Chapter 3

3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Overview

Field Investigation

Contents
3-1 3-1 3-3 3-7 3-7 3-7 3-9 3-11 3-15

ActivitiesandPoliciesBeforeExploration ActivitiesandPoliciesDuringExploration ActivitiesandPoliciesAfterExploration StandardPenetrationTest(SPT)Calibration References DailyDrillReportForm FieldInvestigationBestManagementPracticesforErosionand SpillPrevention PortablePenetrometerTestProcedures

Appendix3-A Appendix3-B Appendix3-C

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3.1 Overview

Field Investigation

Thissectionaddressessubsurfaceinvestigationthatincludesdrillingand excavationoftestpitsaspartofageotechnicalfieldinvestigation. It is organizedbyactivitiesandpoliciesinvolvedpriorto,during,andafter exploration.

3.2 Activities and Policies Before Exploration

Ageotechnicalfieldexplorationplanshouldbeformulatedasdescribed inWSDOTGDMChapter2.Thegeotechnicaldesignerassignedtothe projectisresponsibletocoordinatewiththeRegionProjectOffice(or WSFprojectOffice)topreparethewayforthefieldexplorationcrewsto implementthefieldexplorationprogram. Thegeotechnicaldesigneralso functionsastheprimaryliaisonbetweentheregionorWSFandtheField ExplorationManager(FEM),tokeeptheFEMinformedastheregionorWSF completesthenecessarypreparationstobeginimplementationofthefield explorationplan. Specifically,thegeotechnicaldesignershoulddothefollowingbefore submittingthefinalfieldexplorationrequesttotheFEM: 1. MakesureseniorGeotechnicalDivisionmanagementagreeswiththe proposedexplorationplan(seeWSDOTGDMSection1.4).
2. Makesurethattheprojectofficehasprovidedadequatesitedatatolocatetest holesandkeyprojectfeaturesonpaperandinthefield. 3. Makesurethattheprojectofficehasaskedfor(preferablyobtained)an environmental assessment of the site to determine whether or not there is potentialtoencounterhazardoussubsurfacematerials. Thegeotechnicaldesigner isresponsibletohaveabasicknowledgeofprevioussiteuseaswell.

4. Makesurethattheprojectofficehasaskedfor(preferablyobtained)an archeological assessment of the site to determine if there is potential to encounterNativeAmericanorotherartifacts. 5. Coordinatewiththeprojectofficetomakesureanyright-of-entrysneeded areobtainedfortheproposeddrilling. 6. Coordinatewiththeprojectofficetomakesurethenecessarypermitsare obtained(especiallywithregardtowetlandsandotherenvironmentally sensitiveareas). 7. CoordinatewiththeFieldExplorationSupervisor(FES)whowillbe assignedtotheproject,andtheprojectoffice,toconductajointfield reviewtoevaluateaccessandotherissuesrelatedtosettingupand finalizingthefieldexplorationprogram.
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8. ActastheliaisonbetweentheFieldExplorationManager(FEM)andthe projectofficetomakesuretheFEMknowswhenallthetaskshavebeen completedandtoinformtheFEMoftheresultssothattheexploration programcanbeproperlyestimated. Notethattoobtainpermitsandright-of-entry,apreliminaryfieldexploration planwilllikelybeneededbytheregion(orWSF)beforethefinalexploration planiscompletedandturnedin. Therefore,thedevelopmentofthefield explorationplanmayrequireasomewhatiterativeprocess. Onceenough fieldexplorationplandetailshavebeendeveloped,thegeotechnicaldesigner shouldrequestthatthosewhowillbedirectlynegotiatingwithlocalowners toobtainright-ofentry(ifneeded)invitetheFEMorFEStoassistinthose negotiations. Thisgenerallymakesthenegotiationsgomuchsmoother. Ifthegeotechnicaldesignerrecognizes,eitherthroughanenvironmental assessmentorthroughgeneralknowledgeoftheprevioussiteuse,thatthere isapotentialtoencounterhazardousmaterialsduringthe geotechnicalfield exploration,itisimportantthatthegeotechnicaldesignermaketheFEM awareofthisassoonaspossibleinthedevelopmentoftheexplorationplan. Thepotentialtoencounterhazardoussubsurfacematerialscancompletely changetheapproach,cost,andschedulingforthesiteexplorationactivities. Apreliminaryfieldexplorationplanisalsoneededforuseasthebasisfor conductingthejointfieldreviewmentionedabove. Thisfieldreviewshould beusedtodeterminehoweachindividualexplorationsitewillbeaccessed, thetypeofdrillequipmentbestsuitedforthesite,areasforutilitylocates, requiredtrafficcontrol,andtoidentifyanypermit,right-of-entry,and environmentalissues. Adjustmentstothespecificlocationsofexploration pointscanbemadeasneededduringthefieldreviewtoaddressthe aboveissues. Duringthefieldreview,theFESwillstaketheboringsiftheyhavenotalready beenlocatedandifright-of-entry(ifneeded)hasbeenobtained. TheFES shouldalsoassessthetrafficcontrolneedsfortheexplorationworkatthis time. TheFESwillcoordinatedirectlywiththeMaintenanceOfficefortraffic control. Afterstakingborings,theFESisresponsibleforcallingallutility locatesaminimumof48hourspriortothestartofexplorations. Oncethefinalfieldexplorationplanhasbeencompleted,theFEMwill provideacostestimatetothegeotechnicaldesignertocompletethefield explorationplan. Oncetheexpenditureforthefieldexplorationhasbeen authorized,thegeotechnicaldesignermustthennotifytheFEMtocommence withthefieldexploration. Oncetheexplorationplanhasbeenexecuted,any subsequentrequeststomodifytheplanshouldbeprovidedinwritingbythe geotechnicaldesignertotheFES. TheFESwillrespondwithanupdated estimateandscheduleforrequestedplanchange.

