GEO-TECHNICAL REPORT

FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF MULTISTORIED
RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX OF
DR. RAJUMANI SARMA AT NALBARI,
NEAR KHATA M.V. SCHOOL,
DIST.-NALBARI, ASSAM.

________________________________________________
CONSULTANCY SERVICES:
GEOTECH & CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY PVT. LTD.
Manik Nagar, R.G. Baruah Road, Guwahati-781005, Cell-9864013224.
 FOREWORD

I am happy to present the Geo-technical Report for the construction of

multistoried residential complex of Dr. Rajumani Sarma at Nalbari, near Khata
M.V. School, Dist.-Nalbari, Assam. It is a pleasing experience for us to be
associated with a prestigious project like this. I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr.
Sarma for the confidence shown on our organization and wish for the speedy and
successful implementation of the project.

Director
Geotech & Civil Engineering Consultancy Pvt. Ltd.

1
Project : Constructional of multistoried residential complex of Dr. Rajumani
Sarma at Nalbari, near Khata M.V. School, Dist.-Nalbari, Assam.

CONTENTS

Subject Page No.

1.0. Introduction : 3

2.0. Methodology of Investigation

2.1.: Field Investigation : 3-4

2.2.: Laboratory Investigation : 5

3.0. Test Results : 6-8

4.0. Discussion : 8-9

5.0. Analysis for shallow foundation : 9-11

6.0. Analysis for Pile foundation : 12-13

7.0. Conclusion & Recommendation : 13-14

8.0. Bore Hole Log : 15

9.0 Site Plan showing Bore Hole Location . 16

2
1. INTRODUCTION

A carefully planned detailed subsoil investigation was carried out for the
construction of multistoried residential complex of Dr. Rajumani Sarma at Nalbari,
near Khata M.V. School, Dist.-Nalbari, Assam. The subsoil investigation consisted of
drilling of exploratory borehole at one location including conducting Standard
Penetration Tests as well as collecting soil samples for various laboratory tests. In
field as well as laboratory tests provisions set by relevant bureau of Indian Standard
codes of practice were strictly followed.

2. OBJECT

The prime objective of this geo-technical investigation was to explore the

suitability of the subsoil involved for the proposed engineering work and to suggest
the most suitable type of foundation for preparing adequate and economical design.
Effort was made to obtain necessary information about the subsoil such as
stratification, hydrological conditions, strength and settlement characteristics of the
site and to know the engineering properties of the soil up to a depth that is likely to
get affected by the proposed structure load.

3. INVESTIGATION

A composite program comprising of both field and laboratory tests in

consonance with relevant I.S. code of practice was followed.

3.1 FIELD INVESTIGATION

Field investigation consisted of 75mm vertical boring in one location covering

the area of the plot. Borehole layout is shown schematically in Fig. 1.

During boring, changes in soil stratification were identified by the feel and
color of the wash. Color, odor etc. were visually identified during the process of
boring. Soil stratification is represented pictorially in the borehole logs enclosed as
Appendix-I. Whenever significant change in soil stratum were encountered disturbed

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representative soil samples were collected and were sent to laboratory for
determination of physical properties of soil, such as, grain size distribution, specific
gravity etc.. Similarly, undisturbed thin walled sampling was also done in all
significant soil strata or at an interval of 1.5m, which ever was earlier as per
IS: 2132-1972. These samples were appropriately labeled and preserved and were
transported to the laboratory for determination of shear properties, moisture content,
insitu density etc.
Standard Penetration Tests were conducted at each 1.50m interval or where
significant variations in soil strata were observed. Standard Penetration Tests were
carried out using a split-spoon sampler as per IS: 2131-1981. A drive weight of 65kg
drop hammer for a free fall of 750mm was used. Number of blows required to drive
the sampler for first 150mm was neglected. The sampler is further driven to a depth
of 300mm or 50 blows. The number of blows required to affect each 150mm of
penetration was recorded. Total blows required for the second and third 150mm of
penetration was termed the penetration resistance (observed N-value). In case
number of blows exceeded 50 before 300mm of penetration, it was entered as
refusal and in that case set was measured for 50 blows. The observed N-values are
corrected for overburden and submergence (where ever applicable). Corrected N-
values are denoted by Ncor. The observe N-values are also shown in the bore hole
logs presented in the Appendix.
Ground water table in each bore hole location was recorded after 24 hours of
boring or when stability in ground water table was achieved, whichever was later.
Ground water tables are shown in borehole logs.
Field investigation was started on 17-05-2017 and was completed on
17-05-201.

