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I
I CHAPTER 3
i GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
I. GENERAL
(1) The site of any building or structure shall be explored before its foundations are designed and a
method of construction determined. The geotechnical investigation shall be planned taking into
e proposed structure, ‘The scope of
account the construction and performance requis:menis o
geotechnical investigations shall be continuously reviewed as new information is obtained during
execution of the work,
i (2) Careful collection, recording and interpretation of geotechnical information shall always be made
I 3) The site shall be explored to ascertain the character and variability of the soil strata and the
ground water conditions underlying the site of the proposed structure,
I (4) Routine field investigations and laboratory testing shall be carried out and reported generally in
ccordance with internationally recognised standards and recommendations. Deviations from these
nal test requirements shall be reported.
standards and addi
(S) The sampling, transportation and storage provedures shall be reported and their influence shall
be considered when interpreting the test results.
©) The exploration work shall be adequately supervised by a qualified engineer licensed to practice
as such.
I 3.2 ‘TYPE OF EXPLORATION
ia Site for New Works
(1) The exploration of a site normally requires boring, sounding and sampling of all strata likely to
be significantly affected by the structural load. In some.cases, field tests and observations may be
necessary to evaluate the structural properties of the foundation materials,
Plo in buiteup areas where experience of similar structures may be plentiful, exploration may be
limited to checking that the soil conditions are those expected in the neighbourhood
I, In areas where existing information is not sufficient or is inconclusive, the site shall be explored
in detail to obtain a knowledge of the type, uniformity, consistency, thickness, sequence, and dip of
the sireta and knowledge of the ground water conditions
I BCS 7-1995 19 ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD FOR FOUNDATIONS
(4) For examination to fairly shallow depth and where conditions are suitable, trial pits have the
advantage that the sides of the pits can be inspected at all levels. Where made-up ground is
encountered, trial pits should make it possible for the made-up ground to be identified and its
probable bearing capacity assessed.
(5) Depending on the Kind of sub-soil and depth of exploration, borings are usually done by hand-
‘operated augers (for shallow depth), mechanically operated augers, rotary core drilling and percussion
drilling (for deeper borings). Drill casings are normally used to support unstable ground, For
description of drilling method with different machines reference should be made to manusls and
standard text books,
3.2.2. Failures of Existing Works
(1) The investigation of a site where @ failure has occurred is often necessary to establish the cause
of the failure and to obtain the information required for the design of remedial measures
(2) Observations and measurements of the siructure to determine the mode or mechanism of failure
are first needed and these will often suggest the origin of the trouble or at least indicate whether the
ground conditions were partly or wholly responsible, If this is the case, ground investigation will be
required (o ascertain the condition of the strata and the ground water conditions as they exist in-situ
and as they existed before the works were constructed. Each problem will need to be considered on
its merits. Indications of the probable cause of 2 failure will often result in detailed attention being
directed to a particular aspect or to a particular stratum of soil
3.2.3. Safety of Exiting Works
(1) Hmay be necessary 10 investigate existing works in the immediate vicinity or even remote from
the site of the proposed new works to decide whether the existing works are likely to be affected by
changes in the ground and ground water conditions brought about by the new works.
@) Existing structures may be affected by changed conditions such as the following:
(a) excavations or demolitions in the immediate vicinity, which may cause a reduction in support
to the structure cither by general ground deformation or by slope instability;
(b) mining or tunnelling operations in the neighbourhood, which may cause deformations and
subsidence; the effect of tension and compression on drainage should not be overlooked;
(6) stresses that the new structure may impose on the foundation strata below adjacent structures
of upon earthworks and supporting structures;
(@) vibrations and ground movement resulting from traffic, vibratory compaction, piling or
blasting in the immediate vicinity, or from earthquakes;
(©) lowering the ground water level by pumping from wells will cause an increase in the effective
stress in the subsoil affected, which can lead to excessive settlement of adjacent structures.