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Ifthegeotechnicaldesignistobeconductedbyageotechnicalconsultant, theWSDOTgeotechnicaldesignerwhoisoverseeingtheconsultanttask assignmentoragreementisresponsibletomakesurethattheconsultant accomplishesthetasksdescribedaboveandtoassistinthecoordination betweentheconsultantandtheFEM. Iftheconsultantneedschangestothe fieldexplorationplan,thegeotechnicaldesignerisresponsibletoprovide inputtotheFESorFEMastotheacceptabilityofthechanges. TheFES orFEMisnottoactontherequestedchangestothefieldexplorationplan withoutinputfromthegeotechnicaldesigner. While the geotechnical designer is responsible to coordinate between theprojectofficeandtheFEMorFESregardingpermits,right-of-entry, hazardousmaterialsassessmentandarcheologicalevaluationforthesite, andadequatesitedatatolocatetheexplorationpointsforexplorationplan developmentandforlocationinthefield,theprojectofficeisultimately responsibletoperformthesetasksorseetoitthattheyareperformed. Currently,WSDOThasafive-yearblanketHydraulicProjectApproval(HPA) forbothmarineandfreshwatersstatewide.OnceagaintheFEMorFES shouldbeinvolvedearlyintheprocesstodefinealltechnicalquestionsfor eachproject.Forallbargeprojects,thedrillingshallbeincompliancewiththe provisionsdescribedinthegeneralHPAfromtheWashingtonDepartmentof FishandWildlife(WDF&WL). TheFEM(orasdelegatedtoaFES)willassigntheprojecttoadrill inspector(s)andadrillcrew. Thedrillinspectorwilltheninitiateameeting withthegeotechnicaldesignertodiscusstheobjectivesandanyparticulars oftheexplorationplan. EithertheFESorthedrillinspectorshouldnotifythe geotechnicaldesigneroftheanticipatedstartdateoftherequestedwork.

3.3 Activities and Policies During Exploration

Thedrillinspectorwillmaintainregularcontactwiththegeotechnical designer,especiallywhenunanticipatedconditionsordifficultiesare encountered,significantscheduledelaysareanticipated,andpriorto terminatingtheexplorationandinstallinginstrumentation. Thedrilleris requiredtocompleteadailydrillreportattheendofeachworkday. This isalsorequiredofanycontractdrillerworkingforWSDOT. Thedrilling inspectorisalsorequiredtocompleteadailyinspectorsreportattheendof eachworkday. Atthecompletionofeachworkweekthesereportsshallbe turnedintotheFESandputintheprojectfile. Examplesforboththedaily drillandinspectorreportsthatshowtheminimumrequireddocumentationare includedinWSDOTGDMAppendix3-A. ExplorationactivitiesduringdrillingmustadheretotheGeotechnical DivisionsBestManagementPracticestomitigateforsediment/erosion controlandspillprevention(seeWSDOTGDMAppendix3-B).

