ii) Hydrometer analysis
(b) Index properties:
(i) Liquid limit
(ii) Plastic limit
(c) Dry & wet density
(d) Water content
(e) Specific gravity
(f) Direct shear test
(g) Tri-axial shear test
(h) Electrical Resistivity Test
(i) Laboratory CBR Test
(j) Modified Proctor Density Test
(k) Lab Permeability test
(l) Chemical Analysis on water sample
(m) Chemical Analysis on soil samples
All the above laboratory tests were carried out as per relevant Indian
Standards.

All the samples were identified and classified as per IS: 1498 -1970.

7.0 SOIL PROFILE

7.1 In all the locations top strata was clayey silt followed by silty sand followed by
rocky strata. Bore logs for the twenty-one boreholes are furnished in fig 10 to 35.

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Client: M/s Lanco Amarkantak Power Pvt Ltd

Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

The strata of the soil in different boreholes is furnished below in table No.1.
TABLE NO: 1
LAYER TYPE AND DESCRIPTION FOR BH-1 TO 21

Observed in Bore hole

No.

SP-SM

Dense

BH- 19,20,21

Silty
sand/Clayey
sand

SM, SC

Dense

BH-2, 4, 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,
12,15,16,17,18,

Clayey silt

CH, MI, CI,

MH

Gravels,
gravely
sand

GP, GM-SM

Description

Fine sand

Classification
as per IS:
1498-1970

Relative
Density/Consistency

Layer

Medium to Dense

Dense

BH2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,
13,14,15,16,17,18,

BH-1, 3,4,7,9,13,17

8.0 DISCUSSIONS AND TYPE OF FOUNDATION

8.1 For the proposed structures, shallow open square footing may be provided as
the foundation. Pile foundations are not envisaged due to the availability of
dense strata in shallow depths.
8.2 Bearing capacities were worked out as per Indian Standard Code of Practice
IS: 6403-1981, adopting a minimum factor of safety of 3.0, The bearing capacity
were calculated from shear criterion (According to IS: 6403-1981) and with
corrected N value for 50mm settlement (According to IS: 8009-part 1976) after
considering the water correction factor is given below structure wise.(Table 2-13)

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Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

Table No: 2
Bore Hole No: 1(T.G.Foundation)
Type of
footing

Rectangle

Size of
Footing
(m)

Depth
(m)

7.5 x 5.0
15.0 x 10.0
20.0 x 10.0

4.50

SBC From
shear
criterion
(T/M2)

SBC From settlement

criterion (T/M2 )
25mm

40mm

50mm

160.0
185.0
188.0

50.0
50.0
50.0

80.0
80.0
80.0

100.0
100.0
100.0

Table No.3
Bore Hole No: 2(Chimney)

Type of
footing

Size of
Footing
(m)

Circular

15m dia
25m dia
40m dia

Circular

15m dia
25m dia
40m dia

Depth
(m)

3.50

4.50

SBC From
shear
criterion
(T/M2)

SBC From settlement

criterion (T/M2 )
25mm

40mm

50mm

43.0
42.0
42.0

17.0
17.0
17.0

28.0
28.0
28.0

35.0
35.0
35.0

62.0
67.0
85.0

25.0
25.0
25.0

40.0
40.0
40.0

51.0
51.0
51.0

Table No: 4
Bore Hole No: 3(CW Pump House)

Type of
footing

Square

Size of
Footing
(m)

2.0 x 2.0
2.0 x 2.0
2.0 x 2.0
2.0 x 2.0
3.0 x 3.0
3.0 x 3.0
3.0 x 3.0

Depth
(m)

2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
3.0
4.0
5.0

SBC From
shear
criterion
(T/M2)

25mm

40mm

50mm

70.0
75.0
82.0
87.0
73.0
79.0
84.0

9.0
16.0
27.0
36.0
17.0
22.0
30.0

10.0
20.0
39.0
48.0
22.0
28.0
40.0

12.0
22.0
42.0
53.0
26.0
34.0
51.0

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SBC From settlement

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4.0 x 4.0
4.0 x 4.0
4.0 x 4.0

Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

3.0
4.0
5.0

70.0
74.0
78.0

14.0
16.0
26.0

18.0
23.0
35.0

21.0
27.0
43.0

Table No: 5
Bore Hole No: 4(T.G.Hall)
Type of
footing

Square

Size of
Footing
(m)

Depth
(m)

SBC From
shear
criterion
(T/M2)

