TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENT PAGE
Introduction
Objectives
Methodology
Results and Discussion
Conclusions and recommendations
References
Appendix
Introduction

Name of projects: School Project at Taman Melawati

Problem statement: A new three blocks of 4-storey school will be constructed by XYZ Construction
Sdn. Bhd. located at Taman Melawati. A site investigation report which consist of borehole data and
also a series of laboratory test results are attached with the reports. As a geotechnical engineer, the
interpretations of site investigation report are essential so that the important parameters for the deep
foundation design could be extracted from the report.

One of the test that have been done in this project is Standard Penetration Test. The Standard
Penetration test (SPT) is a common in situ testing method used to determine the geotechnical
engineering properties of subsurface soils. It is a simple and inexpensive test to estimate the relative
density of soils and approximate shear strength parameters. The Standard penetration test (SPT) is
widely used to get the bearing capacity of soil directly at a certain depth. The consistency of clayey
soils can often be estimated from this test. When a borehole is extended to a predetermined depth,
the drill tools are removed, and the sampler (split spoon) is lowered to the bottom of the borehole.

Other than Standard Penetration Test, Triaxial test was also conducted in this school construction. A
triaxial test is a common method to measure the mechanical properties of many deformable solids,
especially soil (e.g., sand, clay) and rock, and other granular materials or powders. The application of
different compressive stresses in the test apparatus causes shear stress to develop in the sample; the
loads can be increased and deflections monitored until failure of the sample. During the test, the
surrounding fluid is pressurized, and the stress on the platens is increased until the material in the
cylinder fails and forms sliding regions within itself, known as shear bands. The geometry of the
shearing in a triaxial test typically causes the sample to become shorter while bulging out along the
sides.

Objectives

1. To evaluate the soil layer sequence based on Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

2. To classify and interpret the plasticity of the soil based on the given laboratory test results.

3. To formulate the correlation of average cohesion for clay type soil from SPT data in the borehole
report.

4. To justified the suitability of the soil for school construction.

Methodology

In this assignment, there were three parts have been done for this school construction. First, the soil
layer sequence of the site was evaluated based on the Standard Penetration Test (SPT). The standard
penetration test (SPT) is an in-situ dynamic penetration test designed to provide information on the
geotechnical engineering properties of soil. The test procedure is described in ISO 22476-3, ASTM
D1586 and Australian Standards AS 1289.6.3.1. In this school construction, there were three borehole
used to interpret the soil strata below the ground surface. To evaluate the soil layer sequence, three
BH were drawn using AUTOCAD and from the results and triaxial test of the SPT the depth of each
layers and explanation on the each types of soil layers was determined.
Based on the borehole report, the soil have been classified and the plasticity of the soil was interpreted
based on the given laboratory test results. From the borehole laboratory results the PI, PL and LL value
was given, the soil was classified.

The last part that need to be considered was to formulate the correlation of average cohesion for clay
type of soil from SPT data in the borehole report. C average was calculated based on the correlation
data of the SPT and average cohesion BH 1, BH 2, and BH 3. Lastly, the suitability of the soil
construction was commented and justified.

Results and Discussion

Question 1

(refer appendix)

Question 2

Atterberg Limit Test

Borehole No.

Classification
Content (%)
Sample No.

Moisture
Specific
Gravity

of soil
Liquid Limit Plastic Limit Plasticity Index
(%) (%) (%)

BH1 D1 2.56 43 31 12 12 MI
D2 2.72 NP NP NP 17 NP
BH2 D1 2.60 40 20 20 27 CI
D2 2.74 45 25 20 23 CI
D3 2.64 NP NP NP 15 NP
BH3 D1 2.76 NP NP NP 12 NP
D2 2.65 39 29 10 27 CI
D3 2.63 NP NP NP 23 NP
Question 3

Borehole qc
1 0 2.4 5.71
0.8 21.6 -23.94
4.0 116.1 -24.51
11.6 189.0 -19.83
20.0 144.8 -12.77
2 1.6 89.1 -29.40
1.6 79.2 -28.54
3.2 31.2 -15.42
8.4 99.0 -17.07
20.0 29.12 2.18
20.0 59.09 -4.50
3 1.6 89.1 -29.40
6.0 127.2 -22.00
20.0 37 -0.09
20.0 38.8 -2.705

References

Zatuwa, Monosagu (2005) Beware, soft ground and the standard penetration test (in Japanese) Public
Works Research Institute

Presentation of Standard Penetration Test, equipment layout, correlation between SPT and soil
properties Ch. Baxter, University of Rhode Island