Geotechnical Investigation
Specification
1. Scope of Work
The scope of work for this contract involves broadly the following
(a) Site exploration, sampling and testing.
(b) Geotechnical engineers supervision for exploration, sampling and testing
in field.
(c) Laboratory test and analysis for soils.
(d) Geotechnical engineering analysis and recommendation report.
The geotechnical engineers shall be sent by Contractor to the jobsite to
supervise in-situ boring workers to perform exploration, sampling and
testing work. The soil tests shall be carried out by Contractor's Laboratory.
2. Site Conditions and Geotechnical Investigation
2.1 Site Condition
Please refer to attached information.
2.2 Boring, Sampling and Soil Testing
The field work of investigations include boring, sampling, and SPT.
The arrangement of boreholes shall be distributed evenly and cover all
area.
2.2.1 Boring, and Sampling
Boring and Sampling shall be carried out by experienced operators,
under the supervision of the engineers from Contractor. Drilled by auger
method shall be adopted above the ground water level, and wash boring
method shall be used below the ground water level. During the period of
boring, different sampling method and apparatus shall be used as
follows
(1) Standard penetration test (SPT) and 2Split-Spoon sampling of soils
are refer to the ASTM D 1586 standard method.
Split-Spoon sampling shall be taken in hard cohesive or in noncohesive strata and have to be taken at least at every change in soil
formation at intervals not exceeding 2 meters. The samples have to be
placed in core boxes (plastic or wood) or sample jars (SPT only). All
boxes have to be stored by protection from sunlight and vibration.
Transportation to the Laboratory has to take place at least once a week
by suitable equipment to prevent rolling, bumping and temperature
extremes.
All core boxes have to be labeled properly, showing the borehole and
box number on every box. The depth of where the samples have been
retrieved shall be clearly shown on each side of the box.
(2) The 3Shelby tube sampling in soil is refer to ASTM D 1587 standard
method.
Undisturbed samples have to be taken in cohesive strata by use of thin
wall tube sampler, triple tube core barrel or Denison sampler. The
Samples have to be preserved in sample tubes, coated with wax and
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sealed in sturdy containers to protect from changes of water content,
shock and vibration. The cutting shoes shall be clean and without burred
edges. Following a break in the boring work, such as an overnight
stoppage, boring shall advance by 0.75 m before any undisturbed
samples are taken.
The internal diameter of the boreholes has to be always adequate to
receive soil samples of min.75 mm and rock samples of min. 50 mm
diameter except where SPT samples will be taken only.
2.2 Laboratory Test
In this investigation work, soil samples shall be tested according to
the requirements for geotechnical analysis. Laboratory test includes the
following items
General physical properties of soils
Shear strength test(DS)
Unconfined compression test (UN)
Triaxial unconsolidated undrained compression test (UU)
Consolidated undrained triaxial test (CU)
One-dimensional consolidation test
Soil general physical properties shall be determined in order to
classify the soil. The direct shear test is used to evaluate the shear
strength behavior of cohesionless soils. The unconfined compression
test, triaxial consolidated-undrained compression test and the triaxial
saturated unconsolidated undrained compression test are used to
evaluate the shear strength behavior of cohesive soils. One-dimensional
consolidated test on undisturbed soil yields the compressibility of
cohesive soils.
2.3.1 General Physical Properties of Soils
General Physical Properties of Soils include natural water content,
void ratio, specific gravity, grain size analysis, dry and wet densities,
and Atterberg limits. These tests shall be refer to ASTM D 421, D 854,
D 2216 and D 4318 standard methods. From the test results, soil
samples shall be refer to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
ASTM D 2487,and the soil condition shall be drawn in discontinuous
soil column.
2.3.2 Shear Strength Behavior of Soils
Four types of shear test, i.e., direct shear test, unconfined compression
test, and the triaxial compression test (CU and UU) are conducted to
evaluate the shear strength characteristics of soils.
Direct Shear TestRefer to ASTM D 3080
Unconfined compression testRefer to ASTM D 2166
Triaxial Compression TestRefer to ASTM D 2850
2.3.3 One-Dimensional Consolidation Test
Consolidation test is executed to evaluate the volume change
characteristic of soil, refer to ASTM D 2435
2.4
Photographs
Colour photographs have to be taken in-situ field investigation and
Laboratory test. Each photograph shall clearly show all necessary details
and shall contain a graduated scale, which shall be the same in every
photograph of a particular type.
Theses photograph shall be attached in the Geotechnical Investigation
Report.
3. Records and Reports
3.1
Field Records
The field records taken have to include the following data
Project name
Contract number
Date and weather conditions
Location and identifying number of investigation point
Elevation of ground water table
Elevation of the top and bottom of the borehole
Diameter and description of casing (when used)
Boring and Sampling Method used.
Depth of each change of strata with brief description.
Depth or elevation of top and bottom of disturbed and undisturbed
samples, with notes on any lost recovery.
Standard Penetration N value.
Results of in situ tests.
Descriptions of soil, rock and groundwater represented by the
samples.
Details of any delays and other special circumstances affecting the
progress of the Works.
3.2
Laboratory Records
The laboratory records taken have to include the following data:
Project name
Contract number
Location and identifying number of investigation point
Sample number
Descriptions of soil, rock and groundwater represented by the
samples.
Specified test results
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3.3
Geotechnical Investigation Report
The report has to include following data
Description of the works carried out, including reference to
specifications and standards adopted and any deviations from
them.
Exploration hole logs
In-situ test records
Laboratory test results
Survey records
Continuous summary of exploration logs with scale
Photos of in-situ field investigation and Laboratory test
