GEOTECHNICAL REPORT

FOR

THE PROPOSED FOUR-STOREY RESIDENTIAL

APARTMENT WITH BASEMENT
AT
AFRICAN UNION (AU) VILLAGE, CANTONMENT- ACCRA

SUBMITTED TO:

PREPARED BY:

WONDER WORLD ESTATES

P.O. BOX 8743
ACCRA

HOLDFAST VENTURES
P.O. BOX TN 464
TESHIE/NUNGUA ESTATES
ACCRA

FEBRUARY, 2014

HOLDFAST VENTURES

Proposed four-Storey Residential Apartments with Basement

at the AU Village, Cantonment-Accra, Accra

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1

2.0

THE SITE ......................................................................................................................... 2

2.1

Location....................................................................................................................... 2

2.2

Region Geology ............................................................................................................ 2

2.2.1

Topography.......................................................................................................................................... 2

2.2.2

Climatic Conditions ........................................................................................................................... 2

2.2.3

Stratigraphy ......................................................................................................................................... 3

2.3

Seismicity...................................................................................................................... 4

3.0 INVESTIGATION............................................................................................................... 5
3.1

Fieldwork ..................................................................................................................... 5

3.1.1 Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Test (DCPT-DIN 4094)............................................. 5

3.1.2 Test Pitting ................................................................................................................... 6
3.2
4.0

Laboratory Testing ..................................................................................................... 6

DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................... 8

4.1 Ground Condition ......................................................................................................... 8

4.2 Engineering Characteristics ........................................................................................ 10
4.3

Groundwater Condition.............................................................................................. 11

4.4

Chemical Analysis ..................................................................................................... 11

5.0
5.1

FOUNDATION DESIGN............................................................................................... 12
Foundation Depth ....................................................................................................... 12

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5.2

Bearing Capacity ....................................................................................................... 12

5.3

Settlement................................................................................................................... 15

5.4

Foundation Type ....................................................................................................... 15

5.5

Excavations ................................................................................................................ 15

6.0

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................. 16

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1.0

Proposed four-Storey Residential Apartments with Basement

at the AU Village, Cantonment-Accra, Accra

INTRODUCTION

Messrs Wonder World Estates has proposed to construct a Four-Storey Residential Apartments
with Basement at the African Union (AU) Village, Cantonment in Accra.
The client has requested for a Geotechnical Investigation to be carried out at the site to assess
the soil structure.
This report is a record of the work carried out at the site as revealed by Dynamic Cone
Penetration (DCP) tests and trial pits.
The report gives recommendations covering the following:

Geology and seismic information of the site and recommendation for seismic design.

Foundation design to include Bearing Capacity, depth and type of foundation.

Groundwater condition if encountered.

Chemical composition of Soil/Groundwater

Hydrology of the area with respect to rainfall intensity

Excavation characteristics in respect of stability of open pits/trenches

Recommendation for any necessary site improvement works

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2.0

THE SITE

2.1

Location

Proposed four-Storey Residential Apartments with Basement

at the AU Village, Cantonment-Accra, Accra

The site is located at the African Union (AU) Village, Cantonment in Accra. The site is walled
and the excavation for the basement is in progress.

Picture 2.1: The project site

2.2
2.2.1

Region Geology
Topography

The site fairly flat therefore drainage should be managed effectively with the construction of
lined drains.
2.2.2

Climatic Conditions

The area lies in the Savannah zone. There are two rainy seasons. The average annual rainfall is
about 730mm, which falls primarily during the two rainy seasons. The first begins in May and
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ends in mid-July. The second season begins in mid-August and ends in October. Rains usually
falls in intensive short storms and give rise to local flooding where drainage channels are
obstructed.
There is very little variation in temperature throughout the year. The mean monthly
temperature ranges from 24.7C in August (the coolest) to 28C in March (the hottest) with
annual average of 26.8C.
As the area is close to the equator, the daylight hours are practically uniform during the year.
Relative humidity is generally high varying from 65% in the mid-afternoon to 95% at night.
The maximum wind speed record in Accra is 107.4 km/hr (58 knots). Strong winds associated
with thunderstorm activity often cause damage to property by removing roofing material.
Several areas of Accra experience micro climatic effects.
2.2.3

