WEIGHT VOLUME RELATIONSHIP OF SOIL The physical properties of a soil give insight as to the identification of the soil and the determination of its characteristics and load response. These properties can be determined by performing a laboratory analysis on undisturbed soil samples obtained during the test boring process. The laboratory analysis should be performed … Read more
Earth Excavation Checklist The following checklist should be used as a guide for better quality control over earth excavation. (1) Prior to the start of excavation operations, take photographs of the construction area, make sure that sufficient cross—sections are taken, and continue to take progress photographs during construction. (2) Review the log of borings to … Read more
Site Exploration Program The knowledge about the site forms a vital role in the safe and economical development of a site. A thorough investigation of the site is an essential preliminary to the construction of any civil engineering works. Public building officials may require soil data together with the recommendations of the geotechnical consultant prior … Read more
Shear Strength Test of Soil The choice of appropriate shear strength tests for a particular project depends on the soil type, whether the parameters will be used in a total or effective stress analysis, and the relative importance of the structure. Common laboratory tests include direct shear, triaxial, unconfined compression, and laboratory vane shear test. … Read more
GEOPHYSICAL TEST METHODS Geophysical test is often used as part of the initial site exploration phase of a project and/or to provide supplementary information collected by widely-spaced observations (i.e., borings, test pits, outcrops etc.). Geophysical testing can be used for establishing stratification of subsurface materials, the profile of the top of bedrock, depth to groundwater, … Read more
Need for Soil Sampling A satisfactory design of a foundation depends upon the accuracy with which the various soil parameters required for the design are obtained. The accuracy of the soil parameters depends upon the accuracy with which representative soil samples are obtained from the field. Sampling is carried out in order that soil and … Read more
How to Select Soil & Rock Properties for Engineering Design? A rational approach for selecting soil & rock properties for engineering design can be summarized as a logical twelve-step procedure that covers the 3 primary stages i.e. Site Investigation and Field Testing, Laboratory Testing and Interpretation, and Engineering Design This step-by-step process is presented on … Read more
Depth of Soil Exploration The object of site exploration is to provide reliable, specific and detailed information about the soil and ground water condition of the site which may be required for a safe and economic design and execution of the engineering work. Dr. B.C. Punima Generally soil exploration should be advanced to a depth … Read more
What is Drilling Mud? Drilling mud is thin slurry of clay in water. Special clay called bentonite, characterized by its ‘thixotropic (gelling) property’, is used for this purpose. How such a humble material has all but revolutionized the practice of modern geotechnical engineering is little known to professional geotechnical engineers themselves, not to speak of … Read more
In-situ Tests on Soil In situ testing is a division of field testing corresponding to the cases where the ground is tested in-place by instruments that are inserted in or penetrate the ground. In-situ tests are normally associated with tests for which a borehole either is unnecessary or is only an incidental part of the … Read more