20 BCS 7-1995 CHAPTER 3: GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
Also, if pumps do not have an adequate filter, the leaching of fines from the subsoil can
easily result in excessive settlement of structures at considerable distance from the pump;
(O) shrinkage or swelling of clay soils duc to weather, transpiration of trees and shrubs, and heat
from furnaces:
(g} impeded drainage, which may result in a tise in the ground water level. This can cause
softening of cohesive strata and reduction of bearing capacity of permeable strata, and give
rise to increased pore pressures affecting the stability of slopes and retaining walls; swelling
may result in ground heave,
3.2.4 Material for Constructional Purposes
(1) Investigations of sites are sometimes required;
(a) to assess the suitability and quantities for construction work of material that becomes
available from excavation or dredgings: e.g. whether spoil from cuts in road and railway
works will be suitable for fills in other places;
(0) to find suitable material for specific purposes; e.g., borrow pits for earthworks, aggregate
for conerete and road construction; to assess the suitability of material in waste tips that may
need to be removed for environmental reasons;
(©) to locate suitable disposal sites for waste and dredged materials
3.3 EXTENT OF THE GROUND INVESTIGATION
3.3.1 General
(1) The extent of the ground investigation is determined by the character and variability of the ground
and ground water, and the type of project and the amount of existing information.
(2) It is important that the general character and variability of the ground be established before
deciding on the basic principles of the design of the works.
(3) The greater the natural variability of the ground, the greater will be the extent of the ground
investigation required to obtain an indication of the character of the ground. The depth of the
exploration is generally determined by the nature of the project, but it may be necessary to explore
to greater depths at a limited number of points to establish the overall geological structure.
3.3.2. Number and Spacing of Trial Pits and Borings
(J) The disposition and spacing of the trial pits and borings shall be such as to reveal any major
changes in thickness, depth or properties of the strate. ‘The number and spacing of boreholes or trial
pits will depend upon the extent of the site and the nature of structures coming on it. ‘The spacing
and the minimum number of trial pits and borings shall be as given in Table 3.1
FBCS7-1995 21 ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD FOR FOUNDATIONS
Table 3.1 Requirements for Trial Pits and Borings Layout
| ‘Spacing of Boring in m for Hori-
i zontal Stratification of Soil Minimum Number of
Area of Investigation Becags
Uniform | Moderate | Brea
‘Multi-story building * 50 25 10 2
Single or two-story building 60 30 15 2
Towers, piers, etc - 30 15
110 2 for each foundation
* If supplemented with sounding tests; otherwise 4.
3.3.3. Depth of Exploration
3.3.3.1 Foundation for Structures
(2) Exploration is normally carried to a depth which includes all strata likely to be significantly
affected by the structural load. It shall be taken below all deposits thet may be unsuitable for
foundation purposes including the case where weak strata are overlain by a layer of higher bearing
capacity. The exploration shall be taken through compressible cohesive soils likely to contribute
significantly to the settlement of the proposed works generally to 2 depth where stress increases cease
to be significant. If rock is found, a penetration of at Jeast 3.0m in more than one borehole may be
required to establish whether bedrock or a boulder js encountered.
Mote specifically the following shall be considered
(a) For structures located on sites with soil strata such as unconsolidated fill, highly organic soft
or loose soils, the depth of exploration shall extend to reach hard or dense materials of
suitable bearing capacity.
(©) Where structures are ocated on sites with rock stratum near the surface, the depth of
exploration shall extend at least 2.0m into sound or unweathered rock stratum and 3.0m.
inside weathered rock stratum. In the latter case one or two borings shall extend 6.0m into
the weathered rock stratum.
(©) For structures on footing foundations, the depth of exploration shall be three times the
esiimated width (least dimension) of the footing ftom the base level of the footing, but not
Jess than 1.5m,
(@ For structures on mat foundation, the depth of exploration shall be one and half times the
width of the mat from the base level of the mat, but not less than 6.0m
(@)_ For structures on piled foundation the depth of exploration shall exceed by at least 3.0 meters
that at which the piles may be founded.
22 BCS 7- 1995 CHAPTER 3: GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
3.3.3.2 Embankments
(1) For embankments, the depth of exploration should be sufficient to check possible shear failure
through the foundation strata and to assess the likely amount of any settlement due to compressible
strata, In the case of water retaining embankments. investigation shall explore all strata through
which piping could be initiated or significant seepage occur.
3.3.3.3 Roads
(1) For roads, the depth of exploration shall be sufficient to determine the strength, and volume
change susceptibility of possible subgrades and the drainage conditions. Exploration shall proceed
to 2 depth of 2.0m to 3.0m below the proposed subgrade level.
3.4 SOIL SAMPLING
3.4.1 General
(1) The selection of sampling technique depends on the quality of samples that is required and the
character of the ground, Basically there are two categories of samples; namely, disturbed and
undisturbed samples.
