Professional Documents
Culture Documents
GUIDE TO
SITE INVESTIGATION
GUIDE TO
SITE INVESTIGATION
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First published, September 1987
Reprinted, December 1990
Reprinted, December 1993
Reprinted, September 1996
Reprinted, October 2000
Prepared by:
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This publication is available from:
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Ground Floor, Low Block,
Queensway Government Offices,
66 Queensway,
Hong Kong.
An additional bank charge of HK$50 or US$6.50 is required per cheque made in currencies
other than Hong Kong dollars.
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This Geoguide p r e s e n t s a recommended s t a n d a r d of good practice f o r s i t e
investigation in Hong Kong, t h e need f o r which was formally recognized a s
early as July 1983 b y t h e Subcommittee of t h e Building Authority Working
P a r t y on Geotechnical Regulations. In i t s format a n d content, t h e Geoguide
follows closely t h e British S t a n d a r d BS 5930 : 1981. Code of Practice f o r Site
Investigations, b u t t h e recommendations in t h e British S t a n d a r d h a v e been
adapted t o s u i t local conditions a n d practices. I t should be used in
conjunction with t h e companion document, Guide t o Rock a n d Soil Descriptions
(Geoguide 3). These Geoguides expand upon, a n d largely replace, Chapter 2 of
t h e Geotechnical Manual f o r Slopes.
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amendment, t h i s is clearly denoted b y t h e u s e of a n i M c typeface.
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To e n s u r e t h a t t h e Geoguide would be considered a c o n s e n s u s document
of t h e civil engineering profession i n Hong Kong, a d r a f t version was
circulated widely f o r comment in early 1987 t o contractors, consulting
e n g i n e e r s a n d Government Departments. Many organizations a n d individuals
made useful a n d constructive comments, which have been t a k e n i n t o account in
finalizing t h e Geoguide, a n d t h e i r contributions a r e gratefully acknowledged.
E.W. Brand
Principal Government Geotechnical Engineer
September 1987
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5
CONTENTS
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FOREWORD
CONTENTS
PART I : INTRODUCTION
1, SCOPE
2. TERMINOLOGY
4, GENERAL PROCEDURES
4.1 EXTENT AND S E Q U E N C E OF INVESTIGATION
4.1.1 General
4.1.2 Adjacent Property
4.3 S I T E RECONNAISSANCE
5.2 TUNNELS
5.4 WASTE T I P S
6, AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
6.1 GENERAL
8.2 D E F E C T S OR F A I L U R E S O F E X I S T I N G F E A T U R E S OR WORKS
8.3 S A F E T Y O F E X I S T I N G F E A T U R E S AND W O R K S
8.3.1 E f f e c t o f N e w W o r k s upon E x i s t i n g
F e a t u r e s and W o r k s
8.3.2 T y p e s of E f f e c t s
8.3.3 Procedure
10.3.2 Slope a n d R e t a i n i n g W a l l C o n s t r u c t i o n
10.3.3 Foundations for Structures
10.5 LOCATION
10.6 SPACING
11.2 S I T E CONSIDERATIONS
12.3 GRANULAR S O I L S
12.4 INTERMEDIATE S O I L S
12.7 C O H E S I V E S O I L S CONTAINING B O U L D E R S . C O B B L E S
OR G R A V E L
12.8 FILL
12.9 ROCK
12.10 S O I L S D E R I V E D F R O M I N S I T U ROCK W E A T H E R I N G
12.11 D I S C O N T I N U I T I E S
12.12 C A V I T I E S
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13.1 GENERAL 65
13.4 I N V E S T I G A T I O N O F F I L L CONTAINING I N D U S T R I A L W A S T E S 66
14.2 S T A G E S AND P L A T F O R M S
14.4 WORKING B E T W E E N T I D E L E V E L S
14.7 D R I L L I N G , S A M P L I N G AND T E S T I N G
15.2 P L A N N I N G AND D I R E C T I O N
15.5 LABORATORY T E S T I N G
15.6 S P E C I A L I S T ADVICE
15.7 INTERPRETATION
15.8 OPERATIVES
16.2 PURPOSE
16.4 INSTRUMENTATION
18.2 D E E P T R I A L P I T S AND C A I S S O N S
18.3 H E A D I N G S OR A D I T S
18.5 L I G H T C A B L E P E R C U S S I O N BORING
18.6 MECHANICAL A U G E R S
18.9 B A C K F I L L I N G E X C A V A T I O N S AND B O R E H O L E S
19.3 D I S T U R B E D S A M P L E S F R O M BORING T O O L S OR
EXCAVATING E Q U I P M E N T
20, GROUNDWATER
20.1 GENERAL
27.2 SAND R E P L A C E M E N T M E T H O D
27.3 CORE C U T T E R M E T H O D
27.4 W E I G H T I N W A T E R METHOD
27.5 WATER D I S P L A C E M E N T M E T H O D
28.2 S T R E S S M E A S U R E M E N T S I N ROCK
28.3 S T R E S S MEASUREMENTS IN S O I L S
29.3 P R E S S U R I Z E D CHAMBER T E S T S
30.4 MEASUREMENTS
31, LARGE-SCALE F I E L D T R I A L S
31.1 GENERAL
32.2 FAILURES
36.2 SOIL
36.3 ROCK
REFERENCES
TABLES
LIST OF TABLES
TABLES
FIGURES
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURES
PLATES
LIST OF PLATES
PLATES
APPEND ICES
APPENDIX A : INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR DESK STUDY
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This Geoguide deals with t h e investigation of sites in Hong Kong f o r t h e
p u r p o s e s of assessing t h e i r suitability f o r civil engineering a n d building works.
a n d of acquiring knowledge of s i t e characteristics t h a t affect t h e design a n d
construction of s u c h works a n d t h e s e c u r i t y of a d j a c e n t properties. I t is
essentially BS 5930 : 1981, Code of Practice f o r Site Investigations
(BSI, 1981a), modified a s considered desirable f o r use in Hong Kong.
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In t h i s Geoguide, a s i n BSI (1981a). t h e expression "site investigation"
h a s been used in i t s wider sense. I t i s often used elsewhere in a narrow s e n s e
t o describe what h a s been termed herein "ground investigation". The use of
soil a n d rock a s construction materials is t r e a t e d only briefly: f u r t h e r
information on t h i s is given i n BSI (1981b).
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condihons and ground condihbns on the selection of methods
of in vestigation.
P a r t s IV a n d V. P a r t s IV a n d V discuss methods of g r o u n d
investigation, sub-divided a s follows : P a r t IV deals with
excavation, boring. sampling, probing a n d tests i n boreholes;
P a r t V deals with field tests a n d laboratory tests on samples.
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This Geoguide represents a standard of good practice and therefore takes
t h e form of recommendations. Compliance with it does not confer immunity
from relevant statutory and legal requirements. The recommendations given
a r e intended only a s guidance and should not be taken a s mandatory. In this
respect, it should be realized t h a t improvements to many of t h e methods will
continue to evolve.
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2, TERMINOLOGY
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A few commonly-used descriptive terms f o r geological materials a n d
t y p e s of g r o u n d investigation a r e often i n t e r p r e t e d in different ways a n d
t h e r e f o r e r e q u i r e definition. I n t h i s Geoguide, t h e terminology given in t h e
following p a r a g r a p h s has been adopted.
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particles). F u r t h e r guidance is given in Geoguide 3.
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r o t a r y drilling , in which a drill bit i s rotated into t h e g r o u n d f o r t h e p u r p o s e
of forming t h e hole. Although t h e term "drillhole" is commonly used in Hong
Kong because of t h e popular u s e of t h e r o t a r y c o r e drilling method in g r o u n d
investigations, t h e general term "borehole" i s u s e d t h r o u g h o u t t h i s Geoguide
f o r simplicity, whether t h e hole is bored, a u g e r e d o r drilled.
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GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
PART I 1
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3, PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF SITE INVESTIGATION
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Investigatrbn of the site fk an essentrtralprelimnary to the constructlbn
of a// u'vil engineering and building works. and the objectrives h making such
investrgatrons are as follows :
/a1 Suitability. To assess the general suitabfXty of the site
and environs for the proposed works.
/b1 Des~gn. To enable an adequate and economic design to
be prepared incfud~ngthe design of temporary works.
fc1 Construction. To plan the best method of construction;
to foresee and provide aganst d~Yficulties and delays that
may arise during construction due to ground and other
l o d conditrbns; in appropriate cases, to explore sources
of indigenous mater%ds for use in constructrbn /see
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Sectron 8.4); and to se/ect sites for the dfkpod of waste
or surplus materials.
/dl Effect of Changes. To determine the changes that may
arise in the ground and environmental conditrons, eeither
naturdy or a s a result of the works, and the effect of
such changes on the works, on aaacent works, and on
the environment in general.
/e1 Choice of Site. Where alternatives emkt, to advise on
the relative suitabh!ity of dXferent sites, or different
parts of the same site.
In additon, site hvestigatrons may be necessary in reportrng upon the
safety of existrng features and works /see Sectrbn 8.31, for the design of
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exte~wons, vertrical or hor~zontal,to emstrng works, and for invesligating
cases where failure has occurred /see Sectron 8.21.
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4, GENERAL PROCEDURES
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4.1 EXTENT AND SEQUENCE OF INVESTIGATION
4.1. I General
The extent o f the hvestigation depends primarily upon the magnitude
and nature o f the proposed works and the nature of the site.
A site ~nvestigationwifl norma//y proceed in stages, as fo/laws :desk
study; site reconnaissance; detailed examination for design, including ground
in vesogation, topographic and hydrographic survey and spec12 studies; follow-
up investigatJons during constructJon (Figure 1). This may be fohwed by
appraisal of performance. Some o f the stages may overlap, or be taken out of
sequence; for example, the site reconnaissance may well take place before
completion o f the desk study.
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The costs o f a site investigation are low in refatJon to the overall cost
o f a project and may be further reduced b y intelligent forward planning.
Discussion at an e&y stage with a speciaht contractor wifl help to formdate
an efficient and economic plan. The technicaf requirements o f the
investigation shoufa' be the overriding factor in the selection o f investigatory
methods, rather than the]> cost.
A s far as possibfe, assembly o f the desk study hformation shoufd be
complete, a t least h respect of t h e aspects refated to ground condizbns,
before ground i n vestJgatJon begins. A preliminary ground in vestigathn may be
desirable to determine the extent and nature o f the main ground investigation.
The extent of the ground investigation is discussed in Chapter 10.
For regional s t u d i e s o r s i t e investigation of projects covering l a r g e
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areas, e.g. road, t u n n e l o r transmission line routes, techniques s u c h as
engineering geological a n d geomorphological mapping, t e r r a i n classification a n d
hazard analysis may b e useful t o delineate critical a r e a s s o t h a t detailed
investigations can be concentrated in a r e a s where t h e y are most r e q u i r e d
(Brand e t al. 1982; Griffiths & Marsh. 1984; Hansen. 1982).
4.1.2 Adjacent P r o p e r t y
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The approximate locations of t h e s e two f e a t u r e s a r e shown in Figure 2.
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An important s o u r c e of basic geotechnical information is t h e Geotechnical
Area S t u d y Programme (GASP) publications available from t h e Government
Publications Centre. Systematic t e r r a i n evaluation has been u n d e r t a k e n at a
scale of 1:20 000 covering t h e e n t i r e Territory (Brand et al. 1982). These
publications generally contain Engineering Geology. Terrain Classification,
Erosion. Landform a n d Physical Constraint Maps. Selected a r e a s of t h e
Territory have also been evaluated a t t h e 'district' scale of 1:2 500. b u t t h e s e
have not been published. The GASP programme a n d t h e a r e a s covered by t h e
GASP publications a r e shown i n Figure 4, a n d examples of some of t h e 1:20 000
maps a r e given in Figure 5.
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samples. Relevant d a t a can be easily accessed by geographical location of t h e
site. F u r t h e r details of t h e Geotechnical Information Unit a r e given in
Appendix B.
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there may be embankments or bu~idings and other structures having a
settfement history because of the presence of compress~Bleor unstable soih.
Other important evidence that might be obtained from an inspection is the
presence of underground excavations, such a s basements and tunnefs. The
beha viour of structures simiar to those intended shoufa' also pro vide useful
hformatJon, and the absence of such structures may be significant, a s may be
also the presence of a vacant site zn the midst of otherwise intensive
de vehpment.
Exampfes of earlier uses of the site that may affect new construct~on
works are given in Chapter 5.
For most projects, the design and planning of construction will require a
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detaded examination of the site and its surround~ngs/see afso Append~kD).
Such requirements may necessitate a detailed land survey /see Append~xD.ZI, or
an investigation of liabifity to flooding. The hvestigation of ground conditions
is dealt with in Parts IZI and IK Other requirements may entail studies of
special subjects such a s hydrography /see Appendix D. 3); micrometeorofogy /see
Append~kD. 4); sources of mater~als (see Appendix D. 5); disposal of waste
materials /see Appendix 0.6); or other en vironmental considerations.
Tbe poss~B~Xty of disused tunnels affecting the site should also be
considered (see Section 5.21.
In areas where underground cavities are suspected (Culshaw & Waltham,
1987). it may be necessary to carry out a special study to assess the suitability
of the site for development (see Section 7.1 ).
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4.5 CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
Construction and performance appraisal are discussed in Chapter 16. Table of Contents
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5.1 GENERAL
If a site has been used for other purposes in the past, this can have a
significant effect on the present intended use. A careful visual inspechon of a
site and the vegetation i t sustains may reveal clues suggesting interference
with the natural subsoil conditons at some t h e in the past. Examples are
given in Sectlbns 5.2 to 5.6.
Due t o t h e relatively s h o r t history of development in Hong Kong, many
instances of previous u s e of a s i t e can be discovered b y a n inspection of early
maps, aerial photographs a n d o t h e r historical r e c o r d s (see Appendices A a n d
B).
5.2 TUNNELS
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The presence of n e a r b y t u n n e l s may have a profound effect on t h e
intended use of t h e site, a n d should b e fully considered. In addition t o
t u n n e l s in active u s e f o r w a t e r supply, sewage conveyance, r o a d s a n d railways,
u n d e r g r o u n d s h e l t e r s a n d disused t u n n e l s (of a v e r a g e dimensions 2 m high a n d
3 m wide) exist in places t h r o u g h o u t t h e Territory as a r e s u l t of previous
wartime activities.
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sites.
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paramount importance t h a t all slope f e a t u r e s on o r adjacent t o t h e s i t e should
b e examined f o r areas of past, c u r r e n t o r potential instability at a n early s t a g e
i n t h e s i t e investigation.
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33
6, AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
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6.1 GENERAL
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r e c e n t instability. The small scale black a n d white photographs obtained a t
flying heights of o v e r 6 000 m a r e more suitable f o r obtaining a n overall view
of t h e Territory. A small number of t r u e colour. (false) colour i n f r a r e d a n d
black a n d white i n f r a r e d photographs a r e also available. Advice on how t o
obtain t h e aerial photographs i s given in Appendix 8.1.3.
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small a r e a s , whereas plans with scales of 1:5 000 t o 1:20 000 a r e more
a p p r o p r i a t e f o r d i s t r i c t o r regional s t u d i e s .
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lens o r stereoscope, o r by enlarging all o r p a r t of t h e negative. Enlarged
p r i n t s c a n be used e v e n f o r s t u d i e s of small a r e a s of t h e size of a n individual
building site.
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6.3 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
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aerial photographs t a k e n a t different d a t e s can b e compared to determine t h e
location, extent a n d approximate time of filling a n d reclamation, a n d t h e
s e q u e n c e of development of a n area.
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Reviews of API and related mapping techniques a r e contained in
Geological Society (1982). Some good examples of t h e u s e of API techniques a r e
provided by Lueder (1959). Van Zuidam & Van Zuidam-Cancelado (1979),
Verstappen & Van Zuidam (1968) a n d Way (1978).
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s e r i e s were published between 1987 a n d 1989. All GASP maps a r e available f o r
inspection in t h e Geotechnical Information Unit ( s e e Appendix B ) .
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PLANNING THE GROUND INVESTIGATION
PART I I 1
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7, INTRODUCTION TO GROUND INVESTIGATION
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7.1 OBJECTIVES
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purposes are discussed i n Sectlbn 8.4.
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insitu o r laboratory testing, will s u f f i e . I n others, it w~Ylbe necessary to
determine i n detail the engineering properties of the soils and rocks. The
extent of the ground hvestigatfon i s discussed i n Chapter 10. Mere
appropriate, the geometry and nature o f discontinuities shoufd be estabhbed
(see Section 12.11).
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Before commenuhg ground investgaton, dl relevant informaton
collected frwn the sources discussed in Part I1 should be considered together
to obtiui, a prehinary concepton of the ground conditions and the
engineering problems that may be involved T h k will assist in plannhg the
amount and types of ground hvestigatrbn required
Plannhg of the ground investigation should be flexible so that the work
can be varied as necessary h the light of fnsh information. On occasions,
especiafly on large or extended sites, a prefimhwy hvestigation may be
necessary in order that the main investgatian may be planned to best
advantage fsee Sectbns 4.1.1 and 10.4).
The g r o u n d investigation should b e largely completed before t h e works
are finally designed. I t i s t h e r e f o r e important t h a t sufficient time f o r g r o u n d
investigation (including dealing with all legal. environmental, contractual a n d
administrative matters, r e p o r t i n g a n d i n t e r p r e t a t i o n ) is allowed i n t h e overall
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programme f o r a n y scheme. For example, i n slope design. piezometers should
b e installed well i n advance t o obtain sufficient g r o u n d w a t e r d a t a f o r t h e
design. Should c h a n g e s in t h e p r o j e c t o c c u r a f t e r completion of t h e main
investigation, additional g r o u n d investigation may be required. If so, t h e
programme should b e a d j u s t e d to allow f o r t h e additional time r e q u i r e d .
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infomaton beihg obtained to enable the works to be designed, tendered for
and constructed adequately, economicdly and on the. Add1'0ond investi-
gations carried out a t a later stage may prove more costly and result in
delays.
A s g r o u n d investigations i n Hong Kong must often b e u n d e r t a k e n i n
u r b a n areas (Plate l A ) , i t is often necessary t o obtain road excavation permits.
temporary licences or way leaves before commencing t h e g r o u n d investigation.
For some s i t e s i t will be necessary to coordinate t h e works with t h e
requirements of t h e t r a f f i c police a n d o t h e r authorities (Plate 1B). P r o p e r
identification a n d maintenance of utilities encountered b y t h e works is
essential; high voltage power cables. g a s distribution lines a n d o t h e r utilities
often p r e s e n t significant s a f e t y hazards.
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of t h e ground investigation plan t o t h e Buildings Ordinance Office for approval
and consent to commence t h e work.
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authoriy to decide on var~atronsto the ground investigation when required
(see Chapter 15).
In planning ground investigations, particular attention should be paid to
t h e safety of personnel. Certain methods present special safety problems, and
recommendations a r e given in t h e relevant sections. Other methods involve
normal safety precautions appropriate to site o r laboratory work. A list of
statutory regulations which may apply t o ground investigations is given in
Appendix E; this list is not necessarily complete, and if there is doubt over
safety precautions, f u r t h e r advice should be obtained.
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8, TYPES OF GROUND INVESTIGATION
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8.1 SITES FOR NEW WORKS
In vestigat~ons
for new works d~Werfrom the other types of h vestigatlbn
mentioned ILJ Chapter Z in that they are u M y wider li, scope because they
are required to y~eldinformation to assist h selecting the most suitable
location for the works, and the des~gnand construction of the works. For
example, when slope excavathn has to be carr~edout, a knowledge of the
subsurface materi*alsand groundwater cond~*tibnsshould indkate :
whether removal of t h e material will be difficult.
whether t h e s i d e s of t h e excavation will b e stable if
u n s u p p o r t e d o r will r e q u i r e s u p p o r t ,
whether groundwater conditions will necessitate special
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measures s u c h a s g r o u n d w a t e r d r a i n a g e o r o t h e r
geotechnical processes.
w h e t h e r t h e n a t u r e of t h e g r o u n d will c h a n g e a s a r e s u l t
of excavation, e.g. opening of relict joints in t h e soil
mass,
what form of s u r f a c e protection is required.
On the desjyn side, it is necessary to assess such considerations as
bearing capacity and setuement of foundations, stability of slopes ~ i ,
embankments and cuttings, earth pressures on supporthg structures. and the
effect of any chemically aggressive ground conditom. For the design of new
works, it is important that the range of cond~'tions,including least favourable
conditions, should be known. This entays not only a study of the degree of
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var~kbifityin the soil and rock profiles over the area of the site, but also an
appreciation of the possibe hjur~ouseffects of groundwater var~ationsand
weather c0nd~'tibnson the propertis of the various subsurface materials.
Where works r e q u ~ kexcavations into or within rock. iduding weathered rock,
the orientatrbn and nature of discontinuities in the rock may be the most
hportant factors.
Often, a preliminary design of t h e proposed works is of g r e a t a s s i s t a n c e
in t h e identification of parameters t h a t are r e q u i r e d t o b e obtained from t h e
g r o u n d investigation.
Sections 4.1.2 a n d 8 . 3 ) .
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conditions were p a r t l y o r wholly responsible. If t h i s is t h e case, a n
investigation will b e r e q u i r e d t o ascertain t h e ground a n d groundwater
conditions relevant t o t h r e e phases of t h e s i t e history, i.e. before t h e works
were c o n s t r u c t e d , at t h e time of failure a n d as t h e y exist a t p r e s e n t (see also
Chapter 32). Each problem will need t o b e considered on its merits.
Indications of t h e probable c a u s e of a failure will often r e s u l t in detailed
attention being directed t o a particular a s p e c t o r t o a particular geological
feature.
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fierefore, an investigation to determine the causes of a failure may be
much more detailed in a partzkuhr respect than would n o r d y be the case in
an investiga&bn of new works.
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vicinity, o r from o t h e r construction activities.
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ff) Tunnelling operations i n the ne~ghbourhood which may
cause deformations and subsidence; the effect of tension
and compress~unon drainage should not be overlooked.
fg) Alterahon in stream flow of a waterway, wh~ch may
cause ~ n d e r c ~ t t i nof
g banks or scouring of foundations
of wafls, bridges and p~ers,and may be due to works
carr~edout some distance away.
fh) Silahon of the approaches of harbour works or the
changing of navigation channel afignments.
8.3.3 Procedure
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In the ~ h v e s t ~ g a t ~ofo n
the safety of existing features or works, the /list
requirement is an apprec~htionof the changes to the ground that are likely to
occur. The ground investigahon wifl need to provide knowledge of the
subsurface materials, together with the examination and testing of samples to
assess the effect that the changed cond12ions are likely to have on these
mater~kls. In some cases, it may be necessary to carry out a detailed analysis
to estimate the effect of the changed conditins on the safety of the existing
features and works.
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fcl to Jocate suitabJe dXsposaJ s12e.s for waste and dredged
rnaterids.
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9 , GEOLOGICAL MAPPING FOR GROUND I N V E S T I G A T I O N
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The object of geological mapping is t o a s s e s s t h e c h a r a c t e r , distribution
a n d s t r u c t u r e of t h e soils a n d rocks underlying t h e area. Interpretation of t h e
geological conditions a t t h e s i t e may not be possible without mapping a l a r g e r
area. An u n d e r s t a n d i n g of geological f e a t u r e s is a pre-requisite t o i n t e r p r e t i n g
t h e geological conditions a t t h e site, a n d a suitably t r a i n e d specialist should
normally u n d e r t a k e t h i s task.
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Natural exposures and artificial exposures, such as cut slopes and
quarries, beyond the site may provide data on the material and mass
characterisbcs o f soils and rocks. ~ h c l u d h g ,for example, the orientabon,
frequency and character o f bedding and jbinbhg discontinu~'bes, weathering
profiies, and the nature o f the junction between superficial and s o M
formabbns. Such information should be used as a guide only to conditoons
likely to be present at the site. Caution is needed in extrapohling data;
geologcal deposits may vary l a t e r d y , and very important geo/ogialstructures,
such as faults and other majar disconbhuities, may have only a restricted
extent.
It may be expedient to hvestigate local conditions at an early stage of
the mapphg, u s h g mechanically excavated s M o w pits and trenches. The
walls o f excavations and, where appropr~ate,the f/oor should be mapped at a
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suitably large scale and sampled before backijlfing takes place.
Slope s u r f a c e s t r i p p i n g is also commonly used in Hong Kong f o r t h e
p u r p o s e of geological mapping ( s e e Section 18.1).
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10.1 GENERAL
The extent o f the ground investigafion is determined by the character
and variability of the ground and groundwater, the type o f project, and the
amount o f existing information. I t is important that the general character and
variabifity o f the ground should be estabhhed before deciding on the basic
principles o f the design of the works.
In Hong Kong. soils derived from insitu rock weathering generally exhibit
great variability even within relatively short distances. Granitic and volcanic
rocks, which together form the major portion of the solid geology of the
Territory, may be weathered to soils typically to depths of 30 m and 10 m
respectively. Under certain geological conditions, granitic rocks may be
weathered to over 100 m deep. Examples can be found in the Mid-levels area. Ma
On Shan and Yuen Long. It i s important to recognize that ground conditions
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may not always improve with depth; on occasions, hard rock a t t h e ground
surface may be underlain by thick zones of weaker material. Similarly. fill
materials within reclamations may vary considerably. Hong Kong soils and rocks
are further discussed in Geoguide 3 ( G C O . 1988).
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every case.
The greater the natural variabifity of the ground, the greater wi'l be the
extent o f the ground jhvestigation requii-ed to obtain an ihdicatlbn of the
character o f the ground The depth of exp/orahon is generafly determined by
the nature o f the works projected, but it may be necessary to exp/ore to
greater depths at a lihited number o f poihts to establish the overall geological
conditions. The technical development of the project should be kept under
continuous review, since decisions on the design will influence the extent of
the jir vestigation.
It ii jhportant to realize that the detailed geology o f a site can be no
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more than inferred from aerial photography, surface outcrops and subsurface
information at the positions o f the explorathn points. The possibility remains
that significant undetected variations or discontinuities can exist, includihg
lateral o r vertical varjahons within a given layer. The uncertainties can be
reduced but, except by complete excavation. can never be whofly eliminated b y
a more ihtensive inveshgation. The use of angled boreholes can in certain
cases greatly assist interpreting vari~honsbetween vertical boreholes (see also
Section 10.l.81. In some circumstances, additonal information between
investigation points can be obtained b y geophysical methods (see Chapter 331.
10.3 N A T U R E OF THE PROJECT
3 . General
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The investigation should yield sufficient data on which to base an
adequate and econom~'caldesign of the project. It should in aadit~onbe
sufficient to cover possible methods of construction and, where appropriate, to
indicate sources of constructhn materials. The lateral and vertical extent of
the invesbgathn should cover aLf ground that may be s~gnificantfy affected b y
the new works or their constructzbn. Two typical examples are the zone of
stressedgruund beneath the bottom of a group of pii'es; and an adJ;lcent slope,
the stabZty of which may be reduced b y the works.
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t h e s e f e a t u r e s is given in Tables 3 a n d 4. F u r t h e r discussion of t h e design
a n d construction of slopes a n d retaining walls is given in t h e Geotechnical
Manual f o r Slopes ( G C O . 1984) a n d in Geoguide 1 : Guide t o Retaining Wall
Design (GEO, 1993).
10.3.3 Foundations f o r S t r u c t u r e s
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investigation f o r foundations is given in Section 10.7.2. BSI (1986) a n d
Weltman & Head (1983).
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10.5 LOCATION
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The locations of boreholes a n d o t h e r exploration points should only b e
planned a f t e r t h e desk s t u d y , s i t e reconnaissance a n d geological mapping a r e
completed. I t i s often useful t o locate boreholes at t h e intended positions of
l a r g e deep foundations. For slopes, boreholes should generally b e located
along anticipated critical slope sections, a s well a s uphill a n d downhill f o r area
a n d regional stability studies.
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(see Section l.2).
10.6 SPACING
Although no hard and fast rules can be laid down, a relatively close
spacing between points o f &orahon, e.g. I0 to 30 m, wi/ often be
appropriate for structures. For structures small in plan area, explorahon
should be made a t a minimum o f t h e points ifpossible. Where a structure
consists o f a number o f adjacent units, one exp/oration p o h t per unit may
suffice. Certain engineerhg works, such as dams, tunnels and major
excavations, are particularly sensih've to geological conditons, and the spacing
and locahon o f exploration points shouM be more closely related to the
detailed geology o f the area than I> usual for other works.
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10.7.1 General
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f o r e n d bearing piles (see Section 10.7.2). In o t h e r instances, i t may not be
necessary t o terminate drilling in rock ( s e e Section 10.7.4).
10.7.2 Foundations f o r S t r u c t u r e s
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In the case of foundations for structures, the depth o f exphratron
should be at least one and a half times the width of the loaded area.
Commonsense will indicate exceptions to this guidefine; for example, 12 would
not usually be necessary to continue drilfing for long distances i n strong rock.
For foundations near the surface, the loaded area is considered as either :
(a/ the area of an individual footing, or
(bl the plan area of the structure, where the spacing o f
foundahbn footings is less than about three tJhes the
breadth, or where the floor loading is significant, or
footing or raft.
Wherepiled foundations are considered to be a possibi/ity, the length o f
pile usually cannot be decided unt17 an advanced stage o f the project. No
exp/icit rules can be given for the depth o f exploration, but the fohwing
offer some guidance :
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s t r o n g e r materials lying below t h e weak materials, e i t h e r
in e n d bearing o r t h r o u g h s h a f t resistance.
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no possibility of weaker materials occurring lower down
t h a t could affect t h e performance of t h e piles. This will
usually r e q u i r e penetrating a t l e a s t 5 m, o r two a n d a
half times t h e diameter of t h e pile, whichever is l a r g e r ,
below t h e proposed founding level of t h e pile. For
boreholes c a r r i e d o u t d u r i n g construction t o prove
satisfactory pile founding levels, t h e d e p t h of penetration
may have t o be increased where l a r g e corestones o r
boulders a r e suspected o r have been identified nearby.
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orientation of discontinuities may t h e n suffice.
during the course of the field work to modify this depth as appears to be
necessary. In any event, exp/oration should at some pofnts be taken below the
depth to which it is cons~'deredMely that the longest piles w i l penetrate.
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For embankments on alluvial and marhe soils, the depth of the
exploraation should be sufficient to check possible shear failure through the
foundation materials and to assess t%relikely amount of any settlement due to
compress~Ble materids. In the case of water-retaining embankments,
investigation should explore all materials through which piping could be
initiated or significant seepage occur.
10.7.4 C u t Slopes
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below t h e toe of t h e slope o r excavation, irrespective of bedrock level.
Groundwater conditions, including t h e possibility of perched o r multiple water
tables, should also be determined.
10.7.5 Pavements
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For shallow s d p~pefines,it wil frequently be suffiient to take the
depth of exploration to 1 m below the invert le veL For deeper p~pelinesthe
depth of explora&o should be sufficient to enable any likely difficultres in
excavating trenches and supporting the p~;Oelinesto be discovered; a depth a t
least I to 2 m below the invert level may be advisable. Large pipelines,
especially those in ground of low bear~hg capacity, require specid
consideration.
For marine works, the effects described in Sections 10.7.2 and 10.7.3 may
apply and, in additbn, consia'erafion shouh' be given to the effects of fi'dal
variations.
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10.7.8 Tunnels
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Long horizontal boreholes parallel t o the proposed tunnel alignment are
extremely useful, particularly where the location of the proposed tunnel i s
overlain by thick layers of deeply weathered rock (McFeat-Smith, 1987).
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11, SELECTION OF GROUND INVESTIGATION METHODS
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11.1 GENERAL
Although the character of the ground and the technic& requirements are
the most important aspects in the selection of methods of ground investigation,
sefectrbn may also be ifluenced b y the character of the site, the a v d a b ~ x t y
of equipment and personneL and the cost of the methods.
The specialist n a t u r e of ground investigation work should a t all times b e
considered. In most cases i t will be necessary t o employ a c o n t r a c t o r who is
experienced in t h e t y p e of investigation work which is being proposed, a n d
who has p r o p e r equipment a n d experienced personnel t o c a r r y o u t t h e works.
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The topography, nature of the ground surface, surface water, the
existence of buifd~hgsor other structures and land 'owner~h~>' may cause
problems of access to the locations for borehofes, or interfere with g e o p h y s ~ ~ ~ f
methods. For example, on very steeply sloping open sites, it may be necessary
to construct an access road or lower the equ~pmentdown the sfope or haul it
up. Where the working pos12ion is on steeply sloping ground. it will be
necessary to form a hor~zontafwork~ngarea by excavation or the use of
staging (Plate 2A). On sites that are obstructed b y buildings and other
structures, it may be necessary to demofish wa//s to gain access.
Alternatively, it may be possible to lift the equ12ment over obstructions ushg
a crane or to use special equ~>mentthat can be dismantled and man-handled
through the bu17ding and used in a confined space. Gaining access to sites
covered by water presents special problems fsee Chapter 14). I f the ground
surface is soft, it can be traversed o d y by very light equ~kment. Where t h ~ k
would not be effective, access roads for heavier equipment will be required
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Alternatively, the use of heficopters or hovercraft may be appropriate.