SBC From settlement

criterion (T/M2 )
25mm

40mm

50mm

3.0 x 3.0
3.0 x 3.0
3.0 x 3.0

3.0
3.5
4.0

31.0
40.0
56.0

19.0
23.0
33.0

29.0
30.0
53.0

35.0
36.0
66.0

4.0 x 4.0
4.0 x 4.0
4.0 x 4.0

3.0
3.5
4.0

30.0
39.0
56.0

19.0
20.0
31.0

25.0
27.0
50.0

31.0
33.0
62.0

5.0 x 5.0
5.0 x 5.0
5.0 x 5.0

3.0
3.5
4.0

29.0
38.0
57.0

18.0
19.0
30.0

23.0
26.0
48.0

31.0
31.5
60.0

Table No: 6
Borehole No: 5(Switchyard)

Size of

SBC From

SBC From settlement

criterion (T/M2 )

Type of

Footing

Depth

shear

footing

(m)

(m)

criterion

Square

(T/M2)

25mm

40mm

50mm

3.0 x 3.0

3.0

29.0

21.0

30.0

38.0

3.0 x 3.0

3.5

30.0

26.0

36.0

43.0

3.0 x 3.0

4.0

44.0

26.0

42.0

53.0

4.0 x 4.0

3.0

26.0

19.0

27.0

39.0

4.0 x 4.0

3.5

28.0

23.0

32.0

40.0

4.0 x 4.0

4.0

45.0

26.0

40.0

50.0

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Type of
footing

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Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

5.0 x 5.0

3.0

25.0

21.0

28.0

35.0

5.0 x 5.0

3.5

28.0

22.0

31.0

37.0

5.0 x 5.0

4.0

46.0

22.0

36.0

45.0

Table No: 7
Bore Hole No: 6(Boiler)
Size of
SBC From
Footing
Depth
shear
(m)
(m)
criterion
(T/M2)
3.0 x 3.0
3.0
22.0
3.0 x 3.0

SBC From settlement

criterion (T/M2 )
25mm
19.0

40mm
30.0

50mm
34.0

4.0

59.0

20.0

33.0

41.0

5.0

41.0

17.0

28.0

35.0

4.0 x 4.0

3.0

21.0

16.0

26.0

30.0

4.0 x 4.0

4.0

59.0

19.0

30.0

38.0

5.0

40.0

16.0

26.0

33.0

5.0 x 5.0

3.0

20.0

19.0

28.0

35.0

5.0 x 5.0

4.0

60.0

16.0

26.0

33.0

5.0

40.0

16.0

25.0

32.0

Square

Bore Hole No: 7,8 & 9(Reservoir)

No Specific foundation is suggested, as this is a storage reservoir

Location

Auxliaries-1
(BH-10)

Table No: 8
Bore Hole No: 10, 11 & 12(Auxiliaries 1,2 and 3)
Size of
SBC From
SBC From settlement
Type of
Footing
Depth
shear
criterion (T/M2 )
footing
(m)
(m)
criterion
25mm
40mm
50mm
(T/M2)
2.0
26.0
16.0
22.0
29.0
3.0
29.0
22.0
36.0
42.0
2.0 x 2.0
3.5
32.0
34.0
47.0
61.0
Square
4.0
42.0
44.0
61.0
71.0
3.0 x 3.0

4.0 x 4.0

2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0

25.0
27.0
30.0
38.0
24.0
26.0
28.0
36.0

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21.0
26.0
28.0
36.0
22.0
24.0
28.0
32.0

30.0
38.0
41.0
48.0
31.0
35.0
43.0
44.0

36.0
44.0
54.0
61.0
39.0
41.0
55.0
56.0

Client: M/s Lanco Amarkantak Power Pvt Ltd

11

2.0 x 2.0
Auxiliaries-2
(BH-11)

Square
3.0 x 3.0

4.0 x 4.0

2.0 x 2.0
Auxiliaries-3
(BH-12)

Square
3.0 x 3.0

4.0 x 4.0

Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0

37.0
50.0
64.0
98.0

18.0
18.0
18.0
25.0

25.0
24.0
24.0
35.0

31.0
27.0
28.0
42.0

2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0

38.0
52.0
63.0
94.0
40.0
53.0
63.0
94.0
19.0
25.0
27.0
150.0
18.0
23.0
24.0
145.0
17.0
22.0
23.0
145.0

16.0
13.0
13.0
22.0
14.0
11.0
11.0
23.0
34.0
40.0
29.0
59.0
32.0
34.0
25.0
51.0
31.0
32.0
22.0
50.0

22.0
16.0
19.0
28.0
20.0
14.0
17.0
31.0
48.0
60.0
47.0
95.0
49.0
51.0
40.0
80.0
48.0
49.0
36.0
80.0

