Soil Investigation of Geruwa Nadi (Karnali) Bridge at Kothiyaghat Bardiya

1. INTRODUCTION
This report on conformatory soil investigation of Geruwa Nadi (Karnali) Bridge at Kothiyaghat in
Bardiya District discusses the details of sub-surface exploration works carried out at the proposed
site and presents the findings of the investigation. The investigation work included Percussion
boring, SPT Test, Laboratory tests and Analysis of various test results to predict the allowable
bearing capacity of sub-soil at the proposed bridge site. The details of the investigation work as well
as that of findings of the analysis carried out are presented in the following paragraphs.

2. FIELD WORK
2.1 General
The fieldwork included Boring, Sampling, Standard Penetration Test and Water Table Monitoring. The
details of the field works carried out at all the buildings site are presented in Table 1.
Table 1 - Summary of Field Works
S No Drilling Borehole Work Depth
Method No. Start Complete m
1 Percussion Boring BH-1 18- 06 -2008 25 - 06 -2008 20
2 Percussion Boring BH 2 26 -06 -2008 30 - 06 -2008 20
3 Percussion Boring BH-3 31 - 06 -2008 04 - 07 -2008 20
4 Percussion Boring BH-4 05 - 07 -2008 09 - 07 -2008 20
5 Percussion Boring BH-5 10 - 07 -2008 13 - 07 -2008 20

2.2 Boring
The drilling work in the field was carried out using Percussion Drilling. The diameter of borehole
used was over 100 mm size. The boreholes were logged continuously in the field for all the boring
locations at the bridge site. The borehole logs included visual classification of soil, records of SPT
values at every 150mm intervals of penetration till a total penetration depth of 450mm and records of
position of ground water table. The field boreholes records were updated after completion of
laboratory investigations. The updated borehole logs for the bridge site are presented in Appendix
A. The layout of bore holes is shown in Fig 1 in the site plan of the bridge.

2.3 Sampling
Before any disturbed or undisturbed samples were taken the bore holes were washed clean to flush
any loose disturbed soil particles deposited during the boring operation. The samples obtained in the
split spoon barrel of SPT tube during SPT tests were also preserved as representative disturbed
samples. The disturbed samples recovered were placed in airtight doubled 0.5 mm thick transparent
plastic bags, labeled properly for identification and finally sealed to avoid any loss of moisture. Only
then the samples were transported to the laboratory for further investigation. Undisturbed samples
could not be taken in this bridge site due to presence of sands, gravels and boulders.

2.4 Photographs
A set of color photographs was taken to show the record of ground investigation work. The
photographs cover the location of borehole, drilling of hole, sample recovery and soil samples. The
photographs showing most of the investigation works are presented in Appendix B.

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FIGURE 1 : BOREHOLE LAYOUT PLAN

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2.5 Field Test.

The field test conducted at the site consisted of Standard Penetration Test (SPT). A standard split
barrel sampler was used in the test. The SPT tests were conducted in all the boreholes of the bridge
site at a depth interval of every 1.5 m. The driving of split-spoon was recorded at every 150 mm of
penetration till the total penetration was 450 mm. The number of blows recorded for the first 150
mm of penetration is disregarded. The number of blows recorded for the last two 150 mm intervals
are added and expressed as SPT N-value.The records of the SPT values obtained are presented in
borehole logs in the Appendix A. The recorded SPT values are without any correction of
overburden and water table. The test was conducted without using liner. The maximum rod length
used was 20 m.

2.6 Ground Water Table Monitoring

The position of ground water table was measured at each borehole. The water level observed in the
bore holes at the end of a 24 hours long period after completion of boring work was taken as the
position of ground water table. The depth to ground water table from ground level after 24 hours of
completion of boring work for all the boreholes are given in the borehole logs presented in the
Appendix A.

3. LABORATORY TESTS AND RESULTS

The following laboratory tests were conducted:
a) Sieve Analysis
b) Specific Gravity
c) Natural water content
The above laboratory tests were performed as per the specification laid down in the IS standard.
The above tests were conducted at the Geotechnical Laboratory of MULTI Lab (P) Ltd. at
Pulchowk, Lalitpur. The results of laboratory tests compiled in the form of Test Results Summary
Sheets are presented in Table-2 for all the boreholes.

4. SOIL DESCRIPTION
The surface as well as sub-surface geological features existing at the bridge site are shown in the
borehole logs presented in Appendix A. The soil condition for the bridge site is mostly a mixture of
medium dense to dense fine sand, sandy gravels and gravelly sands including pebbles and cobbles.

