SITE ID: ZHB010

District Zhob

Geotechnical Investigation Report

DESIGNER:
ENGINEERING DESIGN BUREAU

April, 2016
Table of Contents:

1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1

1.1 GENERAL .....................................................................................................................1

1.2 SCOPE OF WORK .......................................................................................................1

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION ............................................................................. 2

3.0 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS .................................................................... 2

4.0 LABORATORY TESTING ..................................................................... 2

5.0 RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION .......................................................... 3

5.1 GENERAL .....................................................................................................................3

5.2 SUBSURFACE STRATA ..............................................................................................3

5.3 GROUNDWATER TABLE ............................................................................................3

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOUNDATION DESIGN ...................... 4

6.1 GENARAL .....................................................................................................................4

6.2 ALLOWABLE/SAFE BEARING CAPACITY: .............................................................4

8.0 THE EARTHWORK ............................................................................... 5

9.0 PROTECTION OF CONCRETE AGAINST CORROSION ................. 5

10.0 RESERVATIONS ..................................................................................... 6

FIGURES

FIG. 1: LOCATION PLAN OF SITE

APPENDIX “A” TEST PIT LOG

APPENDIX “B” LABORATORY TEST RESULTS

APPENDIX “C” SITE PHOTGRAPHS

 A REPORT ON
GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS
ZHB010
DISTRICT ZHOB

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL

This report presents the findings of a Geotechnical

Investigation for the installation Telecommunication towers of
Telenor at various locations in Pakistan. M/s Engineering
Design Bureau are the design consultant. The Geotechnical
Investigations for these proposed towers have been entrusted
to M/s AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd., Islamabad. This report is a
series of reports issued for the project and pertains to the site in
District Zhob.

This report presents details of the geotechnical investigations

carried out, provides evaluation of the subsurface conditions
encountered at the investigated locations, and
recommendations for the foundations of the proposed tower.
Recommendations given in this report are based on field and
laboratory test results, and on the state-of-the-art knowledge in
geotechnical engineering, design and construction.

1.2 SCOPE OF WORK

Scope of work under this contract for geotechnical

investigation consisted of the following major tasks.

1. Drilling and sampling of one (1) borehole down to the

depth of 10m or bedrock/boulders/gravels whichever is
achieved earlier.

2. Performance of Standard Penetration Tests (SPTs) at

specified depth intervals to test and sample the subsurface
strata.
Geotechnical Investigation Report

Site ID: ZHB010

3. Performing laboratory tests to determine pertinent index

and engineering properties of the strata encountered at the
site.

4. Analyze the field and laboratory data and submit an

engineering report giving recommendations for the
foundation design and construction.

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

The investigated site is located At Lakk Kaarni Village Branj, Tehsil

& District Zhob. Location Plan of the site is shown in Fig. 1.

3.0 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

The proposed field work consisted of Borehole Drilling could not be

executed due to the presence of Hard Strata at shallow depth and it
was considered necessary to confirm the extent of boulders and
examine the matrix. Disturbed samples was taken from the test pit for
laboratory testing in order to determine the engineering properties of
the strata. Test pit Log is attached in Appendix “A”.

The test pit log was prepared in the field. These logs were finalized
after laboratory testing and are presented in Appendix “A” of this
report.

4.0 LABORATORY TESTING

Samples retrieved from test pit were examined in the field and then
transported to our testing laboratory for relevant laboratory testing.
The laboratory tests were conducted on selected soil samples to
determine the engineering characteristics of the subsurface strata.
Following laboratory test results are presented in Appendix “B” of
report:

AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd. Islamabad AJK/GT/780-313

2
Geotechnical Investigation Report

Site ID: ZHB010

Type of Test No. of Tests Test Method

1. Grain Size Analysis 1 ASTM D 422

2. Liquid Limit 0 ASTM D 4318

3. Plastic Limit 0 ASTM D 4318

4. Moisture Content 1 ASTM D 2216

5.0 RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION

5.1 GENERAL

Results of the investigations discussed in this report are based

on the data obtained at the investigated points, tests results and
on the engineering interpretation of the data collected. It is
possible to have variations in the ground conditions; in case of
any significant variation revealed during execution of the
construction work, the matter should be referred back to
AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd. for further clarifications.

5.2 SUBSURFACE STRATA

Based on the field and laboratory investigations, the site is

found to be underlain by the following subsurface layers.

Depth (ft) Description

0.0 – 4.0 Light to Medium Brown, Silty Gravel

5.3 GROUNDWATER TABLE

At the time of field investigations, the groundwater was not

encountered.

AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd. Islamabad AJK/GT/780-313

3
Geotechnical Investigation Report

Site ID: ZHB010

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOUNDATION DESIGN

6.1 GENARAL

In order to be safe, the load carrying strata must be competent

to sustain the imposed loading without undergoing shear
failure, and at the same time settlements of the foundations
must not exceed the tolerable limits. Therefore, the load
carrying characteristics of the strata must be evaluated keeping
in view these two considerations.

As dictated by the soil characteristics, a raft/isolated

foundation is to be provided as the tower foundation. Shallow
isolated footings, will however be provided for the other
support structures.

Salient Features for safe foundation:

 The depth of isolated/raft foundation below the natural

surface level must be between 2 to 3 m.

 Should be firm enough to avoid the shear failure.

 Should safe against tilting effect and lateral forces.

