Prof. V.S.

Raju Consultants October 2013

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR GEOTECHNICAL

FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

The investigations shall be carried out as per latest version of Indian Standards
IS 1892 1979, Reaffirmed 1997.

1. PREAMBLE:

These specifications are only for soil boring, trial pits and cone penetration tests
(Static and Dynamic). These are general specifications and are meant for alluvial
soils. Depending on field conditions, these specifications will change. Wherever
weathered rock / hard rock is met, rock cores are to be taken as per relevant IS
codes. The soil investigation agency shall have all the relevant IS codes handy at
site.

2. LOCATION OF BOREHOLES:

All the investigations shall be carried out at locations shown in the drawing. The
investigation agency shall arrange to mark these locations on the site and get
approved by site engineer. If there is any site obstruction at given location, the
location may be shifted to the nearest convenient location. The agency shall
prepare a scaled drawing showing all the points of investigation.

3. GROUND ELEVATION:

The reduced level of each investigation point shall be obtained and reported. Other
information like highest / lowest water levels, maximum flood water level etc., if
relevant shall be reported. General topographical information of the site shall be
reported. The details of fill, if any shall be reported. If any local depressions are
noticed, the same shall be reported (Example Brick Kilns etc.)

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4. EQUIPMENTS TO BE USED FOR THE INVESTIGATIONS:

Before starting the investigations, all the equipments shall be carefully inspected to
make sure that they are as per IS 1892 - 1979 and in good working conditions.
Following points are to be ensured:

(i) The drilling equipments shall be rotary drill or heavy duty shell and auger,
capable of making a borehole of minimum 150 mm diameter. The drilling rods
should be standard A rods with 41 mm outer dia and square threaded ends.

(ii) The drilling rods shall not have any bends. The inner side of the drilling rods
should be clear without any blockage.

(iii) The cutting edge of the standard penetration tube should be free from any
bends/damage.

(iv) The undisturbed sampling tube shall have minimum 100 mm diameter and 300
mm in length. The undisturbed tube connector shall have a non-return valve.

(v) In case of rotary drilling, the hose pipe and swivel shall be in good condition
with proper joints to ensure no leakage and effective circulation of bentonite
slurry.

5. DRILLING OPERATIONS:

Only auger equipments (post hole or helical) shall be used to advance the borehole
till Ground Water Table (GWT) is met. This will ensure that disturbed samples
collected are representative samples and the natural moisture content is not altered.
Below ground water table, rotary drilling or shell & Auger can be used to advance
the borehole

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6. STABILISATION OF BOREHOLE:

For the stability of the borehole either full casing or bentonite mud circulation below
water table is to be used. For stabilizing the borehole above the water table, where
boring is done with the help of auger, casing pipe is to be used.

If the borehole is caving in, the casing pipe is to be always kept ahead of the
borehole bottom.

6.1 Bentonite Slurry:

With rotary drilling, the stabilization is to be achieved by Bentonite slurry. For

specifications of bentonite refer IS 2720, Part 5.

6.2 Water / Bentonite Level in Borehole:

After the GWT is reached, during boring operation the level of water in case of cased
borehole or bentonite slurry in case of mud circulation shall be always maintained at
the ground level to avoid piping at the bottom of the borehole.

6.3 Ground Water Table:

The level at which the GWT is met with shall be recorded. Information from locals
pertaining to the water level in the nearby wells shall be recorded. In case of tube
wells, depth at which water table was met shall be collected and recorded. At sites
where GWT is high, atleast one Stand Pipe Piezometer shall be installed for water
table observations (IS 7356 2002).

7. RECORDS OF BORINGS:

While recording bore logs, all necessary information as shown in Fig. 1 shall be
furnished. During boring operation, the excavated soil from auger or the wash
sample (in case of rotary drill) shall be continuously inspected and the level of
change in strata shall be recorded to the nearest 5 cm level. Extreme care is to be
taken to see that thin (but significant for the foundation behavior) layers are not

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missed. For example a pervious layer in an impervious deposit or thin clay layers in
granular deposits are to be carefully recorded.