Stratigraphy

The geology of the project area can be divided into three distinct groups i.e., Accraian, Togo
and Dahomeyan series known as Accra formation. The Accraian series belonging to the
Devonian age are sedimentary deposits, and consists of upper Interbedded sandstone and
shales, Middle clay shale and lower sandstone.
The Togo series belongs to the Upper Proterozoic age. They generally consist of metamorphic
rocks of quartzites, shales and phyllites.
The Dahomeyan system belongs to the Middle Precambrian Age and consists mainly of acid
and basic Hornblends gneiss and quartz mica schists, muscovite-biotite gneiss, and biotite
gneiss. The soils here are derived from the decomposition of the Dahomeyan system and Togo
series, which were facilitated by the warm and humid climate. This has resulted in the
formation of grey, white, reddish and yellowish-brown coloured soils.
On the surface there is a thin layer of hard sandy or silty clay, which is considered a drift
material. A thick layer of laterized quartz gravel underlies this layer. It is considered that quartz
in these layers is a weathered product of bedrock mixed with transported sandy and silty
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clay.The lateritic gravel layers are very hard, with fines varying in texture from silty sands to
sandy clay. Due to the leaching of upper layers of gravel the material is generally less plastic
near the surface, but plasticity increases with depth.
2.3

Seismicity

Studies on historical earthquakes and micro-earthquake activities have not indicated that the
project area falls within a high seismic active zone. There are no observed faults existing in the
area of the site. The site is believed to be in a geologically stable zone. Irrespective of this, it
is advised that the necessary precautions be taken in the design of the foundation, particularly
where high storey structures are expected.
Though the project area is not known to have seismic activities, the area is put in zone 3 of
Seismic risk map of Ghana (Figure 2.1).
Recent research assigns Horizontal Design Ground Acceleration of 0.20g, which is
recommended for the design.

ZONE 0

ZONE 1

ZONE 2

ZONE 3

Figure 2.1: Seismic Risk Map of Ghana

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3.0 INVESTIGATION
3.1

Fieldwork

Fieldwork was started on February 7, 2014 and was completed on the same day.
The investigation comprised the following activities: Excavating two (2) number excavated Trial Pits
Conducting seven (7) number Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Test (DCPT - DIN 4094)
Laboratory testing of disturbed samples collected.
3.1.1

Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Test (DCPT-DIN 4094)

The ground investigation was undertaken in accordance with the BS 5930 Standard Code of
Practice for site investigation. Seven number (7 No) Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Test (DCPT
DIN-4094) were performed to give a better indication of foundation depth and an assessment
of the soil strength (Bearing Capacity). They were distributed so as to give a fair representation
of the ground consistency over the site and also to determine competent stratum.

Picture 3.1(A&B): Sinking of DCPT DIN 4094 at the site

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3.1.2

Proposed four-Storey Residential Apartments with Basement

at the AU Village, Cantonment-Accra, Accra

Test Pitting

Two test pits were sunk to a maximum depth of 4.2m using an excavator. These were done to
examine the soil profile of the excavated depth.
Bulk disturbed samples were taken for soil classification.

Picture 3.2: Excavator sinking of Trial pit at the site

3.2

Picture 3.3: Measuring the soil profile after pitting

Laboratory Testing

Relevant laboratory tests for the classification and determination of the appropriate design
parameters were carried out on disturbed soil samples in accordance with BS 1377 and ASTM
Standards.
These tests include:

Natural moisture content

Atterberg limits

Particle size analysis

Chemical test on soil sample

Free Swell test

Summary of the laboratory test results are presented in Tables 3.1.