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Methodsforadvancinggeotechnicalboringsshouldbeinaccordancewiththe followingASTMstandards: D6151-97(2003)StandardPracticeforUsingHollow-StemAugersfor GeotechnicalExplorationandSoilSampling D5876-95(2000)StandardGuideforUseofDirectRotaryWirelineCasing AdvancementDrillingMethodsforGeoenvironmentalExplorationand InstallationofSubsurfaceWater-QualityMonitoringDevices D2113-99StandardPracticeforRockCoreDrillingandSamplingofRock forSiteInvestigation Hollow-stemaugersarenottobeusedforassessmentofliquefaction potential;wetrotarymethodsshouldbeused. Further,caremustbeexercised duringdrillingwithhollow-stemaugerstomitigateforheaveandlooseningof saturated,liquefiablesoils. Samplingofsubsurfacematerialsshouldbeinaccordancewiththefollowing ASTMstandards: D1586-99StandardTestMethodforPenetrationTestandSplit-Barrel SamplingofSoils D3550-01StandardPracticeforThickWall,Ring-Lined,SplitBarrel, DriveSamplingofSoils D1587-00StandardPracticeforThin-WalledTubeSamplingofSoilsfor GeotechnicalPurposes D4823-95(2003)e1StandardGuideforCoreSamplingSubmerged, UnconsolidatedSediments Inadditiontothemethodsdescribedaboveforsamplingforsoft,finegrainedsediments,WSDOTutilizesathick-walledsamplerreferredtoas theWashingtonundisturbedsampler. Thissamplerislinedwith2-inch(I.D.) extrudiblebrasstubes. Thesamplerisintendedforstifferfine-graineddeposits thanwhatwouldbesuitableforShelbytubes. Down-the-holehammersarenotallowedforuseinperformingStandard PenetrationTests. SamplesshouldbehandledinaccordancewiththefollowingASTM standards: D4220-95(2000)StandardPracticesforPreservingandTransporting SoilSamples D5079-02StandardPracticesforPreservingandTransportingRock CoreSamples

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Disturbedsoilsamplesshouldbeplacedinwatertightplasticbags. For moisture-criticalgeotechnicalissues,aportionofthesampleshouldbeplaced inamoisturetinandsealedwithtape. Extremecaremustbeexercisedwhen handlingandtransportingundisturbedsamplesofsoft/loosesoil;undisturbed samplesmustalsobekeptfromfreezing. Rockcoresofsoft/weakrockshould bewrappedinplastictopreserveinsitumoistureconditions. Rockcores shouldbeplacedincoreboxesfromhighesttolowestelevationandfromleft toright.Coringintervalsshouldbeclearlylabeledandseparated. Corebreaks madetofitthecoreintheboxmustbeclearlymarkedonthecore. All soil androcksamplesshouldberemovedfromthedrillsiteattheendeachdayof drillingandtransportedtothelaboratoryassoonaspossible. Insitutestingmethodscommonlyemployedingeotechnicalinvestigations shouldbeinaccordancewiththefollowingASTMstandards: D2573-01StandardTestMethodforFieldVaneShearTestin CohesiveSoil D5778-95(2000)StandardTestMethodforPerformingElectronicFriction ConeandPiezoconePenetrationTestingofSoils Groundwatermonitoringandinsitucharacterizationmethodscommonly employedingeotechnicalinvestigationsshouldbeinaccordancewiththe followingASTMstandards: D5092-02StandardPracticeforDesignandInstallationofGroundWater MonitoringWellsinAquifers D4750-87(2001)StandardTestMethodforDeterminingSubsurface LiquidLevelsinaBoreholeorMonitoringWell(ObservationWell) D4044-96(2002)StandardTestMethodfor(FieldProcedure)for InstantaneousChangeinHead(Slug)TestsforDeterminingHydraulic PropertiesofAquifers Additionalinformationongroundwaterinvestigationandmonitoringis providedinMayne,etal.(2002). Asaminimum,groundwaterlevelsshouldbemeasured/recordedpriortothe dailycommencementofdrillingactivitiesanduponcompletionofpiezometer installation. Subsequentmonitoringisatthediscretionofthegeotechnical designer. Priortoconstructingapiezometer,theboringshouldbethoroughly purgedofdrillfluidsusingclean,potablewater. Thegeotechnicaldesigner shouldprovidedesigninputontheconstructionofthepiezometer,specifically regardingthescreenedintervalandseals. Piezometersshallbeconstructed inaccordancewithWashingtonDepartmentofEcology(DOE)regulations (RCW18.104/WAC173.160)governingwaterwells. Followingcompletion ofthepiezometer,thepiezometershouldberepeatedlysurgedorbailed todevelopthewellscreenandoptimizehydraulicconnectivitywiththe formation. Furthermore,thepiezometershouldbesealedwithintheaquiferof interest,nothydraulicallylinkingmultipleaquifers.
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Slopeinclinometersareroutinelyemployedforslopestabilityinvestigations. Theinstallationandmonitoringofslopeinclinometersshouldbein accordancewiththefollowingASTMStandard: D6230-98StandardTestMethodforMonitoringGroundMovementUsing Probe-TypeInclinometers Explorationsusinghandequipmentsuchasaugersanddriveprobesmayalso beusefulforsomegeotechnicalinvestigations,suchastodefinelateraland verticalextentofsoft/loose,near-surfacedeposits. TheWSDOTportable penetrometerconsistsof1.75inchdiameterrodwhichtaperstoarounded 0.5inchtipovera4.5inchlength,thatisdriveninthegroundwitha35lb weight dropped from a 25.5inchheight. Detailedproceduresforportable penetrometer testing are provided in WSDOTGDMAppendix3-C. Standard PenetrationTestcorrelationsfortheWSDOTportablepenetrometer(PP)are approximatedasfollows:
Soil Type Clay Silt Sand/Gravel SPT Correlation # PP blows/4 # PP blows/3 # PP blows/2