For g r o u n d investigation within o r r e q u i r i n g access t h r o u g h privately-
owned land, including properties of t h e utilities companies a n d armed forces,
permission should f i r s t be obtained from t h e owners. For Government land,
approval should b e s o u g h t from t h e r e l e v a n t District Lands Office. For sites
u n d e r t h e control of Government, approval must b e obtained from t h e r e l e v a n t
Department concerned. Such s i t e s include r e s e r v o i r s , service r e s e r v o i r s , roads.
highways, c o u n t r y p a r k s , Urban Council p a r k s , etc. Permission t o e n t e r a s i t e
f o r purposes of g r o u n d investigation may place f u r t h e r restrictions on .the
methods used. For example, i t may be necessary t o control o r eliminate t h e
r e t u r n of flushing media from boreholes t h a t affect a d j a c e n t slopes, fish ponds.
cultivated fields, o r highways ( s e e Section 18.7.1). Also, t h e p r e s e n c e of
foundations and services often r e s t r i c t t h e u s e of inclined drilling t h r o u g h
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obtained from fire h y d r a n t s upon application t o t h e Water Supplies Department
f o r t h e h i r e of a metered adaptor. In r u r a l a r e a s water may be obtainable
from wells, r i v e r s o r streams. On s i t e s where t h e provision of water p r e s e n t s
a major problem, i t may be necessary t o t r a n s p o r t t h e water in bowsers, o r t o
use alternative methods of investigation; for example, with r o t a r y drilling a n
a i r foam flush could b e used instead of water flush ( s e e Section 18.7). Where
water is u s e d a s t h e flushing medium, a d e q u a t e measures should be provided t o
p r e v e n t silt a n d o t h e r d e b r i s in t h e flushing r e t u r n from e n t e r i n g t h e
permanent drainage system, t h e r e b y causing siltation a n d o t h e r problems. Such
measures may include settling basins a n d s a n d / s i l t t r a p s .
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choosing investigation points. Permission t o lop o r c u t
down a n y t r e e s will not b e g r a n t e d unless good c a u s e is
shown.
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(e) Noise restrictions may prohibit the u s e of certain
methods of investigation.
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12.1 GENERAL
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major consideration i n the choice of a procedure for d r i / / i g and sampling.
Ceophys~kd methods are often a useful means of interpolating between
boreholes i n a variety of ground cond~Zions(see Chapter 33).
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deformation characteristics ( s e e Chapters 27. 29 and 30).
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indication of relative density. Occasional high values that are unrepresentative
of the true relative density will be obtained when the penetrometer encounters
coarse graveL In ground contahfhg cobbles or boulders, the standard
penetratlbn test gives an increasing proportion of unrealisticaly high results.
The borehole permeabifity test fsee Section 21.41, may give a reasonable
indication of permeability, and the results can also be used to give a guide to
the proportion of tihe particles i n the soiL A more rehble assessment of
permeability wifl be obtained from a pump~hgtest, (see Chapter 25). The cone
penetration test fsee Sechon 23.31, has limitations where there is a s~gn~flcant
content of boulders or cobbles. It is also limiited because of the inabimy of
the cone to penetrate dense gravel. The "static-dynamic" test (see
Section 23.41, is useful for this purpose, although its results win also be
affected where cobbles or boulders are encountered The pressuremeter is
useful in coarse granular so~7s when held w12hin a slotted casing (see
Section 21.71.
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12.3 GRANULAR SOILS
These soils include sands, silty sands and sandy silts, and are fairly
common in alluvial or marine deposits. Boreholes in these materials may be
sunk by the light cable percussion method using the shell, or by rotary
drilling. Disturbed samples taken with the shell are likely t o be deficient in
fines, and therefore of class 5 only. Samples suitable for a particle size
distribution test, class 4 , may be obtained using the split barrel standard
penetration t e s t sampler. Larger class 4 samples can sometimes be obtained
using UlOO sampling equipment with a core-catcher.
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some cases, a piston samp/er wi7.Jbe effective (see Section 19.51,'this should
produce class 2 sampLes or, where the so~7is loose or very dense, class 3
samples. However, i n both cases the moisture content of the samples may be
unrepresentative of the insitu ground With clean sand, normal samp/ng
equipment may fail to recover a sample, and it wi/ then be necessary to use
the compressed a> sand s-er /see Sechbn 19.7),' sample classes w17l be
similar to those obtained with a piston sampler.
In shallow investigations above the water table, excavations or hand
augering (see Sechbn 18.41, may be used.
A guide to the relative density of granular so17s is obtained b y the
standard penetration test. However, the results can eas17y be i n v W a t e d by
loosening of the so17 below the water table. Where it IS important that the
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relative density should not be underestimated, for example when a driven p17e
prokct is being inveshgated, the relative density should be assessed b y the
cone penetration test.
Approxhate values of the strength and compressibility parameters can
be estimated on an empirical basis from the results of the standardpenetration
test or, preferably, from the results of the cone penetratlbn test.
Pressuremeter tests are also usefuL A more direct determination requires the
use of plate tests carried out in a dry excavation (see Sechon 21.6 and
Chapter 291.
Permeabifity may b e assessed from borehole permeabifity tests (see
Section 2I.31, or b y pumping tests (see Chapter 251.
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12.4 INTERMEDIATE SOILS
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Rotary drilling o r t h e light cable percussion method may b e used t o
a d v a n c e holes in s o f t cohesive soil. Considerable c a r e is r e q u i r e d with r o t a r y
drilling t o avoid c h a n g e of water content a n d d i s t u r b a n c e by t h e drilling fluid.
Class 1 samples can be obtained by using a piston sampler. Class 2 o r 3
samples can sometimes be obtained with a n o p e n - t u b e sampler. Continuous
samples, usually class 3, can be obtained with a Delft sampler (see
Section 19.6). Disturbed samples from t h e clay c u t t e r of t h e light cable
percussion method a r e generally class 4. Where t h e borehole contains water, i t
may be necessary t o u s e t h e shell, in which c a s e class 4 samples can b e
obtained provided t h a t lumps of intact soil can be recovered.
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Section 21.3). Vane t e s t s a r e particularly effective if combined with s t a t i c
cone penetration t e s t s ( s e e Section 23.3). For laboratory t e s t purposes
(particularly oedometer t e s t s ) l a r g e diameter samples ( g r e a t e r t h a n 150 mm)
should be obtained w h e r e v e r possible. The compressibility values obtained from
Rowe cell t e s t s on l a r g e diameter samples (see Chapter 37 a n d Table 12) may
b e used in conjunction with insitu c o n s t a n t head permeability measurements t o
give a reasonable estimate of r a t e of consolidation settlement.
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Most colluvium a n d some t y p e s of alluvium fall i n t o t h i s category, a s
may some fill a n d soils derived from insitu rock weathering, although t h e
l a t t e r two t y p e s a r e considered more fully in Sections 12.8 a n d 12.10.
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barrel. Class 1 t o 2 samples may be obtained with r e t r a c t a b l e t r i p l e - t u b e
c o r e - b a r r e l s and water flush. The u s e of U l O O samplers can yield class 2 o r
3 samples of t h e matrix material, while t h e split b a r r e l s t a n d a r d penetration
test sampler can b e used t o obtain class 3 t o 4 samples. The s t a n d a r d
penetration t e s t is sometimes used t o obtain a r o u g h indication of s t r e n g t h ,
b u t i t may give misleading r e s u l t s if boulders a n d cobbles a r e p r e s e n t .
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investigation wi/ be to assess the variation in character and quality across the
site. Often, the variation wifl be random.
Conventronal methods of boring, sampling and h s i t u testing, as
appropriate to the character of the ground, can give informatron on the
thickness and properties of the fil/ at the particular locations of the boreholes
or ins12u tests. It I> essentid to ensure that the borehofe is always fufly
cased through fil/ to avoid contamination of the natural ground from falling
materiaL Pits and trenches are particularly useful for investrgating the nature
and var~kbi/iyof fil/ (see Chapter 181.
In combustible AHs, temperature measurements may be necessary. It
should be noted that on waste tips, burning materials below ground may give
rise to toxic or flammable fumes from the borehole. TIP fies may also create
voids, which may coflapse under the weight of an investiqation rig. Lagoons
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12.9 ROCK
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help t o improve core recovery.
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necessary to take into account the probable effects o f disturbance o f the
ground by the drilling process. The standard penetration test /see
Section 21.21, can give a rough indication of the variation of strength and
cornpress~'bAityi n weak rock. The permeabifity test (see Section 21.41, o r the
packer o r Lugeon test (see Section 21.51, may give a measure o f the mass
permeabi7ityY which i n t u r n can give an lhdication o f the presence o f open
jbints and other water-bearihg discontli7uities. Where appficable, the plate test
(see Section 21.51, and diyatometers such as the pressuremeter (see
Section 21. I), can be used to investigate deformation properties and possibly
also the strength.
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12.10 SOILS DERIVED FROM INSITU R O C K WEATHERING
1988).
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generally provide class 2 t o class 4 samples. The split b a r r e l s t a n d a r d
penetration t e s t sampler can b e u s e d t o obtain small class 3 or 4 samples.
In most rocks, the mass properties depend largely on the geometry and
nature of the discontinuities. This can requ~iethe engineering properties to
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be measured in the plane of the discontinu~'tresalong specific orientathns
determined by the anti'c~pateddirections of the stresses to be applied The
controf by discontinuities over the strength and deformtlbn characteristi'cs of
a ground mass is less obvious in so17s derived from ihsitu weathering than in
moderately weathered to fresh rock, but may be equa//y imgortant.
There are no satisfactory drilng or bor~ngtechniques available for
ensuring that the core recovered can be orientated over the full depth
penetrated, but borehole discontinuity surveys can be conducted f e e
Seelion ZI.81. In sofi!s, the discntzhuitis are often d e s t ~ y e dby the dr~Zing
and therefore overlooked Where d~kcontinuities are inp port ant to the
eng~heering problems in volved, i M u exposures of discontinuitJes are necessary
to obtah data on the2- or~entatrbnand nature. After i M a l ~hvestigations
using interpretation of aerial photographs, surface outcrop logging and the
drilfing of vertical and inclined or~entatedholes, it may be necessary to form
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full surface auposures, large dimeter boreholes, trenches, pits or adits to
allow visual inspection around and within the undisturbed ground mass, and
measurement of the relevant discontinuity data (see Chapter 261. In some
projcts, suitable exposures may be provided in exca vatibns necessitated by the
permanent works. The extractrbn or insitu preparation of orientated test
smples can be carried out in these exca vations, together with orientated large
scale tests. The orlentation of the excavations controls thek intersection with
the discontinuities and, consequently, the discontinuity data that can be
obtained Generally, three orthogonal exposures are required to define fully
the spatial distribution of the d~kcontinuiti'es. The extent of the excavations is
governed by the spauhg between discontinuities and the size of the works.
12.12 CAVITIES
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13.1 GENERAL
In some a r e a s , soil, rock a n d groundwater may contain certain
c o n s t i t u e n t s in amounts sufficient t o c a u s e damage t o Portland cement concrete
o r steel, While insitu weathered rocks a n d t h e i r associated soils in Hong Kong
are generally not a g g r e s s i v e , t h i s should be confirmed by g r o u n d investigation
a n d laboratory t e s t i n g whenever t h e u s e of g r o u n d a n c h o r s , reinforced fill
s t r u c t u r e s o r o t h e r susceptible s t r u c t u r e s a r e contemplated. Investigations f o r
a g g r e s s i v e ground a n d groundwater should be considered f o r all s i t e s where
t r a n s p o r t e d soils a r e encountered, a n d f o r all marine sites.
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Corrosion of metal i s caused b y electrolytic o r o t h e r chemical o r
biological actions. In i n d u s t r i a l areas, corrosive action may a r i s e from
individual waste p r o d u c t s t h a t have been dumped on t h e site. In r i v e r a n d
marine works, t h e possible corrosive action of water, sea water a n d o t h e r
saline waters, a n d t r a d e effluents may also r e q u i r e investigation. I n a marine
environment, t h e most s e v e r e corrosion is found in t h e 'splash zone' (i.e. t h e
zone t h a t is only wetted occasionally). The saline concentration in
groundwater near t h e s e a may approach t h a t of seawater. particularly i n t h e
c a s e of reclaimed land. I n e s t u a r i n e situations, t h e r e may b e a n a d v e r s e
condition because of alternation of water of different salinities.
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Laboratory tests t o a s s e s s t h e a g g r e s s i v e n e s s of t h e ground a n d
groundwater a g a i n s t Portland cement concrete include determination of pH
value a n d s u l p h a t e content (BSI. 1975b). Reference should be made t o BRE
(1981) r e g a r d i n g t h e determination of water-soluble s u l p h a t e concentrations.
The pH value may be altered if t h e r e is a delay between sampling a n d testing.
s o field determinations should be made if possible.
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13.4 INVESTIGATION OF FILL CONTAINING INDUSTRIAL WASTES
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14, GROUND I N V E S T I G A T I O N S OVER WATER
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14.1 GENERAL
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A s in land investigations t h e choice of suitable equipment f o r marine
investigations d e p e n d s primarily on t h e expected g r o u n d conditions a n d t h e
p u r p o s e of t h e investigation. Additional factors t h a t must be considered in
marine investigations include t h e water d e p t h , heave of t h e c r a f t caused b y
wave action, tidal fluctuations, a n d w a t e r c u r r e n t s (Blacker & Seaman. 1985).
Also, t h e r e q u i r e d working a r e a f o r a drilling vessel must include a safe
margin f o r anchor lines beyond t h e dimensions of t h e c r a f t itself. A typical
s p r e a d of a n c h o r s would be u p t o 50 m on e i t h e r side of t h e craft.
The scope of the work, including the methods of drilling, samphhg and
insitu testhg, requires careful considera&on depending on the parthuhr
difficulties of the site. When working over water it is essenttkl that due
consideration is given to safety requirements, navigational warnings, and the
regulations of Government Departments and other authorities.
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To avoid i n t e r f e r e n c e with marine traffic, t h e Marine Department must
be notified of investigations s o t h a t a Notice t o Mariners can b e issued.
Special consideration must be given t o s i t e s w h e r e t h e investigation o r
associated c r a f t could p r e s e n t a hazard. For example, c r a f t working close t o
t h e runway of Kai Tak Airport must not pose a hazard t o aircraft; permission
f o r a n y s u c h work must f i r s t b e obtained from t h e Civil Aviation Department.
Similarly. permission must b e obtained from t h e Mass Transit Railway
Corporation, t h e Cross Harbour Tunnel Co. Ltd, t h e Water Supplies Department,
o r t h e various public utility companies if work is t o be c a r r i e d o u t n e a r
submerged tunnels, pipelines o r major utilities (see Appendices A a n d B).
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Mere stable working platforms are available or can be provided, such as
oil dr17ling platforms and jetties or purpose-bu17t scaffold stages and drilfing
towers, 12 is generdy possible to use conventional dry-land ground
investigation drilfing equipment and conventional methods of sampling and
insitu testing. When working from existing structures, it may be necessary to
construct a cantilevered platform over the water on which to mount the
drilling rig. m e n drjyfing close to the shore in relatively shallow water, it
may be more convenient to construct a scaffold staging from land to the
borehole location. Alternative&, it may be more economical to construct a
scaffold or other tower a t the borehole locathn, i n which case some means of
transporting the drilfing equ~bmentto the tower wifl need to be provided.
Some towers are constructed such that they can be moved from one borehole
location to another without having to be dismantled.
Jack-up platforms, and special craft fitted with spud legs, can be floated
into positlbn and then jkcked out of the water to stand on their legs. They
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can combine manoeuvrability w12h fu/fi/ent of the requirement for a fked
w o r m platform.
Jack-up and other fixed platforms effectively overcome the problem of
heave and allow a high standard of drilling, testing and sampling to be
achieved. Jack-up platforms currently available in Hong Kong are capable of
operation in water depths not exceeding about 12 m (Plate 3A).
The design of dl staging, towers and platforms should take into account
the nature of the seabed, fluctuating water levels due to tides, waves and
swefl conditions. It is essential that such constructibns should be sufficjently
strong for the boring operations to resist waves, tidal flow and other currents
and floatihg debris.
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14.3 FL UA TINC CRAFT
anchors should have the best hold~hgcapacity feas~Ble. In water deeper than
80 m, conventional moorings become difficult, and the use of vessels
maintained in position b y computer-controlled thrusting devices should be
considered.
Special techniques are required to deal with fluctuating water levels due
to tides, waves and swell conditions (Plate 3 B ) , particularly with rotary drilling
where a constant pressure between the drill bit and the bottom of the
borehole is required (Smyth & Mcsweeney, 1985). When the heave is
anticipated t o exceed a b o u t 300 mm, i t is necessary t o employ a heave
compensator system if high quality samples a r e t o be obtained. Heave
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compensator systems allow t h e drill s t r i n g a n d sampling equipment t o b e
isolated from t h e vertical movements of t h e c r a f t (Blacker & Seaman, 1985).
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c r a f t r e s t i n g on t h e seabed a t low tide, t h e profile a n d condition of t h e
seabed should be a s s e s s e d in advance.
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t o indicate t h e direction of t h e c u r r e n t . This will help in manoeuvering t h e
drilling c r a f t into position. Once t h e drilling c r a f t has been anchored o v e r
t h e s i n k e r of t h e marker buoy, f u r t h e r measurements from t h e known s h o r e
stations c a n b e taken. The position of t h e drilling c r a f t c a n b e a d j u s t e d b y
means of a n c h o r winches until t h e borehole is positioned within 1 m of t h e
r e q u i r e d position. All borehole positions should be related t o t h e 1980
Hong Kong Metric Grid, o r if a s i t e g r i d is used, t h e s i t e g r i d should b e
related t o t h e 1980 Hong Kong Metric Grid s u c h t h a t s t a n d a r d co-ordinates
can be obtained.
by setting up a tide gauge close to the shore. Tbe gauge is read at frequent
intervals throughout the tia'al cycles at the same time as readings of water
depth are taken on the dr~jrfingvessel. Corrections may be necessary to allow
for tidal variations when the distance between the tide gauge and the vessel is
s&ni&ant.
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14.7 D R I L L I N G , S A M P L I N G AND T E S T I N G
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for land-based investigations.
I f a fixed platform is not used during sampling, particular care must be
taken to prevent sample disturbance due to heave. Continuous sampling o f
soft soils can be undertaken with a Delft or Swedish foil sampler, but these
are particularly sensitive t o heave and should only be attempted from a fixed
platform. With the Delft samplers, care should be taken to prevent necking of
the nylon jacket due to unbalanced fluid pressures, and ripping o f the jacket
due t o shells in marine deposits.
A range of field tests in boreholes is useful in marine investigations,
including standard penetration tests. vane shear tests and permeability tests.
Static cone penetration testing and geophysical testing are also o f value. In
the case of vane shear tests, i t is preferable t o provide a stable support for
the equipment on top o f a soft marine mud seabed (Fung e t al, 1984).
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A special category of marine investigations involving only shallow-depth
seabed materials is often required for pipeline foundations, pollution monitoring
and similar projects. Disturbed, shallow-depth seabed samples may be obtained
for these purposes with a grab sampler, gravity corer or vibrocorer. The grab
sampler is t h e simplest of these devices, but it can only obtain samples from
t h e uppermost 0.5 m of the seabed. The gravity corer normally consists of an
open barrel 3 m in length that is allowed t o fall and penetrate the seabed
under its own weight. The vibrocorer is driven b y a motorized vibrator and
can penetrate 3 to 6 m depending on t h e nature of the seabed materials. The
samples recovered using these methods are generally o f poor quality but
nevertheless should be suitable for classification testing. The principal
advantage of these methods is the speed with which samples may be recovered
over a considerable area (Blacker & Seaman. 1985).
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15, PERSONNEL FOR GROUND INVESTIGATION
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15.1 GENERAL
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engineering experience, some of which should be local experience on p r o j e c t s
of a similar n a t u r e t o t h e one being contemplated. If t h e g r o u n d conditions a t
t h e s i t e a r e anticipated t o be complex a n d t h e safety a n d economy of t h e
project a r e significantly influenced b y t h e g r o u n d conditions, t h e person
planning a n d directing t h e g r o u n d investigation should possess, i n addition.
specialized qualifications o r experience in geotechnical engineering, a n d
specialized knowledge in s i t e investigation practice in Hong Kong.
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subordinates.
( b ) n a t u r e of t h e project.
(c) complexity of t h e anticipated g r o u n d
conditions,
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(d) complexity of t h e sampling a n d field t e s t i n g schedule.
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Technical personnel will normally b e r e q u i r e d full-time on site. Several
technical staff may b e r e q u i r e d on s i t e if a number of drilling r i g s a r e operating
simultaneously, if s e v e r a l field t e s t s or i n s t r u m e n t installations a r e being
u n d e r t a k e n simultaneously, o r if t h e w o r k s a r e widely s c a t t e r e d .
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c o n t r a c t o r u n d e r t a k i n g t h e g r o u n d investigation works. If t h i s i s not t h e case,
t h e e n g i n e e r o r engineering geologist planning and directing t h e g r o u n d
investigation should t a k e s t e p s t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e r e is a n a d e q u a t e level of s i t e
supervision a n d t h a t reliable information i s obtained from t h e works.
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The testing of soil and rock samples should be carried o u t in a
laboratory approved by t h e directing engineer o r engineering geologist referred
to in Section 15.2. The laboratory testing should be done under t h e control. of
a suitably qualified and experienced supervisor, and all laboratory technicians
should be skilled and experienced in t h e type of t e s t they a r e conducting.
The laboratory testing schedule should be finalised only a f t e r selected samples
have been examined by t h e person directing t h e investigation o r by t h e
supervising engineer o r geologist. The latter should supervise t h e more
complex tests.
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geologist may be required on such aspects a s :
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invaluable for t h e planning, calibration. installation. commissioning and data
interpretation of t h e more complex geotechnical instruments.
15.7 INTERPRETATION
15.8 OPERATIVES
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16.1 GENERAL
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amendment of the design or the construction procedures. In certain cases, it
may therefore be appropriate to initiate a site procedure i n the early stages of
the contract, so that correct and agreed records are kept during the duratlbn
of the contract by both the engineer and the contractor. Tbe purposes of
these records are :
fa) to assist i n checking the adequacy of the design,
fbl to assist in checking the safety of the works during
constructlbn and to assess the adequacy of temporary
works,
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fdl to check h i t i a l assumptlbns about ground conditlbns,
including groundwater, related to construction methods,
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may be advantageous to arrange for the site to be inspected by the
organization that carried out the site investigations, p a r t r k u M y if ground
conditions appear to differ s ~ g n i f i a n t l yfrom those described i n the ground
i n vestigation.
16.3.2 Water
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determine the extent of the cone of depress~on.
16.4 INSTRUMENTATION
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instrumentation may be usefully conthued after construction h order to
observe the performace o f the project. This i s part'cularly necessary i n the
case o f earth dams for maintaining a safe structure under varying conditons,
and ~h other cases for gaining valuable data for future design.
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There is a considerable variety of methods of ground investigation, and
normally a combination of methods is employed to cover t h e technical
requirements and t h e range of ground conditions t h a t a r e encountered. The
factors involved in t h e selection of methods a r e discussed in Chapters 7 t o 16.
Particular attention should be paid t o t h e safety of existing features.
s t r u c t u r e s and services in t h e course of ground investigation. Advice on
planning and control is given in Section 7.2 (see also Appendix A). The
selection of methods may be influenced by t h e character of t h e site (see
Section 11.2), and particular ground conditions often dictate which specific
investigation technique should be used (see Chapter 12). Attention should also
be given t o t h e safety of personnel (see Appendix El.
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procedure, are descriaed ih Chapters 24 to 33. Laboratory tests on soil and
rock are discussed in Chapters 31 to 38. The collecOon and recordihg of data
I> discussed i n Chapters 39 and 40.
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18, EXCAVATIONS AND BOREHOLES
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18.1 SHALLOW TRIAL PITS AND SLOPE SURFACE STRIPPING
Shallow trial pits are usually dug by hand using a pick and shovel,
and commonly extend to a depth of about 3 m. It is essential that the pit
sides are guarded against sudden collapse in order to protect personnel
working in the pit. For this purpose, timber shoring is usually provided
when excavation is deeper than 1.2 m. The spacing of the shoring should
be sufficiently wide to allow inspection of the pit'sides. Shallow trial
pits may also be dug by machine; a hydraulic back-hoe excavator is the
most commonly used.
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insitu rock weathering and colluvium, both of which often exhibit a high
degree of variability. Pits may also be used to investigate the
dimensions and construction details of old retaining walls, and to
ascertain the exact position of buried utilities and services.
The field record of a shallow trial pit should include a plan giving
the location and orientation of the pit, and a dimensioned section showing
the sides and floor. Ground conditions should be fully described in
accordance with Geoguide 3 (GCO, 1988) or a suitable alternative system,
and samples taken should be fully documented. Two examples of trial pit
logs are given in Figures 7 and 8. Logs should always be supplemented
with colour photographs of each face and of the base of the pit. The
positions and results of any field testing should also be recorded, such
as insitu density tests or Schmidt hammer, hand penetrometer and hand
shear vane index tests.
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Material excavated from trial pits should be stockpiled in such a
manner that it does not fall back into the pit or cause instability of the
pit excavation, e.g. by surcharging the adjacent ground. Wooden hoardings
anchored by steel bars driven into the ground are often used on steep
slopes to retain spoil from falling back into the pit. The spoil should
be placed and covered so as not to be washed downhill during rainstorms
or allowed to enter surface drainage systems.
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stripping should always be obtained. Fill is sometimes used t o smooth t h e
surface of a c u t slope before application of t h e chunam plaster; if this is
encountered in slope stripping t h e depth of excavation should be increased if
possible to reveal t h e t r u e nature of ground beneath.
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Hong Kong for foundation construction t o depths of 30 m o r more. Typically,
cast-insitu concrete liners a r e used in soil, while t h e caisson is left unlined in
rock. These caissons may be particularly useful for t h e investigation of rock
a t or near t h e founding level of large foundations (Irfan & Powell. 1985). An
example of a caisson log is given in Figure 10. I t is recommended t h a t t h e
guidance notes on t h e technical and safety aspects of hand-dug caissons issued
by t h e Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE, 1981) should be followed.
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18.3 HEADINGS OR ADITS
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Light cable percussion boring is an adaptation of common well-boring
methods, employing a clay cutter for dry cohesive soils, a shell (or
bailer) for granular soils, and a chisel for breaking up rock and other
hard layers. The drill tools are worked on a wire rope using the clutch
of the winch for percussive action. The shell can only be used when there
is sufficient water in the borehole to cover the lower part of the shell.
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18.6 MECHANICAL AUGERS
18.7.1 General
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exploration used in Hong Kong (Chan & Lau, 1986). The drilling fluid,
which is pumped down to the bit through hollow drill rods, lubricates the
bit and flushes the drill debris up the borehole. The drilling fluid is
commonly water, but drilling mud or air foam are often used with advantage
(see Section 18.7.2).
There are two basic types of rotary drilling : open hole (or full
hole) drilling, in which the drill bit cuts all the material within the
diameter of the borehole; and core drilling, in which an annular bit fixed
to the outer rotating tube of a core-barrel cuts a core that is returned
within the inner stationary tube of the core-barrel and brought to the
surface for examination and testing. Drill casing is normally used to
support unstable ground or to seal off open fissures which cause a loss
of drilling fluid. Alternatively, drilling mud or cement grout can be
used to seal open fissures.
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samples obtained, a n d i t s u s e m u s t be carefully considered (see Section 18.7.2).
A c r u d e adaptation of t h e r o t a r y open hole method, often termed r o t a r y wash
boring, may be particularly detrimental in t h i s r e g a r d . This method involves
advancing t h e hole b y casing alone, with t h e inside of t h e casing cleaned o u t
b y s u r g i n g a n d flushing. Water p r e s s u r e s sufficient t o flush t h e casing a r e
often high a n d may lead t o increased pore p r e s s u r e s ( o r reduced pore suctions)
in t h e s u r r o u n d i n g ground. When drilling on a slope o r behind a n old masonry
retaining wall, f o r example, t h i s may be detrimental t o stability a n d may
actually t r i g g e r rapid collapse. Also, in soils containing gravel-sized
fragments, i t is impossible t o flush out. all t h e coarse fragments, i r r e s p e c t i v e
of t h e w a t e r p r e s s u r e employed, a n d t h e y will accumulate in t h e base of t h e
hole. These fragments will affect t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e n e s s of f u r t h e r sampling
a n d t e s t i n g done in t h e borehole. I n s o f t o r loose g r o u n d , t h e flushing water
may not only c a r r y t h e c u t t i n g s u p t h r o u g h t h e casing, b u t also u p a r o u n d t h e
outside of t h e casing, t h u s c r e a t i n g a l a r g e zone of d i s t u r b e d material which
can extend f o r some distance below t h e bottom of t h e hole. A s a result,
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samples obtained from r o t a r y wash boring may be d i s t u r b e d , a t least over a
portion of t h e i r length. In marine investigations, t h e s t a n d a r d r o t a r y open
hole method should t h e r e f o r e be used i n preference t o r o t a r y wash boring (see
Section 14.7).
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of vibration. The sizes of commonly-used core-barrels, casings a n d drill r o d s
a r e shown i n Table 5.
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drill c u t t i n g s may be removed a t a lower flushing velocity a n d with less
d i s t u r b a n c e t o t h e ground. The u s e of drilling mud can also minimise t h e need
f o r casing of t h e hole, as i t helps t o stabilise t h e sides a n d bottom of t h e
hole i n caving soils. Another a d v a n t a g e of drilling mud is t h a t i t can r e d u c e
soil d i s t u r b a n c e a n d hence improve sample quality. However, drilling mud is
not recommended if permeability t e s t s are t o be c a r r i e d o u t in t h e borehole, o r
if piezometers a r e t o be installed. F u r t h e r guidance on t h e u s e of drilling mud
i s given b y Clayton et a1 (1982).
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slow-moving column of foam with t h e consistency of aerosol shaving cream
c a r r i e s t h e s u s p e n d e d c u t t i n g s t o t h e surface. Compared with water, t h e air
foam h a s a g r e a t e r ability t o maintain t h e c u t t i n g s in suspension, a n d t h e low
uphole velocity a n d low volume of water utilized s e r v e t o r e d u c e d i s t u r b a n c e
of t h e c o r e a n d s u r r o u n d i n g ground. The air foam also r e s i s t s percolation i n t o
open f i s s u r e s , a n d it stabilises t h e borehole walls. The polymer stabiliser,
however, has t h e disadvantage of coating t h e walls of t h e hole s u c h t h a t insitu
permeability t e s t i n g may not b e representative.
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18.7.3 Inclined Drilling
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a n d t h e location of centralizers placed on t h e drill rods. I n some difficult
g r o u n d conditions, s u c h as colluvium containing v e r y h a r d boulders within a
loose soil matrix, i t may b e v e r y difficult t o control t h e deviation of inclined
holes.
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ABEM Fotobor, o r t h e multi-shot version of t h e Eastman-Whipstock tool. a r e
useful f o r u n d e r t a k i n g complete borehole s u r v e y s , b u t may b e cumbersome f o r
t a k i n g r e p e a t e d deviation c h e c k s d u r i n g drilling, in which case single-shot
tools may be preferable.
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c h a r a c t e r a n d consistency of t h e materials being penetrated, a n d t h e flushing
water may d i s t u r b t h e s u r r o u n d i n g g r o u n d i n t h e same manner a s t h e r o t a r y
wash boring method discussed in Section 18.7. For t h e s e reasons, wash boring
is seldom u s e d i n Hong Kong.
There are many other methods of borhg, which have been developed
generafly to obtain maximum penetration speed, e.g. rotary percussive drilfing
for blast holes and grouthg. When such boreholes are sunk for purposes other
than ground i f fvestigation, hinited informaobn about ground conditons may be
obtained, provided that the boreholes are drfled under controlled conditons,
with measurement of rate ofpenetration, observaoon of drilling character13tics.
and sampHng of the drfling flushings fXorner & Sherrel' 19771.
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This method is not commonly u s e d in g r o u n d investigations a s no i n t a c t
samples a r e obtained, b u t it has been used in Hong Kong t o install long
horizontal drains in colluvium (Craig 81 Gray. 1985) a n d f o r drilling t h r o u g h
bouldery fill t o p r o v e t h e bedrock profile. I t may also be a useful technique
f o r t h e location of cavities i n k a r s t t e r r a i n (Horner & Sherrell, 1977).
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the borehole with a cement-based grout introduced at the lowest point by
means of a tremie p$e. Cement alone wi/l not necessarily seal a borehole, on
account o f shrinkage, and it is often preferable to use a cement-bentonite
grout, e.g. mix proportios about four to one, with no more water added than
is necessary to permit the grout to flow or to be pumped. The add~~tron o f an
expandhg agent may be necessary. It is possible to compact the backfi7l o f
excavations by means of the excavator bucket or other mechanical means. In
some cases, weak concrete may be used, e.g. to fill a small hole on a steeply
sloping face.
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89
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19.1 G E N E R A L
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close supervision of sampling i s w a r r a n t e d ( s e e Chapter 15). In choosing a
sampling method, i t should b e made clear whether mass properties o r i n t a c t
material properties a r e t o b e determined ( s e e Section 12.11). The distinction
between mass a n d material properties i s discussed f u r t h e r in Geoguide 3 ( G C O .
1988).
There are four main techniques for obtdining samples (Hvorslev, 19481.'
fa) taking disturbed samples from the dr~i'l tools or from
excavating equipment in the course of boring or
excavation (see Sectlbn 19.31,
fb1 drive samphg, in which a tube or spLit tube sampler
having a sharp cutting edge a t its lower end IS forced
into the ground either by a static thrust or by dynamic
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impact (see Sections 19.4 to 19.7),
fc1 rotary samp/ing, lh which a tube with a cutter a t its
lower end ~krotated ihto the ground, thereby p r o d u c ~ ~ g
a core s@e (see Sectlbn 19.81,
Sampfes obta~hedby techniques (b1, fc1 and fdl wifl often be suffic~entJy
intact to enable the ground structure wl'thin the s a m e to be examined. The
quamy of such samp/es can vary considerably, depending on the technique and
the ground cond~'t~ons, and most wi7f exh~Bitsome degree of d~kturbance. A
method for class~yfyingthe guafity of the sampfe given in Sechun 19.2.
