SOIL TEST AND
EXCAVATION
SITE INVESTIGATION
The process of
determining the surface
and sub-surface
conditions of the soil,
which is one necessary
requirement in the
planning of construction
techniques.
Why Surface Topography is important?
FACTORS THAT MIGHT AFFECT CONSTRUCTION
ACTIVITIES:
Thickness of Vegetation, Density and Height of Trees
Disposal of the Removed Surface Materials (especially in
Urban Areas)
Surface Water and Drainage System
Availability of Water Supply and Electric Power
Proximity of Major Transportation Route
Environmental Regulations and Zoning Ordinances
The desired information could be obtained through the
process of boring or test pits utilizing the geophysical
investigative methods such as:
Depth of Boring or Test Pit
Number of Boring, Test Pits or Geophysical Lines
DRILLING
BORING AND PENETRATION TEST
It provides a visual identification
of the soil strata underlying the area
by literally penetrating into the earth.
TYPES OF BORING AND PENETRATION TESTS
Auger Boring Penetrometer
Wash Boring Dutch Cone Penetration
Hollow Stem Auger Boring Vane Shear Test
Rotary Drilling Standard Load Test
Percussion Drilling
AUGER BORING
It is the simplest device for
boring a hole in the ground.
TYPES OF AUGER
Helical Auger
Iwan or Post Hole Auger
WASH BORING
It is a method where high pressure
water jet is used to penetrate and loosen
the soil.
HOLLOW STEM AUGER
BORING
It allows for drilling and
casing the hole
simultaneously, thereby
eliminating hole caving
problems and contamination
of soil samples.
ROTARY DRILLING
It is the most rapid method in
penetrating highly resistant materials
such as rocks, clay or even sand.
PERCUSSION DRILLING
It is sometimes called
cable tool drilling.
PENETROMETER
It is a device used to investigate and measure the
consistency of cohesive deposit or relative density of
cohesionless strata without the necessity of drilling and
getting samples.
TYPES OF PENETRATION TEST:
Static Penetration Test
Dynamic Penetration Test
DUTCH CONE PENETRATION
It is a method by the means
of the cone penetrometer is by
driving a drop hammer into the
ground with a constant height of
fall.
VANE SHEAR TEST
It is an in-situ geotechnical
testing method used to
estimate the undrained shear
strength of fully saturated clays
without disturbance.
STANDARD LOAD TEST
A method that
determines the actual
strength and bearing
capacity of the ground, and
is used when the testing
involves large particle sizes
or soils that have a harder
texture.
The National Building Code on load test so provides that:
“Where the bearing capacity of the soil is not definitely known or is in
question, the Building Official may require load tests or other adequate proof
as to the permissible safe bearing capacity at the particular location. To
determine the safe bearing capacity of the soil, it maybe tested by loading an
area not less than 18 sq. m. per ton or less than twice the maximum bearing
capacity desired for use. Such load shall be sustained by the soil until no
additional settlement takes place for a period of not less than 48 hours in order
that such desired bearing capacity maybe used. Examination of sub-soil
conditions maybe required when deemed necessary.”
SOIL TESTS
Moisture Content Test
Atterberg Limits Test
Specific Gravity of Soil
Dry Density of Soil
Compaction Test (Proctor’s Test)
LAYOUT AND STAKING
It is the process of establishing the
point of building outlines or perimeters
on the ground or site where the
building is to be constructed.
It is also define as the process of
transferring the measurement of
building foundation plan to the ground
or site of construction.
Stake are wooden sticks used as posts sharpened at one end and driven into
the ground to serve as boundaries or support of the horizontal batter boards.
Batter Boards are wood stick nailed horizontally to the stake to serve as the
horizontal plane where the building technical measurements are established.
Level Transit is the instrument used in relocating and establishing all
reference point, lines and boundaries of the construction.
Plastic Water Hose is a transparent plastic tube filled with water used to
establish horizontal lines.
String and Chord is any medium of material such as steel, cotton, plastic or
nylon chord used for connecting established points or lines in the batter board.
POINTERS IN LAYING-OUT
All necessary permits must have been secured.
Establish the boundaries of the construction site.
Clear the site, especially elements that may disrupt construction activities.
Provide temporary facilities and securely fenced the construction site.
Secure a temporary electrical and water supply.
Provide proper setbacks.
Verify measurements.
EXCAVATION
It is simply the digging of soil
after establishing the building
line.
It also generally
means work involving the
removal of soil or rock from a
site to form an open face, hole
or cavity, using tools,
machinery or explosives.
Excavation work for building construction is
categorized into two:
Shallow Excavation which includes wall footing,
independent or isolated footings and combined footing.
Deep Excavation is common in building construction
which requires total extraction of the soil.
What if the ground is sloped?
The engineer must anticipate the following:
Manner of excavation and disposing the extracted soil as well as the
extracted water.
Placement, movement and the maneuver of the equipment.
Protection of the adjoining structures.
SHEETING AND BRACING
It is a commonly used
system for braced excavation,
vertical planks or sheets are
inserted running down along
the sides of the excavation,
sometimes called shoring.
SHEET PILES
These are steel sheets
with interlocking edges
that retain soil.
What are the differences of Heave,
Settlement and Subsidence?
UNDERPINNING
It is a method of
repairing and strengthening
of building foundations.
BACK FILLING
It is the process of filling
the excavated area around a
foundation or structure.