‘There are four main techniques for obtaining samples
(a) Taking disturbed samples from drill tools or excavating equipment in the course of bering
or excavation.
Drive sampling, in which a tube or split tube sampler having a sharp cutting edge at its lower
end is forced into the ground either by static thrust or by dynamic impact e.g. open tube
samplers and thin-walled samplers.
Rotary sampling, in which a tube with a cutter at its lower end is rotated into the ground,
thereby producing a core sample.
‘Taking block samples especially cut by hand from a trial pit. Block samples may be taken
where clay is exposed in excavation. A block of clay should be carefully removed with a
sharp knife taking care that no water is allowed to come into contact with the sample and that
the sample is protected from exposure to direct sun and wind, ‘The block sample shall be
coated with molten wax so that the layer of wax prevents escape of moisture from sample.
Undisturbed samples may also be obtained by means of sampling tube of 100mm internal
diameter provided with a cutting edge. In this procedure the soil surrounding the outside of
the tube shall be carefully removed while the tube is being pushed in,
FBCS7-1995 23 a
ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD FOR FOUNDATIONS
3.4.2. Sample Quality
(1) The sampling procedure should be selected on the basis of the sample that is required, and is
assessed largely by the suitability of the sample for appropriate laboratory tests. Table 3.2 provides
‘useful basis for classifying of samples in terms of quality.
Table 3.2. Quality of Samples
=
Quality | Sample type | Properties that can reliably determined
Class 1* | Undisturbed | Classification, moisture content, density, strength,
deformation and consolidation characteristics
Class 2 | Undisturbed | Classification, moisture content, density
Cless3 | Disturbed | Classification, moisture content
Class 4 | Disturbed | Classification
Class $ | Disturbed | Sequence of strata only
% Large size undisturbed sample
(2) Table 3.3 provides some guidance on the amount of soil that should be obtained for each type of
tests,
‘Table 3.3 Mass of Soil Sample Required for Various Laboratory Tests
5 Mass of Sample
Pu f Samp! Soil t
irpose of Sample cil type Recuiied
Soil classification, natural mois- | Cohesive Soils kg
ture content tests, mechanical Sand & Gravels 3kg
analysis and index properties and
chemical tests
Compaction tests Cohesive soils and sands | 12.5kg
Gravelly soils 25kg
Comprehensive examination of | Cohesive soils and sands | 25 to SOkg
construction materials including | Gravelly soils 50 to 100kg
soil stabilization
3.4.3 Protection, Handling and Labelling of Samples
3.4.3.1 Labelling of Samples
(1) Care should be taken in protection and handling of samples, and in their full labelling, All
samples should be labelled immediately after being taken from a borehole or excavation, A typical
sample label is shown in Fig. 3.1.
24° £8cS7- 1996
aan
i
| I CHAPTER 3: GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
I | rear off slip)
|
No. 1234* i“
1
i SAMPLE RECORD | No. 1234*
i Location .. re rte Dlabbes ‘
Borehole .o..eaeseese .0.D of ground surface |
Position of sample, ff0M .......csecseeseeseeseee E |
I WO.cincrnoeperaee ‘below ground surface. Container No. | No. 1234*
Type of sample.. meee |
|
|
i Remarks |
No, 1234+
I Signature
i * Sample number
Figure 3.1 Typical Label
3,2 Extrusion of Samples
I, ‘Undisturbed samples of soil retained in seamless tube sampler, sealed with wex at both ends, have
to be taken out of the tubes for actual testing. This should be done very carefully without causing any
Jfesuinees to the samples themselves.
(2) Iftubes are oiled before use, it is quite possible for samples of certain moisture range to be pushed
| by means of suitably designed piston extrudes.