Sections 1.9.3 to 19.9 describe the various sampfing techniques and give an
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conjunction with Sections 19.3 to 19.9.
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A further consideration in the selection of procedures for taking c h s s 1
sampies 13 the size of the sample. T h k is determined largely by the geological
structure o f the ground, which, for soi4 is often referred to as 'the fabric'
@owe, 19721. Where the ground contains d13continuities of random orientation,
the s a m e d z e e t e r , or width, sbould be as large as possible in relation to the
spau'ng o f d~kcontinuitibs. Alternatively, where the ground contains strongly
orientated discontinuities, e.g. in johted rock, I? may be necessary to take
samples which have been specidly orientated. For h e so& that are
homogeneous and ikotropli?, samples as sm& as 35 mm in d i e t e r may be
used. However, for general use, samples 100 nun in d ~ k t e are r preferred
since the results o f laboratory tests may then be more representative of the
mass propertlis of the ground. In special cases, samples 150 mm and 250 mm
~hdiameter are used (Rowe, 19721.
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BSI N975b; 197501 give precise details o f the mass o f so17 sample
required for each type o f test. Where the approximate number o f tests is
known, it is a simple matter to estimate the total amount o f soil that has to
be obtained. I f the programme of laboratory tests is uncertan, TabAe 7 gives
some guidance on the amount of soil that should be obtahed for each series of
tests. Where materials for mineral aggregates, sands and flters are b e h g
considered, detads of the size o f sample requked are given in BSl f1975al.
the ground. This I> particukify the case with granular soils conta'n~hgfines,
which tend to be washed out of the tool. This can be partly overcome by
plachg the whole contents o f the too/ h t o a tank and allow~hgthe fines to
settle before decanting the water.
The following classes o f samp/e can generally be tupected from the
various methods o f boring and sampling :
fa) Class 3. Disturbed samples from dry excavabons and
from dry boreboles sunk either by a clay cutter ushg
cable percussion equ~pmentor by an auger.
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b Class 4. Disturbed samples obtaned in cohesive soLJ
from excavabbns, or from boreholes sunk either by a
clay cutter using cable percusshn equ~pment,or by an
auger, in condiClbns where water is present.
fc) Class 5. Disturbed samples in granufar soil from wet
excavabons or from any borehole sunk by a shell ushg
cable percuss~bnequ~pmentor from any borehole sunk by
a method in which the dr5'l debris is flushed out of the
borehole, e.g. rotary open hole dr~yling,wash boring.
Care should be taken to ensure that the sample is representative of the
zone or layer from which it I> removed, and has not been contaminated by
other mater~as.
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19.4 OPEN- TUBE SMPLERS
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The fundamental requirement of a sampling toof I> that it should muse
a s little remoulding and d~kturbanceas possibe on behg forced into the
ground The degree of d~kturbance13 controlled by three features of the
design :the cutting shoe, the inside wall friction and the non-return valve.
12) The cutbh.q shoe. The cutting shoe should n o r d y be of a des~gn
similar to that shown in F~gure13 and 12 should embody the fohwing features
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displaced by the sampfer in proportion to the volume of
the sample (Figure 13). It should be kept a s s d as
possible consistent with the strength requirements of the
sampfe tube. The area ratro is about 30%for the general
purpose IOU mm dikmeter sampler, and about 10%for a
thin-walled samp/er. Scnne special samplers have a large
outside diameter Dr. relative to the internal diameter D,,
e.g. in order to accommodate a loose inner liner. The
sampling disturbance is reduced by using a cutting shoe
that has a long outside taper, and ik consi'derably less
than that which wouM be expected from the calculated
area ratio.
3 Wal/friction. This can be reduced by a suitable inside clearance.
and by a clean, s m t h finikh to the i'nsi.de of the tube.
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(4) Non -return valve. The non -return valve should have a large orifice
to allow a? and water to escape quickly and easily when driving the sampler,
and to assist in retention of the sampfe when removing the sampler from the
borehole.
Typi'cal designs of open-tube samplers whi'cb are used for various
purpqses are descrfbed in Sections 19.4.3 to 19.4.5.
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will n o r d y pass into the 'overdrve' space.
Below the water table, certain types of laminated soils occurring below
the bottom of the borehole or excavatjon may be dikturbed if the natural
water pressure in the lamha&ons exceeds the pressure imposed by the water
within the borehoe or excavatbn. To prevent this effect, it is necessary to
keep the level of the borehole water above the groundwater level appropriate
to the location of the s d e .
The samp/r can be driven into the ground by dynarm2 means, using a
drop weight or s M n g hannner, or by a continuous stat12 thrust, using a
hydraulic jack orpulley block and tackfe. There is litt/e published evidence to
indicate whether dynamic or static driving produces less sample disturbance,
and for most ground condioons it is probable that there ik no significant
difference. The driving effort for each sample may be recorded a s an
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tool was being withdrawn. ,",
Thin-wded samp/ers are used for soils that are partl'cularly sens~iYveto
sampling disturbance, and consist o f a th~n-waledsteel tube whose lower end
is shaped to form a cutting edge with a s d ins~ileclearance. The area rat20
is about 10%. These samp/rs are suitable only for h e s o i s up to a fim
consistency, and free from large particles. They generally give class 1 samples
in all fine cohesive s o i k ~ n c l u d ~ hsensitive
g clays, provided that the soil has
not been disturbed by sinkng the borebole. SSamps between 75 mrn and
100 mrn in diameter are normally obtaneo'; sampfes up to 250 nun in d~klmter
are often obtained for spec~klpurposes. It should be noted that d~kturbanceat
the base o f a borebole in weak soil will occur below a certain depth because
of stress relief: Piston samples penetrating we// below the base of the
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borehole are therefore preferable (see Sect2on 19.5). A typ~calthin-wa/ed
sampler illustrated in Figure 14.
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w~2hscrew sockets to form a longer sampler. Two standard b a r d , foming a
sampler about 1.0 m in length, are often used for sampflng soft clays (Scrota
& Jenn~ngs,1958), although the increased length of the sample tube may lead
to some disturbance. In soils of low cohesion, such as silt and silty h e sand,
the s&e may fall out when the tool 13 withdrawn from the g m d Sample
recovery can be ~mprovedby insert2ng a core-catcher between the cutting edge
and the sample barrel. When u s ~ h ga core-catcher, the sample qua/2y is
unlikely to be better than c h s 3.
Smaller samplers of about 50 mm or 75 mm dJ.hk?ter can be used ifuse
of the 100 mm samp/er I> precluded by the borehole s~ze. The smaller
samplers are of s1b1172r design, except that the c u t t ~ h gedge may not be
detachable.
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walled sample tube conta'n~nga close-fitthg sliding p~kton,wh12h is slightly
coned a t its lower face. The sample tube ~k fitted to the drive head, wh~bh13
connected to hollow dr17l rods. The piston is Dked to separate rods wh~bh
pass through a slid~hg~ J b i nt f fthe drive head and up inside the hollow rods.
Clamping devices, operated a t ground surface, enable the p~ktonand sample
tube to be locked together or the piston to be held statrbnary whlye the
sample tube is driven down. F~gure15 shows the bas12 deta7s of a statibnary
piston sampler. The sample d i m t e r is normally 75 nun or 100 mm, but
samplers up to 250 mm d~heteerare used for spe& so17 condithns.
Ini&ialy, the piston is locked to the lower end of the sample tube to
prevent water or slurry from entering the sampler. In soft clay, w~yhthe
piston in this pos~.tJbfl, the sampler can be pushed below the bottom of the
borehole. When the sample depth is reached, the p~ktonis held stabbnary and
the sample tube is driven down by a static thrust until the drive head
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encounters the upper face of the piston. An automatic clanp in the drive
head prevents the piston from dropping down and extruding the sample while
the sampler is withdrawn.
The samp/er is normally used ih low strength fine so17.s and gives class 1
samples in silt and clay, including sensitive clay. Its ability to take samples
below the disturbed zone and to hold them d ~ r ~ recovery
ng gl'ves an advantage
over the thin-waled sampler descr~i5edin Sectbn 19.4.3. Although normally
used J> soft clays, spec~klp~ktonsamplers have been designed for use in stryf
c/aus (Rowe, 1972).
19.6.1 General
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Continuous soil sampling can produce samples up to 30 m in length ~h
soils such as recent fine alluvial deposits. This ~k of partlbular value for
~'denttfyingthe so17 '/abr~b'&'owe, 1972) and gives results s u p a r k to those
which can be obtained by consecutive drive sampling. The Swedish system
/Xjeffman et al, 1950) takes samples 68 mm in diameter us~hgsteel fo~7s to
eliminate l'ns~kkfdction between the sample and the tube w d The Delft
system, wbicb uses fighter equ~bmentand offers two sizes of sample, 1%
descrl'bed more fully in Sectrbn 19.6.2.
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penetration of 18 m, but i'n suitable ground with a modified magazine and
increased thrust, samples up to 30 m i'n length can be obta'ned The 29 mm
sampler i s of s1k7ar design and requires less thrust to effect penetration.
Class 2 to class 3 samples can be obtained with these samp/ers.
The samples are cut into I m lengths and placed ~ ' purpose-made
n cases,
samples taken with a 66 mm sampler being reta'ned i n the plastic tubes. The
66 mm samples are suitable for a range of laboratory tests. The 29 mm
samples are used for visual ex&natron and the determinatron of bulk density
and index propertres. After specimens have been removed for testr'ng, the
samples are split and are then descr~'bedand photographed i n a semi-dried
state when the soil fabric can be more readily identrued For 29 mm samples,
only one half of the split materikl i s used for testr'ng, thus preserving a
continuous record of the ground
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19.7 SAND SAMPLERS
The recovery of tube samples of sand from below the water table
presents special problems because the sample tends to f a / / out of the samp/e
tube. A compressed air sampler (Elkhop, 19481 enables the sample to be
removed from the ground into an air chamber and then lifted to the surface
without contact with the water i n the borehole. The sampler i s general/y
constructed to take s-es 60 mm i n d ~ h t e r . If the sampler I> driven by
dynam~cmeans, the change in volume of the sand caused by the dri-w'ng gives
a sample quality not better than class 3. However, if static thrust i s used,
generally &ass 2 and sometrines class I samples can be recovered An
alternative design (&rota B Jennings, I9581 introduces a bubble of a>at the
base of the sampler before it i s withdrawn fm the ground
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19.8 R O T A R Y CORE SAMPLES
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( b ) Triple-tube core-barrels, containing detachable liners
within t h e inner barrel t h a t protect t h e core from
drilling fluid and damage during extrusion, a r e suitable
for use in fresh t o moderately decomposed rock and some
of t h e stronger highly decomposed materials. They a r e
particularly useful in coring highly fractured and jointed
rock a s t h e split liners facilitate the retention of core
with the joint system relatively undisturbed. An example
of a non-retractable triple-tube core-barrel (with split
liners) is shown i n Figure 17 (see also Plate 4E).
When coring soils derived from insitu rock weathering.
triple-tube core-barrels fitted with a retractable shoe a r e
normally used (Table 5). The cutting shoe and connected
inner barrel projects ahead of t h e bit when drilling in
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soft material and retracts when t h e drilling pressure
increases in harder materials. This greatly reduces t h e
possibility of drilling fluid coming into contact with t h e
core a t o r j u s t above t h e point of cutting. These
cutting shoes can be added to t h e same triple-tube core-
barrel used for coring fresh t o moderately decomposed
rock. Alternatively, and f a r more commonly in Hong
Kong, a Mazier core-barrel (Figure 18 and Plate 4F) is
used. However, i t should be noted t h a t t h e Mazier has a
tungsten carbide tipped cutting shoe and is therefore not
suitable for coring fresh to moderately decomposed rock.
When rock o r corestones a r e encountered, a core-barrel
with a diamond-impregnated drill bit has t o be used t o
advance t h e hole (e.g. t h e double-tube Craelius T2-101
barrel a s shown in Figure 16). The Mazier core-barrel
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has an inner plastic liner which protects the sample
during transportation to t h e laboratory. The 74 mm
diameter core obtained with t h e Mazier is compatible
with t h e commonly -used laboratory triaxial testing
apparatus.
High quality (class 1) core samples of soils derived from insitu rock
weathering and colluvium can be obtained using t h e large diameter triple-tube
core-barrels i n conjunction with air foam a s t h e flushing medium (see
Section 18.7.2). Samples of class 1 to class 2 can also be obtained using t h e
Mazier sampler in conjunction with air foam o r water a s t h e flushing medium.
Another type of triple-tube barrel is t h e wireline core-barrel. This non-
retractable barrel incorporates a line mechanism for withdrawing t h e inner
barrel up through t h e drill rods without withdrawing t h e outer barrel o r rods
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Block samples are c u t b y hand from material exposed i n trial pits a n d
excavations. They are normally taken i n fill, soils derived from insitu rock
weathering a n d colluvium in o r d e r to obtain samples with t h e l e a s t possible
disturbance. The p r o c e d u r e is also used t o obtain specially orientated samples,
e.g. t o measure t h e s h e a r s t r e n g t h on specific discontinuities. The location
a n d orientation of a block sample should always b e r e c o r d e d before t h e sample
is s e p a r a t e d from t h e ground. Block samples should b e t a k e n a n d handled a s
described in Section 19.10.6. More detailed recommendations f o r block
sampling are given i n USER (1974).
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should be treated with great care. The usefulness of the results of the
laboratory tests depends on the qu&y of the samples at the tibe they are
tested It is therefore hportant to e s t a b m a satikfactory procedure for
handling and l a b e f i g the samples, and also for their storage and transport so
that they do not deteriorate, and can readily be identi3ed and drawn from the
sample store when required.
The s&es should be protected from excessive heat and temperature
variatrbn, which may lead to deter~oration in the seahng of the sample
containers and subsequent damage to the samples. The temperature of the
sample store will be M u e n c e d by the c h a t e , but I? 13 recommended that the
samples should be stored at the lowest temperature practikable wwithn the
range Z•‹C to IS•‹C The d d y temperature variatrbn within the store should
not exceed ZO•‹C.
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19.10.2 Labelling
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(f) brief description of the sample.
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should be placed in a non-corrodible and durable contaher of at least 0.5 kg
capacity. wh~ehthe sample should /il/ witb the minimum of air space. The
contaher should have an airtight cover or seal so that the natural moisture
content of the sample can 62, maintained uno7 tested in the laboratory. For
rock samples, an alternative procedure is to coat the sample lh a layer of
paraffin wax. A microcrystalline wax is preferred because it is less Mely to
shrink or crack. Large disturbed s-es that are requked for certah
laboratory tests may be packed in robust containers or p h t k sacks.
Tbe sample containers should be numbered and the tear-off slip or a
label as described in Secton l9.lO.Z should be placed ~h the contaner
hmediately under the cover. An ia'enbkal label should also be securely Iixed
to the outskie of the contaher under a waterproof seal /war or plastksI. The
containers should be carefully crated to prevent damage during transit. During
the intervals wMe the samples are on site or in transit to the sample store,
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they should be protected from excessive heat.
For hand samples of rock, the reference number shauld be recorded by
panting d~iectryon the surface of the samp/e or by attaching a label
Samples should then be wrapped in several thkkness of paper and packed in a
wooden box. It is advisable to include in the wrapping a label of the type
described in Section l9.lO.Z.
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wax should be as cool a s possible. It is essenhal that
the sides of the tube be clean and free from adhering
soil. I f the sample is very porous, a layer of waxed
paper or alumhum foil should be placed over the end of
the sample before a p p / y i g the wax.
Any remaning space between the end of the tube or
h e r and the wax should be tightly packed with a
material that IS less compressible than the sample and
not capable of extracting water from it. and a close-
fitthg lid or screw-cap should then be placed on each
end of the tube or liner. The lids should IT necessary,
be hem in positon with adhesive tape.
(6) Sampls that are not retahed IR a tube should be wholly
covered with several layers of &ten paraffin wax,
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preferam m~'crocryst//inewax, hnmed~ktelyafter be~hg
removed from the samp/ng tooL and then should be
t&bt& packed with suitable mater%alh t o a metal or
plastic conta'ner. The lid of the container should be
held h position with adhesive tape. If the sample is
very porous, it may be necessary to cover it with waxea'
paper or alummi/m foil before applying the &ten wax.
A label bearing the number of the sample should be placed inside the
container just under the lid. The label should be placed a t the top of the
s.wr.de. In addWon, the number of the sample should be panted on the
outside of the contaner, and the top or bottom of the sample should be
lhdl'cated. The liners or contaners should be packed in a way that wiyl
minlinize damage by vibration and shock dur~hgtrans12.
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For soft marine soil samples, the tube or liner should be held vertically.
keeping t h e sample in the same direction a s it left the ground, and extreme
care should be taken during all stages of handling and transportation.
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type, preferably mechanically activated, since water-pressure type extruders
can lead to water contact with the core, and to damage by impulsive stressing
of the core. It should be noted that in weak, weathered or fractured rocks,
extrusion can lead to core d~kturbance,however carefully it is done. The use
of a low-friction transparent plastjc finer in the inne/ tube of a modified
conventional double-tube sw~'vefcore-barrel overcomes the majority of the
problems encountered in core extrusion, and fau7itates preservaoon of the core
in the conditrbn in which it is recovered. The general practice is to tape the
outside of the sleeved core every 200 mm, and lengthwise along the overlap in
the plastic sheet, and then, with the aid of plastic guttering for extra support,
the core can be boxed without too much disturbance to the fabr~k. However,
the presence of abrasive and frmtured m k s may preclude the use of such
hers.
The difficulz2es of extrus~onand preservat~oncan be overcome by the
use of tr~plee-tube core-barrels with low-friction h e r s (see Section 19.8). Split
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hher tubes are an ideal method of examiining the recovered core w~xhout
further damage after the dr~ylingprocess. On the other hand, seamless metal
m e r s and plastik h e r s are partkularly useful where core is to be removed
from site for logging or where confined, undisturbed samples are required for
sample preservation and subsequent laboratory testhg.
It is usual to preserve a/l core obta'ned from the borebole for the
period of the main works contract to wh~khthe core dr17ling relates. This is
con venientfy achieved with wooden or plastic core boxes, u s u d y between I m
and 1.5m ~ ' length
n and divided long12ud~hallyto hold a number of rows of
core. The box shoufd be of such depth and the compartments of such ~ ~ 7 t h
that there is mini& movement of the cores when the box J> closed
fCeological Society, 1970). The box should be fitted with a h~k-ged/id and
strong fastener, and should be designed so a s not to be too heavy for two
persons to lift when the box ~k full of core.
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In remowng the core from the barrel and plac~hg12 in the bau, great
care should be taken to ensure that the core is not turned end for end, but
lies i'n its correct natural sequence. Depths below ground surface should be
indicated by an indelible marker on sma// spacers of core d~.ametersize that
are inserted in the core box between cores from successive runs. W e r e there
is fayure to recover core, or where specimens of recovered core are removed
from the box for other purposes, t h ~ kshould be indicated b y spacing-blocks of
appropriate length. Both the /id and the box should be marked to show the
site location, borehole number and range of depth of the core with~hthe box,
addi~onto the number of the box in refatJon to the total sequence of
boxes for that borehole. Core box mark~hgshould be done so as to facilitate
subsequent photography which, ~Yrequired, should be carried out a s soon a s 13
practicable after recovery of the core, and before descr~;O~on, sampling and
testJhg.
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should t h e n b e slid down o v e r t h e sample (Plate 5B). The t o p of t h e sample
should b e trimmed flat, marked with location a n d orientation, coated as
described above, a n d t h e t o p lid attached t o t h e box. e n s u r i n g a close fit.
The sample may t h e n b e c u t d o n g i t s base, a n d t u r n e d o v e r slowly a n d
carefully f o r trimming a n d coating of t h e bottom p r i o r t o attachment of t h e
bottom lid. A s t r o n g , rigid, close-fitting box is r e q u i r e d t o minimize sample
d i s t u r b a n c e d u r i n g t r a n s p o r t a n d t o p r e v e n t discontinuities from opening.
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103
20, GROUNDWATER
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20.1 GENERAL
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drainage works, it IS nerdy desirable to determine the contours o f the water
table or piezometric surface to ascertah the direction o f the natural drainage,
the seasonal variation and the influence o f other hydrological factors.
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Slope failures in Hong Kong a r e normally t r i g g e r e d by rainstorms. The
r e s p o n s e of t h e groundwater regime t o rainfall v a r i e s widely from s i t e to site.
r a n g i n g from virtually no r e s p o n s e t o a l a r g e immediate response. The
measurement of t r a n s i e n t r e s p o n s e is t h e r e f o r e v e r y important ( s e e
Section 20.2.8). I n o r d e r t o provide design data, g r o u n d w a t e r monitoring
should extend o v e r at least o n e wet season; t h i s wet season should ideally
contain a storm t h a t has a r e t u r n period of g r e a t e r t h a n t e n years. For s i t e
formation works which involve s u b s t a n t i a l modifications t o t h e hydrogeological
characteristics of t h e site. t h e period of monitoring may need t o b e extended
t o beyond t h e e n d of t h e s i t e formation works. Ground conditions in Hong
Kong may produce perched o r multiple water tables which must also b e
considered when installing a n d monitoring piezometers (Anderson et al, 1983).
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Borehole permeability tests are described l h Section 21.4, packer, or
Lugeon, tests are described in Secoon 21.5 and large-scde pumping tests are
d e d b e d f h Chapter 25.
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the groundwater pressure may be read Tbe rate a t which water flows through
the soil depends on the permeabifity. The &he required for a measuring
device to indicate the true groundwater pressure is known as the response
time and depends on the quantity of water required to operate the device
f 'volume factor% the 'shape factor' of the piezometer (Brand & Premchitt.
19801, the permeabiiWy of the porous element, and the permeability of the
ground The selection of a suitable method for measuring the groundwater
pressure will largely be determined b y the response time (Penman, 1986).
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should b e made at r e g u l a r time intervals until i t i s established t h a t t h e water
level h a s reached equilibrium. The r e a d i n g s will be misleading if rain o r
s u r f a c e w a t e r is allowed t o e n t e r t h e open hole. Readings taken in a borehole
s h o r t l y a f t e r completion of drilling should be t r e a t e d with caution, a s i t i s
unlikely t h a t equilibrium will have been re-established.
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The standpipe piezometer, p e r h a p s b e t t e r termed t h e open-hydraulic
piezometer, consists of a t u b e with a porous filter element on t h e e n d t h a t
can be sealed into t h e g r o u n d a t t h e a p p r o p r i a t e level (Figure 19). Two t y p e s
of filter elements, viz t h e high a i r e n t r y filter a n d t h e low a i r e n t r y filter,
a r e generally used. Depending on t h e size a n d uniformity of t h e pores, t h e
filter c a n sustain a p r e s s u r e difference between a i r a n d w a t e r on i t s s u r f a c e
d u e t o t h e effect of s u r f a c e tension. The maximum p r e s s u r e difference t h a t
can be sustained is known as t h e a i r e n t r y value of t h e filter. The smaller
t h e size of t h e pores. t h e h i g h e r will be t h e filter's a i r e n t r y value, b u t t h e
lower will b e t h e filter's permeability. and t h i s can give r i s e t o a long
r e s p o n s e time. A high air e n t r y f i l t e r can be u s e d t o measure matric soil
suction, a s a i r can be k e p t o u t of t h e measuring fluid system, which is t h e n
allowed t o come i n t o equilibrium with t h e s u r r o u n d i n g negative pore water
p r e s s u r e ( s e e Section 20.2.9). The filter cannot, however, p r e v e n t t h e e n t r y of
a i r by diffusion, hence t h e need t o flush air bubbles o u t of t h e measuring
system from time t o time. A low air e n t r y filter has l a r g e pores a n d t h e r e f o r e
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does not impede t h e passage of air. Low a i r e n t r y filters a r e t h e r e f o r e not
suitable f o r measuring pore water p r e s s u r e s in u n s a t u r a t e d ground.
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water level with a dipmeter ( s e e Section 20.2.8) o r similar device, although t h e
water level can be read remotely using a n air-bubbling system (see
Section 20.2.8). The piezometer t o p should be well protected, b u t i t must
remain v e n t e d t o t h e atmosphere.
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Various t y p e s of hydraulic piezometers are available, t h e most common
being t h e t w i n - t u b e t y p e s shown in Figure 20. In t h e s e piezometers, t h e t i p i s
connected t o t h e measuring point b y two tubes. s o t h a t water c a n b e
circulated t o flush o u t a n y air bubbles. This should be done in s u c h a way
t h a t t h e p r e s s u r e i n t h e t i p is left approximately at working p r e s s u r e .
I n o r d e r t o avoid cavitation, t h e measuring point a n d connecting t u b e s
should not b e more t h a n 7 m above t h e piezometric level being measured
(Penman, 1978). Hydraulic piezometers a r e not self de-airing a n d r e g u l a r
maintenance i s r e q u i r e d f o r satisfactory performance. The hydraulic leads
facilitate remote reading, a n d t h e measuring point can b e s e p a r a t e d laterally
from t h e piezometer t i p b y fairly long distances.
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superhposed loads or excavathns. It can a130 be used for ihsitu
measurements of permeab~jrity. In zones of high permeability, care should be
taken to see that the /im&hg permeability o f the porous tip is considered
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that check cahbrattons should be carried out at groundwater temperature.
Moreover. it is not always easy to check that the instrument I> behaving
reliably. De-aihhg is not possible after installatrbn, and mislead~ngresults can
be obtahed. parb'cularly ~h unsaturated so17s or so17s contahing gas, e.g.
methane in organ2 soils. The electrical p~ezometercannot be used for ihsitu
permeabiZty measurements /Penman, 1960).
Electrical piezometers h a v e not been widely used in Hong Kong.
valve operates, thereby holding constant the pressure eithor ih the return line
or in the supply h e . The operation o f the valve requkes a s d volume
change in the porous element, and in impermeable clays this can lead to
difficulbes. Also, dirt enter~hgthe lines can prevent valve operation. The
pneumatic piezmneter is cheap and easy to instd and has a rapid response. It
cannot be used for insitu permeabZty measurements /Marsfand. 19731.
Pneumatri: piezometers have the same lim12atrons as electrical p~kzometersih
that they cannot be checked and the porous tips cannot be de-aied after
instaffation.
The use of pneumatic piezometers in Hong Kong is described by Handfelt
et al (1987).
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20.2.7 Installation of Piezometers
The success of pore water pressure measurement depends upon the care
taken during instdation and seahhg of the p~ezometeror standp~pe. The
porous element should be fully saturated and filled with de-aired water before
installaation.
In soft ground, the porous element can often be pushed or driven ihto
position. It is, howe ver. necessary to a void clogg~hgthe porous element if12
is pushed thmugh soft clays. This can be ach~evedby u s ~ n ga drive-
p~ezometer wh~'chhas a removable sleeve that covers the element during
driving Parry, 19717 In day. a pushed or driven piezometer shears and
remoulds the chy, destroys the fabric in the clay adjacent to the porous
element, and can lead to erroneous measurements o f insitu permeab12ty. It
should also be noted that the actfbn o f push~hgor driving may set up high
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excess pore-pressures, wh~khin s o i s o f low permeability may take a long t h e
to diss~pate. In harder ground, the instrument J> installed in a borehole with
the porous element surrounded by weLl-graded sand. Above the sand, the
borehole should be sealed off: preferably with grout.
The typical method of installation of a piezometer in a borehole is
illustrated in Figure 21. The tip should be placed within a sand pocket in t h e
specific zone for which pore pressures a r e to be measured, referred t o a s t h e
response zone. The length of t h e response zone should be a t least four hole
diameters, preferably not less than 400 mm. Washed sand with particle sizes
in t h e range 0.2 mm t o 1.2 mm is recommended for t h e response zone in most
soils derived from insitu rock weathering. For coarse transported soils (e.g.
alluvial and marine sands and gravels), filters should be specifically designed to
match t h e surrounding material (GCO. 1984).
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Bentonite should be used to provide a seal above t h e sand pocket, and if
t h e piezometer has not been installed near t h e base of t h e borehole. a
bentonite seal should also be placed beneath t h e sand pocket. The length of
bentonite seals is typically 0.5 m, although longer seals may be preferable.
especially on t h e upper side of t h e piezometer. Bentonite balls approximately
25 mm in diameter, formed from powdered bentonite and water. may be used to
form t h e seals. An alternative is to use compressed bentonite pellets. in which
case sufficient time should be allowed for t h e swelling action of t h e pellets t o
occur before grout is placed on top of t h e seal.
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Poor sealing of t h e piezometer will permit t h e migration of water from
one level to another, and may r e n d e r t h e readings meaningless. The
installation of more than one piezometer in a single borehole is not generally
recommended. If two piezometers a r e placed in a single hole, great care must
be taken to achieve proper seals.
A well-drained, lockable surface box should be provided for every
piezometer installation (Figure 21).
After installation, a response t e s t should be conducted on each
piezometer where possible. t o check t h e adequacy of t h e installation. The
response t e s t may be of t h e falling head type, with t h e results presented on
falling head permeability t e s t result sheets. Unexpected results in a response
t e s t may indicate t h a t t h e piezometer is defective. Similar response tests
carried out a t intervals during t h e life of t h e piezometer a r e also recommended
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t o e n s u r e t h a t readings remain valid. In soft cohesive soils, care should be
exercised t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e head used in response t e s t s does not cause
hydraulic fracture in t h e soil.
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complete a circuit. In some instances t h e dipmeter may fail to function until
t h e conductivity of t h e water has been increased, for example by t h e addition
of a few crystals of common salt (sodium chloride).
Groundwater levels o r pressures should be recorded and plotted
systematically. A typical record sheet is shown in Figure 22, where t h e
readings have been plotted on a time base for ease of interpretation, together
with corresponding rainfall data.
The observation of peak groundwater response i n open-hydraulic
piezometers o r standpipes can be measured using a string of piezometer
'buckets' (Figure 23 and Plate 6 8 ) . The buckets a r e filled progressively a s
water rises in t h e piezometer and will retain their water even if t h e
piezometric pressure subsequently falls. By using a series of closely-spaced
piezometer buckets, t h e peak transient response during o r a f t e r a rainstorm
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piezometer tip with a small air flow sufficient to produce several bubbles per
minute. The air pressure required t o release bubbles can be equated to t h e
water pressure produced by t h e height of water in t h e standpipe.
An electronic pressure transducer and "Scanivalve" have been used for
automatic recording of a number of piezometers (Pope e t al. 1982).
Functioning of t h e system may be controlled by a microprocessor, allowing
variation in t h e number of piezometers read. t h e dwell time on each
piezometer, and t h e interval time between readings.
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high air e n t r y pressure ceramic tip allows equilibrium to be achieved between
soil moisture and a confined reservoir of water within t h e tensiometer. A
vacuum gauge is located a t t h e top of t h e tensiometer. A t suctions greater
than -80 kPa, water inside t h e tensiometer cavitates and is lost through t h e
ceramic tip. An example of a tensiometer is shown in Plate 6C.
The pressure exerted by t h e column of water within t h e tensiometer
must also be considered; for example. if t h e tip were located 1.5 m vertically
beneath t h e gauge, t h e maximum soil suction t h a t could be measured would be
reduced t o -65 kPa. When suction measurements a r e required a t greater
depths, a caisson may be excavated and tensiometers installed through t h e
sides of t h e caisson (Sweeney, 1982). The reliability of a tensiometer depends
on a good contact between t h e soil and t h e ceramic tip, and a good seal
between t h e tensiometer tube and t h e soil.
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For measurement of soil suctions beyond t h e range of tensiometers.
psychrometers may be used (Richards. 1971). although their accuracy is
doubtful. The measurement of soil suction in Hong Kong slopes has been
reviewed by Anderson (1984).
baling, and the s a m e taken fmwater which collects by seepage. About one
litre should be coL4ected in a clean glass or hert plastic bottle, rinshg the
bottle three Limes with the water being sampled before filling. More stringent
requirements may apply ih certain cases, e.g. use of sterilized containers /see
Chapter 131. Even when precauttons are taken, water samples from boreholes
may be unrepresentative. Better resuks can be obtahed IT samples can be
taken from a standpipe p~ezometersealed withh the relevant zone. Water
samp/es may deterforate rapl-dly and should therefore be tested as soon a s
poss~Bleafter sampling.
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111
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21.1 GENERAL
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The s t a n d a r d penetration t e s t is a f r e q u e n t l y u s e d dynamic penetration
t e s t a n d is described i n Test 19 of BSI (1975b). A small d i s t u r b e d soil sample
(quality class 3 ) is normally obtained when t h e s p l i t b a r r e l sampler i s u s e d
(Figure 25 a n d Plate 7A). The test r e s u l t s have been related empirically t o
soil parameters a n d foundation conditions, especially i n s a n d s a n d gravels.
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( b ) The weight of t h e hammer in t h e d r i v e assembly should
be 63.5 kg.
It is necessary to clean out the bottom of the borehole. When the test
is carried out below the groundwater level. certain types of soil may be
loosened below the base of the borehole by the acaon of the boring tools and
b y pressure d~Yferencesbetween the groundwater and water ih the borehole.
This effect can be paro'cularfy severe in sands. The effect can be reduced b y
keeping the borehole topped up with water and b y very careful operaoon of
the boring tools but often these exped~entswill not be completely successfuL
The drill casing should not be advanced ahead of t h e borehole w h e r e a
standard penetration test is to be performed.
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21.2.3 Advantages and Limitations
The great merit of the test, and the main reason for its widespread use,
is that it is simple and inexpensive. The soil strength parameters which can
be inferred are very approminate, but give a useful guide in ground conditlbns
where it may not be possible to obtain borehole sampZes of adequate quality,
e.g, gra vels, sands, silts, c h y containing sand or gra vel and weak rock. In
conditlbns where the quality of the 'undisturbed' samp/e is suspect, e.g. very
sJty or very sandy clays, or hard clays, it is often advantageous to alternate
the samp/ng with standard penetration tests, thereby obtahing a check on the
strength. I f the samples are found to be unacceptably disturbed, it may be
necessary to use a different method for measuring strength, e.g, the plate test
described in Sections 21.6 and 29. I.