8. SOIL SAMPLES:

Standard Penetration Test shall be carried out at every 1.5 m depth starting from 1.5
m depth below existing ground level. The samples shall be collected as
representative samples. In case of cohesive soils (clayey silts, silty clays and clays)
undisturbed samples shall be collected. In between two SPT tests and for every
change of strata UDS shall be collected. The depth and type of sample collected
shall be marked in respective boreholes with levels of sampling.

8.1 Representative Samples:

Only the cuttings from auger (when it is operated above water table without addition
of water) and standard penetration test spoon samples shall be collected as
representative samples. Washed samples from rotary boring should not be
collected. For more details see Annexure 1.

8.2 Undisturbed Samples:

Undisturbed sampling tube shall be minimum 100 mm diameter and 30 cm long of

good quality steel seamless tube, and preferably with a threaded cutting edge as per
IS 1892 1979, Reaffirmed 1997.

Minimum one undisturbed sample (UDS) shall be obtained from each cohesive
layer. For thick layers, the UDS shall be taken at every 3 m intervals. UDS need not
be taken from cohesion-less soils (Silty sand, sand and gravel).

8.3 Cone Penetration Tests:

(a) Dynamic Cone Penetration tests shall be carried out as per IS 4968 Part 1.
Depth of penetration should be refusal defined by 100 blows for 30 cm.
(b) Static Cone Penetration test shall be carried out as per IS 4968 Part 3. A 10 t
machine with an electric cone and Piezo Cone shall be used. In exceptional

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cases (non-availability of electric cone), a 10 t machine with a mechanical

cone can be used.

The depth of penetration should be refusal or 20 m whichever is earlier. Refusal

may be defined as mobilization of 80% of the capacity of the reaction frame i.e. 8 t in
case of a 10 t frame. See Annexure 1 for photograph of the standard equipment
used internationally.

8.4 Water Samples:

Water samples have to be collected for chemical analysis. In cases, where mud
circulation is used for advancing and stabilizing the boreholes, water samples are to
be collected only after 24 hours of completion of the borehole. The other option is to
collect water samples from open wells or tube wells in the close proximity.

The sample shall be collected in a plastic container (about 500 ml) with airtight
cover.

8.5 Packing And Transporting:

All the samples collected shall be packed in a wooden box with proper packing
(sealed in double zip lock bags) to ensure that they do not get damaged. During
transportation to the test laboratory, care shall be taken to minimize disturbance.

9. IN-SITU TESTS:

Two types of in-situ tests are generally carried out in boreholes, namely: Standard
Penetration Test (SPT) and Vane Shear test.
Standard Penetration Tests are carried out in all deposits. Vane shear tests are
carried out only in soft cohesive soil layers without appreciable Sand / Gravel.

9.1 Standard Penetration Test:

The test shall be carried out as per latest version of IS 2131. See Annexure 1 for
photograph of the standard equipment used internationally. Following points are to
be ensured:

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i. All equipments shall conform to IS 2131 and IS 9640.

ii. Casing shall not be driven below the level of test. If the strata cannot stand
without casing, the casing may be penetrated by slow rotation and static force
from top. Driving of casing pipe with tip at test level can disturb the deposit.
iii. Advance the boreholes to test elevation. After reaching test elevation, the
borehole shall be cleaned by continuous circulation of bentonite for minimum 5
minutes.
iv. The SPT hammer should be so operated that there is a free fall. An automatic
release mechanism is ideal. See Annexure 1 for sketch. If that is not
available, the SPT hammer shall be operated to ensure free fall of hammer.
Throughout the test, care shall be taken to ensure that the threaded joints in
the A rods are tight. If they are getting loosened during driving, the same shall
be tightened as and when required so that energy loss in the joints is
minimized.
v. The spoon shall be driven first for 15 cm and the number of blows noted as
seating drive. The spoon shall be further driven by 30 cm noting number of
blows for each 15 cm penetration. The total blows required for second and
third 15 cm penetration shall be termed as penetration resistance N. Where full
45 cm penetration of the spoon is not possible, a minimum of 50 blows shall be
applied and the actual penetration for 50 blows recorded to extrapolate the N
value.
vi. After extracting and opening the Split Spoon Sampler, the actual length of
sample recovery, actual driven length, length of slush shall be noted. After
removing slush, the remaining sample is to be packed as specified earlier.
Before removing the sample from the tube, photograph of the sample shall be
taken.

