GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION REPORT

PROPOSED COMMUNICATION TOWER

AT BANDRA TERMINUS (WESTERN RAILWAY), MUMBAI
FOR CONSORT DIGITAL PVT. LTD.

Table of Contents

Item Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

2.0 EXPLORATION PROGRAM 1

2.1 Exploration Scope 1

2.2 Subsurface Conditions 2
2.3 Groundwater Levels 3

3.0 FOUNDATION RECOMMENDATIONS 4

3.1 Bored Piles 5

3.2 Foundation Protection 6

4.0 FIELD EXPLORATION PROCEDURES 7

ANNEXURES 8

Figure 1: Borehole Location Plan

Borehole Logs

Subsurface Profile
Laboratory Test Results
References/Calculations
 GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION REPORT
PROPOSED COMMUNICATION TOWER
AT BANDRA TERMINUS (WESTERN RAILWAY), MUMBAI
FOR CONSORT DIGITAL PVT. LTD.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Consort Digital Pvt. Ltd. plans construction of a 60m high ground base communication

tower at Bandra Terminus, Mumbai. The work of geotechnical investigation was awarded to

Pacific Engineering. The field work and laboratory tests for the geotechnical investigation

were completed by Pacific Engineering in November 2017. This report prepared by Geocon

International Pvt. Ltd. presents results of the geotechnical investigation along with

foundation recommendations for the proposed tower.

2.0 EXPLORATION PROGRAM

2.1 Exploration Scope

One Borehole (BH-) was completed for the project as illustrated on the Borehole Location

Plan in the Annexure.

2.2 Subsurface Conditions

Subsurface profile at this site generally consists of fill overlying completely weathered rock

underlain by hard bedrock. Encountered soil/rock layers are described below;

LAYER I: FILL

Fill, consisting mostly of clay with boulders was encountered at ground surface in the

borehole. The lower boundary of this layer was encountered at a depth of 4.0m below

ground surface.

LAYER II: COMPLETELY WEATHERED ROCK

Completely weathered rock was encountered below fill layer in the borehole. This layer is

formed by the complete in-place disintegration of parent bedrock material, but still partially

retains the original rock mass structure. SPT tests conducted in this layer encountered

refusals. Core recoveries were less than 35%. The lower boundary of this layer was

encountered at a depth of 6.0m below ground surface.

LAYER III: HARD BASALT BEDROCK

Greyish to brownish hard basalt bedrock was encountered at a depth of 6.0m below

ground surface. The bedrock was moderately weathered to sound, generally improving
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with depth. Core Recoveries varied from 43% to 97%, while Rock Quality Designation

(RQD) ranged from Nil to 92%. The borehole was terminated in this layer at a depth of

15.0m below ground surface.

2.3 Ground water Levels

Groundwater accumulation in borehole was monitored during and after completion of

drilling activities. Groundwater was observed in borehole at a depth of 2.0m below ground

level. Seasonal and annual fluctuations in ground water levels can be expected.

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3.0 FOUNDATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Completely weathered bedrock was encountered at a depth of 4.0 below ground surface.

Spread foundations for proposed Communication Tower supported on this completely

weathered bedrock, can be designed for a maximum net allowable bearing capacity of 40

t/m2.

Maximum settlement of foundations will be less than 12mm. A modulus of subgrade reaction

of 3300 t/m3 can be utilized for design of foundations. Excavation sides should be sloped at

a maximum slope of 1:1 (horizontal: vertical) or flatter. Excavated soils can be used for

backfilling.

Horizontal forces and overturning moments may govern minimum depth of foundations.

If adequate space is not available for side sloping, then bored piles as described in next

section of this report can be utilized for support of proposed tower.

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3.1 Bored Piles:

As mentioned previously, proposed tower can be supported on bored piles socketed in

bedrock. Piles should be socketed 3D in weathered bedrock (Where D is pile diameter)

encountered at a depth of 4.0m below ground surface.

Capacities of representative pile sizes are given in Table A below.

TABLE A
Safe Vertical Downward & Lateral Capacity of Piles

Pile Safe Vertical Safe Lateral Safe Uplift

Diameter Downward Capacity (tons) Capacity (tons)
(mm) Capacity (tons)
600 135 20 35
700 185 23 45
800 240 26 60
1000 375 33 95

Maximum total settlement of piles installed as described above will be less than 12mm.

Depth of fixity for lateral loads will be 6.2D below pile cap.