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When the test is carried out in granular sods below groundwater level,
the so17 may become loosened, even when the test is carried out i n strict
accordance with BSI (19756) and the borehole has been properly prepared. In
certain circumstances, it can be u s e m to contihue driving the sampler beyond
the distance specified, adding further dry1 rods as necessary. Although this is
not a standard penetration test, and should not be regarded as such, it may, a t
least, give an indication as to whether the deposit is really as loose as the
standard test may indicate. When there is good reason to believe that
unrealstically low vahes are being recorded, considerafion should be glSvento
the use of some other test which can be performed independently of a
borehole, e,g. the cone penetration test described in Section 23.3.
When the test is carried out in soils derived from insitu rock
weathering in Hong Kong, it is commonly extended to high blow counts,
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sometimes in excess of 200. However, it is recommended that the test
should be discontinued when the blow count reaches 100 or if the hammer
bounces and insignificant penetration is achieved, as is frequently the
case when corestones are encountered. If the test is curtailed due to
hard driving, the number of blows used to achieve the actual penetration
should be measured and recorded (e.g. Blow/Penetration = 100/80 mm), and
this may be used to estimate the blow counts for 300 mm penetration.
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between N value a n d foundation design parameters. relative density a n d s h e a r
s t r e n g t h may not be valid. Corestones, f o r example, can b e responsible f o r
misleadingly high values t h a t a r e u n r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e mass. In view of
this, t h e test should only be used to give a r o u g h indication of relative
s t r e n g t h in t h e s e soils, o r t o develop site-specific correlations.
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be extended t o measure t h e remoulded s t r e n g t h of t h e soil. This is done b y
t u r n i n g t h e v a n e t h r o u g h t e n complete rotations. A pause of not more t h a n
o n e minute is permitted to elapse a n d t h e v a n e test is t h e n repeated in t h e
normal way. The d e g r e e of d i s t u r b a n c e caused b y rotating t h e vane differs
from t h a t obtained b y remoulding a sample of clay in t h e laboratory, a n d t h e
numerical value of t h e sensitivity of t h e clay determined b y t h e s e procedures
is not s t r i c t l y comparable with t h e r e s u l t s obtained from laboratory triaxial
tests.
The test is normally r e s t r i c t e d t o fairly uniform, cohesive, fully-
s a t u r a t e d soils, a n d is used mainly f o r clay having a n undrained s h e a r s t r e n g t h
of u p to a b o u t 75 kPa. The r e s u l t s are questionable i n s t r o n g e r clays, or if
t h e soil t e n d s to dilate on s h e a r i n g o r is fissured.
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et al. 1984; Handfelt et al. 1987). However. some s t r a t a a r e s a n d y o r contain
shells, in which case v a n e s h e a r r e s u l t s should b e i n t e r p r e t e d with caution.
Marine muds are generally v e r y soft, a n d it is often necessary t o provide a
s e p a r a t e s u p p o r t frame on t o p of t h e seabed t o c a r r y o u t t h e v a n e test (see
Section 14.7).
The mah advantage 13 that the test itself causes /ittle d~kturbanceof
the ground. Th13 I> partz'culzly apparent ~ isensitive
) clays, where the vane
test tends to give higher shear strengths than those derived from laboratory
tests on samples obtahed with the genera/ purpose sampler described i n
Section 19.4.4. I n these condihns, the vane test results are g e d l y
considered to be much more reliable. If the test 13 carried out i n so2 that i s
not uniform and contains even thin layers of laminatrbns of sand or dense s17t,
the torque may be misleadingly high. The presence of rootlets i n organic
so17s, and also of coarse parOWes, may lead to erroneous results.
With t h e penetration v a n e t e s t a p p a r a t u s ( v a n e b o r e r ) described in Test
18 of BSI (1975b3. t h e vane a n d a protective casing (Plate 8) a r e forced into
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t h e g r o u n d by jacking. A t t h e r e q u i r e d d e p t h , t h e v a n e is advanced a s h o r t
distance ahead of t h e protective casing. t h e test is conducted, a n d t h e casing
a n d v a n e a r e then s u b s e q u e n t l y advanced to t h e next required depth.
However, with t h i s t y p e of test i t is not always possible t o penetrate t o t h e
desired l a y e r without t h e assistance of pre-boring.
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The determination o f insitu permeability b y tests f h boreholes i n volves
the application o f an hydraulic pressure i n the borehole different from that ~ i ,
the ground, and the measurement o f the flow due to this difference, The
pressure i n the borehole may be increased b y introducing water into it, whfcb
i s commonly. c d e d a falfing-head or inflow test, or it may be decreased b y
pumping water out of it i n a rising-head or outflow test. The pressure may be
held constant durfng a test fa constant-head test) o r it may be Mowed t o
equahe to i t s origfhal value fa variable-head test). The techn~*ue i s strictly
applicable only to the measurement o f permeability o f soi/s below groundwater
level, although an approximate assessment may be made above t h ~ slevel
(Schmid, 19661. However, t h ~ sapproxhate value wfYl r e f i c t the fnfi7traatrbn
capacity o f the subsurface materia/ rather than i t s permeabfPty fsee dm
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Section 24.3). A great varfety o f tests are included under this heading,
varying from the very crude, where simple problems can be solved b y s h p l e
means, t o the sophisticated when the nature o f the problem demands more
refined data.
cause m~sleadingresults and the problem has been overcome b y the use o f
f i b r e rhgs.
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filter are gi'ven ih Sectron 20.27. In order to avoid errors in flow
measurement due to compression and solution o f trapped air in the leads,
ceramic piezometer tips should be saturated with de-aked water before
installath
Permeability tests can be carried out at various depths in the borehole
as drilling progresses. Figure 27 shows a suitable test arrangement.
Before a permeabi/ity test is conducted, it IS essentral to determhe the
level of the natural groundwater table by one o f the methods described in
Chapter 20.
Measurements of water level taken soon after cessation of drilling
usually do not represent equilibrium values, and a series of measurements may
be necessary. If a piezometer is finally installed in the borehole. the
piezometric data obtained from monitoring may provide a check on the
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measurements taken at the time of the test.
The period required for constant-head tests is decreased and the inter-
pretation simplfied ifshort lengths of borehole are used for the test. Pore
pressures should be in equilibrium before the test is performed, and with clays
of low permeability it can take several months for the pore pressures set up
by the drilling of the borehole to equa/lie. For soih derived from ihsii'u rock
weathenhg and co//uvium, equalizatton typicdy occurs very much faster.
The fist operatlbn is either to fi// the piezometer tube with water
(falling-head tesN or to force the water level down by a fbot-pump or bikycle
pump (rising-head test). The head in the borehole IS then d o w e d to equalize
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with that in the ground, the actual head being measured at ihtervals of trine
from the commencement of the test. The depth o f the borehole should be
checked to determihe whether any sediinent has come out o f suspension or
whether the bottom of the borebole has heaved during the test period
a iWter materied, two standpipes should be installed, one to supply the water
and the other to measure the head in the Mter materihl surrounding the
piezometer tip. The rate of flow of water IS adjusted unt2 a constant head is
achieved and, in the s i r n e s t form of test, flow IS allowed to contrhue unM a
steady rate of flow IS achieved. In some ground, this may take a long period
of time, and, in such cases the method suggested by Gibson N963) may be
used, in whikh the actual rate of flow is measured and recorded at intervah
from the commencement of the test.
21.4.5 Analysis of Results
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these tests, many of them part/y empiricaL Those given by Hvorsfev (19511,
which are reproduced h outhne in Section 21.4.6. are much used and cover a
large number of conditons. They are based on the assumption that the effect
of so17 compressib~jrity1s negligible. The method given in Gibson N963) for the
constant-head test is afso indicated This gives a more accurate result with
compressiible soils.
I t m u s t be emphasized t h a t t h e formulae given i n Section 21.4.6 a r e
s t e a d y - s t a t e equations suitable f o r calculation of permeability when t h e test is
c a r r i e d o u t below t h e water table. In Hong Kong, it is often necessary t o
measure permeability above t h e water table. In t h i s case, t h e s t e a d y - s t a t e
equations c a n only be used if t h e time o v e r which t h e test is conducted
becomes v e r y long. Under t h e s e circumstances, permeability should be a s s e s s e d
using t h e constant-head test i n t e r p r e t e d according t o Method 2 in
Section 21.4.6(2), with H, measured from t h e c e n t r e of t h e r e s p o n s e zone in
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t h e test.
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A . . . . .
k =
F(t2 z-fceneral approach)
- t') loge I31
where k I> the permeability o f soil,
q I> the rate of flow
F is the />take factor (Figures 28 and 291,
H, is the constant head,
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natural groundwater varies, see Hvordev f19511.
(21 Method Z. (Constant-head Test, after Gibson, 19631.
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graph at f/[t = 01,
F is the intake factor (Figures 28 and 29A
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the test.
fbl The method makes dowance for the compressibility of
the soil and also permits the coefficient of consoldahon
or swe//ing to be calculated
fc1 The //,w q, has, in theory, a linear relationsh& with
1 In prachke, it may take same hours for the plot
.
to came on a straight h e . The line can then be
extrapolated to give q, and n, where the test would
otherwise take too long.
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compressibility, a n d t h e possibility of hydraulic f r a c t u r e arising from t h e
relatively l a r g e head r e q u i r e d f o r a falling-head o r constant-head t e s t .
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permeabifity that can be measured reliably is determined by the watertightness
o f the casing jbints and by the success achieved in seaihg the casing into the
ground In so2 the refiable lower h i t I> about lo-* m/s. In lower
permeab17ity soils and unweathered rock, it is a d v k b l e to carry out the test
using a standpipe or piezometer which is s e a M within the test length using
grout. In ground o f low permeabifity, the flow rate may be very small. and
measurements may be subject to error owing to changes in temperature o f the
measurihg apparatus.
The permeability of a compressible soil is influenced b y t h e effective
stress at which i t is measured, a n d t h e r e may be significant differences
between t h e r e s u l t s of inflow t e s t s . in which effective stress is reduced, a n d
t h e r e s u l t s of outflow t e s t s , in which i t is increased. The test t o b e used
should model t h e field conditions a s closely a s possible, e.g. w h e r e t h e
conditions indicate increasing effective s t r e s s , s u c h a s in embankment
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construction, a rising-head t e s t should be used; f o r t h e case of decreasing
effective s t r e s s , s u c h a s when a s s e s s i n g t h e quantity of inflow into a n
excavation, a falling-head t e s t would b e appropriate. The permeability of soil
a r o u n d t h e borehole may also be influenced b y c h a n g e s in i t s stress history
owing t o installation of t h e borehole a n d a n y previous permeability t e s t s
performed on it.
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reliable result 13 required, the programme of borehole permeability tests is
generally followed by a full-scale pumping test (see Chapter 251.
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the borehole in the single packer test. The test is used to assess the amount
of grout that the rock will accept, to check the effectiveness of grouting, to
obtain a measure of the amount of fracturing of the rock (Snow, 19681, or to
give an approxhate value of the permeability of the rock mass adjacent to the
borehole.
The results of the test are usua/y expressed in terms of Lugeon units.
A rock is said to have a permeabifity of I Lugeon i/;under a head above
groundwater level of I00 m, a I m length of borebole accepts I /ire of water
per mhute. Lugeon did not specify the dXmeter of the borehole, which 13
usually assumed to be 76 mm fN size), but the test I> not very sensitive to
change in borehole dimeter unless the length of borehole under test is small
When t h e p a c k e r test is c a r r i e d o u t at shallow depths. a s is f r e q u e n t l y
t h e case in Hong Kong, t h e applied w a t e r p r e s s u r e must b e limited t o a value
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t h a t will not c a u s e hydraulic f r a c t u r i n g of t h e g r o u n d (see Section 21.5.3).
This often leads to t h e test being conducted a t p r e s s u r e s of 50 t o 500 kPa.
a n d extrapolation is t h e n necessary t o obtain t h e Lugeon v a l u e equivalent t o a
100 m w a t e r head (approximately 1 MPa p r e s s u r e ) .
21.5.2 Packers
Several types of packer are in use, such as the mecban~kaltailp~be,the
manual mechan~kal-expandingpacker and the hydraulic self -expanding packer.
but b y far the most commonly used is the pneumatk packer.
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This comprkes a rubber canvas duct tube which can be iMated aganst
the sides o f the borehole by means of pressurized gas (Figure 31). Bottled
nitrogen or oxygen IS fed down the borehole through a small diameter nylon
tube. The inflafionpressure has to be sufficient to expand the packer against
the head of water in the borehole, but not sufficient to cause heaving of the
ground surface or fracturing of the rock. A useful rule of thumb 1%that the
pressure, in kPa, should lie between 12 times and 17 times the depth, in
metres, o f the borehole. The difference between the diameter of the
uninflated packer and the d i e t e r of the borehole should be such that the
packer can be easily inserted. A t the same t h e , the inflated diameter of the
packer should be sufficient to provide an efficknt seaL A double packer is
two packers connected by a length o f p&e of the same length as the test
section. The test water is introduced between the packers.
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Water pressure is applied by a flush pump as used for diamond bit core
dr17ling. The maximum water pressure which should be applied should not be
suffic~entto cause uplift o f the ground or to break the seal o f the packers li,
deep holes in weak rock. The standard head o f 100 m above groundwater level
may not b e attainable in these conditons.
The applied pressure should not exceed overburden pressure a t t h e test
depth, and it may be necessary to keep the pressure well below the overburden
pressure, a s under some circumstances vertical cracks can develop in weak
rocks at pressures much lower than this value. Excessive pressure may be
detectable by careful analysis of the t e s t data, e.g. an abrupt change of slope
in a graph plot of applied water pressure v e r s u s flow rate may indicate
possible hydraulic fracture during the test.
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The pressure to be deterdned for use in the calculation of permeabi/ity
is that causing flow into the rock itselL This is somethes measured directly,
but it is more usual to measure it at ground level by means o f a Bourdon
gauge, .with the read~hgsadjusted in accordance with the following expression :
where h is the pressure head causing flow into the rock fml,
P IS the Bourdon gauge reading converted to head fml,
H I> the h e ~ g h tof Bourdon gauge above the mid-point of
test secthn fm/.
is the h e ~ g h o
t f natural groundwater level above the mid-
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H,
point o f test section fml,
H, is the friction head loss in the pipes fml.
The pressure gauge should be positioned so that it wifl give a true
reading without interference from local pressure var~k&onsinduced by flow
through the pipe work. The natural groundwater level should be measured
before the test begins. This is not always easy, especjally when the rocks are
of low permeability, and water has been used for flushing purposes during
d i g If necessary, separate observation wells should be instafled, and the
groundwater levels should be measured over a period to establish the general
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groundwater level. Friction head loss in the pipes is best estabfished by means
of a calZbrathn test, with the p&e work laid out on the ground
Calibration must be carried out for each t e s t arrangement (pump, packer.
valves and by-pass, pressure gauge and flowmeter) with various lengths of drill
rods and varying flow rates. All pressure gauges and flow meters used in t h e
t e s t should be calibrated regularly.
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accuracy of the meter should be checked before the test begins, and
periodically afterwards, by measuring the time taken to fill a container of
known volume a t different rates of flow. Where the flow out of a tank is to
be measured, the use of one large tank can lead to haccuracfes where the
p h area is large and the fall in level correspondingly smaL A better
arrangement is to use a number of s d containers.
Flowmeters a r e prone t o inaccuracies. especially a t low flow rates, and
calibrations should therefore be carefully checked on site. Industrial water
meters commonly available in Hong Kong a r e not sufficiently accurate for use
i n the packer test. For very low flows. a rotameter board with a series of
graduated tubes can provide an accurate measurement of flow rate, a s can an
orifice plate meter.
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21.5.5 Execution of Test
The test may be carried out either a s a single or as a double packer
test. The single packer test is gener- to be preferred because any leakage
past the packer can be detected, whereas leakage past the lower packer ~hthe
double packer test cannot. However, the single packer test n o r d y has to be
done period~kallydur~hgthe dr17fing of the hole, which makes it more cosuy.
An important point I> to ensure that the packer is properly seated ~h the
borehole. Where a complete core has been recovered from the borehole, or
where appropr~atelogg~hgor television inspecIron has been carried out, a
careful examinathn may reveal suitable places to seat the packer. Where the
seating proves unsatistactory, the length of the test section should be altered
or test sections overhpped, so as to seat the packer a t a different depth in
the borehole.
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(Figure 32). The d a t a obtained from t h e s e measurements a r e particularly
useful in assisting in t h e interpretation of t h e behaviour of t h e rock u n d e r
test.
The water level in t h e borehole above t h e packer should be observed
d u r i n g each t e s t , as a rising level may indicate t h a t leakage is occurring
a r o u n d t h e u p p e r packer.
21.5.6 Results a n d I n t e r p r e t a t i o n
The v a r y i n g values of p r e s s u r e a n d flow recorded d u r i n g t h e t e s t may b e
plotted a s shown in Figure 33. The i n t e r p r e t e d Lugeon value. L, i s given b y
t h e formula :
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where 100 is t h e s t a n d a r d head of w a t e r (m).
1 is t h e length of test section (m).
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between laminar flow ( a t low head) a n d t u r b u l e n t flow ( a t high head). F u r t h e r
considerations o n test interpretation a r e given b y Houlsby (1976).
below ground (see Section 18.2 a n d Appendix El. Mere, for reasons of
economy, the test 13 conducted in a small dimeter borehole, the cleaning of
the bottom and the bedding of the plate has to be done from the surface, so
that 12 ~k very difficult to be certain that the plate is not resting on disturbed
materLal. This would of course, l m 2 the value of the resufts.
The techniques used for tests in large and sma// dXmter boreholes
differ in some respects and, where differences occur, the methods are
described separately in Chapter 29. The diameter of the plate used sboufd so
far a s practicable, be equal to that of the borehole, provided that care is
taken to elimfnate cohesion or fricbon on the side of the plate. Except i n
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strong materials, the plate should have a skirt as shown in Figure 43 (see
Sectkm 29.1'.41. Where the diameter of the plate is significantly less than that
of the borehole, the results of the test become difficult to interpret. A t a
hole-diameter to plate-diameter ratio greater than about 3:Z the parameters
being measured are t h e pertaining to a load a t a free surface and not a t
depth under confined conditons, which are usuafly the conditons of interest.
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Where.necessary, casing should be used to support the sides of the
borehole and to sea/ o f f water seepages from materials that are above the test
elevation. When the test is to be carried out below the prevailing water table,
dewatering b y pumping or baling from within the borehofe may cause seepages
which disturb the ground and have an adverse effect on its deformathn
characteristics. It wouM then be necessary to resort to external dewatering
(see Section 29.1.21. I f the test is undertaken only for measuring the strength
parameters, disturbance due to groundwater seepage may be a less significant
factor and the borehole may be emptied, Lf t h ~ iss possible, wwhe the plate is
being installed. The water shouM be allowed to return to its normal rest level
before the test is commenced. Alternatively, the plate can be instded under
water, altbough it may not then be poss~Ele to set the plate sufficienuy
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accurately for the deformation characteristics to be measured.
hole and lightly pressed on to the surface of the mortar. Plaster and resins
can also be used for bedding.
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gauges at the surface b y means of a settlement measurement rod that is
located within the steel tube b y which the load is applied The rod is
restrained from lateral movement b y rod guides fied within the tube.
Methods of supporting the did gauges are given i n Section 29.1.4.
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used to establish the working load of plies ( Sweeney & Ho. 1982).
(2) S d Diameter Boreholes. The deformoon characteristks obtaned
are of very dubious value owing to doubts about the elim~nafio~ of ground
disturbance and errors resulting from unsatisfactory bedding of the plate. The
main use of the test is for measuring the strength characteristks of those
cohesive soils in which undisturbed samples cannot be obtained, e.g. some
gravefly clays and very weak rocks. The plate diameter shouh' be large i n
relation to the structure of the ground.
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concrete as an ah' to the assessment of shaft fricaon for pile design. A t the
bottom of a borehole is placed either a layer of compressible material or a
suitably-designed co/apsib/e container. The shaft above t h ~ slevel 1% then
fifled with concrete while the casing is withdrawn. When the concrete has
sufficiently matured, the load is applied, and the deflecthn measured in a
manner s~hilarto t h a t described i n Section 21.6.6. fiere the shaft f r i c h n of
only part of the ground prome is required, as i n a rock socket, the concrete
is first brought up to the level of the top of the ground layer concerned. and
the shaft is conhnued in smaller dimeter.
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21.1.1 Test Descr-ption
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pfastik tube. The pressure tube and probe must be calibrated on site. The
function of the guard cefls is to ensure a condition of plane strain in the
ground i n contact with the central ceh! The probes are manufactured in four
sizes up to 75 mm d~.meter,and can be operated at considerable depths. The
Mknardpressuremeter can be used i n soil or weak rock, but is not suitable for
stronger rock, since the instrument I> fimited b y its sensitivity to the tube
calibration. I t can be used in granular soils where special means are used to
insert it.
Another pressuremeter that has been developed has a 150 mm dimeter
gas-expanded probe in which the deformation is measured directly b y
potentimeters located 1j7 the centre of the probe OfcXinlay & Anderson,
1979. It can be used to determine the deformation characteristics of the
more deformable weathered rocks.
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A wireline-operated push-in pressuremeter exists a n d h a s been in u s e i n
a n offshore environment (Fyffe et al, 1986). Self-boring pressuremeters, which
can b e i n s e r t e d i n t o some soil t y p e s with minimal d i s t u r b a n c e , have also been
developed (Baguelin e t al, 1978; Windle & Wroth, 1977). Pressuremeter t e s t i n g
in rock is described i n Section 21.7.5.
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each t e s t .
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21.7.4 Results a n d Interpretation
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wh12h the deformation of the rocks is measured over smell strain ranges b y
electronic transducers located within the probe. There are two types of
instrument available : a flexibfe type, 73 mm in diameter, operated
hydrau/icaly b y OH to a pressure of about I 4 MPa /Rocha e t a/, 1966k and a
rigid type, consisting of a steel cylinder spkt vertically into two halves and
called the Goodman jack /Goodman e t al, 19681. The rigid type I> afso
operated hydraulically b y oil but with a considerably higher pressure than the
flexible type, and is therefore part12uMy suitable for rocks in the h e r
modulus range.
The Goodman jack i s capable of exerting p r e s s u r e s in excess of 60 MPa
within a normal N X size borehole. A method of estimating t h e insitu modulus
of deformation from t e s t s with t h i s device is p r e s e n t e d by Heuze (1984).
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The impression packer device is commonly available in sizes t o f i t N a n d
H size boreholes. A borehole length of a b o u t 1.5 m can be s u r v e y e d with each
t e s t , a f t e r which t h e device must b e withdrawn from t h e hole a n d t h e
thermoplastic film changed. Tests can b e conducted a s drilling p r o g r e s s e s , b u t
more commonly a s e r i e s of overlapping t e s t s a r e r u n a f t e r drilling has been
completed in o r d e r t o obtain a full s u r v e y of t h e borehole. Use of t h e device
is usually r e s t r i c t e d t o vertical o r slightly inclined boreholes.
Care must b e taken when lowering t h e device into t h e borehole s o t h a t
t h e thermoplastic film is not scuffed o r damaged. The p a c k e r may be inflated
b y e i t h e r a i r p r e s s u r e o r w a t e r p r e s s u r e applied t h r o u g h a c e n t r a l perforated
t u b e . Two metal leaves, c u r v e d t o match t h e borehole wall, t h e r e b y force t h e
impressionable thermoplastic film a g a i n s t t h e borehole wall, causing a
permanent impression t o be r e g i s t e r e d on t h e film. The device m u s t b e fully
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deflated before removal, o r t h e film may be damaged.
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p a c k e r is inflated, providing a record of orientation t h a t
can l a t e r b e t r a n s f e r r e d onto t h e thermoplastic film.
Somewhat b e t t e r accuracy may b e achievable with t h i s
technique.
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The Craelius c o r e orientator c a n o p e r a t e i n steeply inclined o r horizontal
boreholes a s well as vertical holes, b u t it does not provide information on t h e
a p e r t u r e o r infilling of discontinuities, nor does it provide a permanent record
of discontinuities. In addition, t h e orientation of t h e core must be determined
relative t o t h e uppermost c o r e segment, a n d t h i s may prove difficult where
core r e c o v e r y is poor o r where t h e c o r e contains sub-horizontal joints (Gamon.
1984a).
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22, FREQUENCY OF SAMPLING AND TESTING I N BOREHOLES
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22.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The frequency of +mpfing and tesbhg in a borehole depends on the
information that is &ready avdable about the ground condibbns and the
techmkd objectives of the investigation. fn genera/, the field work w17l cover
three aspects, each of which may require a different sampfing and tesbhg
programme and may also requke phashg of operatrbns. These aspects are a s
foflows :
(a) t h e determination of t h e character and geological
s t r u c t u r e of t h e ground,
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(c) t h e use of special techniques of sampling and testing in
ground for which routine techniques may give
unsatisfactory results.
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In soils derived from insitu rock weathering, colluvium and some fill
materials. t h e ground profile can be defined by taking samples using a triple-
t u b e core-barrel. Samples should be taken continuously o r a t close intervals
supplemented by standard penetration tests. Continuous rotary coring should
be undertaken in fresh to moderately decomposed rock. Where a r u n with t h e
rotary core-barrel results in poor core recovery, it may be useful to t r y to
recover a small drive sample using t h e split barrel SPT sampler. However. this
does not obviate t h e need to a d j u s t t h e rotary coring equipment and
techniques in order to obtain t h e best core recovery possible.
In f i e cohesive soi4 and some s~7tysand consecutive drive samples can
be obtahed using the 100 mm diameter sampler, or similar. In soft clay or
sand the barrels of the sampler can be coupled together to form a sampler
1 m in length and, ifnecessary, the core-catcher can be used to help retah
the samp/s. In soft days, it I> generdly g& practice to obtah a t least one
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complete profile for the site ushg the conC1;7uous&ton sampfing technique.
Specid sampfing equ~bmentis avayable for taklhg long continuous samples A
soft clay, lmse sik and loose s a y sand /see Secbbn 19.6).
In coarse granular sofi such a s gravel it J> advisable to take disturbed
samples from the drill tools /see Section 19.31, together witb split barrel
standard penetration test samples /see Section 19.4.5) a t about 1 m fhtervds.
Some of the so17 samples obtained by drive sampfing or rotary cor~hg,if
not required for 'undisturbed' tests, should be spkt along their longitudinal
axis and carefufly examined and described i n their fresh condition. This
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exercise should be repeated later when soil is i n a semi-dried state and the
fabric may be more readily identified Where h~ghlyvariable ground conditions
are expected, it may be advantageous to s1h.4 one or more boreholes first,
either b y rotary core samp/ng or b y cable tool boring with conthuous tube
sampling. The cores or tube samples can then be examined to give guidance
for samp/ing at selected depths in other boreholes which are sunk subsequently
close to the initial borehfes (see Sechon 22.4).
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equipment t h a t is i n use.
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core sampling should be undertaken.
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it is known that ground cond'bns are suitable.
Using a special sampfing technique, the frequency of sampling lir sand
and in soft sensitive clay will in general be determined b y s~inilarconsider-
ations to those given in Section 223. However, if the material requiring the
use of a special sampling technique is of l~initedthickness, it may be adviable
to take samples a t s d e r than usual depth intervals so as to obtain a
sufficient quantity of that materiaL
In the borehole vane test, only the small volume of clay that is rotated
b y the vane IS tested, and individual results often show a considerable scatter.
For this reason, vane tests should be carried out as frequently as possible.
The vertical interval will be determined by the depth at which the test is
carried out below the bottom of the borehole; this interval is usuafly 500 mm.
Chser spacing can be obta~nedusing the penetration vane apparatus.
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The cone penetration, pressuremeter and packer tests, a s well a s
discontinuity surveys, are generally taken continuously, or such that complete
coverage of the borehole is provided.
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133
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23.1 GENERAL
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other where the probe is forced into the so11 b y a s t a t k load.
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r e p o r t e d a s t h e number of blows p e r 100 mm penetration, as shown in
Figure 37.
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23.3 STATIC PROBING OR CONE PENETRATION TESTING
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of t h e s e t e s t s t a n d a r d s recognize a number of traditional t y p e s of penetro-
meters, a n d i t is imperative t h a t t h e actual t y p e of i n s t r u m e n t used is fully
documented, as t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e r e s u l t s d e p e n d s o n t h e equipment
used. Two common t y p e s of penetrometers, mechanical a n d electrical, a r e
described f u r t h e r i n Sections 23.3.2 a n d 23.3.3 respectively.
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Two common mechanical cones, t h e Dutch mantle cone a n d t h e Dutch
friction sleeve cone, a r e shown in F i g u r e 38 ( s e e also Plate 10B). These cones
were developed mostly at t h e Delft Soil Mechanics Laboratory in t h e 1930's.
With e i t h e r t y p e , t h e cone is pushed i n t o t h e g r o u n d b y a s e r i e s of hollow
p u s h rods. With t h e mantle cone, t h e force on t h e cone is t h e n measured as
t h e cone is p u s h e d downward b y means of i n n e r r o d s inside t h e p u s h rods.
This force i s generally measured at t h e g r o u n d s u r f a c e b y a hydraulic load
cell. With t h e friction sleeve cone, t h e same initial measurement is made, a n d
t h e n a second measurement is t a k e n while t h e cone a n d friction sleeve a r e
t o g e t h e r pushed downward a f u r t h e r increment. The friction is calculated b y
deducting t h e former reading from t h e latter. This p r o c e d u r e is normally
r e p e a t e d a t r e g u l a r d e p t h i n t e r v a l s of 0.2 o r 0.25 m.
For accurate work, the weight of the inner rods should be taken into
account in calcufai2ons. In very soft soils when sound~ngsare carried to a
significant depth, the weight of the Inner rods may exceed the force on the
cone or cone plus jacket; in these c~kcumstances,it is lhpossible to o b t a i ~
readings. Thzk effect can be reduced b y the use of alumzhium inner rods. The
inner rods should be free to slide ins]-de the push rods, and the cone, and
fr~ktronjacket where used, should be checked for free sliding both a t the start
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and a t the end of each penetratron test. All push rods and inner rods should
be straight, clean and we//-oiled i n t e r d y . The accuracy of the load and
pressure gauges should be checked period~'callyby calibratron.
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during or immediately after sounding 13not recommended Provision should be
made for calibration of the force-measurlhg system a t regular intervals,
preferably on site. An inchnometer built into the cone is avdable with some
equ~;Oment.
The cones are generafly parallel-sided, and the friction jkcket, where
fitted, ~k immediate& behind the point, as shown Figure 39a (see also
Plate 10B). However, parallel-sledded electrical cones do not give exactly the
same results as those obtained witb the mechanical cone penetrometer,
altbough the dfyferenceis u s u d y of little hportance. Electr~kalcones with a
profile modified to give better agreement witb the mechanical cone are also
avadable /Figure 39b and cl.
One particular type of electrical cone penetrometer is t h e "Brecone",
which has a combined 5 kN and 50 kN force measurement range (Rigden et al,
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1982). I t has t h e advantage of being able to measure cone resistances i n clays
containing dense sand layers without suffering damage t o t h e more sensitive
load cell.
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23.3.5 Uses a n d Limitations of t h e Test
The cone penetrometer test is also the preferred substitute for the
standardpenetration test i n soil conditons where results of the latter test are
suspect, and where hard driving is not antbpated. The test is aIso commonly
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used as a rapid and economical means of interpolating between borehok.
Although it may be possible to estimate the type of so17 through which the
cone is passing a s described above, it is preferable to carry out the test in
conjunction with some other means of determ~h'ng the nature of the soil
present.
Cone penetration is limited by both t h e safe load t h a t c a n b e c a r r i e d b y
t h e cone, a n d t h e t h r u s t available f o r pushing i t into t h e g r o u n d . I t is also
limited b y t h e compressive s t r e n g t h of t h e i n n e r r o d s ; some machines are
capable of c r u s h i n g t h e i n n e r r o d s before t h e r a t e d capacity of t h e machine is
reached. Because of limited cone capacity, penetration normally h a s t o b e
terminated where d e n s e s a n d o r gravel, highly t o moderately decomposed rock,
o r cobbles are encountered. For t h i s reason, cone penetration t e s t i n g in Hong
Kong h a s been limited t o t h e Recent alluvial a n d marine sediments.
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23.3.6 Presentation of Results
Results are normally presented graphicfly with cone resistance /and
local skin friction where a fricton jacket cone is used) plotted against depth.
The friction ratio, defined a s ffricton resistance/cone resistance) x 100, may
also be plotted agru'nst depth. This ratio is used to assist in interpreting the
soil type penetrated. Suitable scales for plotting the results are given i n
ISSMFE UP??).
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24.1 GENERAL
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sampJe, and can be considered a s a 'field same'. The insitu conditrbns of a
field sample may be affected b y the process of gaining access to the test
position fe.g. digging a trial p i 0 but, generafly, the effect is very much less
than for a laboratory sarn.de.
More obvious, however. are the controfled effects of the nature,
orientation, persistence and spacing of dicontinuities fGeolog~kalSociety,
19721, the nature of any infilfing, and the size of sample required for it to be
representative. To ensure that they are representative, the selection and
preparation of samples in the field is subject to the same requirements a s for
laboratory s a d e s . Considerable attent~onshould be given in the field to
these aspects, because, generdy, fewer field tests can be carried out than
laboratory tests.