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3.2 LABORATORY INVESTIGATION

Selected soil samples were analyzed in the laboratory. The main objectives of
laboratory analyses were to identify the physical properties and shear properties of
subsoil involved. Accordingly, for determination of physical properties of soil
following tests was carried out-
i) Grain size distribution analysis
ii) In-situ moisture content determination, (w)
iii) In-situ bulk density determination, ( )

iv) Determination of specific gravity of soil solids, (G)

v) Determination of Atterbergs Limits-
(a) Liquid limit, and,
(b) Plastic limit.
In order to determine the shear properties of soil depending upon the soil
drainage and loading conditions, following tests were performed-
i) Unconfined compression test, (UC)
ii) Consolidated drained triaxial test, (CD) and,
iii) Direct shear test (DS).

4. RESULTS

Standard penetration resistances (N-values), before and after correction at

various depths of bore hole location are presented in Table 1. Physical properties of
soil are presented in Table 2. Table 3 shows the Atterbergs limits. Grain size
analysis results and shear properties are presented in Table 4 and Table 5
respectively.

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Table 1. Observed and Corrected Standard Penetration Resistance (N-values) :
BH No. Depth (m) Observed Correction Factor Corrected N-value
N-value (as per IS:2131-1981) (Ncor)

1 1.5 -- 1.8 --

3.0 4 1.6 6

4.5 5 1.2 6

6.0 5 1.15 6

7.5 18 1.1 20

9.0 24 1.07 26

10.5 22 1.05 23

12.0 3 0.96 3

13.5 16 0.92 15

Table 2. Physical properties :

BH Depth Sp. Gravity Insitu Water Bulk Density Dry Density Void Ratio
No. (m) G Content w (%) d e
3
(gm/cm ) (gm/cm3)

1 2.0 2.62 29.76 1.99 1.53 0.71

4.0 2.62 30.28 1.97 1.51 0.74
6.5 2.63 29.54 2.02 1.56 0.69
9.0 2.64 -- -- -- --
11.5 2.60 35.71 1.92 1.41 0.84
13.5 2.63 -- -- -- --

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Table 3. Atterbergs Limits :
BH No. Depth Liquid Limit wL Plastic Limit wP Plasticity Index,
(m) (%) (%) IP=wL-wP (%)

1 3.0 35.38 22.96 12.42

6.0 36.92 24.19 12.73

7.5 NP NP NP

12.0 43.79 29.16 14.63

13.5 NP NP NP

Table 4. Grain Size Distribution :

BH No. Depth Clay Silt Fine Medium Coarse Gravel

(m) (%) Sand Sand Sand (%)
(%)
(%) (%) (%)

1 3.0 42.51 24.78 29.42 3.29 -- --

4.5 48.52 22.64 27.38 1.46 -- --

7.5 -- 9.26 71.40 19.34 -- --

10.5 -- 6.49 68.72 24.79 -- --

13.5 28.26 20.84 37.15 13.75 -- --

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Table 5. Shear Properties :
BH No. Depth Cohesion c Angle of Internal Type of Test
(m) (kg/cm2) Friction
(degrees)

1 2.0 0.17 8 CD

4.0 0.23 8 CD

6.5 0.31 0 UC

9.0 0.05 26 DS

11.5 0.17 0 UC

13.5 0.14 21 DS

Note: UC- Unconfined Compression Test; DS- Direct Shear Test; CD- Consolidated Drained Test;

Table 6. Oedometer (Consolidation) Test Result :

BH No. Depth (m) Compression Index
'Cc'

1 2.0 0.134

5. DISCUSSION
5.1 GENERAL

Field exploratory programs together with standard penetration tests reveal a

varied pattern in subsoil strata. Subsoil at shallow depth is sandy clay in nature.
Filled up soil observed up to 1.70m below G.L. & beyond that subsoil is relatively
weaker up to 6.0m depth as can be seen from the standard penetration resistance
as well as from shear strength properties. Ground water occurs at a depth of 1.50m
below existing ground level.

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5.2 ANALYSIS
5.2.1 Methodology

From the field exploration result it has been observed that filled up soil
observed up to 1.70m & subsoil is of soft consistency up to 2.0m depth below G.L.
Considering this, suitability of shallow isolated footing is studied at 2.0m & 2.50m
depth below existing G.L. From the shear parameters of Table 5, the worst possible
condition taken for analysis are-
Case I: c=0.17kg/cm2 and =80 ;

5.2.2 Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundation based on Shear Failure Criteria

IS: 6403-1981 suggests the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow footing for
general shear failure as-
q nf = cN c s c d c i c + q (N q 1)s q d q i q + 0.5BN s d i R w (1)

For local shear failure eqn. 1 reduces to-

q nf = c N c s c d c i c + q (N q 1)s q d q i q + 0.5BN s d i R w (2)

Where,
s c , s q and s are shape factors, d c , d q and d are depth factors, i c , i q and i

are inclination factors and Rw being the water table reduction factor.
Case I:
For the design depth of 2.0m, c=0.17kg/cm2 and =80 ;

For the value of =80, local shear failure is likely to occur and therefore, eqn. (2)
have been adopted. For local shear failure, =tan-1(0.67tan) = 5.380 and

c/ = 0.667c kg/cm2. For = 5.380, NC=6.63, Nq=1.64 and N = 0.51

Unit weight of soil, = 18.56kN / m 3 .