Theexcavationoftestpitscanprovidevaluablesubsurfaceinformationnot determinableorwellcharacterizedbytestborings. Extremecareshouldbe exercisedaroundopenexcavations,andaccesswithinthemshouldadhere toWashingtonAdministrativeCode(WAC)sections296-155-655and 296-155-657. Priortode-mobilizing,thedrillinspectorshouldensurelocationinformation (e.g.,station,offset,elevationand/orstateplanecoordinates)ofallthe explorationsarerecordedonthefieldlogs. If exact location information is unavailableuponcompletionoffieldactivities,asketchofeachexploration locationshouldbemadeindicatingrelationshiptoobservablefeatures(i.e., bridge/structure,milepost,etc.). Thisinformationshouldbeprovidedwiththe fieldlogstothegeotechnicaldesigner. Inadditiontoprovidingfieldlogsfor allexplorations,requireddocumentationfortestpitsshouldincludeascale drawingoftheexcavationandphotographsoftheexcavatedfaces. Sampling methodsandinsitumeasurementdevicessuchaspocketpenetrometers shouldalsobedocumented. Detailedrequirementsforboringlogsare providedinWSDOTGDMChapter4.

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3.4 Activities and Policies After Exploration

Uponcompletionofsubsurfaceexplorations,afinishedlogforeach explorationistobesenttotheDepartmentofEcology(DOE)bytheFES. In additiontosubsurfaceconditionsencountered,thelogmustincludelocation (address,county,and-Section/Township/Range)andinstallation information(well#,typeofinstrumentation,seals,andscreenedinterval). Unlessotherwiserequestedbythegeotechnicaldesigner,allexplorations andresourceprotectionwells(piezometersandinclinometers)shallbe properlydecommissionedpriortoconstructionasperDOErequirements (WAC173-160-381,500andRCW18.104.048). TheconstructionProject EngineerisresponsiblefornotifyingtheFEMatleast72hourspriorto requiredtimefordecommissioning. Uponcompletion,thedrillinginspectorshalltransmitrecoveredsamplesto theGeotechnicalDivisionlabandprovideboththeoriginalcopyofthefield notesandafinishedlogforallexplorationstothegeotechnicaldesigner.

3.5 Standard Penetration Test (SPT) Calibration

Calibrationtodeterminespecifichammersystemefficienciesshallbe developedingeneralaccordancewithASTMD4945fordynamicanalysisof drivenpilesorotheracceptedprocedure.Measuredhammerefficienciesfor WSDOTdrillingequipmentaresummarizedatalinkfoundatthefollowing webaddress:http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/biz/mats/Geotech/default.htm.

3.6 References
Mayne,P.W.,Christopher,B.R.,andDeJong,J.,2002, Subsurface Investigations Geotechnical Site Characterization,PublicationNo.FHWA NHI-01-031,NationalHighwayInstitute,FederalHighwayAdministration, Washington,DC,300pp.

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Appendix 3-A

Daily Drill Report Form

Daily Drill Report

SR Project Drill CS Date Project No. Drill No.

Structure
Hole No Size

Line
Angle From

Landslide
To Soil

MaterialsSource
Rock Total

Item

Hours

Item

Hours

Mobilization and Demobilization On Site Moving/Rigging Drill Site Preparation Soil Drilling Rock Drilling Reaming Hole Placing and Removing Casing Hole Stabilization Install and Maintain Water System Water Delay
Expendables Core Boxes Other Support Equipment Piezo Pipe Slope Incl

Water Haul: Mileage Equipment Downtime Explain: Standby for Hole Survey and Other Delays Explain: Installation of Instrumentation Type: Special Testing Type: Travel Time
Cement Bentonite Additives

No.

Job

Yard

O Serv.

Remarks

Reg. Inspector Driller Helper Shift Start

DOT Form 350-152 EF
Revised 7/2007

OT

Comp

Total

Shift Finish

Service Codes

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Inspector's Daily Report

IDR Sheet
Contract Day

of
Date

Sheets

DIARY - Including but not limited to: a report of the day's operations, time log (if applicable), orders given and received, discussions with contractor, and any applicable statements for the monthly estimate.