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The size of sample tested in a fild test w17l depend on the nature of
the ground and type of test, and may vary from a fraction of a metre, such a s
in the insitu triawial state of stress measurements, to several metres for fied
tri;?/s,to one or two kilometres in the pumping test.
Field tests may therefore be necessary where the preparation of
representative laboratory samples is complicated by one or more of the
following conditions :
fal The spacing of the discontrnuitres in the mass being
considered is such that a .sa.w.de representing the mass,
including the discontinuitl'es, wouM be too large for
laboratory test equipment. The discontinu~'tresare
assumed to govern the geomechanical response of the
mass relative to the scale of the engineering structure
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concerned
fbl There is difficulty in obtaining samples of adequate
quality owing to the lack of cohesion or ~ireversible
changes in mechanical propertres, resulting from changes
in pore pressure, degree of saturation and stress
environments during sampLing and from physical
disturbance resulting from the samp/ing procedure.
(cl There is difficulty in determining the ~ h s i t uconditions
such as those o f pore pressure, degree o f saturation, and
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stress environments for reproduction i n the laboratory
testing.
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t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e ground mass. These l a t t e r t e s t s should not be u n d e r t a k e n
before a comprehensive u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e geology a n d n a t u r e of t h e g r o u n d
h a s been obtained.
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point load s t r e n g t h s of some Hong Kong r o c k s a r e discussed b y Gamon (1984133,
Irfan & Powell (1985) a n d Lumb (1983).
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The Schmidt impact hammer can be used t o measure t h e h a r d n e s s of
rock. This device, originally developed t o measure t h e h a r d n e s s of concrete,
measures t h e r e b o u n d of a spring-loaded piston from a metal anvil r e s t i n g on
t h e s u r f a c e to b e tested. The height of t h e piston r e b o u n d i s t a k e n a s a n
empirical measure of rock h a r d n e s s , a n d t h i s value has been correlated with
rock a n d weathered rock properties (Hencher & Martin, 1982; Hucka. 1965;
Irfan & Powell, 1985).
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should b e t a k e n when t e s t i n g weak r o c k s , o r a n y rock s u r f a c e which i s r o u g h ,
c r a c k e d o r f i s s u r e d . In s u c h cases. i t i s recommended t h a t a number of
seating blows a r e t a k e n initially, t o e n s u r e a good contact between t h e rock
s u r f a c e a n d t h e hammer head. Poole & Farmer (1980) concluded t h a t reliable
values could b e obtained b y ignoring artificially low r e a d i n g s a n d selecting
peak r e b o u n d values from a minimum of five consecutive impacts at a point.
The Schmidt hammer i s relatively insensitive on v e r y weak r o c k s which yield
r e b o u n d values below 10, a n d i t cannot b e used on rock c o r e unless t h e c o r e
i s held in a heavy vice o r a steel cradle.
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24.3 INFILTRATION TESTS
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25.1 GENER:AL PRINCIP LES
In principle, a pumping test involves pumphg at a steady known flow
from a well and observing the drawdown effect on groundwater levels at some
distance away from the pumped welL In response to pumping, phreatic and
piezometric leveh around the pumping we// will fall, creating a 'cone of
depression'. The permeability of the ground is obtained b y a study of the
shape of the cone of depression, which is indicated b y the water levels in the
surrounding observation wells. The shape of the cone of depression depends
on the pumping rate, the duration of pumping, the nature of the ground, the
existence, or otherwije. of intermediate or other boundaries, the shape of the
groundwater table, and the nature of recharge.
From the data obtained from the test, the coefficients of permeabifity,
transmissivity and storage can be determined for a greater mass of ground
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than b y the use of the borehole tests described i n Chapter 21. The results
can be used in the evaluation of dewatering requirements and groundwater
resources, as we//as i n the design of positive groundwater cut-offs. It shouh'
be noted that a given coefficient of transmissivity can result from many
different distributions of permeabifity wfth depth. I f the test is intended for
the evaluation of permeability in the design of dams and other similar projects
where seepage is an important consideratrun, the use of down-the-hole vel0c1'ty
pmfifing a t constant outflow can provide a permeabifity prome of the ground.
Pumping tests can be expensive, requiring adequately screened and
developed pumping and observation wens, suitable pump~hg and support
equipment, andpersonneL Care should be taken therefore to design a suitable
test programme. Before attempting to carry out a pumping test, refiab/e data
should be obtained on the ground prohi/e, ifnecessary b y means of boreholes
sunk especidy for the purpose. The geolog~kalunits encountered may then be
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grouped into hydrolog~'calunits on the basis of permeabifity ( Leach & Herbert,
1982).
The naturaf groundwater conditrons should be determined b y careful
monitoring over a sufficient period before the pumping test. Ideafly, the
conditlbns should be stable during the test; Lf they are not, the fluctuat~bns
have to be recorded.
Fluctuations can be caused by rainwater infiltration, tides, groundwater
extraction from wells, and nearby construction activities. This i s particularly
important in highly permeable ground subject to rapid recharge.
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25.2 CROUNDWA T ' CONDITIONS
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Intermediate between the above two groundwater conditbns is a third
called the semi-confined condition. In this case, fully saturated ground is
overlain by material of signficant but lower permeabi/ity, and s~gnificant
leakage takes place across the boundary in response to pumping. Andysis of
data from semi-confined conditions is possible, but the condition 15 less
commonly encountered than the other two types.
The three types of groundwater conditions may be recognized by the
t e s t response ( B S I , 1981a).
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should be representative of the area of interest. The hydrological conditions
should not change appreciably over the site. It IS essental that discharged
water is not able to return to the ground under test.
tested separately. Where fufly penetrathg cond12ions do not exht, the data
have to be corrected before analysis. In a// cases, the screen intake area
shoula' be such as to ensure that the maximum velocity of water enter~hgthe
well is not greater than about 30 mm/s to ensure that hydraufic well looses
are of an acceptable /eve/.
I6 during the test, changes in the shape of the cone of depression that
are due to extraneous causes are a significant fraction of those due to
pumping, then the resulthg estimate of permeabi/ity may become unacceptable.
Such influences can be corrected b y monitoring Mdton, l962/, both before and
d u r k testing. Where possible, and within the limitations set by the
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permeability, the pumping rate should be chosen so that resulting changes i n
water leveh are much greater than those due to extraneous causes, thus
minimizing the effects of the latter on the results.
Suctlbn pumps can be used where the groundwater does not have to be
depressed by more than about 5 m below the h t a k e chamber of the pump, and
drawdown can be increased b y setting the pump in a pit. For greater depths,
submersible pumps are preferable. The more permeable the ground, the greater
the pump capacity required to produce measurable drawdowns in the
observation we&.
It is essenh.d that the dlicharge is kept constant for the durahon of
the test and that a// the water level observahons are related to a hhe-scale
referred to the onset of pumphg.
It particu/ar/y important to mahtmh a constant pumping rate when
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vertical flow velou'ties in the pumping well are being measured for the purpose
of determining the relative permeab~jrihesof spec~zchoriions in the ground
under test. The pumping rate may be cohtroM by a gate valve in the
discharge fine or b y varying the speed of the pump, or both. The rate of flow
from the pump may be measured by a flow or or12ce meter, or b y a notch
tank with automahk recordng.
It is important that pumping wefls should be adequate& developed.
Development of a well is the process b y which particles surrounding the screen
are rearranged, with coarsening grade and better uniformity towards the
screen; it can be achieved in a number of ways (Johnson, 1982). Maximum
development is ind~katedwhen the ratio of pumping rate to fall in water level
i n the pumping we/l reaches a maximum. Fine partices from the ground are
removed during development, resulting in a stab& porous and permeable
medium surrounding the welL
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Successful well development r e s u l t s in r e d u c e d hydraulic head losses a s
t h e water e n t e r s t h e pumping well b u t , i n any case, t h e s e losses (well losses)
should b e accounted f o r in t h e analyses of t e s t results.
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arranged i n two rows at right angles to each other. Their distances from the
pumping we// should approx~inateto a geometr~kalseries. It may be necessary
to add more wefls ifthe initlal ones yield anomalous data. I f linear boundary
conditions are associated with the site /e.g. river, canal or an impermeable
subsurface bedrock scarp, fault or dyke), the two rows o f observation wells are
best arranged p a r a m and normal to the boundary.
The mh~inumdistance between observafion wells and the pumphg well
should be ten times the pumping we// radius, and a t least one o f the
observation wells in each row shouh' be at a radid distance greater than twice
the thickness o f the ground being tested. However, unless the pumping rate is
very h g h , and the duration o f pumping long, partrkularly in low permeability
ground under unconfined conditions, falls i n water levels may be s W at such
distances. Prehininary calculations using assumed permeabifities esthated from
borehole data wifl help to indicate the fikely response in observation weUs to
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pumping. Hence the appropriate distance of the observation wells from the
pumping we// and the t h i n g o f observations can be assessed.
In additon to the observation wefls described above, it is desirable to
have an additional standpipe inside the pumping well in order to obtan a
rehkble record o f the drawdown of the well itself
Depths to water levels shou/d be measured to within 25 mm. This
usua//y means that measurement devices have to be checked a t regular
~ n t e r v agahst,
i for example, a graduated steel tape.
The water levels can be monitored with either an electrical dipmeter or
an automatic well level recording system.
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25.6 TEST PROCEDURES
evaluate the quality of the data, the nature of the response, and the required
duration of pumping. Johnson (1982) and Kruseman & DeRidder (1980) have
discussed the time requirements for both steady and non-steady state pumping
tests carried out on confined, semi-confined and unconfined aquifers.
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25.7 ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
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duration of pumping can b e significantly longer t h a n t h a t necessary f o r non-
s t e a d y s t a t e analysis. The analysis technique is also d e p e n d e n t on aquifer
response, i.e. whether confined o r unconfined conditions are p r e s e n t . A
summary of some of t h e available analysis techniques is given in BSI (1981a).
a n d t h e s e a r e f u r t h e r discussed b y Johnson (1982) a n d Kruseman & DeRidder
(1980).
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149
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26.1 GENERAL
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Section 15.3) should visit t h e s i t e t o examine in detail t h e n a t u r e of those
discontinuities t h a t have been identified a s critical. The slope o r exposure
should be examined again d u r i n g construction f o r t h e presence of unfavourable
joint sets not identified i n t h e s u r v e y . The need t o c a r r y o u t a joint s u r v e y
f o r c u t slopes formed in soils derived from insitu rock weathering should also
b e considered; unfavourably orientated relict joints may c a u s e slope failures.
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Procedures f o r u n d e r t a k i n g a n d i n t e r p r e t i n g field r o u g h n e s s s u r v e y s a r e
described in detail b y t h e ISRM (1978). The most commonly-used method is t o
employ a s e t of thin circular plates of various diameters. These are t a k e n
i n t o t h e field a n d a series of discontinuity dip directions a n d dip angles a r e
measured in t u r n f o r each plate when placed on t h e discontinuity surface. The
accuracy of t h e s e measurements is improved by taking a l a r g e number (e.g. 50
o r more) r e a d i n g s f o r each plate a n d by e n s u r i n g t h a t t h e discontinuity s u r f a c e
i s relatively l a r g e a n d reasonably r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of a particular joint set. The
r e s u l t s a r e often presented as contoured polar diagrams on a n equal-area
s t e r e o g r a p h i c projection. The smallest base plate will give t h e l a r g e s t s c a t t e r
of r e a d i n g s a n d t h e l a r g e s t r o u g h n e s s angles ( a n d vice v e r s a ) . A graphical
plot of maximum r o u g h n e s s angles v e r s u s plate diameter i s often used t o a s s e s s
t h e sensitivity of t h e relationship between r o u g h n e s s a n g l e a n d length of
potential s h e a r displacement along t h e discontinuity plane.
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27.1 G E N E R A L PRINCIPLES
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However, t h e nuclear methods discussed in Section 27.7 a r e a n exception t o
t h i s general rule. Mass determinations a r e relatively straightforward b u t
a c c u r a t e measurements of sample volume a r e more difficult a n d may lead to
significant variations in t e s t r e s u l t s , depending on t h e technique used, which is
in t u r n d e p e n d e n t on t h e n a t u r e of t h e soil being tested.
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accordance with BSI (1975b3, Test 1A. Otherwise, t h e e n t i r e sample h a s t o b e
p r e s e r v e d in a n a i r t i g h t container until i t can be weighed. Alternatively, a
rapid determination of moisture content can be made using a microwave oven.
t h e 'Speedy' moisture t e s t e r , o r o n e of t h e rapid methods described in BSI
(1975b3, Test I. However, all s u c h rapid determinations should b e thoroughly
correlated with t h e s t a n d a r d o v e n - d r y i n g technique f o r t h e particular soil t y p e
being tested. In a n y case, moisture content samples should b e a s
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e a n d a s l a r g e a s practical, o r s e v e r a l determinations should be
made in o r d e r t o obtain a reliable mean value.
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sand win tend to run into the interstices of the material, thus leading to
inaccurate results. The method cannot be used in so17s where the volume of
the hole cannot be maintained constant. It also loses accuracy i n soils where
it is difficult to excavate a smooth hole because the sand cannot easily occupy
the full volume.
The t e s t should not be carried out when compactim plant is operating
nearby, or when ground vibrations are present.
The calibration of the sand i s sensitive t o humidity and should be
checked daily. The sand should be oven-dried and stored for about a week for
the moisture content to reach equilibrium with atmospheric humidity. After
each t e s t , the sand should be dried and sieved to remove arty extraneous
material before further use.
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27.3 CORE CUTTER METXOD
The core cutter method is described in BS/ 09756). The method
depends upon being able to drive a cylndrical cutter into the soil without
significant change of density and to retain the sample inside it so that the
known internal volume of the cylinder is completely W e d It is therefore
restricted to fine so17s that are sufficiently cohesive for the sample not to fa//
out, and to completely decomposed rock free of large fragments. The method
is g e n e r w less accurate than the sand replacement method because driving
the sampler tends to alter the density of the soil.
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The weight in water method is d e d b e d i n BSI N975b). It is applcable
to any so17 where representative samples occur in discrete lumps that wi7l not
disintegrate during handlng and submersion in water. In practice the method
is restricted mainly to cohesive soils.
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27.7 NUCLEAR METHODS
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The measurement of moisture content at shallow d e p t h b y t h e nuclear
t e c h n i q u e is described in ASTM (1985h). I n many modern nuclear instruments.
measurements of both density a n d moisture c o n t e n t a r e made simultaneously.
A s t h e moisture c o n t e n t determination is indirect, i t is essential t h a t nuclear
determinations (which often overestimate moisture c o n t e n t of local soils
obtained b y t h e oven-drying method) a r e correlated with conventional oven-
d r y i n g moisture determinations f o r t h e particular soil being investigated.
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All nuclear techniques utilize radioactive materials, a n d a p p r o p r i a t e
s a f e t y precautions must be followed. The u s e a n d handling of nuclear
i n s t r u m e n t s should be fully i n accordance with t h e manufacturer's
recommendations a n d applicable regulations (see Appendix E).
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The polyetbyJ.ene sheeting is then removed, the hole excavated, and the
spo17loadedlinto s k ~ p for
s subsequent weighing and grading, 2requ1ied Care
is needed i n the excavaaon to ensure that the density ring is not disturbed
and, to this end, the edge of the excavation should be kept a t least 150 mm
away from the inner edge of the ring. The sides of the hole should be
trimmed to minimize projecting stones.
Polyethylene sheeting is then placed over the ring and hole and partidly
secured with sandbags. Water I> then run in from a measured source and, at
the same time, the po/yethylene lining is fed into the hole, helping it into
crevices and minimking folds. This continues until the water level is again up
to the mark on the inside of the density ring. The difference in the two
volumes is then a measure of the volume of the hole. It is customary to aflow
the water to remain i n the hole for a period of t h e to see whether there is
any fafl of water level which would indYcate leaks in the polyethylene lining.
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The accuracy of the results of this test can be enhanced b y attention to
the following detahs :
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Accounts of the practhaf use of this method can be found ekewhere
(Frost, 1973; Stephenson, 1973), Table of Contents
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28,l GENERAL
The stresses existing in a ground mass before changes caused b y the
apflication of loads or the formation of a cavity within the mass are referred
to as the 1nih.2 insitu state of stress. These stresses are the resultant of
gra vitathnal stress and residual stresses related to the geological history of
the mass.
Data on the initlk/ insitu state of stress lir rock and so17 masses before
the execution of works are increas~nglyimportant in design, more particularly
when using lin12e element analysis. The mpst favourable or~entation,shape,
execution sequence and support of large and complex underground cavitks and
the predicthn of the fiial state of stress existhg around the completed works
are dependent on knowing the initial insitu state of stress. Measurements of
insitu stress have shown that in many areas the horizontal stresses exceed the
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vertical stress, which in turn often exceeds that calculated assuming that only
gravity is acting on the ground mass.
Measurement of insitu stress in so17s may be made, although the
equ~pmentused generdy provides an estimate of horizontal stress only. In
order that both total and effective stresses can be estimated, it is usual to
measure the pore water pressure i n addiion to the total stress.
The interpretation of insitu stress measurements requires specialist
experience.
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achieved in some cases by over-coring or slotting an instrumented test area.
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technique selected has to be chosen in relatrbn to the rock materia and mass
q u a y . Strain gauges cannot be reliably to highly porous or wet rock.
Special methods for measuring and interpreting the uniaxial, biaxial or
triaxial state of s t r e s s in a rock mass are described in BSI (1981a).
The report on the results of insitu stress measurement should include
information on the followihg :
fa) Location of test and direction and depth of the
boreholes, method of dr2ling and d i m t e r s of cores.
b Depth below ground level of the point of measurement.
fc) Gdogikal descri)tion of the rock materia and rock
mass.
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fd) Type and sizes of straih gauges, and strain readings to
the nearest 10 micro-strah.
/el Temperature and humidity at the test location, and
temperature of the flush water ifamcable.
ff) The modulus of elastikity, 6 and Poisson's ratio, ?L of
the rock sampled fmeach stress measurement area, as
determined from statik laboratory testing of core
{preserved a t insitu moikture content) over the
appropriate stress path.
(g) The six components of stress fox, rr,, &, r,,, T,, L/
at each point to the nearest 100 kPa.
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fh) The three prinwpal stresses and thmi directions fto the
nearest degree), d a t e d to both a borehole or adit awik
system and a global w k system.
02 Cohur photographs of the cores or test location.
1(7 Date of measurement and date at which the excavation
passes the poiht of measurement.
are stress dependent, a knowledge of the insitu state of stress assists in thek
evaluatrbn by laboratory testhg.
Diiect insitu measurements of the ihi'tikl state of stress in smi's is
difficult because the dikturbance created by gaining access to the ground mass
ik generally non-reversible, and several tiines that produced by a stress-
relieving technique. The accuracy of most instruments that have been
developed suffers because of the dikturbance created h the ground on
ihsertion.
It is usual to masure only horizontal stress, and to make assumptions
concerning the level of verb'cal stress based on the overburden depth. On&
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total stress may be measured; therefore, to determine the effecti've stress
conditbns, the pore water pressure at the test level has to be measured or
assumed. Methods of detennh~ngpore water pressure in the M d are
dlkcussed in Secbon 20.2
In soft clays, hydraulic pressure cells have been carefully jacked into
t h e ground, o r installed in a pre-bored hole (Kenney. 1967). The
"Camkometer", a self boring pressuremeter, reduces disturbance t o a minimum
by fully supporting t h e ground it penetrates (Windle & Wroth, 1977). The total
horizontal insitu s t r e s s may then be obtained by measuring t h e contact
pressure. Facilities t o measure pore pressure a r e available in t h e same
instrument. Hydraulic fracturing has also been used t o estimate minimum
horizontal stresses in soft clay (Bjerrum & Anderson. 1972).
In large excavations, pressure cells a r e sometimes used t o measure t h e
contact pressure between t h e soil and a retaining structure. The type and
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position of a cell should be chosen with g r e a t care, because t h e introduction
of t h e cell into t h e soil causes a redistribution of t h e s t r e s s e s around it, and
- t h e e r r o r s depend on t h e geometry of t h e instrument. Details of t h e types of
cells available and t h e problems t h a t may be encountered when using them a r e
given by Brown (1981) and Hanna (1985). Some of t h e factors t h a t affect t h e
accuracy of contact pressure cells a r e discussed by Pang (1986).
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29, BEARING TESTS
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29.1 VERTTCAL L OAD/NC TESTS
29.1.1 General Princfples
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consohdate under such a load before a further ~ncrementis applieed,.this wil/
yield the drained deformahon characteristics and also strength characteristics
if the test is continued to fa7ure. In the latter, the rate of penetration is
generally such that little or no drainage occurs, and the test gives the
corresponding undrahed deformafion and strength character~ktt'cs.
It should be emphasized that the results o f a single loadfhg test apply
only to the ground whf'ch is s~gnificmtlystressed by the plate; thk IS typically
a depth o f about one and a half tiines the df.ameter or width of the plate.
The depth of ground stressed by a structural foundation wi;% in general, be
much greater than that stressed by the loading test. For this reason, the
r e s u b of load~hgtests carried out at a shgle elevah-on do not n o d l y give a
direct indfbath? o f the &owable bear~ng capacity and settlement
characteristics o f the full-scale structural foundathn. In order to determhe
the variathn of ground propertres with depth, it wf7lg e n e d y be necessary to
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carry out a series of plate tests at different depths. These should be c a r r i d
out such that each test subjects the ground to the same effecive stress level
it would receive at working load
W h e r e tests are carrfed out h rock, blastrirg for rock excavaaon may
seriously affect the rock to be tested This effect can be minlinied by u s h g
s d charges, and by l i n h h h g the excavafion by hand methods.
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depths below the water table in sods and weak rocks. It may therefore be
necessary to lower the water table by a system of wells set outside and below
the test positibn.
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the tihe lag should be reported with the results.
l.ne even transference of load onto the test surface can best be
achieved by setting the plate on a suitable bedd~ngmaterial, which usually
consists o f cement mortar or plaster o f paris. Where the test is being
performed to measure the deformation character~istics of a relabbvely stiW
materia4 considerable care is required in setting the plate, and a series o f
bedd~hglayers may be needed /Ward e t a/, 1968). Changes in water content of
the ground being tested shouh' be kept to a min~imm.
The test I> subject to scale effects. Several plate sizes and shapes are
used, the most ccnnmon being uicu/ar plates ranging from 300 mm to 1 000 mm
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in d i m t e r . The choice depends on the problem b e ~ h gstudied In rocks,
plates larger than 1 000 mm d'kmeter may be used. depending on the johting
frequency, The test arrangement used by the U.K. Bu17ding Research
Establishment 13 shown in Figure 43 and 13fully described elsewhere /Marsland.
1971; 1972; Ward et a/, 1968).
Where tension piles or ground anchors are used. they should be sited
sufhently far away from the sample so as to have no s ~ g n ~ Z c ainfluence
nt on
its behaviour. The normal practice 13 to maintain a m~nimumdistance of three
t i k s the plate diameter from the centre o f the plate to the centre of the
pile, The amount of kentledge or jacking resistance that needs to be provided
I> governed by the purpose for which the tests are carried out and also, to
some Went, by econom~'cconsiderations. In genera/, the nearer the soil or
rock under the plate approaches the point o f shear failure, the more
hWrthwh~7eare the data derived from the tests. The test is sometines
conducted ih a sihilar fashion to the constant rate of penetration fCRPI test
for piles (ICE, 19781.
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The penetratibn or deflectibn o f the plate should generally be measured
at the centre and the edge o f the plate. In order to minihize the effect of
poor bedding and sample dikturbance. the dikplacement o f the material at some
depth beneath the prepared test surface can be determined by inserting
reference datum rods anchored at various depths W;zlace e t al, 19691. Such
measurements are intended to provide more realistik data on the mass
behavihur of the ground; they are usualy taken through a central hole in the
loaded plate.
The dikphcement of the plate is related to a fied datum. This often
consists of a reference beam supported by two foundations positioned outside
the zones of ifluence of either the loaded area or the reaction area. The
deflecction-measurihg equipment has to be set up li, such a way that any tiltng
of the plate wi2 not cause errors in the measurements. Dial gauges are dften
used and the rods transm'ttihg the displacements o f the plate should
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ihcorporate a b d joint or other sim1ar device to elimhate the effects o f
bendihg. The reference beam and measuring devices should be protected fm
the d i k c t rays o f the sun and from wind by means o f tarpaulins or other
forms o f shelter; errors of measurement can eas17y arise fnxn these causes.
A comparable arrangement for performing the test in an adit is given in
BSI (1981a).
29.1.5 Measurements
/fl Ap~liedForces. The load on the plate 13 best measured by means
o f a load eel4 which should be capable of readihg to an accuracy of 1%of the
maximum load I t ik advisable to have the cell calibrated over the anticipated
range o f loadihg before and after the test programme.
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(21 Displacements. Dikplacements ih the direcrbn of load appkatron
may be measured by didgauges or electri'cal transducers and the readings can
be taken continuously ifrequiked DikplaCements should be measured to an
accuracy o f 0.1 mm.
(31 Le.fiecords of tihe for the various stages o f setting-up and
testing are required parti'cu/ary where cycl~cloadihg and creep tests are
being carried out.
(41 Tem~erature. The measurement o f temperature will be required ih
the event that correctibns to the settlement or load readings are considered
necessary.
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The effect o f sample dikturbance can be reduced, to some extent, by
carrying out prefiminary c y c k s o f loadhg and unloading. The maximum load
ii, these cycles should not exceed the intended load. The rate of loading
should be suffic~entlyrapid to prevent any s~gnificantconsofidation or creep.
A f t e r two or three cycles, the stress/sett/ement graph will g e n e r d y tend to
become repeatable, and the test can then be extended to the main t e s t h g
programme. The data from the preliminary load-cycles give an indicatlbn o f
the effect o f the sampfing disturbance. The undrained deformation modu4 as
measured after prefiminary load-cycfing, generally give a more refiable
1ndicar2bn o f the true properties of the undisturbed ground
(21 Maintained Load The load is u s u d y app/ied IR equal ihcrements,
with each increment being maintained untY a// movement of the plate has
ceased. or an acceptably low rate o f increase has been reached The
increments are continued up to some multipe of the proposed working load, to
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failure or to the full avdable load When the test is carried out to
ihves&yate the deformation characteristlics o f the ground, 12 13 preferable to
carry out preliminary load c y c h g . Cycles of unloading and reloading may a/so
be carried out at various stages in the main test to gain some indicatlbn of
the relative amounts o f reversible e. 'elasticY and irreversible deformt2on
that have occurred I f the rate o f unloading and reloading is sufficient/y
rapid, the s h e o f the load/deformatron curve may be used to determine the
undrained deformaobn modulus, or an approximaation to it. However, ~n
relatively permeable ground this may not apply.
3 Constant Rate of Penetration. Constant rate o f penetratlbn tests
are more suitable for soils. Such tests are descr18ed b y Marsland (19711 for
plates ranging from 38 mm to 868 mm diameter. using a penetration rate of Z.5
mm/mn. Where the maximum bearing capacity is not clearly defined, the
value o f the bearing pressure at a settlement o f 15 per cent o f the plate
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diameter is used I f the undrained deformation modulus IS required, the plate
diameter should be greater than 750 mm. but it is preferable to carry out a
separate test wi2h the load apphed increment&y a t a rapid rate.
geneous, elastk, isotropic and that the classic equation for the penetration of
a rigid c~rcularplate on a semi-infinite plane surface appfies :
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B is the di-meter of the plate,
V is Poisson 3 ratio.
This equation can be used when the test is carried out either at the
ground surface or in a pit whose p h dihensions are at least five trines those
of the plate /Ireland e t a/. 19701. If the test ~k carried out at the end of a
borehole, the expressbn becomes :
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rigorous solutions are not available, although the problem o f cboos~hg
representative soil parameters to put into the analysis still remans. A n
equatrbn for cdculatihg the modulus at any depth beneath the centre line o f
the loaded plate is given elsewhere (Benson et al. 1970; Wallace e t al, 1970).
For johted rock, Poisson's ratio can be assumed to be between 0.10 and 0.25
for pracb'cal purposes.
For cohesive so& an estihate o f the undrahed shear strength, C,, can
be obtained from the plate test carried out ih a borehole by using the
following equation .'
C" = 9" - YH . . . . . . . NO1
N,
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plate. When this is not dearly defined the bearhg
pressure at a penetration of 15% of the diemeter is
used,
Y is the bulk density of the soiX
X is the height of soil above test ]eve/.
N, is the bearing capacity factor. For a rigid ciicuhr
plate at the base of a deep shaft of the same diameter
as the plate, N, ~k assumed to have a value of 9.25.
However, IT the plate has a significantly smaller
dieameter than the shaft, or IT the depth is less than
four tihes the plate diameter. the value of N, may be
smaller and approaches 6.15 for a circular surface load
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Several deformation moduli can be obtained from these tests, depending
on the method used and the application (Brown. 1981). The results obtained
will r e f / c t the effects o f the width and frequency of the discontinu~'~es
and
wi'l give an indicatlbn of the mass behaviour under loading. The stress level
at which these parameters should be examined w17l depend on the working
stress levels. In the case o f tests on rock in adits, it may be necessary to
consider the insitu stresses in the test samp/e.
The moduli to be used for design purposes should be those which d a t e
to the ground at the t h e o f construction and after it has been affected b y
the construction procedures,. for example, a deep excavatlbn might affect the
deformation moduli of a so~Y,and blasting may affect the properfies of a rock.
Sometlhes, the effect of a construcfion procedure may be suf/li&ntly severe
to justify the examinatlbn o f alternative methods of construction.
O n completron of the test, full identifia&on of the material beneath
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the loaded area should be carried out b y samphhg and testing in the
laboratory. Results obtained from these tests w f l in many cases ass&t in
extrapolating the test results to other areas on the site.
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hydraulic jack, forms a very convenient means o f measurhg the insitu modulus
and shear strength o f soils. Interpretatlbn o f the elastk modulus o f soil from
lateral loading tests shouh' follow the advice given b y Carter & Booker (1984).
Care should be taken to support the we~ghtof the jack and other loading
equ~pmentso as to prevent the applicafion o f shearhg forces to the test area.
The test site should preferably form part o f the actual excavation, or
be o f the same size and para//e/ to the axis in representative ground The
length o f a test sectlon should be at least five bhes the excavated diameter,
unless allowance can be made for the end effects. The method of excavation
used should be capable of producing a formed surface o f s ~ h i l a rquality to the
actual excavaoon. In order to ascertai, whether the modulus determhed is
drained, partlblly drained or undrained, it is necessary to know the draffage
conditlbns wh'ch applied during the test.
29.4 INSITU CALIFORNIA BEARINC RATIO fCBR) TESTS
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29.4.1 General
The CBR method of flexible pavement design is ementidy an empirical
method in which design curves are used to estimate a pavement thickness
appropr~ateto the CBR of the so11 There is no unique CBR of a soil and ih
any CBR test the value obtained depends very much on the manner in which
the test is conducted The design curves are usually based on one carefully
specified method o f measur~hg the CBR, and this is usuafly a laboratory
method. The parameter r e q u ~ i e dfor the des~gnof flexible pavements is the
C&? attahed by the soil at formation level after al/ necessary compactkm has
been carried out, the pavement has been laid and sufficient time has elapsed
for equilibr~ummo~sturecontent to become established. Before embark~hgon
insitu CBR tests, it is therefore necessary to consider carefufly how relevant
they wi'l be to the proposed design method, and whether the condition of
equi/irium moisture content I> M e l y to pertah.
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29.4.2 Test Method
The test is carrled out by the method described in Test 16 of BSI
f1975b) excluding the compactrun, and subject only to those alteratJons
necessary to enable it to be carrfed out in the field The load is generally
applied through a screw jack using the weight of a vebkle as j;lcking
resistance, and deflectrons are measured by dial gauges carried on a bridge
with ~hdependentfoundatrons resting on the ground we// clear of the test area.
A circular area of about 300 mm diameter is t r i m e d flat, spec~alcare being
taken with the central area on whkh the plunger w12 bear. A thin layer of
fine sand may be used to seat the plate but the use of sand to seat the
plunger itself should be avoided. I f it is rinpossLble to trim the soil
suffiaently to obtah good seatrhg of the plunger, a thin layer of plaster of
paris may be used, care being taken to remove any plaster extend~hgbeyond
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the area of the plunger. Further deta& of the ihsitu test are given elsewhere
(Road Research Laboratory, 195.2,).
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of fi// or natural formatlbns, but they have not usually been successful and the
procedure cannot be recommended.
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30, INSITU DIRECT SHEAR TESTS
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30.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
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concrete and rock or soil
Insitu s h e a r t e s t s on soil may b e carried o u t e i t h e r within boreholes
(Bauer & Demartinecourt. 1982; Handy & Fox. 1967) o r near t h e g r o u n d s u r f a c e
(Brand et al, 1983b). Equipment f o r testing close t o t h e g r o u n d s u r f a c e in
trial pits may b e adopted t o enable testing t o b e c a r r i e d o u t within deep
excavations, l a r g e diameter s h a f t s o r caissons. Insitu s h e a r t e s t s on specific
discontinuities in rock may also be conducted using similar equipment; t h e
r e s u l t s may b e used t o confirm t h e s t r e n g t h of discontinuities derived from
laboratory t e s t s a n d field r o u g h n e s s s u r v e y s ( s e e Section 26.2).
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Adits are more common for rock testing. The excavathns permit access to the
material at the zone of interest, and i n many cases provide a suitable means
of setting-up the reaction for the applied forces.
The orientation of t h e sample a n d t h e forces applied t o i t a r e generally
governed b y t h e direction of t h e forces which will become effective d u r i n g a n d
on completion of t h e works, b u t modified t o t a k e account of t h e orientation of
significant discontinuities. In many cases, however, t o facilitate t h e s e t t i n g - u p
of t h e test, t h e sample is p r e p a r e d with t h e s h e a r plane horizontal. The
normal a n d s h e a r i n g s t r e s s e s a r e generally imposed a s forces applied normally
a n d along t h e s h e a r plane. However, a n inclined s h e a r force passing t h r o u g h
t h e c e n t r e of t h e s h e a r plane may be p r e f e r r e d a s t h i s t e n d s t o produce a
more uniform distribution of stress on t h e s h e a r s u r f a c e (Brown, 1981).