Considering a shallow footing of 1.50m square to be placed at a depth of 2.0m,
Sc =1.3, Sq= 1.2 , S = 0.8; dc =1.31, dq= 1.0 & d = 1.0 & Rw = 0.50
Putting all these values in equation (2), & taking a factor of safety of 3.0, the
safe bearing capacity reduces to,

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 qs = qnf /3 + D = 90.12 kN/m2
Similarly the safe bearing capacity for different footing size are presented in Table-7.

Table-7 : Allowable Bearing Pressure of Shallow Footings :

Depth of footing Type of Footing Footing Dimension Allowable Bearing
(m) Pressure (kN/m2)

1.5m 1.5m 90.12

1.8m 1.8m 88.64
SQUARE 2.0m 2.0m 87.94
2.5m 2.5m 86.75
3.0m 3.0m 86.07
2.0

1.5m 2.0m 83.54

RECTANGULAR 1.5m 3.0m 82.78
2.0m 2.5m 83.12
2.0m 3.0m 82.17

1.5m 1.5m 104.27

1.8m 1.8m 102.38
SQUARE 2.0m 2.0m 101.46
2.5m 2.5m 99.91
3.0m 3.0m 98.97
2.5
1.5m 2.0m 97.19
1.5m 3.0m 96.35
RECTANGULAR
2.0m 2.5m 96.36
2.0m 3.0m 95.32

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5.2.3 Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundation based on Settlement Criteria

For the subsoil covered under bore hole 1 (depth 2.0m), compression index
Cc=0.134
Consolidation settlement, is given by,

Cc H +
= log 0 (3)
1 + e0 0
Where,
H= the thickness of the compression layer
e0 = Initial void ratio =0.71

0 = Initial effective overburden pr. and,

= Increase in applied effective stress.
For a square footing of size 1.5m 1.5m (effective circular area of radius
0.846m), the vertical normal stress Z , due to uniformly distributed load , at depth
Z below the center of loaded area, may be obtained from,
3
2

1
Z = 1
R
2

1+
Z
For the square footing of 1.5M size, assuming that the pressure bulb for
significantly stressed zone extends up to a depth of two times the width of footing, a
depth of 3.0M has been considered for settlement calculation. Settlement is
calculated for an externally applied surface pressure of 90.12kN/m2. Accordingly,
settlement of the top most layer of 3.0M,
1 = [(0.134x3000)/(1+0.71)] x log[(18.56x2.0+10.63)/(18.56x2.0)]
= 25.71mm < 75.0mm.
Therefore, 25.71 kN/m2 may be adopted as the allowable bearing pressure
for 1.5m square footing from settlement consideration. So, the values of allowable
bearing pressure presented in Table-7 is safe from shear as well as settlement
consideration.

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 As an alternative the proposed structure may be allowed to rest on bored
cast-in-situ RCC pile. So, suitability of bored cast in situ RCC pile is also studied.

5.3. Pile Foundation:

A relatively stiff sand layer being observed between 7.50m to 11.0m, but
beyond that subsoil between 11.0m to 13.0m contain traces of organic matters & is
of soft consistency. Because of this, bored cast in situ RCC pile of 9.0m length can
be suggested & capacity of such pile length have been examined.

5.3.1 Safe Load Capacity of Bored cast-in-situ RCC Piles (Static Analysis)

Ultimate load carrying capacity of Bored cast-in-situ pile-

QU = Q f + Q b .. (3)

where, Qb = End bearing resistance in sand Ab [0.5 D y NY+PdNq]

Qs = Shaft resistance in cohesive soil = .Ca.As

= Shaft resistance in non-cohesive soil clay = [K Pd tan As]
where, Ab = base area of pile in m2
Nq and Ny are bearing Capacity factors appropriate to deep foundation.
Y = unit weight of soil in Kn/ m
K = Coefficient of earth pressure
Pd = Average effective overburden pressure
= Angle of wall friction
AS = Effective surface area of pile in cm2
= Reduction factor (taken as 0.5) for clays

Ca = average cohesion of soil around surface area of pile in kg/cm2.