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TABLE 3.1: Summary of laboratory tests results

PROJECT:

Proposed Four-Storey Residential Apartment with

basement at AU Village, Cantonment in Accra

Date:

Sieve Sizes

TITLE
SAMPLE
IDENTIFICATION

20

14

10

mm mm mm

12/02/2014

ATTERBERG
TEST

Free Swell

600

425

300

150

75

NMC

LL

PL

PI

mm mm mm m

TP

DS

DEPTH (m)

0.65-2.10

100

100 100 99 95

91

87

73 56

8.3

28

23

2.10-2.70

90

80

64 48 42

39

37

31 22

4.5

29

20

2.70-4.40

100

95

88 83 80

76

72

57 41

7.1

33

22

11

10

0.30-1.90

100

100 100 99 96

92

87

75 74 10.0

26

19

1.90-4.10

100

92

46

44

39 30

34

22

12

74 50 47

Geotechnical Report Page: 7

8.1

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4.0

DISCUSSION

4.1

Ground Condition

Three subsurface units have been defined in this report. The Soil Units are as follows: Unit 1

clayey silty SAND/sandy

CLAY

Loose to medium dense, reddish brown

The thickness of this layer is between
1.45m and 1.60m.
The soil is of low plasticity.

Unit 2

clayey sandy GRAVEL/sandy

clayey GRAVEL (quartzitic)

Dense, reddish brown

Thickness of this layer varies between
0.6m and 2.2m.
The material is inorganic clay with low
plasticity.

Unit 3

gravelly clayey SAND/

weathered SANDSTONE/sandy

mottled, reddish/yellowish brown

homogeneous

clayey GRAVEL (quartzitic)

Records of the pits logs are presented below:Trial Pit 1

Depth (m)

Description

0.00 0.65

Light brown Topsoil

0.65 2.10

Loose to medium dense, reddish brown clayey silty SAND (S1)

2.10 2.70

Dense, reddish brown clayey sandy GRAVEL (S2)

2.70 4.40

Compact, mottled, reddish/yellowish brown homogeneous gravelly

clayey SAND/weathered SANDSTONE (S3)
No groundwater was encountered

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Trial Pit 2
Depth (m)

Description

0.00 0.30

Light brown Topsoil

0.30 1.90

Loose to medium dense, reddish brown sandy CLAY (S4)

1.90 4.10

Compact, mottled, reddish/yellowish brown homogeneous sandy clayey

quartzitic GRAVEL (S5)
No groundwater was encountered.

Summary of laboratory test results for S1- S5 are presented in Table 3.1.
Peck, Hansen and Thorburn (1974) related the plasticity index to the swelling potential of soils
in a simple relation shown in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1: Relationship between Plasticity Index and swelling potential
SWELLING POTENTIAL

PLASTICITY INDEX

Low

0-15

Medium

10-35

High

20-35

Very High

35 and above

The degree of expansiveness of cohesive soils and the possible damage to light loaded
structures may be quantitatively assessed from Table 4.2.

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Table 4.2: Relationship between Differential Free Swell and Degree of Expansiveness
Differential Free Swell (%)

Degree of Expansiveness

Less than 20

Low

20-35

Moderate

35-50

High

Greater than 50

Very High

The recovered samples from the foundation area are of low plasticity and have low potential to
swell in the presence of moisture.
4.2 Engineering Characteristics
Plot of Plasticity (PI) against Liquid Limit (LL) on the Cassagrande Plasticity Chart put the
soils S2, S3, S4 and S5 above the A-Line, indicating soils of inorganic clay with low plasticity.
However, soil S1 is below the A-Line, indicating soil of inorganic silt with low
compressibility.
Figure 4.1 presents the plots on the Cassagrande Plasticity Chart.
LOW(L)

70

INTERMEDIATE
(I)

HIGH (H)

EXTREMELY HIGH
(E)

VERY HIGH (V)

A-Line,

Tested Sample

PLASTICITY INDEX (PI) - %)