(3) If the sample exiruder is horizontal, there should be « support for the sample as it comes out from
the tube so that it may not break.
fo All extruding operations must be in one direction that is, from cutting edge to the head of the
sample tube. After the sample is extruded, it should be kept either in the humidity chamber or in a
ree and taken out only when actual testing is carried out to avoid possible loss of moisture.
i #8CS7-1995 25 ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD FOR FOUNDATIONS
3.5 FIELD TESTS (IN-SITU TESTS)
3.5.1 General
(1) These are tests that are cerried out without actual removal of the meteriak from its existing
position. They serve as supplementary to ground investigation or in cases where undisturbed sampling,
is difficult as main test for measuring the properties of soil in place
2) The tesis which fall in this category are:
(2) plate loading tests
(b) penetration tests
(©) vane shear tests
(©) pressure meter tests
A brief note on the tests are made hereunder. For detailed description of the test procedures,
testing manuals and standard textbooks
reference should be made to appropriate s
3.5.2 Plate Loading Tests
(1) The test results reflect only the character of the soil located within a depth of less than twice the
width of the bearing plate, Since the foundations are generally larger than the test plate, the
settlements and shear resistance will depend on the properties of much thicker stratum, Thus results
of the test are likely to be misleading, if the character of the soil changes at shallow depths. A
satisfactory load test should, therefore, include adequate soil exploration with due attention being paid
to any weaker stratum below the level of the footing.
(2) Other limitation concerns the effect of size of the foundation. For clayey soils the bearing capacity
(from shear consideration) for a larger foundation is almost the same as that for the smaller test plate
In dense sandy soils, however, the bearing capacity increases with the size of the foundation. Thus
tests with smaller size plate tend to give conservative values in dense sandy soils
3.5.3 Penetration Tests
3.8.3.1 Static Cone Penetration Test
(1) In assessing values of the cone resistance, the sleeve friction and, possibly, the pore pressure
during penetration, the following features shall be considered:
(a) the detailed design of the cone and friction sleeve may affect the results significantly.
Allowance must therefore be made for the type of cone in use;
(b) the results can only be interpreted with confidence when the soil succession is established.
In many situations borings will therefore be needed in conjunction with the penetration tests;
26 BCS 7- 1995 CHAPTER 3: GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
(©) the effects of the groundwater conditions and the overburden pressure in the soil shall be
considered when interpreting the results;
(a) in non-homogeneous soils for which widely fluctuating results are recorded, the penetration
values which represent the part of the soil matrix relevant to the design in hand must be
considered
(e) established correlation with other test results, such as density measurements and other forms
of penetration testing, shall be considered when available.
3.8.3.2 Standard Penetration Test and Dynamic Cone Penetration Test
(1) In assessing blow counts, the following features shall be considered:
(a). type of test:
(b) detailed description of the execution of the test (lifting method, shoe or cone, mass of the
falling weight, the drop height, the diameter of the casing and. the rods, etc.);
(©) groundwater conditions:
(@) the influence of the overburden pressure;
(©) the nature of the ground, particularly when cobbles or coarse gravel are encountered.
(1) The test is normally restricted to fairly uniform cohesive fully-saturated soils, and is used mainly
for clay having undrained shear strength up to about LOOKN/m.
(2) The test causes little disturbance of the ground. This is particularly apparent in sensitive clays,
where the vane test tends to give higher shear strengths than those derived from laboratory tests on.
samples obtained from the'field, In these conditions, the vane test results are generally considered
to be more representative. If the test is carried out in soil that is not uniform the torque may be very
high. ‘The presence of rootlets in organic soils, and also of coarse particles, may also lead to
erroneous results
3.5.5 Pressure Meter Test
(1) In assessing the values of the limit pressure and the pressure meter modulus, the following featares
should be considered:
(a) the type of equipment and, most important;
(b) the procedure used to install the pressure meter in the ground.
Curves which exhibit more than a moderate degree of disturbance should not be used.
‘Where the limit pressure is not reached during the test, a moderate and conservative extrapolation of
the curve may be used to estimate it. For tests in which only the initial part of the pressure meter
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£ecS7-1995 27 ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD FOR FOUNDATIONS
curve is determined general correlations or, preferably, local correlations from the same site, may be
used conservatively to estimate the limit pressure from the pressure meter modulus.
3.6 LABORATORY TESTS ON SAMPLES
3.6.1 General
(1) The aims of laboratory testing of samples of soil and rock may be summarized as follows
(@ to identify and classify the samples with a view to making use of past experience with
materials of similar origin and condition.
(b) to obiain soil and rock parameters needed for an economic and safe design
(2) For description of the test procedures reference should be made to appropriate testing manuals and
standard textbooks.
3.6.2. Characterization of Soil and Rock Type
(1) The character and basic constituents of the soil or rock shall be identified before the results of
other tests are interpreted.
