PORTONOVI PROJECT BRANDED VILLA POOLS SOIL COMPETENCY VERIFICATION

1. Introduction
Below figures ( Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3) are the extracts from BV Pool Structural drawings submitted
by the Client. Branded Villa Pools structural works to be performed in the sea water conditions as per
design submitted by the Client. On 22-Jan-2020 BV-02 pool was excavated. Excavated material has been
placed by another contractor to the area. The material is 0-240 mm crushed limestone sand-gravel-stone
mixed with some trace amount of clay. Due to mixed granulation of the material in the area; the
compaction characteristics of the soil is quite ideal for construction works. Excavated trench was
compacted by 30 ton track type excavator with minimum 10 passes. Since the trench is submerged,
Standard Proctor test can’t be applied to measure the compaction level. Considering the fast-track work
program requirements; an alternative methodology was searched to verify soil compression value.

Figure 1 : BV Pool Plan

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Figure 2 : 1-1 Section

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Figure 3 : Section 2-2

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 2. Lightweight Deflection Method
Due to above mentioned requirements lightweight deflection method which is frequently being used in
Portonovi Project is used to measure the soil compression.

Light Weight Deflectometer’s (LWD’s) are a light weight, portable tool used to determine the stiffness of
unbound materials (subgrade/subsoils and base layers, granular layers & backfilling materials) during
construction. The device measures a deflection and estimates a modulus value based on the force
required to generate a given deflection for that soil type. Modulus is the most accurate and independent
means for judging deformation (stiffness) and, thus, a material’s level of compaction. By measuring the
modulus value, the Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) provides the direct link between the design
specification (modulus value) and the actual site condition (modulus value).

Figure 4 : Ligthweight Deflectometer Used in BV Pools

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Stiffness is the relationship between stress and strain in the elastic range or, in layman’s terms, how well
a material is able to return to its original shape and size after being stressed. In general, the more resistant
to deformation a subgrade is, the more load it can support before reaching a critical deformation
value. Three basic subgrade stiffness/strength characterizations are California Bearing Ratio (CBR),
Resistance Value (R-value) and elastic (resilient) modulus. Resilient Modulus (Mr) enjoys widespread use
in pavement design.

Load bearing capacity. The subgrade must be able to support loads transmitted from the pavement
structure. This load bearing capacity is often affected by the degree of compaction, moisture content, and
soil type. A subgrade that can support a high amount of loading without excessive deformation is
considered good.

Sub-grade materials are typically characterized by (1) their resistance to deformation under load, in other
words, their stiffness or (2) their bearing capacity, in other words, their strength. In general, the more
resistant to deformation a subgrade is, the more load it can support before reaching a critical deformation
value.

Working mechanism:

A mechanical impact on a circular steel plate produces a deformation on the soil surface. A light weight is
dropped from a standard height and, after release, moves down a rod to a dumping spring that transfers
the force to the centre of the load plate.

The load plate contains an accelerometer that measures movement and sends a signal to the control unit.
The first integration of acceleration shows the velocity of the plate. And the second integration gives the
deflection. The deflection and the velocity of the plate are calculated by double integration of the
acceleration. The dynamic deformation modulus is calculated from these results provided that all further
parameters like the contact pressure are constant. This simple approximation leads to stable results.

Using the 10kg falling weight, the Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) measures in the range of 15 -70 MN
/ m². Using the 15kg falling weight (1.5 times the impact load), the measuring range extends from 70-105
MN / m².

The measuring procedure starts with three pre-loading drops for good contact with the ground. Then,
three measuring drops are executed for registration and calculation of the average value and dynamic
deformation modulus Evd. The results are stored on a SD-card or printed out directly. With the aid of a
SD-card, the data can be transferred to a PC

Interpreting the Results: Below are the outputs of the measurements can be taken from the device:

Sm : Deflection

s/v: Deflection divided by speed

Evd: Dynamic deformation modulus

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The principle of the Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) is based on the principle of a truck loaded with 10
Tonnes driving at 80km / hour and passing over 1 square metre. This is a typical dynamic process and the
LWD simulates these conditions. Under the rear double tyre, you have a pressure of approx 0.1MN/m2.
When the 10kg weight drops on the 300mm diameter plate, you exert the same pressure of 0.1MN/m2
under the plate. (Plate diameter: 300 mm, area 0.07068 m² that means the falling weight must produce a
force of 7.068 kN to get 0.1 MN/m²). For the 15kg falling weight, a force of 10.6 kN results in a pressure
of 0.15 MN/m² under the plate. The time of this test is given by the spring under the falling weight.

 0.1MN/m2 = 10.2 Tonnes over 1 m2

3. Statical Calculations
It can be construed that the pressure impacting the foundation trench of the pool is insignificant due to
bottom concrete plate of the pool and uplift effect of the sea water. Below is the calculation of the
pressure applying to the soil. Only 0.02 MPa is applying to the trench bottom.

Width length Height Volume Unit weight Weight

Description (m) (m) (m) (m3) (t/m3 (ton)
Concrete slab under the Pool 12.68 6.65 0.40 33.72 2.40 80.92
Pool Block (full concrete) 11.08 5.05 1.91 106.82 2.40 256.38
Pool Volume (water) -36.5 2.40 -87.60
Water 34.48 1.00 34.48
TOTAL WEIGHT 284.18

Low tide (+0.27) seawater uplift 12.68 6.65 0.83 69.96 1 69.96

net weight of the structure

(ton) 214.22
footing area (m2) 12.675 6.65 84.29
Pressure (ton/m2) 2.54
Pressure (MPa) 0.02

4. Performed Test Results and Conclusion

Due to testing methodology of the Lightweight deflection; it must be performed in dry area. Therefore,
the surface soil 60 cm next to the pool trench was measured since the soil in the trench and around is
exactly the same material.

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 Figure 5 : Location of the performed test

Figure 6 : Result of the Test Performed on 25-01-2020 14:15

Dynamic deformation modulus found to be 48.91 Mn/m2 (MPa). Generally 40 MPa is the design
requirement for multi-storey buildings due to large loads applying to the foundation. However for these
pools; the pressure applying to the soil is only 0.02 MPA. Considering that deformation modulus of the
soil (48.91 MPa) is way higher than the designed load; it is clear that soil has the required characteristics
to bear the load of the structure. Therefore concrete can be casted in the excavated trench.

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