DOTForm 422-004A EF
Revised 07/2008

Inspector

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Appendix 3-B

Field Investigation Best Management Practices for Erosion and Spill Prevention

TheWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation(WSDOT)isdedicated toprotectingtheenvironmentwhenconductingfieldexplorationprojects. Thismemooutlinestheerosion/sedimentcontrolandspillpreventionbest managementpractices(BMPs)thatwillbefollowedforalldrillingactivities. Thetwodistinctscenariosfordrillingincludepavementandvegetatedareas. ThevarietyoferosionandsedimentcontrolBMPsmayvarybetweenthetwo scenarios,butthephilosophyofminimizingsitedisturbance,reducingwaste materials,trappingsediment,andstabilizingthesite,remainsthesame. Disturbance Minimizing BMPs: Selectthesmallestrigcapableforthejob Useelevatedscaffoldingfordrillerandassistantwhennecessary Waste Reduction BMPs: Re-circulatedrillingslurry Minimizevolumeofwaterfordrilling Sediment Trapping BMPs: Baffledmudtub(sealedwithbentonitetopreventfluidloss) Polyacrylamide(PAM)forflocculation(mustmeetANSI/NSF Standard60) Siltfence(trenched,belowdrill,andoncontour) Sandbagbarrier(washedgravel,belowdrill,tworowshigh,andon contour) Strawbalebarrier(trenched,staked,belowdrill,andoncontour) Catchbasininsert(pre-fabricatedtype,aboveorbelowgrate) Storageofslurryinlockeddrums Site Stabilization BMPs: Seedwithpasturegrass Strawmulch(2maximumforseededareas) AllBMPswillbeinstalledandathoroughinspectionforsensitiveareas (wetlands,streams,aquiferrecharge,etc)andstormwaterconveyanceswillbe conducted,priortostartingdrillingactivities. Atnotimeshalldrillingslurry orcuttingsbeallowedtoenterWaterBodiesoftheStateofWashington.

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Whensensitiveresourcesorconveyancestotheseareasexist,allslurryand cuttingswillbestoredinlockabledrumsanddisposedofoff-site. Ifnot,the slurrywillslowlybeinfiltratedintothegroundusingsurroundingvegetated areasandthecuttingswillbestoredanddisposedofoff-site. RemovalofsedimentcontrolBMPswillbeperformedimmediatelyafter drillingiscompleted. Placetrappedsedimentwithcuttingsindrums. If significantsoildisturbanceoccursduringdrilling,theBMPswillbeleftin placeuntilthesiteisstabilizedwithgrassormulch. ThedrillcrewwillhaveacopyoftheHydraulicProjectApproval(HPA), issuedbytheWashingtonStateDepartmentofFishandWildlife(WDFW) on-siteforallworkadjacenttooroverwater. TheSupervisorwilldiscuss therequirementsofthispermitwiththecrewpriortoeachproject. All of theprovisionsineachHPAwillbestrictlyfolloweduntilthecompletionof saidproject. Thepreviouslydefinederosion/sedimentcontrolphilosophyand BMPswillbeimplementedintheseconditions Theapproachtoprotectingsurfaceandgroundwateris focusedonprevention. Thedrillshaftwillbefilledwithbentoniteclaytopreventmixingofaquifers andeliminatingtherouteforsurfacecontaminants. Inaddition,thefollowing SpillPreventionControl&Countermeasures(SPCC)BMPswillbeused whenapplicable: Minimize Risk: Visuallyinspectequipmentforleaksorwornhosesonadailybasis Fixequipmentleaksassoonaspossibletominimizecleanup Useproperequipmenttotransfermaterials Reducetheoverallvolumeoffuelandchemicalsonsite Removeasmanysourcesofspillsaspossiblefromthesitewhennot working(evenings/weekends) Useenvironmentally-friendlychemicalswheneverpossible Storeallchemicalswithlidsclosedandkeepcontainersundercover Havesecondarycontainmentdevicesunderneathpotentialspillsources whenapplicable(i.e.5gallonbucket)

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Maximize Response: Eachdrillingoperationwillhaveatleastoneemergencyspillresponsekit on site at all times Knowwhotocallincaseofemergencyspill Ifanincidentalspill(lessthan1gallon/smallequipmentleak)occurs, immediatelycollectcontaminatedsoilandstoreitinlabelstoragedrum. Donotmixsoilswithdifferentcontaminantstogether. Reportspilltoyour supervisor,astheyareawareofreportingrequirements. Ifamajorspill(morethan1gallon)towateroccurs,controlthesourceofthe leakifpossibleandcontacttheWashingtonStateEmergencyManagement Division(800-258-5990)andtheNationalResponseCenter(800-424-8802). Ifamajorspilltosoiloccursandthereisimmediaterisktohumanhealthand/ ortheenvironment,controlthesourceoftheleakifpossibleandcontactthe WashingtonStateDepartmentofEcology(800-407-7170). Thencontactyour supervisor,astheyareawareofreportingrequirements.