9.2 Vane Shear Test:

The test shall be carried out, as per latest version of IS 4434, in cohesive soil of soft
to medium consistency (i.e. with standard Penetration Value N < 8) only. The

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general guidelines given to clean the borehole for SPT shall be followed for vane
shear test also. For Details refer Annexure 1.

9.3 Trial Pits:

The trial pits shall have minimum dimensions of 2m x 2m in plan and excavated in
stages up to 3 m depth below GL or upto water table, whichever is higher. Proper
side slopes should be provided to ensure complete stability.

During excavation, representative soil samples shall be collected from every layer in
the trial pit. There shall be minimum 2 samples collected from each trial pit. The
trial pits should be logged and pit profiles based on visual inspection and laboratory
tests should be presented in the report.

One Undisturbed sample shall be collected by driving a UDS sampler from the
bottom of the trial pit.

9.4 Special Tests:

In-situ Permeability tests:

In case of high water table and construction extending below the water table, prior
lowering of water table would be necessary. In such situations, in-situ permeability
tests may be required to be done by the investigation agency as an additional item.

10. RECORDING OF TEST DATA:

All the in-situ test carried out and samples collected shall be recorded in the
respective bore logs against the respective depth. The results may be given in
numerals or graphical plots. The hatchings in the bore logs used to represent the
strata should be as per IS 1498-1970 (Reaffirmed 1997). See Annexure 1 for
details.

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11. SUPERVISION OF FIELD AND LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS:

It is mandatory that the owners supervisor or an independent supervisor

representing the owner supervises the field operations. At the end of each day, the
field records should be signed by the supervisor of the investigation agency as well
as the owners supervisor. Similarly, the owners engineers or their consultants shall
have unrestricted access to the soil testing laboratory.

12. NUMBER OF BOREHOLES AND CONE PENETRATION TESTS:

Every important structure should have one borehole preferably at the centre of the
structure. The spacing in between the boreholes should normally be not more than
25 m. If there is large variation between two boreholes, one intermediate borehole
would be required. One static cone penetration shall be carried out for every tower.

The depth of the borehole depends on the project requirement. The depth of the
borehole shall be normally 30 m or refusal (N>100) unless otherwise specified.

13. LABORATORY TESTING OF SOIL SAMPLES:

The samples collected shall be tested in laboratory for following as per

IS 2720.

1. Grain Size Analysis (Sieve Analysis / Hydrometer analysis)

2. Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit in case of silts and clays
3. Direct Shear Test on samples Compacted to in-situ Density.
4. Proctor Compaction Test for Optimum Moisture Content (Optional based
on requirement)
5. Natural Moisture Content
6. Direct Shear Tests in case of sandy soils and non-plastic silts.
7. Unconfined Compression tests on clayey soils
8. Drained Triaxial tests on silty soils, where good UDS are obtained.

Note: The requirements of the tests are project specific. Special tests may be

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prescribed depending on project requirements.

14. CONTENTS OF THE REPORT:

The Soil Investigation Report should include:

(i) Scope of the investigation

(ii) Method of advancing the borehole
(iii) Sampling in borehole (Disturbed, Undistrubed, Rock, Ground Water)
(iv) Ground Water Table Measurements
(v) Field and Laboratory Testing details
(vi) Reduced Levels and Co-ordinates of the borehole
(vii) Contour Map (to be obtained from the owner) and Google Map of the site
(viii) Reconnaissance survey details of the site (excavations, ravines, quarries,
evidence of erosion or landslides, water level in streams, water courses and
wells; flood marks, nature of vegetation, drainage pattern, location of seeps,
springs and swamps.
(ix) Submit a detailed write up of all their equipments used for Field and
Laboratory investigations.
(x) Photographs of their Field and Laboratory equipments, including Standard
Penetration Test (SPT) tubes (sampler after the split spoon is open) and
Undisturbed Sampling tubes, cone penetration equipment.
(xi) The source of bentonite, specifications and test results on bentonite shall form
part of the report.
(xii) The (Stress) - (strain) diagrams for the tri-axial tests and all other relevant
graphs like elog P for consolidation tests, mv and cv values.
(xiii) Photographs of the Extruded samples in laboratory before testing.
(xiv) The Names and Qualifications of the Field Supervisors shall be given in the
report.
(xv) A brief on the details of Safety Norms adopted at site shall be included in the
report.

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IMPORTANT:

Photographs of the Undisturbed Samples before & after they are sealed, laboratory
samples before and after the tests for Unconfined Compression Test and Tri-axial
test shall be included in the report.

(Prof. V.S.RAJU)

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Representative Samples:

The collected representative samples shall be placed in a thick polyethylene bag and
the bag shall be squeezed to remove the excess air in the bag and mouth sealed by
heat welding or tied with thread/rubber bands. The samples packed as above shall
be placed in another polyethylene bag of the same size. Alternately, airtight plastic
containers or double zip lock bags may also be used. A small label indicating the
sample details shall be pasted. The label shall contain information like borehole
number, location/coordinates, type of boring method, method of collecting sample,
depth of sample, type of sample, date and signature of the supervisor of the soil
investigation agency as well as the owners supervisor.

To the extent possible, the natural moisture content of the sample shall be
determined at site itself immediately after extraction. A stove with sand-bath vessel
may be used in place of oven for determination of moisture content in the field.

Un-Disturbed Samples:

Before connecting the sampling tube, the inside surface shall be cleaned. A coat of
oil shall be applied only on outer surface to ensure that soil does not offer frictional
resistance at the time of withdrawal. No oil shall be applied on inner surface which
otherwise may result in slippage of the sample. The tube shall be connected to drill
rod only with adopter having non-return ball valve. The alignment of sampling tube
and drilling rods shall be checked before lowering the tube.

Before lowering the sampling tube, the borehole shall be thoroughly cleaned by
circulating bentonite for minimum 5 minutes or by a bailer in case of bailer boring.
The sampling tube shall be then lowered and penetrated for full length either by
static force (in case of soft deposits) or using SPT hammer. The number of blows
required for full penetration shall be recorded for relative comparison of the strata.

For withdrawing the tube, first give 2 or 3 rotations to the drilling rods so that the
bottom end of the sample gets separated from the soil mass. Slowly lift the drill rods
out without jerks. Minimum 50 mm soil shall be scooped out from either ends and
the surface leveled without much disturbance. The actual length of the soil sample

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shall be recorded. Both ends of the tube shall be sealed immediately by pouring hot
wax of 10 mm thickness.

Vane Shear Test:

Following points shall be observed.

i. The torque applicator should be in a good working condition and calibrated

recently.
ii. The equipment shall be mounted firmly over center of the borehole and
fixed to the ground firmly by spikes.
iii. The rate of rotation shall be maintained at 0.1 degree per second.
iv. The vane blade shall have length to diameter ratio of 2 and the blades
shall be in good condition free from damage/rusting. The diameter of vane
blade shall be chosen depending on approximate shear strength of the
strata as given below.

Approximate Shear Approximate SPT Recommended Vane Diameter

Strength (kN/m2) (N) Value (mm)
< 10 0 100
10 to 40 1 to 3 75
40 to 60 3 to 6 50
60 to 100 6 to 8 38
>100 >8 Vane Test not recommended

Important: No hand operated torque shall be used in place of table mounted

torque device.

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Prof. V.S. Raju Consultants ANNEXURE 1

Cone Penetration Test Equipment

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SPT AUTO RELEASE HAMMER

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AN EXAMPLE OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BORING EQUIPMENT

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