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Hand sawing, cuttihg and dfeamonddr17ling should be used to prepare and trim
the sample. Adequate protection from the elements should be provided F~hal
exposure and trimming of the sample to fit the loading frame and the testing
itself should all be completed with m~himumdelay to a void possible significant
changes ih the moikture and stress conditbns of the sample. I f tests are
carried out below the water table, precautons should be taken to avoid the
effects of water pressure and seepage fsee Section 29.1.21.
m e r e it I> htended to test one d~kcontinuityonly, care has to be taken
to avoid d~kturbanceto the surface o f the discontinuity, and to prepare the
sample so that the forces are a p p W correctly in the plane o f the
discontinuity. The spat'al orientathn of the discontinuity should be defined by
dip d2-ectbn and dip measurements.
Where draned condhlbns are required, suitable draihage layers can be
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inserted around the s d e and on the loaded upper surface.
With the borehole shear device, there is no sample preparation a s such.
but care i s required during the formation of t h e borehole s o a s to limit
disturbance of the surrounding soil (Bauer & Demartinecourt, 1985).
The equipment for app/ying the norma/ load can consist of weights,
kentledge, hydraulic rams, flat jacks acting agahst the excavaton m o X or an
anchor system. The reacton system should ensure the unl'form transfer of the
normal loads to the test sample and minimum resistance to the shear
displacement, e.g. by the use of low-friction devices such as ball seathgs or
&ers s( Brown, 1981). A porous phton or other suitable medium can be used
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to d~ktributethe load where drahed cond~'tbnsare required The alignment o f
the force needs to be maintahed during the test.
The shearing force apphkation system should ensure that the load I>
applied un~Yormlyover the p h e of shearing, and that the load and geometrical
centroids are matched to eliminate movement. &%erean i h c h e d shear force
is required, the resultant o f the.sbear force shouMpass through the centre o f
the base of the shearing plane (Brown. 198 1 1. I f a constant norma/ load lk
required for this type of test, suitable reducton has to be made to the applied
normal load durihg testing to compensate for the increase in vertkal
component with increashg shear force. The shear force application can be
developed by sim17ar means to the normal loading. In both cases, care has to
be taken to ensure that the ground reactbn does not extend to the san?d .e.
The reacton system can frequently be provided by the excavation sidewalls.
In certah cases, it may be necessary to provide the shear force by traction on
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30.4 MEASUREMENTS
Prov~k~on
should be made for the following :
fa) The appled forces shouM be capable of being measured
with an accuracy of 92% of the mminum forces reached
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i n the test.
fb) Shear. no& and lateral displacements should be
measured Suflicibnt travel should be provided to run
the cmplete test without the need to reset the gauges.
The anchorage datum of each gauge needs to be rigid
and set up at a paint sufliuenffy remote that 12 is not
affmted by the forces appfied during testing.
fc) Steps should be taken to guard agahst tbe effects of
changes in temperature. Alternatively, temperatures
should be measured and any sensitive equipment shouid
be calih-ated.
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The s t r e s s e s applied in t h e testing programme should be within t h e
range of t h e relevant working stresses a t t h e site, including those applied by
t h e final structure. if appropriate. Where drained t e s t conditions a r e required.
a consolidation stage is necessary t o allow t h e pore water pressures t o
dissipate under each increment of normal load. The r a t e of consolidation
should be monitored. a s this is useful for determining t h e r a t e of shearing
(Brown, 1981). For drained tests, t h e r a t e of shearing has t o be sufficiently
slow t o e n s u r e t h a t induced pore pressure changes a r e a very small proportion
of t h e shear stress. A t best, t h e appropriate shear r a t e can only be estimated
prior t o t h e test, and experience gained in similar soil o r rock conditions and
with similar t e s t configurations is beneficial.
On completion of t h e test, full identification of t h e material sheared
should be carried out by visual examination. sampling and laboratory testing.
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Photographs of t h e shear surface form a useful record of t h e t e s t conditions
and may assist in t h e interpretation of results.
30.6 ANALYSIS OF R E S U L T S
Graphs of consolidation behaviour (if applicable) and shear force (or
s t r e s s ) plotted against both normal and shear displacements a r e prepared in t h e
analysis. The peak shear s t r e s s and corresponding shear and normal
displacements may then be obtained and related to t h e applied normal stress.
When failure occurs i n a plane dipping a t an angle to t h e applied shearing
force, this should be accounted for in t h e analysis (Bishop I Little. 1967).
For tests on discontinuities in rock, t h e results from individual tests
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31.1 GENERAL
Large-scale field trikls are carried out in such a manner that the ground
I> tested on a scale and under conditions comparable with those prevailing i n
the project under ~hvest~gatrbn. However, such trials are likely to be costly in
terms of instrumentation, the requirements for purpose-made equipment and
technical support. The methods and types of instrumentatrbn available for
monitoring t k l d tests are given in b r ~ e foutline in the fohwing sectrbns,
together with some of the more common large-scale fied trials used to obtain
geotechn~caldata for design and construction.
Large -scale fiild trials involve the princzples of site in vestigatlbn
embodied in this document, and wou/d usuafly include the use of ground
investigation techniques ah-eady described. Large-scale field trials are not
standard tests, and should be designed to suit the ~hdiv~'dualrequirements of
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the proposed works and the particular ground on wh~kbor within which they
are to be performed. On large pro/;ects, field tr~als
can provide the necessary
desfgn parameters, a s we// as valuable constructhn data on excavatron,
handling and placing, resu/ting in considerable savings and enhanced safety.
Such methods and trials can be usefully extended into the construction stage,
and also to the monitoring of the interrelated response of the ground and
structure after completion under the working conditions.
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G C O , 1984; Hanna, 1985). A review of instruments commonly used in Hong
Kong is given b y Coleman (1984). Handfelt et a1 (1987) h a v e described t h e
performance of t h e instrumentation u s e d in a n offshore t e s t fill (see also Foott
et al, 1987).
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Vertical movements can be observed b y means o f settlement gauges with
an accuracy o f 0 . 1 mm fEjerrum et a/, 19651; more detaih are given b y
Dunnicfiff (19711. Mulopoint displacement measurements can also be employed
fEurland e t a4 19721. The use of vertical tubes gives an accuracy o f about
t 3 mm fpenman, 19691. A f u / / profile-measuring technique which uses a
torpedo traversing a flexible tube i s described b y Penman & M12chell (19701.
Telescopic tubes, ~hcfinometersand tensioned wires anchored in boreholes at
stable points can also be used f o r measuring strains o r displacements.
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as steep slopes and ravines (Borchers. 1968). The accuracy of measurements
taken by a photogrammetric method is about ~1/10000of the camera to object
distance under normal working conditions (Cheffins & Chisholm, 1980).
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f a i h r e defiberately, either i n the embankment alone or i n the embankment and
the foundations. However, any lhstalled instrumentation may be destroyed
Such fa7ures sometimes occur i n an unexpected manner, and the engineer
shouM take precautions t o ensure that no i n j u r y to persons o r unexpected
damage i s caused. Tbe value o f such a f a i h r e i s that back analysis {see
Chapter 321, can be used t o check strength parameters. Bishop & Green (1973)
have described the development and use o f t r i a l embankments.
should be taken not to vary too many factors at the same time, otherwke the
effects o f variathn o f an hdividua/ factor cannot be esthated
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I f the maximum information is to be gained, adequate instrumentation of
trial embankments or excavations is essentid together with continuous
observation (see Secthn 31.21. The scale of trid embankments or excavatJons
needs careful consideration. Clearly, the more closely the size of the trial
approaches that of the prototype, the more directly app/icab/e w17l be the
results obtaned from the trial.
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correlation to be made with other results obtained from routhe ground
investigation methods.
A wide range of construction methods is c o d y tested i n trials, e,g.
pile tests, ground anchor tests, compaction tests for earthworks, ekperihentaf
shafts and adits for tunnels, grouting, tr~alblasts for explosives and
dewatering.
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32.1 GENERAL
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groundwater records. Back analysis should only b e u s e d if i t i s applicable t o
t h e problem in hand a n d t h e g r o u n d conditions encountered. All parameters
t h a t can have a significant effect on t h e analysis should b e carefully
considered. Since i t is v e r y r a r e f o r a unique analytical solution t o be
obtained, sensitivity s t u d i e s a r e normally c a r r i e d o u t t o a s s e s s t h e effect of
parameters t h a t cannot be obtained b y d i r e c t means. The pitfalls of back
analysis a r e discussed f u r t h e r by ~ e r 6 u e i l& Tavenas (1981).
32.2 FAILURES
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a n d u s e of t h e results. Although t h e failure itself can be s t u d i e d i n g r e a t
detail a f t e r t h e e v e n t , i t i s extremely r a r e t o have a c c u r a t e information on t h e
specific g r o u n d conditions a t t h e time of failure, particularly with r e g a r d t o
pore water p r e s s u r e s (Hencher e t al. 1984). For t h i s reason, back analysis may
b e j u s t a s useful in permitting a rational, qualitative assessment of t h e failure
mechanism as in deriving information specifically on s h e a r s t r e n g t h parameters
f o r use in design (Hencher & Martin, 1984).
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settlement d a t a from a n a d j a c e n t s i t e i n similar materials may b e t h e only
satisfactory means of producing sensible predictions.
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33.1 GENERAL
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whkh are currently a vazhble, to give some indicatzon of the problems they may
help to solve and to indicate the fimz'tation of each method. The appficabifity
of the various geophysica2 methods is summarized lh Table 11.
Adequate borehole control is essential for the interpretation of
geophysicaf observathns, which are best included in a ground investzgation
employing more con ventzonal methods.
The aim of most geophysical methods of ground investigatzbn is to locate
some form of subsurface anomaly where the materials on either side have
markedly dzyferent physical properties. These anomdies may take, for example,
the form of a boundary between two rock types, a fault, underground services,
or a cavity. I n the initial stages it win almost &ays be necessary to check
the true nature of these anomales by physical means, n o r d l y by boreholes.
Once a correlatzon between the geophysical test results and the underground
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phenomena has been established, the geophys~'calinvestigation may then yield
useful results rap~Idlyand economically. It foLhws that, where there 13 no
distinct change in physical propertkc across the anomaly, the geophysical
investigatzon may not detect a boundary. Geophysid methods can also be
used to deduce soil and rock parameters; when this is done. the results
obtained shouki always be confirmed by directly measured parameters.
Geophysical survey techniques are based on determining variatzons in a
physical property, such as electrical conductivity fresktivity1, variations in
density fgra vimetrlk1, magnetic susceptz'bifity fmagneticl or velm2y of sonic
waves fsezkmic1. Anomafies such as near surface disturbance (often known as
Woz3e9 are common in the urban environment and may Mt the usefulness of
geophys~ksin these areas. Moreover, a geophysical anomaly does not always
match an engineer~hgor geological boundary, and often there is a transitzon
zone a t a boundary. Thzk may lead to a margin of uncertaznty, for example, in
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Geophysical surveying is genera& used in a ground inveshgation to
make a prefiminary and rapid assessment of the ground conditions. In
favourable condZions, a geophysical technique may jhdicate varjatlbns and
anomalies which can be correlated witb geological or man-made features. The
results of geophysical survey can then be used to ~hterpolatethe ground
condihons between boreholes, and to indicate locations where further boreholes
are needed so that the significance of a geophys~kal anomaly can be
investigated
33.2 1 Resistivity
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A current is usuafly passed into the ground through two metal electrodes, and
the potential difference is measured between two similar electrodes fBS/, 1965).
With suitable deployment of the electrodes, the system may be used to provide
information on the variation of geo-electrical properties witb depth (depth
probes), lateral changes in res~stivity(constant separation tra versing) or local
anomdous areas lequipotenhhl survey). e.g. karst features, disused tunnels or
shafts. The unsuspected presence of electrical conductors, e.g. pzpes or cables,
under the site wili of course, render the results unrelkble. The interpretation
of the results obtained b y this method does not always provide a definl'te
solution, particuMy as the number of subsurface l a y e r s increases, because it
involves a curve matching technique which requh-es the assumption of idealised
conditions.
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In ground investigation, the gravity survey is nerdy fimited to
locating large cavitles or faults. Precision levelfing and positionlirg of the .
instrument a t each station is essentiaL With the more accurate instruments
now available, it is possible that the gravity survey method wi// become a
useful tool in Iocatlirg hidden shafts and smaller cavities.
33.2 3 Magnetic
be used for locating OMmine shafts and areas of fij% In using this method to
detect the locatlbn of faults or dykes, it is, of course, essenhhl to ehinhate
the poss1E17ity that the anomaly detected is in truth buried metal.
33.24 Seismic
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seismic waves, either from a snm7 explosive charge or from a mechanical
source fe.g. a hammer), and measuring accurately the time taken for them to
travel from the point o f origin to vibration detectors fgeophones) at varying
distances away.
The greatest use o f th& technique is in the determ~naationof bedrock
level (McFeat-Smith et al. 1986). Therefore, 12 IS commonly used i f f the
estimation o f quanti'ties o f soft mated& avadable from a borrow area site.
One limitaation o f seismic refraction, however, IS that when the velocity o f
transmiss~onin the upper layer is greater than that below fe.g. if very
compact gravel overhks a clay), then the intervening boundary cannot be
detected and false layers may appear to be present. Another use of this
technique I> to provide wave velocity data for the assessment of h s i t u
dynamk modulus values of rock masses fMeigh, 1977). O n l y rarely will the
dynamic and static modulus values be the same. Environmental consideratibns
sometlines limit the applicatibn o f this test. For example, exp/sives cannot be
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used in urban areas, and where the site lies near to the source of vibrations,
such as a busy road, the lnduced vibration may not be detectable.
By travershg a seismic refraction survey configuration, the resulting
variation o f velocity along the traverse can be used to indicate areas o f
different rock types or fracture zones. This information is useful in dec~'ding
the type of equ~bmentto be used for rock excavation.
Direct seismic measurements can also be taken between two boreholes.
or from surface to borehole or borehole t o surface. These techniques may be
useful for assessing the properties of the intervening rock mass, and in
detecting geological features such a s cavities. Cross hole surveys, i.e. between
boreholes. may provide the best geophysical means for detecting cavities a t
depth (McCann et al. 1987). but results can only be confirmed by subsequent
drilling.
33.3.1 General
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combined to produce a bathymetric chart. However, additronal control may be
required to ascertain whether the sounding is reproducing reflectrons from soft
surface sediinents or higher density m a t e n 2 underneath, and dual frequency
sounders may be useful for th~i.
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guide. the higher frequency sources such as pingers' and 'high resoluthn
boomers' are generally suitable for resolving near surface layering, whereas
'standard boomers' and 'sparkers' are more suited for coarser and t h ~ i k e r
layers. Typically, h g h r e d u t i o n boomers have a resolution of about 0.5 m
and a depth penetrahon o f about 80 m.
The results may give a vkual representaoon of geologfid features. but
quantitative data on depths to interfaces can only be determined if vel0c1.oe.s
of transm~isionare known.
There are two m a h M t a t l o n s to the technique. Firstly. 12 cannot
u s u d y delineate the boundary between two different materikls that have
s1in17ar geophysical characteristhx; secondly, in water depths of less than about
2 m, near-seabed ref/ctors may be obscured b y multlkle reflectlbns originathg
from the seabed. O t h e r problems are described in Table 11.
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agahst the examinathn and testhg of borebole samples and against the results
of other insitu tests.
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34, PRINCIPLES OF LABORATORY TESTING
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The ams of laboratory testing of samples of soil and rock may be
summarized as follows :
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(1981) a n d BSI (1975b3 respectively. The Geotechnical Manual f o r Slopes ( G C O .
1984) discusses t h e testing of Hong Kong r o c k s a n d soils in particular.
Guidance on t h e description a n d classification of Hong Kong r o c k s a n d soils is
given i n Geoguide 3 (GCO, 1988).
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35, SAMPLE STORAGE AND INSPECTION FACILITIES
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35.1 HANDLING AND LABELLING
The general procedures for handling and labelling o f samples in the field
are given in Sec&bn 19.10. Samples should be treated with equal care on
arrival at the core store or at the laboratory.
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samples containing soft clays shouM be stored ver&bally with the same
orientation as in the field prior to sampling. The sample storage area should
be of sufficient size to cater for the number of samples being hand/ed. without
overcrowding (see also Secoon 19.10.1).
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fbl an adequate number of trays to enable disturbed samples
of granular soils to be &;Oped out for inspection, and
some means of returning them quickly to the]>containers
afterwards,
fcl spatulas and knives for splitthg general purpose 100 mm
diameter samples,
fd) dilute hydrocMoric acid for the ia'en&Zcation of soils and
rocks,
fel a water supply and appropriate sieves for washing the
fines out of samples of soils to facilitate descr~ptionof
the coarser particles, and for cleaning rock cores and
block samples,
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possible,
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187
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36.1 GENERAL
36.2 SOIL
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individually and described b y means o f a permanent record made either on site
or short& after the samples arrive i n the laboratory. It i s customary during
sample descript~onto examine the ends o f undisturbed samples o r to examine
the j a r sample obtained from the cutting shoe where it has been used, or both.
However, all undisturbed samples shou/d be re-examined each time a specimen
i s taken f o r testing as colour changes o r drying o f the s a m e may have taken
place. m e n it i s known that no further soil testing i s likely to be required,
the remaining undisturbed samples shou/d be extruded and split down the
midde f o r examinatlbn, description and photographing.
36.3 ROCK
A complete rock descriptlbn should cover both the rock material and rock
mass characteristics. The latter cannot be determined from individual samples,
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but may be deduced to some extent from many sampfe descriptions and other
data. Where the mater~hlcharacteristics are not obvious, thin sections are a
valuable aid to f i r s t assessments made with a hand lens.
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natural moisture content w h e r e v e r possible, particularly if testing is t o be
u n d e r t a k e n on t h e samples. In some instances, allowing a soil sample to d r y
o u t partially may make differences in composition o r s t r u c t u r e clearer (see
Section 22.2).
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189
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37.1 GENERAL
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fn many cases, a field test wifl give more reafistic resufts than a
laboratory test because of reduced problems of sampfe disturbance. However.
there is a large body of practr'cal experience behind some o f the common
laboratory tests, and when the data derived from them are used w11h skdL
reliable predictions can be obtahed. The general consideratlbns set out in the
following four sections should be borne in mind.
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amount o f shock and disturbance. Very often tests are carried out on
'undisturbed' samples whlich are far from undisturbed. In addition, the
samp/ing process itself will have released the ii71'21kl state of stress in the
samp/e.
In preparing the laboratory test specimen, there is further disturbance
and unavoidable change in the stress conditons, and hence the test is not
g e n e r d y carried out under the same stress C O ~ ~ J - ~asOthose
~ S which exist in
the natural ground (see Section 37.41.
I> given in Table 7. A s the behaviour of the ground I> greaffy affected by
discontinuioes, 'undisturbed' samples should ideafly be sufficiently large to
include a representative pattern of these discontinuities. ThLs can often be
achieved by the use of large 'undisturbed' samples.
37.4 T E S T CONDITIONS
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considred ~h the des~gn.
Some laboratory tests are suitabl.. on& for p a r t k u l ' r types of sod In
cases, where a test has been carried out and it i s found later that the test
was not relevant to the actual sample used, the result shouh' be discarded.
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38, TESTS ON ROCK
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The behaviour of rock masses is often controlled by the nature of the
discontinuities present and their orientation to the stresses created b y the
works or during their construction. In most cases, the scale of disconthuitlis
is such that tests on laboratory specimens may yield results whch cannot be
appfied directly to the behaviour of the rock mass. In considering laboratory
tests on rock, a clear distinction needs to be made between tests which relate
to the behav~burof the ruck mass as affected b y the proposed constructhn
and tests which are relevant only to the rock materid.
Laboratory t e s t s on rock material a r e u n d e r t a k e n t o determine classi-
fication. s t r e n g t h a n d deformation parameters. Tests t o determine t h e basic
s h e a r s t r e n g t h of specific discontinuities may also be undertaken. Table 13
lists t h e r a n g e of common laboratory t e s t s on rock, t o g e t h e r with r e f e r e n c e s
and remarks on t h e i r use. Some of t h e s e t e s t s a r e reviewed in t h e
Geotechnical Manual f o r Slopes (GCO, 1984) a n d BSI (1981a). The significance
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of t h e size and quality of t h e sample, t h e t e s t conditions a n d t h e relevance of
t h e r e s u l t s , a s discussed in Chapter 37 f o r soils, also apply in general t o tests
on rock.
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REPORTS AND INTERPRETATION
PART V I
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39, FIELD REPORTS
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The essential requirement of a field r e p o r t i s t h a t i t should contain all
t h e d a t a necessary f o r t h e s u b s e q u e n t interpretation a n d u s e of t h e borehole
o r field test. Field r e p o r t forms should b e e a s y t o fill in a n d well laid o u t s o
as t o encourage t h e o p e r a t o r o r field s u p e r v i s o r t o record all necessary data.
Such forms can in many cases be based u p m t h e illustrative logs contained in
t h i s Geoguide, b u t t h e s e need not b e r e g a r d e d a s s t a n d a r d a s o t h e r forms may
also be satisfactory. Examples of o t h e r field r e p o r t forms can be found in BSI
(1981a).
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Daily r e p o r t s form t h e basis of good field r e p o r t s on r o t a r y drilling. I t
is not uncommon f o r drillers t o keep t h e i r r e c o r d s on odd s c r a p s of paper
while drilling i s in p r o g r e s s a n d t o make u p t h e i r daily r e p o r t forms from
t h e s e notes at t h e e n d of t h e day. This practice should b e s t r o n g l y
discouraged a n d t h e driller should b e provided with a s t a n d a r d notebook which
c a n , if necessary, be checked against t h e daily r e p o r t a t a l a t e r date.
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197
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Interpretation is a contrhuous process which shouM begin in the
prehhinary stages o f data coflectron and should proceed as information fm
the ground invesligation becomes available. By using this information J? 13
often possible to detect and resolve a n o d e s as fied and laboratory work
progresses. Engineering problems should be considered as the data becomes
available so that the engineer in charge of the ~nvestigationcan decide what
additional exploration and testing needs to be carried out or conversefy, where
appropriate, what reductions in his original programme are possible.
When an engineer~hginterpretatrun and recommendations are r e q u ~ i e d
the report is best prepared in two distinct and separate parts, one a
descriptive report covering theprocedures employed and the data obtained, and
the other the analysis, conclusions and recommendations. A general account o f
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the style and format of a report is given ekewhere (Palmer, 19571.
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detaiM record of the data that were obtahed These forms are sametlines
not included in the f o r d report, but shoufd i n any case be preserved for a
suffic~entlylong periad so that they can be made a va~Yablefor reference when
necessary at a later date.
A copy of all descriptive reports should normally be lodged in t h e data
bank of the Geotechnical Information Unit ( s e e Appendix B).
40.2.2 Introduction
The report should have an introductron stating for whom the work was
done, the nature of the in vestigatron and its genera/ /ocatron, the purpose for
which the investigatrbn was made and the period o f trine over which the work
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40.2.4 Geology
A n account should be given o f the geology o f the site, and the sources
from which the information was obtahed should be stated (see Section 4.21.
The amount of the data included w i l depend upon the nature of the work
being planned and also upon the amount of data available. The soil and rock
types identified and described in the report should be linked with the known
geology o f the site, see Geoguide 3 ( G C O , 1988).
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e.g. problems i n recovering samples. Tbe dates when the exploratory work was
done should also be recorded. together with a note about the weather
conditions where appropr~ate. The report shouh' contan a drawing indicating
the positions o f all pits, borehoks, field tests, etc. I t should contain
sufficient topographkal ~nformathnso that these positlbns can be located a t a
later date.
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laboratory work has been conpleted. It IS important that dl relevant data
collected b y the driller, once checked and amended where necessary, shouM be
recorded.
The method of presentation o f the data IS a subject on whkh there can
be no hard and fast rules. In prhcip/e, the borehole logs shouh' give a
picture in diagrams and words o f the ground profi/e at the particular point
where the borehole was formed. The extent to which minor variations in soil
and rock types should be recorded. together with any disconthuities and
anomaiies, will depend on the various purposes for which the information wifl
be used.
Most organizations carrying out site investigation have standard forms
for borehole logs. It IS se/dom practicable in these to make aflowance for all
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f2l General Data Common to A l l Logs. The foflowing should be
recorded on all logs :
/a) title of inveshgation,
/bl job number or report number.
fcl location detailed by grid references,
/a') date of exploration,
/el borehole number and sheet number. e.g. sheet 2 of 2
/// method of forming borehole, e.g. cable percussion or
rotary,
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fgl make and model of plant used,
( h ) ground level related to the Hong Kong Principal Datum,
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fml depths of observatlbn wells or piezometers, where these
have been ~hstalled, together with details of the
installation, preferably in the form of a diagram,
fnl groundwater levels measured subsequent to the com-
pletion of piezometers, unless recorded separately.
(3) Le.qend and Symbols. The ground profiles shouh' be illustrated by
means of a legend using the symbols ii'lustrated on figures in this document,
andmore fuflypresentedinGeoguide 3 (GCO, 1 9 8 8 ) . The legendis most
commonly placed near the centre of the sheet, which enables reduced levels,
depths, thicknesses and sampling data to be arranged conveniently on either
side. An alternative i s to have it a s the extreme right hand column, which
enabfes the logs of adJhcent and nearby boreholes to be readily compared
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f4l Light Cable Percuss~onBoring. For light cable percussion bor~hg,in
addition to the items referred to in Sections 40.2.6f21 and 40.2.6f3, the
foflowinq information should be recorded in the log :
fa/ A descr~bfionof each zone or materid type together
with its thickness.
fbl The depth and level of each change of zone or material
type.
fcl The depth of the top and bottom of each tube sample, or
bulk sample and its type (see Chapter 191; the depth of
each small disturbed sample.
/dl The deith at the top and bottom of each borehole test,
and the nature of the test.
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( e ) For standard penetration tests, it should always be noted
if the sampler has not been driven the full 450 rnrn
required for the test ( s e e Section 21.2.3).
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referred to i n Sectlbns 40.2.6f21 and 40.2.6f31, the following information should
be recorded in the log :
ffl The date when each section of the core was drilled
fgl An indication of the drifling water recovery for each
core run, with a note on any change i n colour.
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0 A record o f tests carried out, such a s permeability and
packer tests.
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/n order to obtain a clear understanding o f the incidence and behavbur
of groundwater, it is essential that al/ data collected on the groundwater
shouh' be included and that, where no groundwater was encountered, this too
should be recorded. &%ere the informaatlbn derived from boreholes is not too
voluminous, it is best included i n the logs. When this is not possible, the data
should be given elsewhere in the report and cross-referenced in the b o r e m e
logs. m e r e the pos12ion o f the borehole casing at the time o f an observation
is relevant, 12s positlbn should be stated All other data, including those from
separate observation wells or piezometers, should be given separately. Where
drMng with water or air flush has been used, this should be recorded and 12s
effect on groundwater levels should be assessed.
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The report should contan a plan showing the prec~selocation and top
level o f each borehole (see Chapter 39).
stated without ambiguity. Where the test is reasonably standard, for instance
"consoLidaated drained t r ~ k i a compression
l test on 100 mm diameter samples';
the name alone wAl suffice, but where the test is not standard, a full
d e s ~ r ~ p should
t ~ ~ n be given.
The visual descriptions o f a// samples tested should appear i n the report.
The precise method o f recording them wifl depend upon circumstances. I t may
be convenient to show them on the same sheets as the results o f the
laboratory tests, or a separate table may be preferable.
In a n y e v e n t , t h e descriptions should all a p p e a r in one place. A t times,
t h e r e s u l t s of t h e laboratory t e s t s . a n d in particular t h e identification t e s t s ,
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will indicate a soil different from t h a t indicated b y t h e visual description.
The original description should not be discarded on t h a t account b u t should b e
p r e s e r v e d a s a record of t h e o b s e r v e r ' s opinion. If soil descriptions h a v e been
modified in t h e l i g h t of laboratory t e s t data, t h i s should b e indicated clearly
in t h e r e p o r t , s e e Geoguide 3 ( G C O , 1988). The laboratory r e p o r t forms a n d
d a t a s h e e t s should b e filed f o r possible f u t u r e r e f e r e n c e ( s e e Section 40.2.1).
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(e.g. Geotechnical Manual f o r Slopes a n d Geoguide 1 ) . Sections 40.3.2 to 40.3.9
deal w12h the form o f the report, and fist the most common topics on which
advice and recommendations are required. Tbese sectJons also contain some
guidance on what shou/d be included. The topics are listed briefly under the
general headings :design, construction expedients, sources o f mater~als,and
f i e . It is M e l y that ~ i zmany cases the d e n t commiss~oning the
investigation wz7l indicate those aspects of the project on which he requires
advice and recommendations; the topics fisted below are intended as a guide
where t h z s may not have been done.
fie data on which the analysis and recommendations are based shouh' be
clearly indicated. The information generafly comes under two separate
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head'ngs :
(a/ Information related to the project (which is usually
suppfied b y the des~gnerl.For example, for buiMings and
other structures this should include full details on the
/Oadlhg (including dead and five loadsl, column spacing
(where appropriate/, depth and extent of basements and
details o f neighbouring structures. For earthworks, the
he~gho t f embankments, the materials to be used and the
depths of cut slopes are relevant to the interpretatJon.
fb1 Ground parameters (which are usuafly selected from the
descriptive report by the engineer who performs the
analyszk and prepares the recommendatJbns). There is no
universally accepted method of selecting these
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sentative values appropriate to the number
of results,
fivl where possible, compare the representative
values with pubfished data for similar
geological formathns or ground units.
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conveying a misleading impression. Mere the ground information is either
very var~kbleor too sparse to enable cross sechons to be prepared, indJ'v~'d~ia/
borehole logs plotted diagrammatically are an acceptable alternative. I f it is
particularly important to prepare cross sections, sparse and variable
informat~oncan sometimes be supplemented by means of hformation from
soundings and geophysical in v e s t i g a t h on areas between borehok. It can
be helpful to indicate relevant soil parameters on cross sechons, for example,
results of standard penetration tests, triaxial tests and representative
parameters from consoMation tests.
In certain engineering problems, i t may be useful t o c o n s t r u c t c o n t o u r s
of t h e bedrock a n d groundwater s u r f a c e s from borehole data. In marine
investigations, contours of t h e seabed. and contours a n d isopachs of t h e
various s t r a t i g r a p h i c units below t h e seabed, may b e c o n s t r u c t e d .
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40.3.4 Design
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possibifity o f hastening 12 by such means as vertical
drains; recommendations f o r side shpes (see fa) abovel,.
choice of construction materiXs and methods.
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structures.
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excavahons; possible use o f rock bolting; possibi/ity o f
encountering groundwater, and recommendatrons f o r
deafing with it.. specia1 features f o r pressure tunnels.
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comments and recommendabons are often required on the points listed
below. Safety aspects should be included where appropriate.
/al Open excavations; method and sequence o f excavabbn;
what support is needed; how to avoid 'boiling' and
bottom heave; esbhated upward movement o f floor of
excavation; relative merits o f sheet pihng and diaphragm
or contiguous bored p17e wa//s where appropriate.
/bl Underground excavations; method and sequence o f
excavation and the need for temporay roof and side
support.
/cl Groundwater: M e l y flow, head and quantity and how to
deal with 12.
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/d/ Driven piles, bored piles and ground anchors: methods o f
driving or construction suited t o the ground profile,
environment and neighbouring buildings.
/el Grouting: types o f grouts M e l y to be successful in the
ground and recommended method o f injecbon.
ftl Mechanical improvement of so17 below ground /eve/.
suitabifity of techniques for the consolidation o f loose
soils.
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fa) F i f l possibility o f using excavated mater~hlfor filfing
with an assessment o f the proportions of usable materiak
methods and standards o f compaction; possible off-site
sources o f filk bulking factor.
(b) Filter materials, concrete aggregates, road base and
surfacing materials: possible sources and the suitability
of the materials from these sources.
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immediate stabifizing expedients and long term measures.
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Where cdculations have been made, they shouM be included as an
append~k,or a clear indication o f the methods used shouM be given.
40.3.9 References
A l l pubfished works referred to h the report shouM be fisted.
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Table of Contents
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no. 6, p p 51-54.
McNicholl. D.P. & Cho. G.W.F. (1985). Surveillance of pore water conditions in
l a r g e u r b a n slopes. Proceedinqs of t h e 21st Annual Conference of t h e
Engineering Group of t h e Geological Society, Sheffield, pp 403-415.
(Published a s Groundwater i n Enqineering Geology, edited b y J.C. Cripps
e t al. Geological Society, Engineering Geology Special Publication no. 3.
1986) (Also published i n p r e p r i n t volume, p p 445-467).
Table of Contents
measuring soil density a n d moisture. ~ e ' o t e c h n i a u e .vol. 10. p p 110-126.
Meigh, A.C., Skipp. B.O. & Hobbs. N.B. (1973). Field a n d laboratory creep
t e s t s on weak rocks. Proceedings of t h e Eighth International
Conference on Soil Mechanics a n d Foundation Enqineering, Moscow.
vol. 1.2. p p 265-271.
Table of Contents
Nixon, I.K. (1982). S t a n d a r d penetration test : s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t report.
Proceedings of t h e Second European Symposium on Penetration Testing.
Amsterdam. vol. 1. p p 3-24.
