GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION

MODULE – V

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 SYLLABUS - Module V
● Pressure meter test - Procedure –Uses –
limitations, Flat Dilatometer Test (Brief only)
● Plate load test – Procedure, uses, and
limitations – modulus of subgrade reaction-
Solution of numerical problems using plate load
test data
● Rock core sampling, Rock Quality Designation,
Core Recovery Ratio –
● Bore log – Soil profile – Sub-soil investigation
report
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
 PLATE LOAD TEST
● It is a field test for the determination of bearing capacity
and settlement characteristics of ground in field at the
foundation level.
● A rigid steel plate, round or square in shape, 300 mm, 450
mm, 600 mm and 750 mm in size, 25 mm thick acts as
model footing.
● The test involves preparing a test pit of size 5BP x 5BP up
to the desired foundation level (Df).
● Dial gauges, at least 2, of required accuracy (0.002 mm)
are placed on plate on plate at corners to measure the
vertical deflection.
● Loading is provided either as gravity loading or as reaction
loading.

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 TEST PIT
Dp Df
=
B p Bf

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Gravity Loading
● For smaller loads gravity loading is acceptable where
sand bags apply the load.

Sand Bags
Platform for
loading
Dial Gauge

Testing Plate
Foundation Level

Foundation
Soil

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Gravity Loading

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Reaction Loading
● In reaction loading, a reaction truss or beam is anchored
to the ground. A hydraulic jack applies the reaction load.

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Reaction Loading

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Procedure
● The plate is placed in the central hole and the load is applied
by means of a hydraulic jack.
● A seating load of 7 kN/m 2 is first applied, which is released
after some time.
● Maximum load = 1.5 x Estimated Ultimate Load
or 3 x proposed All. Bearing Pressure
● The load is then applied in increments of about 20% of the
estimated safe load or 1/10th of the ultimate load.
● The settlement is recorded at 1, 2.25, 4, 9, 16, 25 and the
hourly intervals till the rate of settlement reduced to
0.02mm/min.
● The next increment of load is then applied and the
observations repeated.
● The test is conducted until failure or at least until the
settlement of about 25 mm.
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
 Load Settlement Curves

● Load Vs settlement
graph is plotted as
shown. Load (P) is
plotted on the
horizontal scale and
settlement (Δ) is
plotted on the
vertical scale.
●The maximum load at which the shear failure occurs gives
the ultimate bearing capacity of soil.
●If the break is not well-defined, the ultimate load is taken as
that corresponding to a settlement of 1/5 th of BP.
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
Load Settlement Curve (Log-Log Plot)

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Qult and Settlement of Footings
● Qult
● For Clayey Soils, (q ult )f = (q ult )P
● For Sandy Soils, (q ult )f = (q ult )P 
Bf
BP

● Settlement
Bf
● For Clayey Soils, sf = sP 
BP

 Bf (BP + 0.3) 
2

● For Sandy Soils, sf = sP   

 BP (Bf + 0.3) 
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
 Advantages
● It provides the allowable bearing pressure at the
location considering both shear failure and settlement.
● Being a field test, there is no requirement of extracting
soil samples.
● The loading techniques and other arrangements for field
testing are identical to the actual conditions in the field.
● It is a fast method of estimating All. Bearing Pressure
and Load - settlement (P – Δ) behaviour of ground.

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Limitations
● Scale Effect : The test results reflect the behaviour of soil below the plate
(for a distance of ~2Bp), not that of actual footing which is generally very
large.
● Errors in Layered Soils : The plate load test does not truly represent actual
conditions if the soil is not homogeneous and isotropic to a large depth.
● Size Effect : Size effect is pronounced in granular soil. Correction for size
effect is essential in such soils.
● Time Effect : It is essentially a short duration test. Hence, it does not reflect
the long term consolidation settlement of clayey soil.
● Interpretation of Failure Load : Failure load is not well defined, except in
the case of general shear failure.
● Water Table : The level of the water table affects the bearing capacity. If the
water table is above the level of footing, it has to be lowered by pumping
before placing the load.
● Effect of Capillarity in sand : It increases its effective vertical stress or its
stiffness.
● Cumbersome : It is a cumbersome procedure to carry equipment, apply
huge load and carry out testing for several days in the tough field
environment.
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
 PLATE LOAD TEST

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 PLATE LOAD TEST

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 PLATE LOAD TEST

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Problems
1. A 60 cm square plate settles by 22 mm in a plate load
test conducted on a granular soil when the loading
intensity was 200 kN/m2. Estimate the likely settlement
for a 1.5 m wide square footing, resting on the same soil,
at the same intensity of loading.
Solution

 B f (BP + 0.3) 
2 2
1.5 x (0.6 + 0.3) 
s f = sP    = 22 x  = 34.375mm
 BP (B f + 0.3)

 0.6 x (1.5 + 0.3) 

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 HOUSEL’S METHOD
● Two Plate Load Tests are conducted on two different size
plates B1 & B2.
● Loads corresponding to safe settlement are obtained as Q1 & Q2
● As per Housel, Safe Load Q = A.  + P. m
 Q1 = A1.  + P1. m & Q2 = A2.  + P2. m
where A1 & A2 = Area of plates of size B1 & B2
P1 & P2 = Perimeter of plates of size B1 & B2
 = Contact Pressure below foundation in kN/m 2 &
m = Perimeter shear (Constant) in kN/m
● Then Safe load of foundation Qf = Af.  + Pf. m
where Af & Pf are Area & Perimeter of foundation
● The above load Q is for a safe settlement of s1. For any other
settlement, the safe load Q
Q' = x s '
s1
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
 PROBLEM
3. The results of two plate load tests for a settlement of 25
mm are given below
Plate diameter (mm) Load (kN)
300 31
600 65
A square column foundation is to be designed to carry
a load of 800 kN with an allowable settlement of 25 mm.
Determine the size using Housel’s method.