27.0
19.0
22.0
34.0
26.0
20.0
20.0
37.0
55.0
65.0
58.0
115.0
58.0
68.0
50.0
100.0
64.0
66.0
45.0
100.0

Table No: 9
Bore Hole No: 14(Coal Handling Plant)

Type of
footing

Size of
Footing
(m)

2.0 x 2.0

3.0 x 3.0
Square

4.0 x 4.0

Depth
(m)

2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0

SBC From
shear
criterion
(T/M2)

25mm

40mm

50mm

23.0
27.0
33.0
47.0
22.0
24.0
30.0
42.0
22.0
24.0
28.0
40.0

9.5
13
15
17
7
9.5
10.5
11.5
6.5
7.5
8.5
9.0

10
14
16
18
7.5
9.5
11
12
6.5
8.0
8.5
9.5

10.5
14.5
16.5
19
8
10
11
12.5
6.5
8.0
9.0
9.5

Bore Hole No: 15 & 16

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SBC From settlement

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Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

12

Ash Pond
No foundation is necessary as the structures are for storage purpose.

Table No: 10
Bore Hole No: 17 (Colony)

Type of
footing

Size of
Footing
(m)

Depth
(m)

SBC From
shear
criterion
(T/M2)

SBC From settlement

criterion (T/M2)
25mm

40mm

2.0 x 2.0

2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0

70.0
100.0
120.0
55.0

23
19
41
30

30
27
56
32

50m
m
37
34
63
38

3.0 x 3.0

2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0

75.0
105.0
124.0
50.0

25
33
34
35

38
46
47
48

44
52
53
60

Square

Table No: 11
Bore Hole No: 18 (Site office)

Type of
footing

Size of
Footing
(m)

2.0 x 2.0

Square
3.0 x 3.0

Depth
(m)

2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0

SBC From
shear
criterion
(T/M2)

SBC From settlement

Criterion (T/M2)
25mm

40mm

50mm

27
32
33
44
25
29
30
43

14
16
26
31
15
19
20
23

17
19
34
41
21
25
27
32

20
24
39
51
24
30
31
40

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Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

Table No: 12
Bore Hole No: 19 & 20 (Intake Pump House)
Location
Type of
footing

Intake
Pump
House
(BH-19)

Size of
Footing
(m)

Square
2.0 x 2.0

Raft
6.0 x 6.0

Intake
Pump
House
(BH-20)

Square
2.0 x 2.0
Raft
6.0 x 6.0

SBC
From
shear
criterion
(T/M2)
54
80
110
140
70
90
115
139
75
65
90
100
75
93

Depth
(m)

2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
2.0
3.0
4.0

SBC From settlement

criterion (T/M2 )
25mm

40mm

50mm

31
31
86
86
25
25
62
62
41
38
86
35
32
62

50
50
135
135
40
40
100
100
65
60
135
55
50
100

60
60
172
172
50
50
125
125
80
75
170
70
64
125

Table No: 13
Bore Hole No: 21 (Intake Well)

Type of
footing

Size of
Footing
(m)

Depth
(m)

SBC From
shear
criterion
(T/M2)

SBC From settlement

criterion (T/M2 )
25mm

40mm

50mm

Square

2.0 x 2.0

2.0
3.0
4.0

47.0
70.0
97.0

29
27
31

47
44
50

58
55
62

Raft

6.0 x 6.0

2.0
3.0
4.0

60.0
75.0
99.0

22
20
25

36
33
40

45
41
50

7.1 In this case, safe bearing capacity from least of shear/settlement criterion will be
the governing factor.

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Client: M/s Lanco Amarkantak Power Pvt Ltd

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Soil Investigation work for the proposed Power Plant

8.0 METHODS OF COMPUTING OF SAFE BEARING CAPACITY

A. FOR SHALLOW OPEN FOOTING
8.1 Allowable bearing capacity for shallow open footing can be computed from
the following equation as per IS: 6403 1981.
qds = 1/F {C.Nc.Sc.dc.ic + q(Nq-1).Sq.dq.iq + 1/2.B. .N.S.d.i.w}
where,
qds Safe allowable bearing capacity in Kg/cm
C - Cohesion of the soil in Kg/cm
q - Overburden pressure in Kg/cm
B Width of footing in cm
- Unit wt. Of soil in Kg/cc
Sc, Sq & S - Shape factors
dc, dq, d - Depth factors
ic, iq & i - inclination factors
Nc, Nq & N - Bearing capacity factors depending upon the angle of internal
friction of the soil.
F Factor of safety
W Correction factor for water table

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