60
50
40
30
20
S2 S3

10
0

S5

S4
S1

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

LIQUID LIMIT (LL) - %

Figure 4.1: Cassagrande Plasticity Chart

Geotechnical Report Page: 10

100

110

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4.3 Groundwater Condition

No groundwater was encountered in the trial pits. It is expected that no groundwater would be
encountered during excavations but seepage water through the fissures of the ground cannot be
ruled out especially in the rainy season.
4.4

Chemical Analysis

The result of chemical analysis on soil samples indicated a pH value of maximum 5.9. pH
value of 5-7 requires no special protection for concrete and that Ordinary Portland Cement
(OPC) and Rapid Hardening Portland Cement (RHPC) are recommended for the manufacture
of concrete.
The presence of chlorides in soil/groundwater usually has little effect on ordinary good quality
concrete, but may affect steel reinforcing bars if high.
Maximum chloride concentration obtained for the soil is 7.3mg/kg will require no special
protection. Sulphate as SO3 content of about 12.4mg/kg maximum would require no special
protection.
Summary of the maximum chemical test results on the soil samples are as follows:
Test

Result

Limit

pH

5.9

5-7

Sulphate Content (mg/kg)

12.4

200

Chloride Content (mg/kg)

7.3

300

The concentration of salts in the soil is low.

This may not pose any serious threat to

buried concrete and steel. However, it is advised that very dense concrete must be used
for the construction to make the foundation concrete impermeable and less vulnerable to
attack.

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5.0
5.1

Proposed four-Storey Residential Apartments with Basement

at the AU Village, Cantonment-Accra, Accra

FOUNDATION DESIGN
Foundation Depth

The foundation footings should be carried below topsoil or organic material. These zones tend
to have high volume changes due to moisture fluctuations and unconsolidated material.
Indication from the DCP test is that refusals depths were fairly uniform, ranging between 3.0m
and 4.7m.
Where localized incompetent strata are encountered, such areas will require ground
improvement. Such ground improvement will require excavating the unsuitable material to a
greater depth and replacing with selected granular fill, compacted to a high density and footing
placed in it. The compacted granular fill, when properly carried out can be brought up in layers
to reduce the foundation depth.
It is therefore recommended that the foundation for the building be placed minimum 4m or
deeper in the weathered sandstone or clayey quartzitic gravel reference Trial pit 1and 2 (TP1
and TP 2). This will depend on the type of foundation considered by the designer.
5.2

Bearing Capacity

The correlation for obtaining bearing capacity from DCP is given as;

qs = 30r
Where qs is safe bearing capacity and r is blows/100mm penetration
It is expected that the proposed building will be founded in Soil Unit 3.
Very high safe bearing capacities values (excess of 500KN/m2) were obtained in soil unit 3,
indicating very compact material in all DCP points sunk. The minimum safe bearing capacity
at a depth of 4.0m is 540kN/m2.
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Table 5.1 shows probe results of minimum safe bearing capacities with depth for the soil at the
site.
Compact gravel/silty SAND/weathered Sandstone (soil unit 2 and 3) is expected to have
presumed bearing pressure greater than 1000kN/m2 (M. Carter- Geotechnical Engineering
Handbook).
DCP test results at refusal gave safe bearing capacity in excess of 600kN/m2.
The Accraian formation is very much unpredictable and therefore the use of very high bearing
capacities for design is not recommended.
A graph of the overall minimum safe bearing capacities with depth is illustrated in Figure 5.1
below.