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

Solution
As per Housel’s method, Q = A.  + P. m 

31 = x 0.32 x  +  x 0.3 x m  31 = 0.07069  + 0.94248 m
4

65 = x 0.6 2 x  +  x 0.6 x m  65 = 0.28274  + 1.88496 m
4
(1) x 2  62 = 0.14137  + 1.88496 m
(3) − (2)  3 = 0.14137    = 21.221
(2)  m = 31.300
For footing, 800 = 21.221xB2 + 31.3 x4B
 21.221 B2 + 125.2B − 800 = 0  B = 3.862m

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Problems
2. Plate load test was conducted on a uniform deposit of sand
and the following data were obtained. Size of the plate was
0.75 m square.

Pressure 50 100 200 300 400 500 600

kN/m2
Settlement 1 2 4 7.5 12.5 20 40
(mm)

Plot the pressure-settlement curve and determine the failure

stress.
A square footing 2m x 2m is to be founded at 1.5 m depth in
this soil. g = 20kN/m3. Assuming the FS against shear failure
as 3 and the maximum permissible settlement as 25 mm,
determine the all. Bearing pressure.

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Solution Pressure (kN/m2)

(qult)P = 500 kN/m2 0 200 400 600 800

0

(q ult )f = (q ult )P  Bf 5

BP 10

Settlement (mm)
15

20
= 500 x 2/0.75
25

=1333.3 kN/m2 30

35
qns = 1333.3/3 = 444.4 kN/m2 40

 Bf (BP + 0.3) 
2 45

sf = sP   
 P f
B (B + 0.3) 
=1.482

sP = sf/1.482 = 25/1.482 = 16.87 mm

Pressure for 16.87 mm settlement = 470 kN/m2
All. Bearing Pressure = 444.4 kN/m2
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
 Problems

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

3. Determine the size of a square footing to carry a net load of
3000 kN with a max. settlement of 25 mm in the above
problem.
 Bf (BP + 0.3)  = s   Bf   (0.75 + 0.3) 
2 2 2

sf = sP    P    (B + 0.3) 
 BP (Bf + 0.3)   P  f 
B
2 2
 Bf   1 
s f = 1.1025 s P     
 P  f
B (B + 0.3) 

For 3000 kN net load,

Area required = 3000/444.4 = 6.75m2
B required = 2.6 m.

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 Bf Q = Q/(Bf)2 Sp from Bf/Bp Sf from eqn.
graph
2.6 443.79 14.5 3.47 22.84
2.5 480 18 3.33 28.13
For 2.6 m, Sf < 25 mm &
For 2.5 m, Sf > 25 mm. Pressure (kN/m2)

0 200 400 600 800

Hence size of footing required 0

5
= 2.6 m x 2.6 m Square
10

Settlement (mm)
15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 PRESSUREMETER TEST

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
 PRESSURE METER TEST
● Louis Menard began his work with the pressuremeter
test in 1954.
● For determining the stress-deformation characteristics of
the soils in the natural conditions.
● Consists of an inflatable cylindrical probe which is
connected to a water reservoir.
● The probe is inserted in the bore hole and it is inflated by
applying water pressure.
● The probe presses against the unlined walls of the
borehole.
● As the pressure is increased, the soil deforms.
● The volumetric deformation of the borehole is measured.
It can be obtained by noting the fall in water level in the
water reservoir.
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
● There are two types of tests that can be performed with
the pressuremeter. The stress controlled test increases
pressure in equal increments while the strain controlled
test increases the volume in equal increments.
● There are three different types of pressuremeters.
– Prebored pressuremeter : Has a probe that is inserted into
a preformed hole (borehole).
– Self-boring pressuremeter: Has a probe that is self-bored
into the ground to prevent disturbance.
– Cone pressuremeter: Has a cone shaped probe that is
inserted into the base of the borehole, it then displaces the
soil into the cone of the probe which causes less
disturbance to the soil to get a more accurate reading.
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
PREBORED PRESSUREMETER TEST

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
 Pressure – Volumetric Expansion Curve

pL – Limit Pressure
pf – Creep Pressure

● Soil is initially in elastic phase and it enters the plastic

phase at high pressure.
● Limit pressure pL refers to the maximum pressure which
the soil or rock sustain in a pressuremeter test.
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
 ADVANTAGES
● Can be conveniently used with drilling equipment or
pushed in with direct push equipment.
● While tests can be done in soft clay or loose sands, the
test is best used in dense sands, hard clays and
weathered rock which cannot be tested with push
equipment.
● The pressure-deformation data obtained may be used to
determine modulus of deformation, undrained shear
strength, angle of shearing resistance and other engg.
Properties of soil.

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

 LIMIT PRESSURE RELATIONSHIP WITH C & 
● For Cohesive Soils pL = p0 + n cu

 
● For Cohesionless Soils p L = p0 tan  45 + 
2

 2

Where
p0 – Undisturbed in-situ lateral earth pressure
cu – Undrained Cohesion &  - Angle of internal friction
 E   E 
n = 1 + ln    1 + ln  
 2cu (1 +  )   3cu 
assuming  = 0.5 for clay in undrained conditions

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, GEC Kozhikode