(2) The material shall be inspected visually and described in accordance with a recognized
nomenclature. A geological evaluation shall be made,
(3) In addition to the above mentioned visual inspection, the following properties may be used for
identification purposes:
@ for soils:
~ grain size distribution;
~ grain shape;
+ + grain surface roughness;
~ relative density;
~ unit weight;
~ natural Water content;
> Atterberg limits;
= carbonate content;
~ organic matter content
= swelling
28 «BCS 7- 1995 CHAPTER 3: GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
(b) for rocks
~ mineralogy;
= petrography;
~ water content;
= unit weight:
~ porosity;
= sound velocity;
~ quick water absorption,
~ stake-durability index;
~ uniaxial compression strength,
The strength obtained from uniaxial compressive tests allows the classification of rocks
3.6.3 Unit Weight
(1) The unit weight shall be determined with sufficient accuracy to establish design values of the
actions which derive from it,
made Variations or layering shall be considered when using tests to determine the
unit weight
(3) Knowing the soil type and grading, the in-situ unit weight of sand and gravel may be estimated
with sufficient accuracy from the results of tests, such 2s penetration tests, or observation which
indicate the strength of the soil.
3.6.4 Relative Density
(1) The relative density shall express the degree of compactness of a cohesionless soil with respect to
the loosest and densest conditions as defined by standard laboratory procedures.
@) A direct measure of the relative density of a soil may be obtained by comparing an accurate
‘measurement of its in-situ unit weight with laboretory values of its unit weight after standard reference
tests. An indirect measure of the relative density of a soil may be obtained from penetration tests
3.
5 Degree of Compaction
(1) The degree of compaction shall be expressed as the ratio between its dry unit weight and the
maximum dry unit weight obtained from a standard compaction test
2) The compaction tests most frequently used are the Standard and the Modified Proctor Tests
corresponding to different standard energies of compaction. The compaction test also gives the
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£BCS7-1995 29 [J 68 rermeabiicy ana Consotidation Parameters
CHAPTER 3: GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
(1) In assessing the permeability and consolidation parameters, the following features shall be
considered:
I (@) the effect of non-homogeneous ground conditions;
(b) the effect of anisotropy in the ground;
(©) the effect of fissures or faults in the ground, especially in rock;
I (@) the effect of stress changes under the proposed loading.
(2) Permeability measurements made on small laboratory samples may not be representative of the in-
ri conditions. Whenever possible, in-situ tesis which measure average properties of a large ground
volume should therefore be preferred. However, consideration must be given to possible changes in
the permeability with increases in effective stress above the in-situ value. Sometimes permeabili
‘may be evaluated on the basis of a knowledge of the grain size and its distribution.
kos Quality and Properties of Rocks and Rock Masses
E ) In assessing the quality and properties of rocks and rock masses, a distinction shall be drawn
tween the behaviour of rock material as measured on core samples and the behaviour of much larger
rock masses which include structural discontinuities such as bedding planes, joints, shear zones and
Joaice cavities, Consideration shall be given to the following characteristics of the joints
(a) spacing;
I (©) orientation;
(©) aperture;
| (a) persistence (continuity);
(©) tightness
(roughness, including the effects of previous movements on the joints;
I (g) filling,
}) Rock quality may be quantified using the Rock quality Designation (RQD) which is an indicator
# rock mass for engineering purposes.
fhexztin of whole rock properties, such as strength and stiffness, may be obtained by using the
Concept of rock mass classifications originally developed in connection with tunnelling.
I ‘The sensitivity of rocks to climate, stress changes, etc, shall be assessed, Consideration shall also
be given to the consequences of chemical degradation on the performance of rock foundations.
J In assessing the quality of rocks ard rock masses, consideration should be given to the following
i”
I FBCS7-1995 34 a
ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD FOR FOUNDATIONS
optimum water content, i.e, the soil water content ata state of maximum
energy of compaction,
dry unit weight for a ceratin
3.6.6 Undrained Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils
(1) In assessing the undrained shear strength, c, of saturated, fine grained soils, the influence of the I
following features is important and shall be considered:
(2) differences between the siress states in-sita and in a test:
(b) sample disturbance, especially for laboratory tests on samples obtained from boreholes:
(©) anisotropy of strength, especially in clays of low plasticity;
(O) fissures, especially in stiff clays, Test results may represent the strength either of the fissures
oF of the intact elay, and either of these may govern field behaviour. Sample size may be
important.