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Appendix 3-C
Background

Portable Penetrometer Test Procedures

TheWSDOTportablepenetrometer(PP)isafieldtestusedinhighway andsmallfoundationdesign. Thetestmaybeusedinbothcohesive(clay) andcohesionless(sands&gravels)soils. Thetestvalues(i.e.,blowcount perfootofpenetration)aredependentupontheeffectiveoverburden pressureofgranularsoilsandshearstrengthofcohesionlesssoils. However, sinceallequationsandcorrelationsrelatedtouseofblowcountvalues areapproximate,soundengineeringjudgmentisnecessaryforaccurate interpretationofthetestresults. ThePPtestisaderivativeoftheStandardPenetrationTest(SPT),themost widelyusedmethodfordeterminingsoilconditionsintheworld. TheSPTis bothadynamicpenetrationtestandamethodofobtainingdisturbedsamples. FortheSPTtest,asplit-spoonsamplerattachedtodrillsteelisdriven downwardbytheimpactofafallingweightonthesteel. IntheSPTtest,a140 lb.weightfallsadistanceof30inchesperblow. InthePPtestmethod,a35 lbweightfallsanapproximatedistanceof25.5inches. IntheSPTtest,asa split-spoonsamplerisdrivendownward,itfillswithdisturbedsoil. InthePP test,nosampleisobtainedasasolid,cone-shapedtipisdrivendownwardbya fallingweight. However,thePPmethodrequiresexcavationofatesthole,and samplesshouldbeobtainedwitheachchangeinsoilstrata. Equipment Performanceofportablepenetrometertestingrequirestwogroupsof equipment. Thefirstgroupisassociatedwithpreparationofadrilledborehole, backhoetestpit,orhand-excavatedtesthole. Thisgroupincludesthetools usedtodigthehole,withahandaugeremployedmostfrequentlyinaPPtest application. Alistofequipmentusedforexcavationofatestholewithahand augerfollows: Shovelwithpointedendforbreakingupturfandvegetationatthesurface. Postholediggerforassistanceinestablishingthetestholeexcavatedusing thehandauger. Handaugertoinclude:auger,pipeextensions(+/-3ftlengths),and handle. Steelbartoloosenuphardpacksoilandassistintheremovalofrockor gravelfromthetesthole. Tarpforcollectingrepresentativesamplesofsoilstrata.

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Fieldnotebookandpencilforrecordinglocationoftestholes,numbers anddescriptionsofdistinctsoillayersencountered,andotherinformation relative to a review of site characteristics and conditions. Samplebagswithtiesforpreservationofsamplesofmaterialencountered withchangesofsoilstrata. Markerforwritingonsamplebagsortagstodelineatetestholeanddepth ofsamplecollection. Pocketorragtapetobeusedtolocatethetestholerelativetosome referencepoint,grid,orproposedalignmentandformeasurementofdepth belowsurfaceofdistinctsoilstrataanddepthofexploration. ThePPdeviceandaccessoriesformthesecondgroupofequipmentrequired forgeotechnicalinvestigationofproposedhighwayorsmallfoundation designs. Alistoftheequipmentnecessaryforthisgroupfollows: Portablepenetrometertoincludecone-shapedtip;drillrodsections (A-rod-1.75in.pipeOD&22.5in.lengths);fallingweightsection (lengthofbarforslidingweightupanddown);the35-lbweight;andthe couplingdevicesusedforconnectingthetipdrillrodsectionsfalling weightsectionfallingweightstop. Pipewrenches(2)usedtoloosenconnectionswhenbreakingdown theportablepenetrometer. Latheoranotherstraight-edgeusefulforestablishingasurfacereference elevation. Constructioncrayonormarkerusedformarkingthree6inchintervals on the penetrometer in order to clearly delineate displacement as the penetrometerisdrivenintotheground. Ragstowipedownequipment,removingmoistureanddirt,priorto packingawayequipment. Test Procedure 1. Usingashovelorotherhandtool,stripawaysodorsurfacevegetationand setasideforfuturerestorationofthelocation. Usingapostholediggeror a6in.diameterorgreaterhandauger,digdownapproximately2ft,noting thedepthoftopsoil,subsoil,andotherchangesinsoilstrata. Describe soilconditionssuchascolor,texture,andmoisturecontentofthesoils encounteredintheborelog. Collectsamplesforlabsoilclassification, grainsizedetermination,orAtterberglimitsdetermination. 2. AssemblethePPdeviceforevaluationofsoilsnearthesurface. Use threadedcouplingdevicestoconnectthecone-shapedtip,drillrod sections,andfallingweightslidesection.

