Page |1 PROPOSED THREE STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING
GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
PROPOSED THREE STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Following a request made by the client, a Subsurface Soil Investigation for the
Proposed THREE STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING was made in order to obtain data
regarding the stratigraphy and physical properties of the soils underlying the site,
particularly the strength and deformation characteristics of the soil strata, which shall be
used in the design of the foundation of this structure. It is also the purpose of this
investigation to gather relevant data that will likely affect construction procedures and
activities.
one (1) borehole designated as BH-1, IS drilled at the site down to the depth of 9m
below existing grade line at the location shown in the accompanying boring location plan
sheet. Soil sample extracted at the site were taken to our associate with ACCREDITED
TESTING LABORATORY. The field and laboratory test procedures are described in the
following section.
We recommend that this report be provided to all parties involved in the planned
development to include but not necessarily limited to the Owner, Architect, Design
Engineers, General Contractor and Sub-contractors.
For an existing building, we undertake a geological and structural review following by
a tailgated drilling program to characterize the site’s geotechnical conditions. These
programs include both geotechnical / structural
and hydro geological data collection activities. For existing operations, we supplement the
drilling program by mapping open excavations and back-analyzing the geotechnical
parameters of open excavations. In this way, we identify and characterized the rock mass,
Page |2 PROPOSED THREE STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING
and the structural and hydro geological conditions that influence the design and stability of a
proposed mine.
The geotechnical investigation is often a phased study. The first phased should
identify the man issued and opportunities and define the follow-up site work. A phased
ensures that the work is carried out efficiently and economically and allows the engineer to
review the options and redefine the objectives of the investigations are required.
Delivered by 140 pound (63.5 kg) hammer free-falling form a height of 30 in. (76cm).
The value of N is reported as the Resistance to penetration. It is the number or blows
required to drive the tube to the last 300 mm (12in) of penetration distance.
After the sample and the tube are brought to the surface a separated, the sample is
removed from the tube and properly preserved and sealed using a moisture tight plastic bag
for further testing in the laboratory.
Correlation of SPT data with other soil parameters have been developed for
estimated from stiffness to hard be a very useful supplementary classification.
2.0 Soil Particle Size Analysis (AASHTO T 27-60)/
Ctrl No. 18-SA- 5234-5-7, 4-6
The size and quantity of individual particles found in particular soil is indicative of the
performance characteristics of the soil. The percentage by weight of the material passing
through each succession sieve is recorded.
2.1 The Atterberg Limits (AASHTO T 27-60)
The liquid limit and the plastic tests define upper and lower moisture content points
at which a particular soil ceases to perform as a plastic. The use of this test is restricted to
cohesive soils.
Page |3 PROPOSED THREE STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING
2.2 Moisture Content of Soils (AASHTO T 27-60) /
Ctrl No. 18-SA- 5234-5-7, 4-6
It is based on the weight of the water in the soil. The indicates imperative behavior of
different soil types at various levels of moisture.
2.3 Standard Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes
(AASHTO T 27-60)
Based on the results of visual observations and prescribed laboratory tests, a soil is
catalogued according to the basic soil groups, assigned a group symbol(s) and name and
thereby classified. This standard soils from any geographic location into categories
representing the results of prescribed laboratory tests to determine the particle-size
characteristics the liquid limit, and the plasticity index.
3.0 SUBSOIL CONDITION
Based on the one (1) soil boring location conducted, the proposed area is underlain
by native soil (NS) material associated with medium plasticity extending beyond limit of
exploration depth (9m). The said materials are stiff, very stiff to hard 9m . nick covering the
surface area having SPT N-values.
The soil condition slightly increases in strength on subsequent levels, standard
penetration test N-values are varying from 1.5m to 9m level indicating hard condition of the
high level of clay soil with silty soil
4.0 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS, Structural Foundation
The Proposed Three Storey Commercial Building structure is proposed but will
require rigidity of foundation that may consist of enlarged bearing pads or combined footing
units. Higher rigidity can be provided by continuous footing strips or foundation of raft. Time-
dependent consolidation under imposed loadings can be expected as medium plasticity silty
soils are underlying the area, thus, higher deformation shall be allowed for the underlying
soil under imposed loading conditions for long-term condition.
Page |4 PROPOSED THREE STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING
Foundation level shall be at minimum depth of 2.0 meters for resistance against
external effect from season volume change of the soil. The soil strength hardly increases in
resistance with depth.
If greater loading requirements shall be supported by piles that will extend beyond
the limit if the test conducted noting that hard stratum was encountered. Appropriate pile
depth shall be supported by preliminary test piles for determining actual failure loads.
Under shear failure criterion, the safe/allowable bearing capacity foundations shall
be limited to 90 kPa (1494 psf) with a factor of safety (FOS) of 3.0. The recommended value
may apply for a minimum foundation depth of 2.00m below the ground surface and
foundation widths ≤4.0m.
It must be noted however that soil bearing resistance usually decreases for greater
foundation widths under settlement control criteria, thus, for footing widths exceeding 3m,
the recommended value shall be reduced by one-fifth or 90kPa as an allowance bearing
resistance for settlement tolerance not exceeding 30mm for 10-year creep period.
FOOTING DEPTH, M ALLOWABLE BEARING CAPACITY
FOOTING WIDTH <4M FOOTING WIDTH >4M
≥1.5 90 kPa (1885 psf) 72 kPa ( 1494 psf)
≥2.0 110 kPa (2357 psf) 88 kPa (1844 psf)
≥3.0 120 kPa (2571 psf) 96 kPa (2049 psf)
≥4.0 110 kPa (2571 psf) 88 kPa (1844 psf)
5.0 Seismic Consideration
Page |5 PROPOSED THREE STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING
For the supporting clayey soils on the area, the estimated modulus of subgrade
Reactions, (K) as follows;
Soil Depth Modulus of Subgrade reaction
(K),
kN/m 3
0 to 4m 4000
4m to 8m 6000
>8m 15000
The area is categorized as under seismic Zone 4 with Seismic Source Type A as
influenced by Philippine Fault Zones PFZ: Eastern Mindanao Fault and PFT: Daguma Fault,
including approximate traces of Davao River Fault along the northwest of the area.
The site has specific soil profile type, S having near- source factor values of N = 1.0
and N = 1.0
6.0 Seismic Source Relative to Site Location
Page |6 PROPOSED THREE STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING
PHILIPPINE FAULT
7.0 GROUND WATER CONDITIONS
Page |7 PROPOSED THREE STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING
At the time of drilling, there is NO water table encountered at a final depth of 9 m.
from existing ground surface. There is a possibility that water level will rise and fall, this can
occur due to changes made to the natural drainage patterns during development, heavy
rainfall and other reasons. Because the introduction of water is usually the triggering
mechanism for most common types of soil problems, it is important to provide adequate
surface drainage and drainage for proposed improvement such as foundation and slabs
areas, and other improvements that could be adversely affected by water.
8.0 CONSISTENCY CLASSIFICATION FOR FINE-GRAINED SOILS
BOREHOLE- 1
Undrained shear
Classification SPT, N AND BLOWS
Strength, (kPa)
STIFF S-1 16 50-100
HARD S-2 24 100-200
VERY HARD S-3 22 100-200
100-200
VERY HARD S-4 25
VERY HARD S-5 26 100-200