Proposed Four-Storey Residential Apartments at AU Village, Cantonment, Accra

DCP [DIN 4094] TEST RESULTS
0.0
-0.5
-1.0

DEPTH (m)

-1.5
-2.0
-2.5
-3.0
-3.5
-4.0
-4.5
-5.0

50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650
2

MINIMUM SAFE BEARING CAPACITY (kN/m )

Figure 5.1 : DCP Tests Results (Min for all)

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Table 5.1: Minimum Safe Bearing Capacities at Different Levels

Depth
(m)
0
-0.1
-0.2
-0.3
-0.4
-0.5
-0.6
-0.7
-0.8
-0.9
-1
-1.1
-1.2
-1.3
-1.4
-1.5
-1.6
-1.7
-1.8
-1.9
-2
-2.1
-2.2
-2.3
-2.4
-2.5
-2.6
-2.7
-2.8
-2.9
-3
-3.1
-3.2
-3.3
-3.4
-3.5
-3.6
-3.7
-3.8
-3.9
-4
-4.1
-4.2
-4.3
-4.4
-4.5
-4.6
-4.7

P1
(kN/m2)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
420
456
444
456
564
588
564
576
576
552
588
564
600

P2
(kN/m2)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
456
432
444
444
480
516
480
540
540
588
576
576
588
576
540
576
540
540
540
588
564
564
564
576
588
564
540
576
576
588
600

P3
(kN/m2)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
480
576
516
480
504
444
420
480
492
516
588
576
564
564
552
576
588
588
576
564
576
576
552
588
564
588
576
576
600

P4
(kN/m2)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
504
540
564
540
576
564
588
588
600

P5
(kN/m2)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
480
492
480
552
540
540
540
576
588
588
600

P6
(kN/m2)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
336
348
360
444
420
480
480
504
552
540
492
552
528
540
528
528
564
588
552
576
576
564
588
576
576
600

P7
(kN/m2)
0
48
48
60
84
96
432
456
456
492
456
528
516
492
480
540
576
552
540
528
540
564
564
564
588
576
564
540
540
564
564
552
552
576
552
552
552
576
576
588
576
576
600

qmin

(kN/m2)
0
48
48
60
84
96
432
456
456
492
456
528
516
492
480
540
456
336
348
360
444
420
420
480
492
516
540
492
540
528
540
528
528
540
540
552
552
480
492
480
540
540
540
540
576
588
588
600

It is therefore recommended that a safe bearing capacity between 350 and 400kN/m2 be
used for the design.

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5.3

Proposed four-Storey Residential Apartments with Basement

at the AU Village, Cantonment-Accra, Accra

Settlement

Plot of plasticity index and liquid limit on the Cassagrande Plasticity chart is shown in Figure
4.1. From the plot, the soils in the foundation area are of low to intermediate plasticity and
have low potential to swell in the presence of moisture, therefore settlement is expected to be
within limits.
5.4

Foundation Type

Raft foundation may be used to bring the depth of foundation to shallow depth. In addition,
Raft foundation will reduce the net loading on the soil by removal of material within the
foundation and differential settlement will be tolerable.
Here the mat is expected to be stiffened and columns raised on the mat.
5.5

Excavations

Materials encountered on site are dense and compact, giving an indication that the ground is be
self- supporting.
It is expected that no groundwater would be encountered during excavations but seepage water
through the fissures of the ground cannot be ruled out especially in the rainy season, hence
provision of some form of dewatering system may be provided where necessary.

Geotechnical Report Page: 15

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6.0

Proposed four-Storey Residential Apartments with Basement

at the AU Village, Cantonment-Accra, Accra

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A geotechnical investigation has been carried out at the site for the proposed Four-storey
Residential Apartments at the AU Village, Cantonment in Accra and the following are the
recommendations made:

A safe bearing capacity between 350 and 400kN/m2 may be used for the footing
design.

The footings are to be placed at a depth of 4.0m or deeper.

Horizontal Design Ground Acceleration of 0.20g is to be used for seismic

design considerations since the site is in zone 3 of the Seismic Risk map of
Ghana

Settlement is expected to be within tolerance.

Raft foundation is recommended. However, the choice depends on the designer.

Concrete for the substructure should be produced to a dense consistency.

Drainage should be managed effectively with the construction of lined drains

Some form of dewatering system may be provided during excavation where

groundwater is encountered.

Geotechnical Report Page: 16