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3. Measurethedistancefromthebottomofthetestholetothesurfaceand record. Fromthetipofthepenetrometer,measurethisdistanceonthe body of the testing device and annotate a reference line on the body of the device. Fromthislinemeasureandmarkthreeintervals,each6inches inlength. 4. LiftupthePPdeviceandplacethetipatthebottomofthetesthole. Insure thatthebottomorbaselinemarklinesupwiththeapproximateground surface. Placealatheorotherstraightedgeonthegroundsurfacesothat anydownwarddisplacementofthePPdevicemaybemeasuredaccurately. 5. Liftthe35lbweightupandloweritdownontotheupper,slideportion ofthetestingdevice. Screwonthethreadedstopattheupperendofthe slidesection. 6. PerformanceofPPtestingrequiresaminimumoftwopeople. One person shouldberesponsibleforsteadyingthePPdeviceinthetesthole,counting thenumberoftimestheweightdrops,andwatchingthereferencelinein order to stop the process every time the device is displaced downward atotalof6inches. Thesecondpersonisresponsibleforraisingand droppingtheweightinassmoothandcontrolledmanneraspossible. Raisingtheweightupwardoffiftytimesper6inchintervalcanprove tobeaworkout. Additional personnel can be employed to relieve the personresponsibleforliftingtheweightandassistinthemanualwork requirementsoftestholeexcavation. 7. Foreachblow,the35lbweightdropsadistanceofapproximately 25.5in. Thenumberofblowsrequiredtodrivetheconepenetrometer throughthree6inchintervalsisrecorded. Thecountfortheinitial6inch intervalisnotedbutisntusedtocomputeatestvaluebecauseitreflects theseatingofthePPdevice. Thesumoftheblowsforthelasttwo6inch intervalsisrecorded. Thissumoftheblowsrepresentstheblowcountfor that1ftintervalbelowthesurface. 8. UponcompletionofPPtestingataspecificdepth,thedeviceisunseated bythrustingtheweightagainstthestopattheendoftheslide. Repeating thisactionshouldloosenthetipandpermitremovalofthedevicefromthe testhole. 9. Employthehandaugertoremovematerialdisturbedbytheactionof thePP. Placethisaffectedmaterialonthetarpandobtainasampleforlab testing. AssociatePPtestresultswithmaterialsampledfromtheproper testholeandelevation. 10.Continueadvancingtheaugerintothesoil,emptyingsoilandrepeating theprocedureuntilthedesireddepthisreached. AdvancesfromonePP testtothenextlowerleveltestareusuallyin2ftincrements. Monitor the conditionandpropertiesofthesoil,notinganychangesinstrata. Obtain samplesasnecessary.

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11.TopreparethePPdeviceforthenexttestatalowertestholelevel,remove theweightstop,351bweight,andslidesectiontopermittheattachment ofadditionaldrillrodsections. Re-attachtheslidesectiontothe penetrometer. Measurethedistancefromthebottomofthetestholetothe surface. Markthisdistanceonthebodyofthetestingdevicebymeasuring from the tip and annotating a base line corresponding to the distance on thePPdevice. 12.Withassistance,liftthePPintothetesthole,properlyseatitinthecenter ofthehole,andinsurethatthebaselinecorrespondswiththeground surface. 13.Lifttheweightupandontotheslidesectionandscrewinthethreadedstop atthetopendoftheslide. 14.PerformPPtestprocedureandsamplingasdescribedpreviously. 15.Monitorchangesinsoilstrataasthehandaugeradvancesdownwardinthe testhole. Ingeneral,sampleonlywhenthereareobviouschangesinsoil strata. Useengineeringjudgmenttoguidewhetheradditionalsampling andtestingarewarranted. Asthedegreeofgeologiccomplexityincreases, thedegreeofsamplingandtestingincreasesaswell. Figures3C-1through3C-8illustratetheequipmentandproceduresusedfor conductingthePortablePenetrometertest.

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Figure proposed design is tied to an established coordinate system, datum, or permanent monument. 3C-1. Performafieldreconnaissanceofthesiteofthegeotechnicalinvestigation. Figure 3C-1. Performafieldreconnaissanceofthesiteofthegeotechnicalinvestigation. Insurethattheproposeddesignis tied to an established coordinatesystem,datum,orpermanent Insurethattheproposeddesignis tied to an established coordinatesystem,datum,orpermanent Figure 3C-1 monument. monument.

Perform a field reconnaissance of the site of the geotechnical investigation. Insure that the

Figure Hand augers used in conjunction with the PP test. 3C-2.HandaugersusedinconjunctionwiththePPtest.

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Figure 3C-2.HandaugersusedinconjunctionwiththePPtest. WSDOTGeotechnicalDesignManual Page3-C-4 WSDOTGeotechnicalDesignManual Page3-C-4

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Figure 3C-2

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Porta-Pen equipment. Clockwise from the top left: tape measure above cone-shaped tips Figure 3C-3.Porta-Penequipment.Clockwisefromthetopleft:tapemeasureabovecone(2); 22.5-inch lengths (9); threaded coupling devices used to connect PP components shapedtips(2);22.5-inchlengths(9);threadedcouplingdevicesusedtoconnectPPcomponents (10); threaded coupler used to stop weight (1); falling-weight slide section above pipe Figure 3C-3.Porta-Penequipment.Clockwisefromthetopleft:tapemeasureabovecone(10);threadedcouplerusedtostopweight(1);falling-weightslide section cone tips wrenches Figure 3C-3.Porta-Penequipment.Clockwisefromthetopleft:tapemeasureaboveconewrenches (2); 35 lb. weight; and threaded coupling devices used with small above pipe shapedtips(2);22.5-inchlengths(9);threadedcouplingdevicesusedtoconnectPPcomponents (2);35lb.weight;andthreadedcouplingdevicesusedwithsmallconetips(notshown). (not shown). shapedtips(2);22.5-inchlengths(9);threadedcouplingdevicesusedtoconnectPPcomponents