Norbury. D.R. (1984). The point load test. Proceedings of t h e 20th Regional
Meeting of t h e Engineering Group of t h e Geological Societv. Guildford,
UK, p p 325-329. (Published a s Site Investigation Practice : Assessing BS
5930, edited b y A.B. Hawkins, Geoloqical Society. Engineerinn Geology
Special Publication no. 2. 1986). (Also published in p r e p r i n t vol. 1.
p p 344-352).
Table of Contents
t h e centrifuge. Geotechnical Testing Journal. vol. 9. p p 72-79.
Table of Contents
Penman, A.D.M. (1986). Field measurement of pore p r e s s u r e s . Proceedinns of
-~ ~ -
Phillipson, H.B. & Chipp, P.N. (1981). High quality c o r e sampling recent -
developments in Hong Kong. Honn Konn Engineer. vol. 9, no. 4, p p 9-
15.
Phillipson, H.B. & Chipp, P.N. (1982). Air foam sampling of residual soils in
H6ng Kong. Proceedings of t h e Specialty Conference on Enqineerina a n d
Construction in Tropical a n d Residual Soils. Honolulu. p p 339-356.
Poole, R.W. & Farmer. I.W. (1980). Consistency a n d repeatability of Schmidt
hammer r e b o u n d data d u r i n g field testing. International Journal of Rock
Table of Contents
Mechanics a n d Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, vol. 17.
p p 167-171.
Pope, R.G.. Weeks. R.C. & Chipp. P.N. (1982). Automatic recording of
s t a n d p i p e piezometers. ~ r o c e e d i n q sof t h e Seventh Southeast Asian
Geotechnical Conference, Hong Kong, vol. 1, p p 77-89.
Table of Contents
techniques t o s i t e investigations in Hong Kong. proceedings of t h e
Seventh Southeast Asian Geotechnical Conference. Hong Kong, vol. 1.
p p 205-226.
Table of Contents
Ross-Brown, D.M. & Walton. G. (1975). A portable s h e a r box f o r t e s t i n g rock
joints. Rock Mechanics, vol. 7. p p 129-153.
Table of Contents
Stockholm, vol. 2.2, pp 361-366.
S h e r a r d , J.L.. Dunnigan, L.P.. Decker. R.S. & Steele, E.F. (1976). Pinhole test
f o r identifying d i s p e r s i v e soils. J o u r n a l of t h e Geotechnical Enqineering
D i v i s io n , voof. 102, p p 69-85.
Siu, K.L. & Wong, K.M. (1984). Concealed marble f e a t u r e s a t Yuen Long.
)
Hong Kong, p p 75-88. (Published as Geological Society of Honq Kong.
Bulletin no. 2, editgd b y I. McFeat-Smith, 1985).
Smyth, D.V. & McSweeney, T.V. (1985). Power swivel improves offshore
Table of Contents
drilling quality. Contractor (Hong Kong), J u n e 1985, pp 13-15.
Steoh
~ e n s~o n . - R.J.~ (1973).
~~~, ~ - Relative d e n s i t y tests on rockfill a t C a r t e r s Dam.
Table of Contents
~~ ~
Sweeney. D.J. & Ho. C.S. (1982). Deep foundation d e s i g n u s i n g plate load
tests. Proceedings of t h e S e v e n t h S o u t h e a s t Asian Geotechnical
Conference. Hong Kong. vol. 1. p p 439-452.
UNESCO (1976). Engineering Geological Maps. A Guide t o Their Preparation.
The UNESCO Press. Paris, 79 p.
Table of Contents
USBR (1974). Earth Manual. (Second edition). United S t a t e s Bureau of
Reclamation. US Government Printer. Washington D.C., 810 p.
Van Zuidam. R.A. & Van Zuidam-Cancelado, F.I. (1979). Terrain analysis a n d
classification using aerial photographs : A geomorphological approach.
ITC Textbook of Photo-Interpretation Volume VII - Use of Aerial
Detection in G e o m o r ~ h o l o g ~a n d Geographical Landscape Analysis.
International I n s t i t u t e of Aerial S u r v e y a n d Earth Sciences (ITC).
Enschede. The Netherlands. 333 p.
Table of Contents
interpretation. ITC. Delft. The Netherlands. 7 vols.
Wallace. G.B. Slebir, E.J. & Anderson, F.J. (1970). Insitu methods f o r
determining deformation modulus used b y t h e Bureau of Reclamation.
Determination of t h e In Situ Modulus of Deformation of Rock. American
Society f o r Testing a n d Materials, Special Technical Publication no. 477.
p p 3-26.
Ward. W.H., Burland, J.B. & Gallois. R.W. (1968). Geotechnical assessment of a
s i t e at Munford, Norfolk, f o r a l a r g e proton accelerator. ~ g o t e c h n i a u e ,
vol. 18. p p 399-431.
Table of Contents
Way, D.S. (1978). Terrain Analysis - A Guide t o Site Selection Usinq Aerial
Photoqraphic Interoretation. (Second edition). McGraw Hill, New York,
438 p.
Weltman, A.J. & Head, J.M. (1983). Site investigation manual. Construction
I n d u s t r y Research & Information Association Special Publication no. 25 /
PSA Civil Enqineerinn Technical Guide no. 35. 144 p.
Table of Contents
Winter, E. (1982). Suggested practice for pressuremeter testing in soils.
Geotechnical Testina Journal, vol. 5, no. 3/4, pp 85-88.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
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Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents
TABLES
Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents
[BLANK PAGE]
227
Table of Contents
L I S T OF TABLES
Table Page
No. No.
1 Selected Maps, Plans and Aerial Photographs
Available from the Lands Department
2 Aerial Photographs Available from the
Lands Department (two sheets)
3 Guidance on Site Investigation for Slopes and
Retaining Walls in Hong Kong
4 Content of Site Investigation for Slopes
Table of Contents
Retaining Walls in Hong Kong
5 Sizes of Commonly-used Core-barrels, Casing
and Drill Rods Used in Hong Kong
6 Principal Causes of Soil Disturbance
7 Mass of Soil Required for Various Laboratory
Tests
8 Expected Sample Quality from Different
Sampling Procedures for Hong Kong Materials
9 Soil Sample Quality Classification
Table of Contents
10 Evaluation of Piezometer Types
11 Field Geophysical Techniques Used in Ground
Investigations
12 Tests on Soils and Groundwater (four sheets)
13 Tests on Rock
Table of Contents
Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents
[BLANK PAGE]
- -
229
Table of Contents
Number Price
Size Series
Coverage of (mml No. Per COPY
Sheets 1987 HK$
Full HPlC
NT & Islands -
Table of Contents
Urban
Urban & NT
Urban &
NT Townships
Urban, Shatin,
Tsuen Wan &
Tsing Yi
Kowloon
Hong Kong
Table of Contents
Full HM2OC
Full HM50CL
HM50CP
Full HMlOOCL
Full HMZOOCL
Full
Full
*
-
I Legend :
Table of Contents
*
I
p~
Approximate
Year
4
Coverage 1%) Remarks
19L9
30 1 Good r e s o l u t i o n . Excellent coverage of
north-west New Territories. Good coverage
of lowland areas.
1956
Table of Contents
;
1959
1961
lo 1 Good resolution ; small relief exaggeration.
1964 40 I Coverage o f t r u n k r o a d s .
1967
20 1 Coverage o f m a i n Urban Area o n l y .
1
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1968 - 1971 Coverage of Urban Areas.
20
1972
30 I Coverage of trunk roads.
1973
90 I Urban Areas only
Most of Territory.
1974
30 1 Coverage of n o r t h - w e s t and west
New Territories .
1975
30 1 Coverage of north west and west
New Territories.
-
Table of Contents
1976
b0 I Coverage of Urban Areas and New Towns.
1977
I Detailed coverage of north-west and north
New Territories plus New Towns.
Table of Contents
Approximate
Year Coverage (%) Remarks
HKI I K
1954 Good resolution
Table of Contents
1974 - 1976 Good resolution. Annual coverage.
East to west flight lines. 1 to L k m apart.
Table of Contents
Complete coverage.
1981
Urban Area and Lantau only
Complete coverage.
1983
Almost complete coverage.
Table of Contents
S. I. Class Boundaries for Different Features
Other Features
Soil F i l l Slope
S.I.Class
Table of Contents
Rock Retaining Wall
I
Legend :
H Height of feature
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0 Angle o f feature
oc Angle of natural hillside
(Table L)
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Angle of Natural Hillside in the Vicini of the Site, oc
Greater than 40"
A 61 C1 D E l F1 GI
8 2 C2 E2 F2 G2
E3 G3
Detailed topographical and As for 0 ' t o 20'. Survey of As for 20' t o 40'. Extend
geological survey o f t h e s i t e boulders and hydrological investigation more widely
and i t s surroundings. Stabilit: features affecting the site. outside Limits of s i t e t o
analysis of features w i t h i n Extend investigation Locally permit s t a b i l i t y analysis of
the site, using strength and outside Limits of s i t e t o features above and below
groundwater parameters permit s t a b i l i t y analysis of the slte.
obtained f r o m the investigation features above and below
the site.
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Topographical and geological AS f o r 0' t o 20'. Survey of As f o r 20' t o 40'. Extend
survey of t h e s i t e and i t s boulders and hydrological investigation outside l i m i t s
surroundings. Stability analysis features affecting the s i t e . of s i t e t o permit s t a b i l i t y
of features within the site. analysis o f features above
For f i l l slopes steeper than and below t h e s i t e .
1 on 3 , remoulded strength
tests on f i l l should be carried
out.
B1 D A B1 C1 D
8 2 C2 G2 82 C2 E2 F2 G2
E3 G3 E3 G3
Assessment of surrounding As for 0'to 20'. w i t h survey As for 20'to 40'. Area outsidc
topography and geology f o r o f topography and geology, t h e s i t e boundary should
mdication of s t a b i l i t y . Visual including survey of boulders also be examined for potentia
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examination of geologica 1 and hydrological features instability.
materials . affecting the site.
t e s t s for f i l l
p i t s , boreholes, c o r i n g , probing and
2 . d e n s i t y t e s t s for f i l l materials
piezometer installations. as appropriate
3 . classif icationlindex t e s t s
-
Double tube Triple -tube Flush - jointed -
Flush coupled
I
43%
Nominal Diameter Nominal Diameter Coupling
Design
n;i; Design
Table of Contents
NMLC
*
Mazier 7L 101
**
3C-MLC 76 11 1
Table of Contents
Legend :
* With retractor shoe OD Outer diameter
** With or without retractor shoe ID Inner diameter
Notes : ( 1 ) This l i s t i s not exhaustive and should not i m p l y t h e exclusion of other recognised core b a r r e l s and
Table of Contents
casing I r o d s systems.
( 2 ) For additional information, reference can be made t o BS LO19 : Part 1 (BSI 197La) on r o t a r y core d r i l l i n g
equipment and Figure 29 of BS 5930 ( BSI ,1981a 1 .
( 3 I A l l dimensions are rn millimetres.
23 5
Table of Contents
Before Sampling During Sampling After Sampling
Table of Contents
Base heave Stones at the cutting shoe Vibration
Table of Contents
Mass of
Purpose of Sample Soil Type
Sample Required
Coarse gravel
Coarse gravel
Table of Contents
xpectec
Material Type Typical Composition Sampling procedure Quality
of Materials Class
Soils derived Composition of soils varies Hock sample fr'om dry excavation
from insitu depending on the nature of Large diameter triple-tube core-barrel
rock weathering parent rock material. S o i l s 1102mm diameter cores) w i t h retractor
derived from granitic rock are shoe, air-foam f l u s h
usually s i l t y and clayey sands
s o i l s derived from volcanic Iriple-tube core-barrel ( 374mm
rock are usually sandy and diameter cores) with retractor shoe
clayey s i l t s . UlOO sampler
SPT split barrel sampler w i t h or
without liner
3ulk samples and jar samples from
dry open excavation
Light percussion shell and chisel
for boulders
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Colluvium Fresh or variably decomposed The sampling procedures for soils
rock fragments (boulders. derived from insitu rock weathering
cobbles and gravels) within PPP~Y.
a matrix of varying proportions
of sand, silt and clay
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Delft continuous sampler
Light percussion clay cutter ( d r y
boreholes) or shell ( w e t boreholes)
t c ) F i r m to very stiff Triple-tube core-barrel w i t h
cohesive s o i l s retractor shoe
UlOO sampler
Light percussion clay cutter
[ d l Cohesive and granular The sampling procedures for s o i l s
soils containing boulders. derived from insitu rock weathering
cobbles or gravel apply.
Fill Variable material. which can See sampling procedures for relevant
include compacted or soil type and composition under 'Alluvial
uncompacted soil, rock and Marine Deposits' above.
I fragments and building
debris mixtures
IRock
Table of Contents
Notes : ( I ) The typical composition of materials should only be taken a s a general guide.
( 2 ) The quality c l a s s e s are defined i n Table 9.
( 3 ) The expected q u a l i t y c l a s s e s g i v e n should only be t a k e n a s a guide. a s
sample quality i s highly dependent on workmanship and on the compactness
tor consistency) and grading of the s o i l .
Table 9 - Soil Sample Quality Classification
Table of Contents
Soil Properties that
Sample Quality
Can Be Reliably Determined
Table of Contents
Class 2 Classification, moisture content, density
Notes : I1 1 Large diameter class 1 and class 2 samples are often sufficient
to allow the ' f a b r i c ' of the soil to be examined. Sometimes
t h i s moy also be done using class 3 and class L samples.
(21 Remoulded properties c a n be obtained using class 1 to class L
samples.
( 3 I Table taken from BS 5930 ( BSI ,1981a 1.
Table of Contents
Table 10 - Evaluation of Piezorneter T y p e s
-
U
m
$ 1 Piezometer
Type I Pressure
Range I
Responsc
Time
De-airing
Capability
Remote
Reading
Capability
Long-term
Reliability
Advantages
Other
Disadvantages
Recommendations
Table of Contents
Closed- 1) Mercury manometer -
insitu
Fairly permeability
cheap ;
required; regular
hydraulic Any very good de-airing necessary;
tan be Useful when remote reading.
[Low air positive Moderate Yes 2 ) Bourdon gauge - poor uncovered tubing
de-aired ~ ~ , " be ~ m ~ ~ n for artesian pressures.
entry pressure in humid atmosphere liable to rodent
pressure) 3) Pressure transducer - made attack or damage
moderate but easily if required' if left exposed.
reploced
Fairly cheap;
insitu permeability AS very
Useful for meosuring small
[High oir to ony Moderote Can be Yes As above mwsurements ,n regular de-airing
de-alred required when suctions.
a entry positive low permeability
measuring suctions.
pressure) pressure soil are
Cann-ot be Yes No method of
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pressure de-alrlng experience available required. i s measured. and no large suctlons occur.
long
Signal quality degenerates
Electric Yes, but w ~ t htime; instrument As above; expensive;
Any life about ten years, but -
vibrating positive Rapid As above special cable reliability of instrument ~Z';~/;;'J$# Not generally recommended.
wire type pressure requlred that cannot be checked be checked.
is always suspect
Yes, but with
As core because Poor - As above. Not recommended.
of transmission
pressure losses
Cheop. simple to
Vandal damage Often First choice for meosuring
Can be
de-owed Yes Good read and maintain. irreparable; pore suction.
Table of Contents
de-airing required.
Instrument life one to
Not Short two years; little long Not accurate
Below -1 -
Variable between 0 and -1 Research stage at the momer
relevant distances only term experience
available atmosphere.
Table of Contents
Table 1 1 - Field Geophysical Techniques U s e d in Ground Investigations
Seismic refraction Mapping of subsurface m a t e r ~ a linterfaces (including A hammer impulse may be used for shallow Investlgatlons, but
groundwater table). Determination of compression explosive charges are needed for deep investigations (>30mJ.
wave velocities. Location of geological features Excessive background 'noise' may preclude surveys a t some
(e.g. f a u l t s a n d caverns ). sites. May be unreliable unless velocities increase with depth
and bedrock surface i s regular. Variable weathering patterns
often complicate interpretation. Data are indirect and represent
averages.
Table of Contents
Seismic direct methods Determination of m a t e r i a l properties of the ground Uphole, downhole and crosshole surveys are carried out.
(sonic wave velocities, dynamic moduli and rock- Data are indirect and represent averages, and may be affected
mass q u a l i t y ). Location of geological features. by other m a s s characteristics.
Electrical resistivity Mapping of subsurface material interfaces (including Variable weathering patterns often complicate interpretation.
saltwater boundaries). Estimation of soil resistivity Water t a b l e location often limits the depth for practical study
(hence corrosivity). Location of geological features. a s conductivity rises sharply i n saturated m a t e r i a l s & makes
and underground cavities, e.g. disused tunnels. differentiation between horizons impossible.
Gravimetric I Location of geological features. I Normally used only to locate cavities, e.g. i n k a r s t terrain.
Magnetic Location of buried metalliferous man-made objects Large scale surveys are generally carried out from an aircraft.
(e.g. cables and pipelines) and geological features.
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Seismic reflection Mapping of the seabed and material interfaces Long continuous traces can be obtained. Background 'noise',
below t h e seabed. s o l i d waste on the seabed, gas bubbles trapped within
sediments, and variable weathering patterns often complicate
interpretation. Does not provide sound velocities. Computation of
depths to interfaces requires velocity d a t a obtained by other
means, e.g. borehole correlation. laboratory tests (Table 13).
---I
Magnetic
-
outcrops, gravel deposits, pipelines, wrecks, etc.
Table of Contents
Echo sounding Bathymetric mapping to determine water depths. Suspended sediments created by dredging the seabed can render
the dredged levels obtained by t h i s method unreliable.
The trace obtained by the echo sounder should be checked
against depths obtained by conventional methods, e.g. by the
use of a gravity corer.
Table of Contents
Table 12 - Tests on Soils and Groundwater (sheet 1 of 4 )
Name Recommended
Remarks
of Test References
Moisture content .
BS 1377 IBSI 1975 b l Frequently used i n the determination of soil properties. e.g, dry density. degree of saturation.
Test l ( A l , Soils containing halloysitic clays. gypsum or calcite con lose water of c r y s t a l l ~ s o t ~ owhen
n heated.
Geotechnlcal Manual for Slopes and should be dried o l various temperatures ta assess the effect on determination of moisture content.
(GCO. 198LI.
Seclion 3.2.2
Table of Contents
Liquid and p l a s t ~ cl l m ~ l s BSI 11975b) Test 21AI Used to classify fine-grained soils and as an aid i n classifying the fine fraction of mixed soils
(Atterberg limits) or 2181 and Test 3; Soils containing halloysitic clays must be tested o t natural moisture content.
Geotechnical Manual for Slopes
Section 3 2 . 3
Lineor shrinkage BSI 11975bl Test 5 Used to detect the presence of expansive clay minerals. Limited application i n Hong Kong.
Speclftc gravity BSi l1975b) Test 6 ; Frequently used i n the determination of other properties. e.g. void ratio, particle size d t s t r ~ b u t i o n
Geotechnical Manual for Slopes. by sedimentation
Section 3.2.L;
Lambe 11951 1 Chapter 2
Table of Contents
Particle size d i s t r l b u t ~ o n: Wide application i n Hong Kong i n the classification of s o ~ l s .
lo1 Sieving la1 BSI 11975 b l Test 7 I A ) ; l a ) Sieving gives the groding of so11 coarser than silt. Care is required with soils derived from insitu
Geotechnical Manual for rock weothermg, to ovold crushing of soil grains during disaggregation. The standard method of
Slopes, Section L.6; dry slevlng IBSI, 1975 b Test 7 I B l I i s not recommended for general use In Hong Kong. As a variation
B r ~ a n -Boys e t a l 119861 to the standard method of wet sieving 1851. 1975b Test 71AI). i t will be appropriate to exclude the
Clause 5.1 use of dispersont when determining particle size distribution for certaln appllcatlons. e.g. for
designing filters. and i n selecting fill for reinforced fill structures.
I b l BSI I1975 b l I b l The proportion of the soil passing the finest sleve 163 p m l represents the combined silt and cloy
Test 7lC) or 71D); fraction. The relative proportions of silt and clay can only be determined by sedimentation.
Geotechnical Manual for
Slopes. Section 3.2.5
Table of Contents
Laboratory vane shear Wilson 11963) A useful test for c l a s s ~ f y l n gsllts and clays i n term of consistency See also Geoguide 3 (GCO. 19881.
Table of Contents
Table 12 - T e s t s on Soils and Groundwater ( s h e e t 2 of 4 )
--
Category Name Recommended
Remarks
of Test of Test References
- - --
Organic matter content 851 11975bl Test 8 Detects the presence of organic molter. which can :
l i t interfere with the hydration of Portland cement In soil -cement pastes.
i i i ) influence shear strength. bearing copocity and compressibility.
l i i i ) influence the magnitude of the correction foctar require when using nuclear methods to estimate the
insitu ma~sturecontent of sails IASTM. 1985hl.
L
0 l i v l promote microbiological corrosion of buried steel.
*
:
u Sulphate content : These tests assess the aggressiveness of soil and groundwater to burled concrete ond steel. Local
Table of Contents
C
2 'a) Totol sulphate content of la1 BSI 11975 b l Test 9 experience indicates that sulphate content of Hong Kong soils is generally low. Therefore Test 9 of
e
0
so11 8.51 11975 b l IS normally adequate.
Ib) Sulphote ion content of I b l BSI 11975 b l Test 10
'D groundwater and oqueous
C sod extracts
0
-In
.-
0 Total sulphide content of American Public Health Assesses the aggressiveness of soil and groundwater to buried steel
V) groundwater and aqueous soil Association 119851 Part 427
extracts
C
-
0
In
m
0
pH value BSI ( 1975 b l Test 11 IA1 Assesses the aggressiveness of sol1 and groundwoter to buried concrete and steel.
I-
X Chloride Ion content Department of Transport Assesses :
Table of Contents
L 119761 Clause 2 7 2 2 lil the aggressiveness of soil to buried concrete and steel
.-> l i i ) the suitability of tone aggregate for use i n concrete.
;
In
e
L
0
0 Carbonale content Road Research Laboratory The reference describes the method using the Collins calcimeter
'D (19521
C
-
0
0
Resistivity Brion- Boys et a1 119861
Clause 5.L
Assesses the potentiol far electrochemical corroston of buried steel. The quoted reference gives a test
method for compacted f i l l . a s opposed to field measurement using the four electrode method (see Section
.-0 33.2 11. Corrosion of steel i n soils is discussed i n BSBOOL IBS1.1986) and King 119771.
E,
r
0 Redox potential Brian - Boys et a l (1986 1 Assesses the likelihood of sulphote reductng bacteria' being present, which promote microbiological corrosion
.
Table of Contents
Clouse 5.5 of buried steel. The quoted reference gives a test method for compocted fill 0s opposed to field measurement.
which is described i n CPt021 iBS1.19731.
Bocter~ological tests BSI 119731 Undisturbed specimens should be stored ~n olr-sealed, sterilized containers.
Table of Contents
Table 12 - Tests on Soils and Groundwater (sheet 3 of 4 )
-
ategory Name Recommended
Remarks
)f Test of Test References
Trioxlol compression tests The qulck undralned test gwes undrolned shear strength I n terms of t o t a l stresses, and has appl~catlont o
s h o r t - t e r m s t a b ~ l ! t yand b e a r ~ n gcapaclty analyses E f f e c t ~ v estress onalysls 15 relevant t o most solls and
la1 Quick undrained
( b l Consolidated drained
la1 BSI 11975 b l Test 21
( b l Bishop 8 Henkel 119761
engmeertng appllmtlons ln Hong Kong . consequently the consolldated dramed test or consalldated undrolned
test w ~ t hmeasurement of pore water pressure should generally be used Tests should be c a r r ~ e dout In
l c l Consolidated undrained I c l Geatechnlcal Manual for t h e stress range appropriate to the analysls
w i t h measurement of pore Slopes, Sections 3.7 and For saturated cloys w ~ t hundra~nedshear strength less than about 75 k P o , the l n s ~ t upenetratlon vane test
water pressure 3.8 ; Heod 119861 1 see S e c t ~ o n21 3 1 , used I n conjunction wlth the cone penetratlon test I see Sectlon 23 3 I. will normally
Table of Contents
be the best method for measuring undromed shear strength
A number o f other t r m x l a l tests are possrble. e g follure by mcreasmg pore pressure. decreasing KT3 e t c
T r l a x ~ a l tests can also be used t o f m d KO
Direct shear test Akroyd 119691; ASTM 11985 il A u s e f u l and practical alternotwe to the consolldoted drotned t r ~ a x ~ otest
l for sheor strength measurements
Geotechnical Manual for Slopes on fill c o l l u v ~ u mand 5011s derlved from weather~ng of rock ~ n s l t u The test speclmen can be orlented to
Sections 3.7 and 3.9 ; measure shear strength on o pre-determmed plane The m o p l l m l t o t ~ o no f the test I S t h e speclmen
Heod I1986 1 thickness whlch governs the maxlmum portlcle srze that c o n be tested Common speclmen slzes ore 60 mm
and 100 mm square by 2Omm thlck The less common 60mm dlometer by 20mm thlck and 300mm
square by 160mm thlck dlrect sheor boxes hove olso been used In Hong Kong
Table of Contents
Consolidotion These tests yleld soil parameters from whlch the amount and time scale of settlements con be calculated
l o 1 One-dimensional la1 BSI 11975 b l Test 17 The simple oedometer test 15 the one i n general u s e . Although reosonoble assessment of settlement can
consolidotlon be made from the results of the test, estimotes of the time scale hove been found t o be extremely
( oedometer test I
inaccurate for some s o i l s . This i s particularly true for cloy s o ~ l scontaining layers and partings of slit
and sand, where t h e horizontal permeability 1s much greater than the uertlcal . I n these cases, more
I b l Triaxial consolidation I b l Bishop 8 Henkel (19761 reliable data moy be obtoined from tests In tho Rowe c e l l , which i s ovolloble In slzes up t o 250 mm
I c l Rowe c e l l I c l Rowe B Barden 119661; diameter and where a larger and potentially more representative sample of soil can be tested
Head 119861 (see Section 1 2 . 5 1 . Another olternotrve 1s to obtain values of permeobility. k from rnsltu p e r m e o b ~ l l t y
tests, and combme them w i t h coefficients of volume decrease, m, obtained from the simple oedometer test
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Modulus of deformation Heod 11986 1 Values of the modulus of deformatlon of sol[ can b e obto~ned f r o m t h e s t r e s s - s t r a l n curves from trloxlal
compression tests, where the test specimens hove been consolldated under effective stresses wrrespondlng
t o those In t h e field However, values obtolned In thls way frequently do not correlate well w l t h
I n s ~ t uobservot~ons I t IS now generally considered t h a t the p l a t e test ( s e e Sectton 21 6). the pressuremeter
I see Sectlon 21 7 ) and back onalysls of exlstmg structures y ~ e l dmore rellable results
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Table 12 - Tests on Soils and Groundwater (sheet 4 of 4 )
Nome Recommended
Remarks
of Test References
Permeability :
la1 Constant head f a ) Akroyd 119691 The constant head test is suited only to soils of permeability roughly within the range l ~ - ~ r n ltos 10-*mls.
permeability test For soils of lower permeability the falling head test is opplfcoble. For various reasons, principally sample
I b l Falling head f b l Akroyd 119691 size and ground varlobllity, laboratory permeability tests often yield results of limited value, and insitu
permeability test tests should generally yleld more representative data l s e e Section 21.L). The Rowe cell allows the direct
measurement of permeability by a constant head, with a bock pressure and confining pressures more closely
I c l Triaxial permeability test f c l Bishop 8 Henkel 119761; consistent with the field state, and by both vertical and radial flow.
Head 119861
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I d ) Rowe cell Id1 Head 119861;
Rowe Borden 11966)
Dry density 1 moisture content 851 11975b1 Tests 12. 13 Indicates the degree of compaction that can be achieved at different molsture contents and with
relationship and 14 different compactive effort. Test 12 is commonly used i n Hong Kong. It is carried out in conjunction
with determinotions of insitu dry density I ASTM. 1985b; ASTM. 1985e; ASTM. 1985h; 851. 1975b Test 15;
see also Chapter 271.
California bearing ratio ICBRl Akroyd f19691. This is an empirical test used i n the design of flexible pavements. The test con also be curried out
051 (1975 b l Test 16 lnsitu l see Section 29.6 I, but the results may be substantially different from the laboratory test due
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to the difference i n the confining condition. especially for sands.
Double oedometer test Hilf 119751; Holtz f19f.81 Assesses the potential for soils to collapse on wetting
Double hydrometer test Decker 8 Dunnigan 11977 1 Used to identify disperswe soils. i n order to assess the potential for dispersive piping and internal
ldispersion lest l eroslon to occur i n slopes and earth structures. The different tests M y not give consistent indications
Exchangeable sodium Flanagan 8 Holmgren 119771 of dispersion. consequently i t i s advisable to use more than one test method.
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percentage test
Emerson crumb test Standards Association of
lturbidity test 1 Australia 11980 1
Pinhole test Sherord et a l 119761
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Table 13 - Tests on Rock
Name Recommended
Remarks
of Test References
Water content, porosity. Brown 119811 pp 79 - 9L Used for classification and choracterisat~on of rocks
density, absorption. swelling.
and slake durability
Sonic wave velocity ASTM 11985d1; Used to measure v e l o c ~ l ~ eofs compresston and shear waves for the determlnatmn of elostac constants of
(sound velocity 1 Brown 119811 pp 105 - 110 ~sotroplc and sl~ghtly omsotrop~c rocks The test results ore used I" conjunct#on wdh geophys~cal survey data
(Table Ill, and to assess dynamlc properties of rock Tests are usually carrled out on small specimens
usmg u l t r o s o n r frequencies
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Thin section Brown 119811 p p 73 - 77: Used for petrographic descript~onof texture. fabric and state of alteration in rock material.
Oearman 8 lrfan 119781
Point load Gamon 11984b); Used to meosure the p o ~ n tload strength index and strength anlsotropy The results are used a s an ~ n d e x
l r t a n 8 Powell 119851; test for strength classification of rock material, and to predict i t s uniaxial compressive strength.
ISRM 119851; see Geogulde 3 (GCO. 1988).
Lumb 119831 The test can be carried out on pleces of drlll core or ~ r r e g u l a rlumps of r o c k . I t can also be carried out In
t h e field ( s e e Section 24 2 1 I
Unioxml compresslve strength ASTM 1198591; Used for direct determination of uniaxial compresslve strength. and for determination of static
and deformability ASTM 11985il; Young's Modulus of Elasticity and Pmsson's r a t i o .
Brown 1 1 9 8 i i pp 113 - 116. The results can be used in conpnctlon w ~ t h~ntormationon the nature and spacing of d i s c o n t ~ n u ~ t ~to
es
Cbpullo 8 lrfan 1198L I. assess allowable bearing stress and settlement i n rock foundation deslgn. stability of underground excavations
Gamon 8 Szeto 119841. and to design rock support measures. They may olso be used for classification of rock materlal
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Haas 119831. IDeere 8 Miller. 19661. Unioxial compressive strength can be used to classify rock moterml for descr~pfive
Howkes 8 Mellor 119701 purposes. see Geogulde 3 IGCO. 1988).
- -- - - -- -
Triaxial ComDression ASTM 1 1 9 8 5 ~I; Used for determmat~onof trmxlal compresswe strength, stotlc Young's Modulus of E l a s t l c ~ t yand
Brawn 119811 pp 123 - 127; Po~sson's rotlo Test results are used to assess the stablllty of underground excovatlons and
Franklin 8 Haek 11970 1; to deslgn support measures
Hosk 8 Franklin 119681
- -
D ~ r e c tand ASTM 11985 f 1 ; Used ~n s t a b t l ~ t yassessment of underground excavat~ons Specimens for dlrect tests are dlfflcult to prepare,
indirect tensde strength Brown 11981I pp 119 - 121 ; and m d ~ r e c ttests such a s the 'Brazll Test' a r e more commonly performed
Hawkes 8 Meltor 11970 1
D ~ r e c tshear Brown 11981 1. pp 135 - 137; Used to determine the shear strength character6stics of rock discontinuities. The Robertson Shear Box
Franklin 119851; and the Golder Associates Shear Box are routmely used. Both are sufficiently portable far f i e l d use,
Geotechnical Manual for Slope but specimen preparation time i s a disadvantage. The results are used i n rock slope stability analysis,
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IGCO. 19841 Section 3.10; and for local stability calculations i n tunnels.
Gyenge 8 Herget 119771;
Hencher 8 Richards 119821;
Hoek 8 Broy 119811;
R~chards8 Cowland 119821;
Ross-Brown 8 Watton 119751
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FIGURES
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[BLANK PAGE]
247
LIST OF FIGURES
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Figure Page
No. No.
1 S t a g e s of a Site Investigation
2 Locations of t h e Mid-levels Scheduled Area
a n d Mass T r a n s i t Railway
3 Programme of t h e New Geological S u r v e y
4 The Geotechnical Area S t u d i e s Programme
5 Examples of Maps Available in t h e
Geotechnical Area Studies Programme
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6 Comparison of Geological Map a n d Aerial
P h o t o g r a p h f o r Identifying Major S t r u c t u r a l
a n d Lithological F e a t u r e s
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12 Typical Arrangement of Air Foam Mixing a n d
Flushing System
13 General P u r p o s e Open-tube Sampler
14 Thin-walled Sampler
15 Thin-walled Stationary Piston Sampler
16 Example of a Double-tube C o r e - b a r r e l
(Craelius T2-101)
17 Example of a Non-retractable Triple-tube
Core-barrel (Triefus HMLC)
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19 Typical S t a n d p i p e a n d Open-hydraulic
Piezometers
Figure Page
No. No.