(¢) rate effects. Tests carried out too quickly tend to yield higher strengths;
(6) large strain effects. Most clays exhibit a loss of strength at very large strains and on
preformed slip surfaces;
(8) time effects. The period for which a soil will be effectively undrained depends on its
Permeability, ihe availability of free water and the geometry of the situation;
(8) imhomogencity of samples, such as inclusions of gravel or sand within & sample of clay:
(i) degree of saturation.
3.6.7 Effective Shear Strength Parameters for Soils
(1) In assessing the effective shear strength parameter c’ and ¢'
considered
; the following features shall be
(a) the stress level of the problem imposed;
(b) the accuracy of the in-situ determination of the unit weight;
(©) the disturbance during sampling
(2) The values of c’ and’ may be assumed constant only within the range of stresses for which they
have been evaluated.
(3) When effective strength parameters c' and "are obtained from undrained tests with pore pressure
measurements attention shall be paid that the samples are fully saturated.
(4) Soils generally exhibit a slightly higher value of 6' when tested in plane strain than when tested
under triaxial conditions.
30 secs 7- 1995 CHAPTER 3: GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
faulting;
exposures in quarries and borrow areas;
areas of instability;
difficulties during excavation;
@)_ history of the site;
(geology of the site:
() information from available aerlal photographs;
(im) local experience in the area;
(a) information about the seismicity of the area;
(0) tabslation of quantities of field and laboratory work, presentation of field observations which
were made by the supervising field personnel during the subsurface exploratio:
() date on fluctuations of ground water table with time in the boreholes during the performance
of the field work and in piezometers after the completion of the field work;
(@ compilation of boring logs, including ‘photographs of the cores, with descriptions of
subsurface formations based on field descriptions and on the results of the laboratory tests;
(®) grouping and presentation of field and laboratory test results in appendices.
3.7.2 Evaluation of Geotechnical Information
(1) The evaluation of the geotechnical information shall include as appropriate:
(@) review of the field and laboratory work, In eases where there are limited or partial data, it
shall be stated. If the data are defective, irrelevant, insufficient or inaccurate, it shall be
pointed out and commented upon accordingly. The sampling, transportation and storage
procedures shall be considered when interpreting the test.results, Any particularly adverse
test results shall be considered carefully in order to determine whether they are misleading
or represent a real phenomenon that must be accounted for in the design;
(b) submission of proposals for further field and laboratory work, if deemed necessary, with
comments justifying the need for this extra work. Such proposals shall be accompanied by
a detailed programme for the types of extra investigations to be carried out with specific
reference to the points which have to be answered.
(2) In addition to the above, the evaluation of the geotechnical data should include the following, if
relevant:
(a) tabulation and graphical presentation of the results of the field and laboratory work in relation
to the requirements of the project and, if deemed necessary, histograms illustrating the range
of values of the most relevarit data and their distribution;
(b) determination of the depth of the ground water table and its seasonal fluctuations;
(c} subsurface profile(s) showing the differentiation of the various formations. Detailed
description of all formations including their physical properties and their compressibility and
strength characteristics. Comments on irregularities such as pockets and cavities;
£Bcs7-1995 33 ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD FOR FOUNDATIONS
(2) some porous soft rocks degrade rapidly to soils of low strength, especially if exposed to the
effects of weathering;
(b) some rocks exhibit high solution rates due to groundwater causing channels, caverns and
sinkholes which may develop to the ground surface;
(c)_when unloaded and exposed to the air, certain rocks experience pronounced swelling due to
the absorption of water by clay minerals
3.7. GROUND INVESTIGATION REPORT
(1) The results of a geotechnical investigation shall be complied in a Ground Investigation Report
which shall form the basis for the Geotechnical Design Report described in Section 2.8.
(2) Ground Investigation Report shall normally consist of the following two parts:
(8) presentation of available geotechnical information including geological features and relevant
data;
(b) geotechnical evaluation of the information, stating the assumptions made in the derivation of
the geotechnical parameters.