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5. FOUNDATION ANALYSIS

5.1 Depth of Foundation

The depth of foundation is governed mainly by factors like depth to ground freeze, scour depth and
the nature of the subsoil strata to place the foundation. As the bridge lies in sub-tropical region of
Nepal the chance of ground freezing is minimal. The depth is controlled by either river scour or the
sub-soil condition. In this bridge the river hydraulics controls the depth of foundation. The
hydrological data shows that the minimum depth of foundation for abutments is 8 m from the lowest
river bed and that for piers is 13 m from lowest river bed. The type of foundation recommended is a
well foundation for both abutments and piers.

5.2 Computation of Bearing Capacity

The bearing capacity analysis has been carried out for foundation soil at 9 m depth from lowest river
bed for abutments. In case of piers the analysis was carried out at 18 m depth from lowest river
bed. In sands the bearing capacity based on shear failure criteria is extremely high; the bearing
capacity is governed by settlement criteria. Hence, in sands the bearing capacity based on shear
failure criteria has not been computed. Thus in the analysis only the settlement criteria has been
taken into account. The bearing capacity analysis was carried out based on the results of SPT N-
value. The equation suggested by Peck et al (1975) has been used to compute bearing capacity for
sandy and silty soils from settlement criteria. The width of foundation used in the analysis is 7 m for
both abutments and piers. The equation used in the analysis is:
qn  22* N c *Rw from settlement criteria for 50 mm settlement.

Where,
qn = Net safe Bearing Capacity

Nc = SPT Value corrected for overburden pressure

Rw = Water Table Correction Factor

Using the above equations the bearing capacity analysis is carried out. The analysis carried out is
shown in Table 3.

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6. DISCUSSIONS
The soil condition for the bridge site is mostly a mixture of medium dense to dense fine sand, sandy
gravels an d gravelly sands including pebbles and cobbles. Thus the analysis has been carried out using
results of field tests. SPT value has been used to compute bearing capacity for sandy soil based on
settlement criteria. The depth of foundation is governed by the river hydraulics.

Terzaghi (1967 ) based on his experience as well as model study suggests that the minimum depth of
foundation should be four times the greatest known rise of river level in erodible soil where depth to
bedrock is very great. Geruwa River is one of the major rivers in Nepal and in monsoon season it
often brings torrential flood which even erodes boulders of 1m3 in size. Thus the depth of foundation
should be at least 13 m from river bed for piers and 8 m from river bed for abutments. An open
foundation cannot be constructed beyond a depth of 5 m. Therefore, in this bridge site, a well
foundation is to be provided for both piers and abutments. The bearing capacity is governed by
settlement criteria.

7. RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the analysis the following recommendations have been made.
a) The recommended type of foundation is a well foundation for
piers and abutments.
b) The allowable bearing capacity recommended for abutments is
2
818 kN/m for 65 mm settlement.
c) The allowable bearing capacity recommended for piers is 820
2
kN/m for 65 mm settlement.
d) The suggested width of well foundation is 7 m for both piers
and abutments. However, the width of foundation should be decided by
foundation designers based on actual load and moments coming at the
foundation level. In no case the well diameter should be less than 6 m.
e) The length of foundation is governed by bridge lane and shall
be chosen accordingly.
f) The foundation designer need not follow strictly the depth and dimensions
adopted in the analysis presented in this report. He is free to select any other
dimensions for depth and width depending upon the actual loads and moments
to be transmitted to the foundation soil. At this juncture it is worth mentioning
that the allowable bearing capacity depends on many variables such as allowable
settlement, type of foundation, size and depth of foundation, importance of
structure, cost of project etc. Therefore, on the basis of soil index properties
data and engineering properties data provided in this report (i.e. data furnished
in test result summary sheet Table 2 and bore hole logs presented in
Appendix A), the foundation designer is free to refine the calculations wherever
he feels necessary.

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8. REFERENCES
a. Simons, N. E. and Menzies, B. K. (1977), “A short course in Foundation
Engineering”, Newons and Butterworths, London
b. Murthy, V. N. S. (1991), “Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering”, Vol. II,
“Foundation Engineering”, Sai Kripa Technical Consultants, Bangalore.
c. M. J. Tomlinson (1996), “Foundation Design and constructions”, Pitmann Publishing
Ltd. London.
d. Terzaghi, K. and Peck R. B. (1967), “Soil Mechanic in Engineering Practice,” John Wiley
and Sons Inc. New York, USA.
e. Peck, R. B., Hanson W. E. and Thornburn T. H (1974), “Foundation Engineering”, Wiley
Eastern Limited, New Delhi.
f. Noyak, N. V. (1982) , " Foundation Design Manual ", Dhanpati Rai & Sons. Delhi.

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