Note-1- The first term in formula are for bearing and the last term for friction.
Note-2- For calculating safe load in uplift only the shaft resistance taken into
account.
Note-3.- For calculating safe load in vertical compression a factor of safety 2.5 and
in uplift a factor of safety 3.0 is considered.

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 Pile capacity of 400mm & 500mm dia. bored cast in situ RCC pile of 9.0m
length is analyzed and recorded in Table-8. Cut off level is considered as 1.0m
below G.L.

Table 8. Safe Load Capacity of Bored Cast in situ RCC Pile (Single Pile) Based
on Shear Properties.
(A) Reference Borehole No.-1.
Dia of Depth of Cut-off level Shaft Safe Load Capacity of Pile (KN)
Pile Pile below of Pile Length of
(m) G.L. below G.L. Pile below Vertical Tensile (Uplift)
Compression
(m) (m) G.L. (m)

0.40 197.65 94.47

9.0 1.0 8.0

0.50 260.67 113.34

6. RECOMMENDATION

On the basis of a careful examination of the field and laboratory test results
as well as the analysis results as in Sec. 5 above, following recommendations are
made-
Shallow isolated footing may be used at a depth not less than 2.0m below G.L.
and the bearing capacity of various footing sizes at 2.0m & 2.50m depth of
foundation may be taken as per Table-7. A plate load test at the proposed depth
of foundation may be carried out for better bearing capacity estimates.
In case of higher structural loading, ground improvement technique must be
resorted to. It is therefore, recommended that shear as well as consolidation
properties of the subsoil be improved by installation of 300mm diameter stone
columns up to a depth of 7.50m. During installation of stone columns 75 mm well
graded sand gravel mixture is to be used and is to be compacted in layers of

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1.0m by a 250 kg drop hammer up to refusal. The stone columns are to be
installed in a square grid pattern with center-to-center spacing of 1.20m covering
the entire plan area of the proposed building. One additional row outside and
surrounding the proposed plan area of the building are also to be installed, which
are likely to act as a skirt to the entire inner stone columns. The allowable
bearing pressure of such compacted soil is to be ascertained by conducting a
plate load test as per IS 1888-1982. After achieving the ground improvement,
shallow foundation may be provide at a depth of 2.0m below existing G.L. On the
top of the installed stone columns a granular cushion of 300mm thickness is to
be provided on which the shallow foundation should rest.
As an alternative, the proposed structure may be allowed to rest on bored cast-
in-situ RCC pile. Load capacity of such pile has been estimated and values are
presented in Table-8 (safe load). However it is emphasized that static formulae
may be used as a guide only for bearing capacity estimates. Better reliance may
be put on load test on piles. Therefore, it is suggested that initial load test is be
conducted on test piles installed at site. Routine tests are also recommended on
arbitrarily selected working piles. For closely spaced piles in a pile group, group
efficiency is to be taken into account while group capacity is estimated from
single pile load capacity.
Increase in the value of the bearing capacity may be made in accordance with
IS:1893-2002 if earthquake load is considered in the analysis.

*****************************

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 B
BOOR
REEH
HOOLLE
ECCH
HAAR
RTT
BORE HOLE NUMBER: 1 (ONE) DATE OF START : 17-05-17
TYPE OF BORING: WASH BORING DATE OF COMPLETION : 17-05-17
NAME OF PROJECT: Res. Complex of Dr. Rajumani Sarma GROUND WATER LEVEL: -1.50M
R.L. OF GROUND SURFACE AT LOACATION OF BORE HOLE: 0.0M
DESCRIPTION DEPTH STRATA SAMPLE S.P.T. N-VALUE RECOVERY REMARK
(M) D/S U/S (%)
10 20 30
-0.0 **
Filled up soil from denotes
G.L. up to 1.70m refusal.
-1.0
-1.5 --
Bluish sandy clay
from 1.70m up to -2.0 -2.0
2.0m
-3.0 -3.0 4
Brownish/ Bluish
sandy clay from
2.0m up to 4.0m -4.0 -4.0
-4.5 5
Bluish/Grayish
sandy clay from -5.0
4.0m up to 7.50m

-6.0 -6.0 5
-6.5
-7.0
-7.5 18
Fine sand from -8.0
7.50m up to 11.0m

-9.0 -9.0 24

-10.0
-10.5 22
Bluish sandy clay -11.0
with traces of -11.5
organic matters
from 11.0m up to -12.0 -12.0 3
13.0m
-13.0
Bluish clayey sand
13.0m up to the -13.5 16
explored depth of -14.0
15.0m

-15.0

15
 N

8.0M

9.0M

BH NO. 1

ROAD

Fig. 1. Plan Showing the Location of Bore Holes (Not to Scale).

16