‘These parts may de combined into one report or divided between several reports
3.7.1 Presentation of Geotechnical Information
(1) The presentation of geotechnical information shall include a factual account of all field end
laboretory work and documentation of the methods used to carry out the field investigations and the
laborstory testing
(2) In addition to the above, the factual report should include the following information, if relevant:
(a) purpose and scope of the geotechnical investigation;
(b) briet description of the project for which the geotechnical report is being compiled giving
information about the location of the project, its size and geometry, anticipated loads,
structural elements, materials of construction etc.;
(©) a statement of the anticipated Geotechnical Category of the structure;
(d) dates beween which field and laboratory work were performed:
(©) procedures used for sampling, transportation and storage
(types of field equipment used;
(@) survey data;
(f) names of all consultants and subcontractors;
(i) field reconnaissance of the general area of the project noting particularly;
evidence of ground water;
~ behaviour of neighbouring structures;
32 eBcs 7- 1996 CHAPTER 3: GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
Table 3.5 Classification Based on Material Composition and Plasticity
_ = =
: Penice Sie Fre | Paiy index inFomeat | any
ap soi Tyre | symtot | tonin eet ty | ad Foslon win Keene to | Lista Lint
4 Weight Astine (ea
voarse- Gravel G >a wo C
rao soi
J Sind s >a . b
tay ” a3
sx | Medium 11022 and below the Aline
Pasty Ma 2 351050
I High >i and below de Acne
Pasicty | oat > >9
I bw “$7 and shore he Ane
Pasicty a >» 23
Beniocs | Cy
‘Medium iv and above de Aine
Pasty ar >a 351050
I Hig 3 and there ie Aine
Pasiciy | cH >n >
ae <4 and below the Atine 235
A sirwornc | mato | ot >a
ity Clay
Media Ty and 2 nd blow ite Ac | 351050
J Paaticiy or >0 tice
rane Chay High Saaand teowite Ane | 50
masiciy | on >»
£ Peat rm
fadeap | Nau Sols or Extaneous Matcrials
rr
£8CS7+1995 35 “ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD FOR FOUNDATIONS
(@), grouping and presentation of the range of values of the geotechnical data for each stratum,
‘This presentation should be in a comprehensible form which will enable the most appropriate
ground parameters to be selected for the design,
3.8 CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS AND ROCKS
3.8.1 Classification of Soils
3.8.11 Classification Based on Grain-Size
(1) Soil classification based on grain-size characteristic of soils is set forth in Table 3.4.
‘Table 3.4 Classification Based on Grain-Size, mm.
Stone Gravel | Sand Silt Chay |
Bouder | Copoie | coare | Medium | Fine | Course | Medium | Fine | Couse | Medium | Fine |
200—«60 6 06 02 0 0.020.006 0.002
3.8.1.2 Classification Based on Material Composition and Plasticity
Soil classification based on material composition and plasticity characteristic is set forth in Table 3.5,
This classification shall be used for determining the bearing strength of soils.
3.8.1.3 Classification of Soils as Materials of Construction
For classification of soils as materials of construction, the unified soil classification system shall be
adopted (see Table 3.6)
342) £BCS 7. 1995 CHAPTER 3: GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
3.8.2 Classification of Rocks
‘The classification of rocks used in this Code is set forth in Table 3.7.
Table 3.7 Classification of Rocks according to their Consistency
Class _| Type of Rock i Consistency in Place
1 | Massively crystalline igneous and metamorphic | Hard, sound rock*
tock: Granite, diorite, basalt, gneiss, thor-
oughly cemented conglomerate
2 _ | Foliated metamorphic rock: Slate, schist | Medium hard sound rock*
3. | Bedded limestone in sound condition Medium hard sound rock*
4 | Sedimentary rock; Hard cemented shales, Medium hard sound rock*
siltstone, sandstone
5 ‘Weathered or broken bedrock (excluding Soft rock
shale), soft limestone
6 | Soft shale Soft rock
* Sound condition allows minor cracks.
3.8.3 Symbols for Soils and Rocks
(1) Recommended symbols for soils and rocks are given in Fig. 3.2
EBCS7-1995 37 ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD FOR FOUNDATIONS
Table 3.6 The Unified Soil Classification System
Classification cxteris for
: Major ‘Groep
alatne sts ‘Typlet names ‘ure grained tin
32 Wollgraced gravels, gravel | Cc=DulDu>4
4,| 22, | ow sand mixtures, little orna_| Crm 1 < DiaiDuX Da <8
wa| be? fines
es! a
i Poorly graded gravels,
af op requirements for GW
&| 323
| e22
2) 83; al Sit eravets, grav ‘Autgrborg limita | Above A line
i a3 GM 1S] silt mixtures below A line with ¢7
i
i sw | Welleraded sands, gravelly | ¢) Duis 6
| i anda, litle er nofines | Op = 1