3.2 Foundation Protection

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Groundwater samples were collected for chemical analysis from the site. Results of

Chemical analysis are enclosed in the Annexure. Based on chemical results, the site falls

under Class I for sulphates and chlorides (As per IS456-2000 and as per CIRIA Special

Publication No. 31). A ‘moderate’ exposure condition was assigned to this site. Hence,

following precautions shall be taken to protect concrete and reinforcement in foundations;

Type of Cement: OPC or PPC

Minimum Grade of Reinforced Concrete: M25

Minimum Cement Content for spread footings: 300 kg/m3

Minimum Cement Content for piles: 400 kg/m3

Maximum Water Cement Ratio: 0.5

Minimum Cover to Reinforcement: 50mm

4.0 FIELD EXPLORATION PROCEDURES

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The sub-surface investigation was completed generally as per IS: 1892-1979. The field

investigation was carried out using a rotary machine. Casing was used to support sides of

borehole until sufficiently stiff strata was encountered. Standard Penetration Tests (i.e.

SPT) were carried out in soil in accordance with IS 2131-1981. Using this procedure, a 2”

outside diameter split-barrel sampler is driven into the soil by 63.5 kg weight falling through

75 cm height. After an initial set of 15cm, the number of blows required to drive the sampler

an additional 30 cm, is known as the “penetration resistance” or “N value”.

When SPT refusal was obtained in hard strata, rock coring was done using diamond bit and

double tube core barrel to obtain rock samples. Percent Rock Core Recovery and Rock

Quality Designation (%RQD) were determined. % RQD = 100 x Sum of length of rock

pieces in cms, each having lengths greater than 10cms/Total length of core run.

Sincerely,

GEOCON INTERNATIONAL PVT. LTD.

__________________________________
Jaydeep Wagh
B.E., M.S., P.E. (Geotechnical)

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 REFERENCES

1) Foundation Analysis and Design, J.E. Bowles, McGraw Hill Publication, 5th Edition,
1996.

2) Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual.

3) Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, 2nd Edition, Terzaghi K. and Peck R. B., John
Willey and Sons, 1967.

4) Foundation Design Manual, N. V. Nayak, 5th Edition, 1996.

5) IS:6403-1981, Code of Practice for Design and Construction of Shallow Foundations on

Soils.

6) Bored Piling in Mumbai Region, K. R. Datye, IGC 1990.

7) IS14593: Code of Practice for Design of Piles Founded on Rock.

 SAMPLE CALCULATION OF ALLOWABLE BEARING CAPACITY
FOR FOUNDATIONS ON COMPLETELY WEATHERED ROCK

________________________________________________ GL +0.0m
Layer I, Fill
________________________________________________ -4.0m
Layer II, Completely Weathered Rock
_________________________________________________ -6.0m
Layer III, Hard Basalt Bedrock

(Assuming Completely weathered Bedrock to be a very dense granular soil.)

Net Ultimate Bearing Capacity = qu = cNc sc + q (Nq – 1) sq + 0.5 B N s (Refn. 5, Table
4-1)

Where,
q = Overburden Pressure (i.e. submerged unit weight x depth of
foundation)
c = Cohesion
B = Minimum Width of foundation = 1m
’ = submerged unit weight of soil = 0.80
Nc, Nq, N = Terzaghi’s Bearing capacity factors
Sc, sq, s = Shape factors = Conservatively assumed as 1, 1, and 0.6
D = Depth of Footing = 4.0m

Minimum SPT N value obtained in borehole = 50

Corresponding friction angle = 40 o (Reference No. 5)
Corresponding Nc=75, Nq=64, N=109 (Reference 5, IS:6403-1981);

Substituting these values in the above equation;

q ultimate =qu =[0x75x1]+[4.0x0.8x(64-1)x1]+[0.5x1x0.8x109x0.6]= 0+201+26 = 227 t/m2
q safe = qu/F.S. = 227/3.0 = 75.6 t/m2

Restricted to 40 t/m2 to limit settlement as shown below.