6.2 ALLOWABLE/SAFE BEARING CAPACITY:

 150 kPa (1.50 Tons/sq.ft) for the erection of tower at any

depth between 2.0m to 3.0m below NSL

 100 kPa (1.00 Tons/sq.ft) for generator room or other

equipment at depth of 1.0m below existing ground level

7.0 SOIL EXCAVATIONS

The excavation in soils can be made by using conventional earth

moving machinery including trenchers, scrappers, dozers etc. In other
case control blasting techniques could also be applied to get the
desired depth for placement of tower foundation. Using proper
execution skills almost vertical excavations can be made for about
1.0m deep trenches. However, it is also recommended to perform trial
excavations to judge the best combination of equipment and
workability.

AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd. Islamabad AJK/GT/780-313

4
Geotechnical Investigation Report

Site ID: ZHB010

Slopes of temporary open-cut excavations in soil should not be

steeper than about 1 vertical on 1.5 horizontal from stability
considerations. Open-cut slopes should be protected from wind and
water erosion. In case, open cut excavations are not possible due to
space restrictions, vertically cut excavations supported by sheet piles
or other properly designed support system should be adopted.

8.0 THE EARTHWORK

Prior to any construction activity, the site must be cleared of all debris
and surface vegetation. The leveling and grading can be carried out
by normal earth moving machine. It is recommended that immediately
after excavation for construction of foundation, the excavation
bottoms and slopes be cleared of all debris, proof rolled and covered
by a 5cm thick blinding concrete layer.

The onsite material is generally classified as Silty Gravel (GM)

group of Unified Soil Classification System. In order to have water
erosion resistant properties, the backfill material should consist only
of inorganic material and shall have 5-20% passing the No. 200 sieve.
Fill material should pass 100% the 50 mm sieve. Besides, that
portion of material passing sieve No. 40, should not have liquid limit
more than 35 and plasticity index of not more than 12. Atterberg
limits are not required for select fill material with less than 15%
passing sieve No. 200. Select fill material shall have a carbonate
content of less than 25% by weight.

9.0 PROTECTION OF CONCRETE AGAINST

CORROSION

To avoid possible attack of deleterious salts on cement, we

recommend to perform chemical analysis of soil before construction
to ascertain the type of cement to be used. To minimize corrosion
potential the concrete mix should be designed using a water cement
ratio not greater than 0.45. Admixtures may be required to provide
workability. Concrete shall be densified using vibrators and a cover
of 75mm should be provided over all reinforcing steel embedded in
foundations concrete. A layer of bitumen coating should be applied
to the exterior of all the foundation and other concrete coming in
contact with soil.

AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd. Islamabad AJK/GT/780-313

5
Geotechnical Investigation Report

Site ID: ZHB010

10.0 RESERVATIONS

Results and recommendations given in this report are based on

interpretation of the data collected at the investigated points, and best
engineering judgment. AJK bears no responsibility for the variations
encountered from what has been described in this report. However, if
matter is referred to AJK, an advice can be provided in resolving the
issue.

***

(Arif Junaid Kareem)

Geotechnical Engineer

AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd. Islamabad AJK/GT/780-313

6
FIGURE
 TITLE
PROJECT ZHB010 FIGURE: 1

LOCATION PLAN OF
DESIGNER DATE: April, 2016
SITE
APPENDIX “A”
TEST PIT LOG
 Test Pit No.

AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd. TP-01

Testpit Started on:
TEST PIT LOG 16-04-2016

PROJ.: Geotechnical Investigation - ZHB010 Testpit Completed on

LOCATION: LAKK KAARNI VILLAGE BRANJ, TEHSIL & DISTRICT ZHOB. 16-04-2016

DESIGNER: ENGINEERING DESIGN BUREAU (EDB) Inspector :

METHOD OF EXCAVATION: Manual PROJECT NO: AJK/GT/780-313 Farhan Ali

Water Table Depth: Not Encountered. CO-ORDINATES Driller:

Elevation (m): North: 31.51610 East: 69.52226 Aqil Jan
Classification Symbol

N VALUES
Sample Type No.
SPT BLOWS
Depth in meter

Depth in feet

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL
Legend

6" 6" 6" REMARKS

0.5
2

3
1.0
SILTY GRAVEL
Light to Medium Brown, Very Dense
4 Hard Strata Encountered
TP Terminated
1.5 5

2.0
7

2.5

3.0 10
Allowable Bearing Pressure
Onsite Salient Features ISOLATED / RAFT FOUNDATIONS
150 kPa (1.50 TSF) at any depth
● Water table is not encountered up to the maximum explored depth
● Approach main road is approx. 0.5km away from site
from 2.0m to 3.0m for tower
● Only pedestrian way leads to the site location foundation
● Site is located on Hill top
SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS

100 kPa (1.0 TSF) at depth of 1.0m

Generator Foundation
L E G E N D:
SPT/S Standard Penetration Test & Number CPT/C Cone Penetration Test & Number
R N Value > 50
SHEET 1 OF 1
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
 APPENDIX “B”
LABORATORY TEST
RESULTS
PROJECT: GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS
ZHB010
LAKK KAARNI VILLAGE BRANJ,
TEHSIL & DISTRICT ZHOB.
GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
ASTM D 422

U.S. Standard Sieve Numbers

#4 #10 #20 #40 #60 #100 #200

100
90
80
70
%age Passing

60
TP-1 S-1
60 100
50 200

40
30
20
10
0
1000 100 10 1 0.1 0.01 0.001
DEPTH
Sieve Opening (mm) 3
3M
6.5M
GRAVELS SAND SILT or CLAY
BOULDERS COBBLES
coarse fine coarse medium fine Silt Clay

BH No. Sample No. Depth (ft) LL PL PI M.C (%) Description

TP-1 S-1 3 NP NP NP 7.04 LIGHT TO MEDIUM BROWN, SILTY GRAVEL (GM)
 APPENDIX “C”
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
 ZHB010

FIG. 01

FIG. 02