(10);threadedcouplerusedtostopweight(1);falling-weightslide section above pipe wrenches (10);threadedcouplerusedtostopweight(1);falling-weightslide section above pipe wrenches Figure 3C-3 (2);35lb.weight;andthreadedcouplingdevicesusedwithsmallconetips(notshown). (2);35lb.weight;andthreadedcouplingdevicesusedwithsmallconetips(notshown).

Figure 3C-4.Thevicinityofthetestholeisclearedofvegetationusingashovelorposthole digger.Leftphotoshowsusingtheaugertoadvance the hole to the desireddepth.Rightphoto shows placing soil on the tarppriortosampling.
The vicinity of the test hole is cleared of vegetation using a shovel or posthole digger. Left Figure 3C-4.Thevicinityofthetestholeisclearedofvegetationusingashovelorposthole Figure 3C-4.Thevicinityofthetestholeisclearedofvegetationusingashovelorposthole photo shows using the auger to advance the hole to the desired depth. Right photo shows digger.Leftphotoshowsusingtheaugertoadvance the hole thethe desireddepth.Rightphoto digger.Leftphotoshowsusingtheaugertoadvance to hole to the desireddepth.Rightphoto placing soil on the tarp prior to sampling. shows placing soil on the tarppriortosampling. shows placing soil on the tarppriortosampling. WSDOTGeotechnicalDesignManual Figure 3C-4 June2006

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Figure Photo of PP device in the process of being assembled. The threaded coupling devices on the 3C-5.PhotoofPPdeviceinthe process of being assembled.Thethreadedcoupling left side of the box are used to connect the cone-shaped tip to lengths forming devicesontheleftsideoftheboxareusedtoconnectthecone-shapedtiptothe body of the lengths forming the penetrometer. The lengths forming the body of the penetrometer are then connected to the bodyofthepenetrometer.Thelengthsformingthebodyofthepenetrometer are then connected Figure 3C-5.PhotoofPPdeviceinthe process of being assembled.Thethreadedcoupling section on which the weight slides. tothesectiononwhichtheweightslides. devicesontheleftsideoftheboxareusedtoconnectthecone-shapedtipto lengths forming the
Figure 3C-5

bodyofthepenetrometer.Thelengthsformingthebodyofthepenetrometer are then connected tothesectiononwhichtheweightslides.

Figure 3C-6.Markingabaselineonthebodyofthepenetrometer.Thiswilllineupwiththe topofthetesthole.Inaddition,alsomarkthree6inchintervals,measuredfromthisbaseline,to trackthedownwarddisplacementwhenthefallingweightisapplied.

Figure 3C-6.Markingabaselineonthebodyofthepenetrometer.Thiswilllineupwiththe hole. In addition, also mark three 6 inch intervals, measured from this base line, to track the WSDOTGeotechnicalDesignManual June2006 topofthetesthole.Inaddition,alsomarkthree6inchintervals,measuredfromthisbaseline,to downward displacement when the falling weight is applied. Page3-C-6 trackthedownwarddisplacementwhenthefallingweightisapplied. Figure 3C-6 WSDOTGeotechnicalDesignManual
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Marking a base line on the body of the penetrometer. This will line up with the top of the test

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PP testing in progress. Lathe is used to mark the surface of the test hole excavation. In this Figure 3C-7. PPtestinginprogress.Latheisusedtomarkthesurfaceofthetesthole instance, one person is steadying the equipment, another is lifting and dropping the 35 lb excavation.Inthisinstance,onepersonissteadyingtheequipment,anotherisliftingand weight, and a third is observing downward displacement and counting blows. Figure 3C-7. PPtestinginprogress.Latheisusedtomarkthesurfaceofthetesthole droppingthe35lbweight,andathirdisobservingdownwarddisplacementandcountingblows. Figure 3C-7 excavation.Inthisinstance,onepersonissteadyingtheequipment,anotherisliftingand droppingthe35lbweight,andathirdisobservingdownwarddisplacementandcountingblows.

Figure 3C-8. ThisPPtestingcanbetiring.Photoshows another person providing relief for the fallingweighttask. can be tiring. Photo shows another person providing relief for the falling This PP testing Figure 3C-8. ThisPPtestingcanbetiring.Photoshows another person providing relief for the weight task. fallingweighttask.
Figure 3C-8

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