CALCULATION OF SETTLEMENTS OF FOUNDATIONS (3M X 3M) EXERTING

PRESSURE OF 40 T/M2:

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 From Reference No. 1:

1 2
Settlement = S  q0 B' mI s I f
Es

Where,
q0 = Footing Pressure = 40 t/m2
B’ = B/2 (Where B is the width of pressure distribution
μ = Poisson’s ratio = 0.3
E = Modulus of Elasticity
Is = Influence Factor (Obtained from Table 5-2, Reference No. 1)
If = Depth Factor (Obtained from Figure 5-7, Reference No. 1)
m = 4 for center of footing

Very conservatively assuming completely weathered bedrock to be over-

consolidated sand:
E value for over-consolidated sand = 105(N)+4000 (Reference No. 1)
Therefore, for a SPT N value of 50, E=9250 t/m2

L’ = 3/2 =1.50, B’ = 3/2 = 1.5, H=6m, and D=4.0m

Therefore, M=L/B=1; and N=H/B’=4, and D/B=1.33
Corresponding, Is = 0.43, Conservative If = 1 (From Table 5-2, Reference 1)

1  0 .3 2
Settlement of Layer = S1 = 40 x1.5 x x 4 x 0.43 x1 = 0.012m = 12mm
9250

SAMPLE CALCULATION OF ALLOWABLE VERTICAL CAPACITY OF 600mm DIA.

PILES SOCKETED 3D IN BEDROCK:

A) SKIN FRICTION CAPACITY IN 3D ROCK SOCKET:

As per Cole and Stroud Method (Reference No. 4) for soft rock, the zero strength bedrock
is assumed to be a hard cohesive soil.
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 Using a minimum SPT N value of 75 in the bedrock.

Allowable Skin End Bearing Capacity = q all = aC / F.S. (Reference No. 4)

Where,
c = cohesion = N/1.5 = 75/1.5 = 50 t/m2
a = adhesion factor
F.S. = Factor of Safety
(a/FS) = 0.3
Therefore, Allowable Skin Friction Capacity = 0.3 x50 = 15 t/m2
Allowable End Bearing Capacity of 600mm dia piles = πDL (15) = 3.142 x 0.6 x
1.8m x 15 t/m2 = 51 tons

B) END BEARING CAPACITY IN LOW STRENGTH HIGHLY WEATHERED BEDROCK:

Using a minimum SPT N value of 150 at pile tip in the bedrock.

As per Cole and Stroud Method (Reference No. 4).

Allowable End Bearing Capacity = q all = cNc / F.S. (Reference No. 4)

Where,
c = cohesion = N/1.5 = 150/1.5 = 100 t/m2
Nc = Bearing Capacity Factor = 9 for deep foundations
F.S. = Factor of Safety = 3

Therefore, Allowable End Bearing capacity = 100 x 9 / 3 = 300 t/m2

Allowable End Bearing Capacity of 600mm dia piles = (300)πD 2/4 = 84 tons

THEREFORE, TOTAL PILE CAPACITY = 51 + 84 TONS = 135 tons

CALCULATION OF LATERAL CAPACITY OF PILE

Reference: Appendix-B (Revised) of IS 2911 (Part 1/Sec. 2) - 2010.

Assuming completely weathered rock to be very hard clay,
Therefore, Strata near top of pile consists of clay with average N = 50
Corresponding average Cu = N/15 = 50/15 = 3.33 kg/cm2.
Unconfined compressive strength, qu = 2 Cu = 6.67 kg/cm2

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As per Table 2 of Reference mentioned above,
Corresponding Constant k1 = 72 x 103 KN/m3 = 72 MN/m3
Now,
k 0.3 72 0.3
K 1     24MN / m 3
1.5 D 1.5 0.6
(Value of K in kg/cm3 for calculation of R : 1MN/m3 = 0.1 kg/cm3)
For long and flexible pile, depth of fixity,
EI
R4
KD
Where,
E = Modulus of Elasticity of pile material = 2.7 x 10 5 kg/cm2 for concrete
I = Moment of Inertia = π D4/64 cm2 (D is pile diameter in cm)
Therefore,
2.70 x10 5 x D 4
R 4
64 x 2.4 x 60
R = 3.1D (D is pile diameter in cm)
Unsupported length of pile, L 1 = 0.0cm
Therefore, L1/R = 0.0

FOR FIXED HEAD PILES

As per Figure 3 of Reference mentioned above,
For L1/R = 0.0, Lf/R = 2.0
Therefore, length of fixity,
Lf = 2.0 x R = 6.2D (where D is pile diameter in cm)

For a lateral deflection of 0.5cm at the top of the pile,

For fixed head pile, allowable lateral load, Q a corresponding to a deflection Y = 0.5 cm,

12  2.7  10 5    D 4  0.5
Qa = = 64   0  6.2 D 
3

Qa = 333×D kg = 0.333D tons (where D is pile diameter in cm)

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