Table of Contents
20 Typical Twin-tube Closed-hydraulic Piezometer
Tips
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26 Vane S h e a r Devices
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31 Typical Arrangement f o r Packer (Water
Absorption) Test
36 G C O Probe
37 G C O Probe Record
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41 Typical Arrangement for Double-ring
Constant-head Field Infiltration Test
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[BLANK PAGE]
-
-
-
-
-
I
Table of Contents
I
+
Recognition o f need for project
+
ground conditions concept designs
Recognition of
+
major problems
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and preliminary amendment of
field investigations design concept
Preliminary
t
Design of main
4
prelimindryl ~ e t a i l e d
ground investigation Design
t
+
Ground lnvestigation
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CONSTRUCTION
1
Construct ion
t
4
I
I
+
Recording actual
ground conditions
I
Further inv&tigation 4
I +
Modifications to design
Modifications to design
i ! I
I COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION I
-
Post construction
Monitoring behaviour
in operation Maintenance works
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Legend :
) Exchange of information
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HONG KONG
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I Legend :
* M i n o r p a r t o n l y . p u b l i s h e d i n Memoir No. 2
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( 1 : 20 000 scale mapping]
X - Islands
X1 - South Lantau
XI1 - Territory of Hong Kong
Note : Reprints o f all maps are held in the Geotechnical Information Unit.
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0 200 400 600 800 1 OM)m
Scale :- 1 : 20 000
Legend :
v{
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F d Class I11 - High Geotechnicol
Limitations
Dominantly broclastic Rocks with
some Lavas
Note : Examples taken from GASP Report I - Hong Kong and Kowloon.
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Sheet 1 of 1
Logged by : A.N. Chan Method of Excavation : Hand ( timber shoring Date Excavated : 1.1.1983
Checked by : A.N. Lau f u l l height)
Date : 5.1.83 Co-ordinates : E 3 4 4 4 4 . 4 4 N 15555.55 Date Backfilled : 20.1.1983
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- -
egend Description
a..
..
Loose. dry, light brown,gravelly silty SAND ( F i l l )
Loose, dry. light brown.grovelly silty SAND with
many roots ( F i l l )
Loose t o medium dense, dry, reddish brown, slightly
SAND,with pieces of glass
"
(Colluvium-matrix I . Slakes easily. Hand
penetrometer strength = 40 k P a I -LTlnsitu density
test
Moisture
I Undisturded
sample, hori.
Undisturbed
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"
-
rn
strong, dry. dark greenish grey. inequigranular.
moderately decomposed coarse a s h TUFF
-
( CoIIuvium rock f ragrnent )
. Water sample
Seepage
Small disturbed
sample
+
El Block sample
C-I Photograph
Bench mark
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Area A
Type of Excavation : Hand-dug Contractor : A.N. Company Study Area :
Location : King's Park
Date Excavated : 171 3 1 8 2 87.1 mPD
Ground Level :
: Nil Date Backfilled : 2 / 4 \ 8 2 Co-ordinates : E 4238112 N 19234.75
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LocatiorI : E 33 320.12 E 33331.23 Slope No. : Slope a
Ap Lsei Chau N 11 302.43 N 11 302.11 Ch. 4 + 9 5
Contrac to1
A.N. I I
--
Date S t ted :
12. 83
Date Completed :
19.12.83
Date Reinstated :
26.12.83
Logged by :
A.N. Chan
Checked by :
A. N. Lau
I k--
listance disc on ti^
from Slope [educed Description
Level Legend Dip Directio~ Nature 0
Datum Angle and Sample Data
[mPD) Infilling
(ml - I I
14
18.0-
Drainage channel (300 x 250mm ) I I
Natural slope covered with small trees
and grass with colluvium below.
Boulder of strong to very strong, dry. dark
30' greenish grey, slightly decomposed f i n e
a s h TUFF, 600 mm i n diameter.
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Too of chunamed cut slooe
14.6-
~
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dipping 10' 20'. Very weak highly
decomposed material exists adjacent to
isome joints.
I
Very strong, dry. d a r k greenish grey, 23C/71,
slightly decomposed fine ash TUFF. 215167. Surface
Joints are medium-spaced, persistent, 23015 6, staining
rough and planar, t i g h t and dry, with 302115,
235172
yellowish brown surface staining.
inage channel
Large disturbed sample
Block sample
lnsitu density test b ~ h u n a r n e dslope
Moisture content test
Water sample
k ~ o c slope
k
Seepage
Photograph
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rtethod of Excavation : Hand- dug
Weathered
0.0 l o 29.5m
Co-ordinates: E m
Ground Level: 4 9 . 0 3 rnPD
N 34 902
Discontinuities
- -
iheet 2 of 2
inishI Tests
Mass
Zone
T
The joints are medium-spoced, rough
md planar and dry. Some joints
:ompletely :ontain quartz veins. 2-3 mm thick.
i sub-vertical fault of less than
weathered
00 mm t h i c k containing s o f t
lranodiorite
:ohesive soil i s present.
18.0
31.03
The joints are closely t o medium-
spaced, rough and planar and d r y .
Some joints contain quartz veins,
-
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1 3 mm t h i c k .
Highly
weathered Ground
lranodiorite water
level
26.53 H
V
24.5
24.53
The joints ore closely t o medium-
;paced, rough and planar, very narrow
~ n ddry. and contain extremely weak
.
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iighly decomposed rock. F I = 4
Moderately 22.83
weathered The joints ore dominantly vertical or
rub-vertical , medium-spaced, rough
lranodiorite
~ n plonar.
d extremely narrow and d r y
with brown-stains. Occasional joints
:ontain extremely weak highly decomposed
.ock, 2-5mm thick. Some horizontal
28.4 oints are widely-spaced. F I = 3 .
20.63
Slightly
weathered
The joints a n medium t o widely-spaced
.ough and planar, tight and dry with
-
jranodiorite wown-stains.OccasionaL joints contain 1 A1
rxtnmely weak highly decomposed rock,
29.5-
30 I Base of Caisson 1 19.53 2- 5 mm thick. F I=2 . 2 1
Legend : d by :
Material grades
(1) Mixtures of Grades A.N. Chan
D v Completely decomposed - Joint I V and V materials
present are shown
IV q-m Mineralized quartz vein
Highly decomposed using overlapping
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ma
onor I
Moderately decomposed
Slightly decomposed
F I
,,
Fracture index
Schmidt hammer test
at 0 . 9 m c l c
symbols.
( 2 ) Discontinuity data
are given separately. late :
or Fresh
-- --
f Fault AD Air d r i l l test
I 2 9 - 6 - 84
Contractor : A. N. Company
. .
Date S t a r t e d : 4 6 8 4 - - D a t e Finished: 2 6 - 6 - 84
Water swivel
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Wire drum hoist
Cathead hoist
Pressure hose
Swivel drill h e a d
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' -rod
Drill 'mcoupling ~ m f -
Diamond casing shoe
Drill rod
Rock
Core- barrel
Reamer
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Diamond bit
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Rotary
Air Air from
swivel
pressure
Suction hose
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Sample tube
Drive head
Vents to ball
valve assembly
1'
Sampler head with
overdrive space
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Length
Cutting shoe
(see detail 1
Notes : ( 1 ) The open-tube sampler may also be attached to drill rods and driven or pushed into
the ground by the drilling r i g or SPT hammer.
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( 2 ) Two sample tubes may be coupled together to provide a Longer sample or additional
overdrive space.
( 3 ) The vents in the sampler head should have a minimum collective cross sectional area
of 600 mmz t o allow tree exit of air and water above the sample.
( 4 ) A core-catcher device (not shown) may also be included with the cutting shoe.
( 5 ) Samplers smaller in diameter than the U 100 are available which are of similar
design.
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Screws attaching sample
tube to drive head
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- Exit ports
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-Piston rod
- Thin-walled
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sample tube, samples
commonly 75 or 100mm diameter
by Irn long
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B e a r ~ n g housing
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Inner tube, cores
commonly 61 to
79 mm diameter
by I m long
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E x t e n s ~ o n tube
Table of Contents
Core l ~ f t e rcase
. Bearing housing
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Blow o u t valve
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Reaming shell
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Core lifter
Adaptor
Drill b i t
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Flush water
Retractor spring
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( b ) Coring Harder Material
(Inner tube retracted 1
diameter by I m long
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. ,.
Gravel or sand ,
Perforated plastic
pipe
filter wfabric
r a p p , i d A ,
'Io 1 1 Low air entry porous
plastic f ilter-or similar,
300mm x 3 5 mm 0.13.
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( a ) Standpipe (b) Open- hydraulic Piezometer (C ) Casagrande - type
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Open- hydraulic Piezometer
I~ o tto scale
Rubber
Filter
75 mm x 50 mm O.D.
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(a) Piezometer Tip for Use in Borehole
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Rubber gasket
Rubber gasket
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.
F i g u r e 20 - Typical Twin-tube Closed-hydraulic Piezometer Tips
500 sq.
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Ground level iron
in urban area
Ground level
2 1 n rural area
daylight face
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Bottom of hole
v
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Location : Royal Observatory Co-ordinates :
I L ~ . S ~1P [
150 -
Ground level. 1L9.3mPD Top of standpipes P I & P 2 0
1L8
Installed
ILL
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132l I I I I
I I
April May June JULY August
Raingauge : R 0 1
Distance from site : 0.1 km
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-
-
Legend :
Observed piezometric response
pierorneter tip level
-
Figure 22 - Example of Piezometer Record
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Rigid plug.
2 5 0 by LO approx.
Non -slip
bowline knots
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Auxiliary
draingge
Nylon
fishing line Intake hole
Halcrow bucket.
British patent
No. 1 5 3 8 ~ 8 7
(See detail ) Plastic float for easy
visual observation of
water level in bucket
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6 number lead
weights (min.
total weight 1009 1
Figure 8 knot
FRONT VIEW
0
- 10
Scale
20mm
SIDE VIEW
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Piezometer No. : P1 Design (Critical) Depth of Critical
Water Level : Water Level below
Top of Standpipe :
Location : Royal Observatory
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12.5.83 Dry > 5.5 Sunny HYC
'I.
20.6.83 5.9 4.8 - 5.5 Fine WPF
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<2.5 HYC
Exceeds critical depth
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Notes: (1IFigurebasedon B S 1 3 7 7 ( B S l . l 9 7 5 b ] .
( 2 ) A slightly enlarged inner diameter of the split barrel is permitted, provided
removable (iners are always used which have an inside diameter of 35mm.
( 3 ) A ball valve in the base of the coupling as shown in ASTM l 1 9 8 5 a 1 is also
permitted.
(4) All dimensions are in millimetres.
Sleeve (packed
with grease)-
Extension rods
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D
k 4
SECTION
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VIEW FROM
BOTTOM
Borehole casing
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Bentonite seal (Attapulgite
may be u s e d i n saline w a t e r )
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Graded filter material
-I
%
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2 n ~ 20
F= F=
l o g , [ ( ~ ~ ~ l + J hLID)^)^ 1+(8IT)(LIDl
( d l w e l l Point or Hole (el Soil i n Casinq with ( f ) Soil i n Casing with
Extended i n Uniform Bottom a t impervious Bottom i n uniform
Soil Boundary Soil
~ o t e s: ( 1 ) Expressions come from Hvorslev (1951 I; figure based on BS 5930 [BSI. 198la)
( 2 ) Values are primarily for tests carried out through the open ends of bore-
holes. Case I d ) may be used for tests carried out using piezometer tips,
but more accurate results w i l l be obtained by using Figure 29 especially
.
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L is t h e length
D i s the diameter
I 1 I I I
0 2 4 6 8 10
Length 1 Diameter Ratio of Piezometer (LID)
than the vertical the test will measure the former. whatever
the relation between L and D .
(5) The intake factor may also be calculated from the expression
.
I Brand & Premchitt 1980 :
2.L7rL
F =
log, i1.2 LID +J(1 + 11.2 LID 12)1
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BH1 18.12.86
FIELD DATA : Borehole D~~~
Drillhole D7 Observer A-N. Chan
.
Internal diameter of
casing 127 m m -
I-
Depth of casing = l.07n
above G.L.
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Depth of water
a t t i m e of l e s t
= 11.66 m below
G.L.
Depth of casing
E 10.67 m below
G.L.
Depth of hole
= 12.9 m below
G.L.
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Diameter of hole
D :160 m m
0.1
I
0 2 4 6 B 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Time Imin)
CALCULATIONS :
.*
A
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K = , q
where : A :0.01539 m2
L
F = 2.s7(based on case ( d l i n Figure 28
T z 1 2 m i n x 60 z 720sec
Surge
bottle
r Water
supply
control valve
::
lnf lating
pressure I X-
Top packer
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valve
O n Drill rod
Table of Contents
5
Bottom packer
Bottom of borehole
v
( b 1 Arrangement of Double Packer
( a 1 Single Packer Test Arrangement
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F i g u r e 31 - T y p i c a l A r r a n g e m e n t for P a c k e r (Water A b s o r p t i o n ) T e s t
Field Data f r o m Water Absorption Test
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Borehole No. T3 T e s t No. 4
Gauge p r e s s u r e 1 2 4 kPa
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Flowmeter
reading ( 1 ) 218.6 229.3 239.9 250.7 (Ilmin1
.8y3skdt
Water take ( 1 ) 10.7 10.6 10.8 2.14
0 5 10 15
- T i me (minutes) Average
Flow
reading ( 1 ) 281.8 296.4 3 1 1 .2 326.3 ( Ilmin 1
-
Water take ( 1 ) 14.6 14.8 15.1 2.96
T i me (minutes) 0 5 10 15 Average
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FI o w
F lowmeter
reading 1 1 255.9 276.6 297.5 318.5 llmin )
T i me (minutes) 0 5 10 15 Average
FI ow
Flowmeter
reading ( I 1 54.5 69.9 85.4 101.1 ( Ilmin1
Q+F+='+
Water take ( I 15.4 15.5 15.7 3.10
-
FIFTH PERIOD Gauge pressure 124 kPa
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Borehole No. T3 Test No. 4
1
Date of Test 24.11.75 Depth of Hole at Time of Test 33.84 rn
Packer Type (delete as necessary) Diameter of Hole in Test Area 102 rnrn
S m g k l Double
Pneumatic,- Drillhole Inclination from Horizontal 90'
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(1
Vertical Depth
to ground-
water from
S.L. 21.3Lrn ( 2 1
Height o t
Pressure
Gauge above
3. . 1.32m
(31
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100 by
~ = - q = 2.06 lugeon units
Ih
where I = length of test section in metres 1 A.N. I A . N . Chan I
Note : If groundwater level unknown or below test section use depth to centre
of test section.
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to drill rod or cable
Blee
hole
Foam rubber pad i- Brass or
stainless steel leaves
Brass or stainless
Impressionable
thermoplastic
film
steel leaf with
foam rubber pad
on outer surface
Drillhole
wall
Impressionable
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thermoplastic
film
/ -Inflatable
rubber
L Central perforated membrane
metal tube
Central perforated ( a 1 Deflated Position
metal tube,
approx. length 1.8m
Inflatable
rubber membrane
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Retraction rings
or springs
Bottom
body
( b ) InfIated Position
Nose cap or
orientation instrument
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Project : Stage 2 Studies I Sheet I of 3
Location : Slope no. llSW-C(C207, Mt. Davis Road I Logged by : A.N. ~ h a n lChecked by : A.N. Lau
Drillhole No. : Orientation : Co-ordinates : E 830 610 N 814 942
SBHI Vertical Ground Level : +127.65 mPD
Nature and orientation
of discontinuties
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Stronq to very strong, dry, d a r k
g r e e n ~ s h grey mottled with black.
inequigranular, slightly decomposed
coarse a s h TUFF
Joint
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Joint
6,Extrcmely weak
2. Join1 3.Mod.narror(20-6Omm~ 2.Decomposedl 2.Soft 7.Very weak 2.Smooth sleppcd
degICeS
>.Cleavage &.Narrow 16-20mml disintcgraled rock 3.Firm &Weak 3.Slickcnslided stepped
L.Schistosity 5.VWY n a r r o w l l - 6 m m l 3.Granular r o i l *Stiff 9.Moderaldy weak &.Rough undulltinp
i.Shear plane 6.Ext. n a r r o w b 0 - 2 m m ) 4,Cohcsivc r o i l 5.Very s t i f f 1O.Moderatcly strong 5.Smooth undulating
8. Fissure 7.Tight I z r r o l 5.Buartz or hard 1l.Slrong 6.Slickenslided undulating
1. Tension crack 6.Calcilr 12,Yery strong 7.Rough planar
I.Foliation 7. Manganese I3,Extrrmely strong 8.Smooth planar
I . Bedding 8.Kaolin 9,Slickenslidcd planar
9.Othrr-specify
20 9
45' chamfer
10 kg sliding hammer
with handles.
Coupler
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Extension rod,
136 (tobeadded -
as required 1
f
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Coupler,
see detail
&- Point .
see .eta,[
Point
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Site : Fill Slope along Slip Road No.1. Shatin I Probe NO. : P3
Job : FilL Slope Investigation Date : 16/3/83 Level 50.77 mPD
Contractor : A . N . company Co-ordinates
Logged by : A . N . Chan E 836600 N 825 100
Blows 1100mm
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F i g u r e 37 - G C O P r o b e Record
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35 9
lnner rod. w lnner rod.
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Friction sleeve
Mantle -
Cone angle 60'-
Mantle
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( a ) Collapsed (b) Extended
Dutch Mantle Cone
Cone angle 60"
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.-.
131 The friction sleeve cone extends in two increments to reach the position shown in ( d ) . The mantle is first extended
35 m m , then the mantle and friction sleeve together are extended another 35 m m .
/+
Electric
cable
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- Adjustment
ring
-Strain gauges
- Friction sleeve
-Strain gauges
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-Load cell
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Schematic Diagram of Point Load Tester
-
Location : North Tai Po to Lam Kam Road
Test
- Ram Area : -
Gauge
rested by : KYC
-
NO. Rock Type Moisturc Type #ample Platen pressure Failurc quivalen orrectior
or and Conditio~ and Width, eparation. at Load, )iameter: Factor,
eptt W De F
Description irtctior Failure
-
Im) -
(mm) -
(mml -
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-
- A
11 Mloiisture Condition
L
Diametral
d - air ary f
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5 - saturated
n - nalural moisture
21 Test Type and Direction Axial 0.3W < D < W
d - diametral
n - axial
D~~ E L W D I ~
L - irregular lump iJQ
/I - parallel to planes of weakness Irregular Lump
1 - perpendicular lo planes of weakness
r - random or unknown orientation 0.3W < D <W
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Test pit or
caisson
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I I 10 litre bottles
A .f I with calibrated
graduations
frame with
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of water for tubing supplyins
water
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gf column
Loading I Line of
tension piles
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Loading column
\I L Measuring column
Centralising fins
Skirt
Loading plate
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Bedding material
Note : Figure adopted from Brown (1981 1 and BS5930 1 BSI, 1981a I .
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:
+
Co-ordinates : E 12197.74 N 19259 5 5 Sheet No Of
Locatmn Lom T I P I
Ground L e v e l : 9 1 6 mPD I Logged by : A N Chon I Checked by : A N . Lou
-
~ o t eof w o r k s 2 2 / 2 / 8 6 to 2L 12186
epth
I
of
2s,ng Field Tests. Descrtptlon o f M o t e r m l s Grodr
%re1 Samples ond
-Imm
1LOl
Instrumentottan
0 50
1%)
Fill 1
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: Fill 1
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Moderately weok. yellowish b r o w n
~ n e ~ u ~ ~ r a hmoderotely
lor, decomposed
\C
coarse t o medium-grolned GRANITE w i t h
-
8.2 sub- h o r ~ z o n t o l ,closely-spaced, smooth ond
11011 ~ L a n a r ,t l g h t . b l o c k - s t a i n e d jotnts 1
Strong. p m k l s h grey. inequigronulor, slightly
decomposed coarse t o m e d u m - g r o ~ n e d
GRANITE ' 4 1 t h generally wldely-spoCed lOltlt5
Smooth and planar. t g h t , b l o c k - s t o l n e d
j m t dlppmg a t 7 0 ' ot 9 1 - 9 3 m .
Sub-horrzontal, smooth ond planar. t l g h t .
brown-stained jolnts a t 9.6, 10.2 and 10 5 m
I see Sheet 2 I
Remarks :
F r o m s ~ t ef o r m a t i o n d r o w m g no A130791 o r l g t n o l
ground level before canstructmn of f l l l Platfarm
.
II t
S m o l l d t s t u r b e d eomple
L a r g e disturbed somole
I Plant used Longyeor
.. L3L
Type of b o r l n g l d r i l l l n g :
Rotmy d r l i ~ n g
a n d playground w a r a p p r a x 8 8 m P D
U76.100 Undasturbed dr , v e sample. of 76 mm
I ~,~h
,l, medium - w a t e r
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or 100 mm d o I b l o w c o u n t , d e p t h 1
8 20 - 11 5 0 m 101 mm
M o r n m p l w c n l n g water Level I SPT inner sample 11 50 - 1 2 t o m 89mm
12 10 - 18 1 0 m 76mm
a t 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2312 2 3 1 2 2 1 1 2 2112 Stondord penetratton t e s t N value
3 H depth - 8 2 8 2 13 2 13 2 18 1
I Ib l o w count I p e n e t r a t ~ o n1 C w m g tubes
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Prqcct Project A Job No LTlDLl11
Sheet NO 2 01 2
Co-ordonotes - -
E 4 2 L 9 7 7L N 19259 55
Locot~on Lom Tin
I
Ground Level 91 6 mPD
Sample
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,+ sllghtly decomposed medlum to coarse-gramed - n
-
GRANITE with s u b - h o r ~ z o n t o l c l o s e l y - s p a c e d
+ + rough and pionor t l g h l b r o w n - s t o l n e d ]o,nts
Moderately to hbghly decomposed rock recovered
- 3
* + os angular gravel o t 12 5 12 a m - - n
-
. +
+ +
+
Very strong hght p m k l s h grey ~ n e q u ~ g r o n u l a r .
f r e s h . medwm to c a o r s e - g r a ~ n e d GRANITE
wtth generally widely-spoced p n t s
Smooth ond plonor tight b r o w n - s t a ~ n e dp n t s -
-
-
,+ dbppmg o t 40' o t 13 3 m and 1L 8 m
+ +
6 +
4
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* +
Sub-vertical medium-spaced. smooth and
+ + unduldt8ng d o r k green joints wbth 1 - 2 m m
Jlezometer + + -
t h ~ c k chlorite lnflll a t 17 1 17 6 m
Allb S u b - h o r ~ z o n t a l , s m o o t h a n d plonar tlght.
+ + w h l t e - s t a m e d p n t coated w l l h k a o l m
,+
-
o f 18 Om
$ Permeablllty test 0 0 0 - 8 2 O m
8 2 0 - 12 t o m
PW
NW
F i g u r e 4 4 - Example of a B o r e h o l e Log ( s h e e t 2 of 2)
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PLATES
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299
LIST OF PLATES
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Plate Page
No. No.
3 Ground I n v e s t i g a t i o n s o v e r Water
5 Block Sampling
6 Groundwater P r e s s u r e Measuring Equipment
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7 S t a n d a r d P e n e t r a t i o n T e s t Equipment
8 P e n e t r a t i o n Vane T e s t A p p a r a t u s (Geonor A/S)
9 Impression P a c k e r S u r v e y Equipment
10 P r o b i n g a n d P e n e t r a t i o n T e s t Equipment
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A : Drilling in a Densely -developed Urban Area
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Sampler
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Plate 4 - Drilling and Sampling Equipment ( s h e e t 3 of 3 )
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A : Trimmed Block Sample
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Plate 6 - Groundwater P r e s s u r e M e a s u r i n g Equipment
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A : Torque Measuring Device
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B : Vane Body
CONTENTS
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Page
No.
TITLE PAGE 315
CONTENTS 317
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A.5 P A S T RECORDS 320
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A.l GENERAL
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A d e s k s t u d y involves t h e collection and review of information required f o r
t h e planning of t h e p r o j e c t a n d of t h e s i t e investigation.
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For works t o be c a r r i e d o u t in a marine environment (e.g. seawalls a n d
piers). Admiralty c h a r t s a n d t i d e tables should also be r e f e r r e d to.
A.3 G R O U N D CONDITIONS
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erosion, s u r f a c e hydrology, vegetation, photolineaments
and o t h e r s u r f a c e geological f e a t u r e s , a n d f o r identifying
t h e presence of colluvium, alluvium, fill a n d boulders ( s e e
Chapter 6).
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ambient t e m p e r a t u r e s (including a i r a n d ground temperatures) a n d solar
radiation should be r e f e r r e d to.
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installations. horizontal drain installations, building
settlements, a n d slope a n d retaining wall movements.
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following p u r p o s e s :
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Registrar GeneraVLand Officer. These conditions govern t h e use of t h e site.
They also s e t down t h e requirements a n d restrictions on development, and
define t h e responsibilities of t h e related parties a n d authorities. The following
items a r e normally covered :
non- building a r e a s .
height of s t r u c t u r e s .
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removal of t r e e s ,
dumping on Government land a n d public
roads.
drainage r e s e r v e s .
pile driving.
blasting.
u s e of water s u p p l y ,
establishment of rock c r u s h i n g plants.
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(ii) i n t e r f e r e n c e with o r damage t o roads.
services, drains, channels, etc.
(iii) water supply.
(iv) connections t o sewers a n d stormwater
drains,
(v) drainage.
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(d) The Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Government of Hong
Kong. 1983). governing t h e storage, transportation a n d use
of d a n g e r o u s goods.
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utilities, should be thoroughly examined. For example, t h e e f f e c t of flushing
water from drilling on existing slopes a n d retaining walls should be considered.
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District Office. should b e consulted, s o a s t o a r r a n g e f o r unhindered access f o r
t r a n s p o r t i n g equipment t o site, a n d to enable work to be c a r r i e d o u t on site.
The land matters should include :
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Agriculture & Fisheries Department, Urban Services Department o r Regional
Services Department, a s appropriate. Whenever possible, permission should be
s o u g h t twelve months in advance, s o t h a t t h e root system of any t r e e suitable
f o r t r a n s p l a n t i n g may be p r e p a r e d f o r t h e move.
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If i t i s necessary t o excavate public roads, road excavation permits must
be obtained from t h e Utilities Section of t h e Highways Department. Where t h e
proposed g r o u n d investigation work may d i s r u p t t h e u s e of public footpaths,
s t r e e t s o r r o a d s , including high speed roads. t h e Highways Department should
be consulted.
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I n t h e case of marine investigations, t h e Marine Department must be
notified of t h e details of t h e proposals. s o t h a t notices t o mariners can be
issued. Special restrictions may b e imposed by Director of Marine where works
i s t o be c a r r i e d o u t in close proximity t o fairways, channels, typhoon s h e l t e r
e n t r a n c e s , terminals and piers. There may be circumstances w h e r e contractors
vessels will need t o provide mooring arrangements outside typhoon s h e l t e r s for
t h e i r vessels d u r i n g t h e passage of typhoons. Where investigations a r e
proposed close t o t h e runway of Kai Tak Airport. permission must f i r s t be
obtained from t h e Civil Aviation Department. Similarly, permission must b e
obtained from t h e Mass Transit Railway Corporation, t h e Cross Harbour Tunnel
Co. Ltd, t h e Water Supplies Department, o r t h e various public utility companies.
if investigations a r e proposed n e a r submerged t u n n e l s , pipelines o r utilities.
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Government of Hong Kong (1974). Waterworks Ordinance ( a n d Waterworks
Regulations). Laws of Honq Kong. Chapter 102. revised edition 1974. Hong
Kong Government P r i n t e r . 45 p. (Amended from time t o time).
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Government of Hong Kong (1985). Buildinqs Ordinance ( a n d Building
Regulations). Laws of Honq Konq. Chapter 123. revised edition 1985. Hong
Kong Government P r i n t e r . 387 p. (Amended from time t o time).
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SOURCES OF INFORMATION
APPENDIX B
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327
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T I T L E PAGE No.
CONTENTS 325
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B.3 GEOLOGICAL MAPS AND MEMOIRS 329
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B.8 LOCAL LIBRARIES 332
8.8.1 The Geotechnical Information Unit of t h e 332
Civil Engineering Library
8.8.2 Other Libraries 333
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The Survey & Mapping Office o f t h e Lands Department provides basic
large-scale plans, derived medium-scale plans, approved town plans. and
topographic maps o f Hong Kong. A list o f t h e currently available plans and
maps, and their coverage, is given i n Table 1.
Services o f f e r e d b y t h e Survey & Mapping Office include t h e supply o f
negative or photographic copies o f available maps and plans, as well as
producing enlargements and reductions. These services are available from t h e
Office's Map & Plan Sales outlets. together with map catalogues, and leaflets on
t h e services o f f e r e d and on copyright. Orders for enlargements and other
nonstandard items should be placed well i n advance, t o allow time for production
and delivery.
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8.1.2 Other Maps
Other map sources include t h e following :
( a ) Early maps o f Hong Kong are held for r e f e r e n c e b y t h e
S u r v e y & Mapping Office and t h e Public Records Office.
( b ) The Antiquities & Monuments Office o f t h e Culture Division,
Municipal Services Branch holds a series o f large-scale
archaeological maps covering t h e whole o f Hong Kong.
which include historical buildings and boundaries o f
archaeological sites. The maps are not available t o
members o f t h e public, b u t t h e y can be examined b y
authorized personnel i n connection with Government
projects.
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( c ) The Hong Kong Archaeological Society holds selected maps.
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new publication s e r i e s will replace t h e c u r r e n t reference geological document,
namely t h e 1:50 000 scale maps a n d memoir b y Allen & Stephens (1971). Both t h e
new a n d existing maps a n d memoirs can be obtained from t h e Government
Publications Centre, o r from t h e Map & Plan Sales outlets of t h e S u r v e y &
Mapping Office.
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1 9 8 4 ~ ) . A summary of t h e n a t u r e a n d o c c u r r e n c e of Hong Kong rocks a n d
superficial deposits is given in Appendix A of Geoguide 3 ( G C O , 1988).
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B.4 METEOROLOGICAL AND SEISMOLOGICAL INFORMATION
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b y means o f a simple map grid system.
The Geotechnical Information Unit also contains a large amount o f other
information o f direct relevance t o site investigation, and t h i s is described in
Section B.8.1.
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completed projects are also k e p t . A brief summary o f information possessed b y
some o f t h e Government Departments is given below.
The Architectural Services Department maintains records o f Government
buildings.
The Buildings Ordinance Office o f t h e Buildings Department retains
records o f private developments for about seven years following their
completion, a f t e r which time t h e files are transferred t o t h e Public Records
Office. Permission t o view a particular set o f records may be obtained from t h e
Buildings Ordinance Office, who will require t o know t h e address o f t h e
property and t h e lot number.
The Civil Engineering Office o f t h e Civil Engineering Department maintains
records o f all known waste t i p s i n Hong Kong. The Geotechnical Engineering
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Office o f t h e same Department holds records o f all known disused tunnels and
quarries, and maintains records o f all known retaining walls and man-made
slopes, and some natural slopes.
The Highways Department holds records o f t h e majority o f public roads
and road tunnels.
The Mines and Quarries Division o f t h e Civil Engineering Department
maintains records o f all known disused mines.
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The Government Secretariat Library contains information that
could be useful from an historical point of view. This includes
Sessional Papers, Administrative Reports, Statistical Abstracts and
Legislative Council Minutes. The Photographic Library and Reference
Library of the Information Services Department holds sets of old
photographs, microfilm of newspaper cuttings and other useful
material.
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Information on gas, electricity, telephone, and similar
services, including both the locations and details of existing
facilities and the provision of further services, should be sought
from the private companies supplying these services. The addresses of
the major utility companies are listed in Section B.9.
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B.8 LOCAL LIBRARIES
B.8.1 The Geotechnical Information Unit of the Civil Engineering Library
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alphabetical order by authors' surnames. Full copies of some of the 'long'
publications are also available in the Geotechnical Information Unit, but
these are shelved separately. Copies of new publications are added to the
collection as they become available.
The City Hall Public Library and the Kowloon Central Library each
houses a reference section which contains a number of published documents
on the geology and geotechnical engineering of Hong Kong, together with
some unpublished reports. They also house Hong Kong Collections of
considerable interest. No direct access is permitted to the shelved
items, and items required for examination must first be located in the
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card catalogue syskems. Photocopying facilities are available for public
use.
The University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and
the Hong Kong Polytechnic University each has a large library which
contains a collection of general geological and geotechnical information.
All three, however, can only be accessed by special permission, although
this is usually not difficult for bona fide visitors to obtain. The
University of Hong Kong maintains an outstanding Hong Kong Collection,
which contains considerable unpublished information, as well as a large
number of master and doctoral degree theses on geological and geotechnical
topics. Photocopying facilities are available in the library.
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Agriculture & Fisheries Antiquities & Monument Offices,
Department, 136 Nathan Road,
3rd,6th.8th8llth-14th Floors, Tsirn Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Canton Road Government Offices, (Tel.: 2721 2326)
393 Canton Road, Kowloon.
(Tel.: 2733 2211)
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12% Milestone, Tai Po Road, Connaught Road Central,
Sha Tin, New Territories. Hong Kong.
(Tel.: 2609 7301) (Tel.: 2921 2555)
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Drainage Services Department, Electrical and Mechanical
43rd Floor, Revenue Tower, Services Department,
5 Gloucester Road, 98 Caroline Hill Road,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Hong Kong.
(Tel.: 2877 06601 (Tel.: 2808 3620
2808 3817)
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Civil Engineering Library, Ground Floor, Lower Block,
LG1,Civil Engineering Building, Queensway Government Offices,
101 Princess Margaret Road, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.
Homantin, Kowloon. (Tel.: 2537 1910)
(Tel.: 2762 5148)
Hong Kong and China Gas Co. Ltd., Hong Kong Electric Co. ~ t d .
363 Java Road, 9th Floor,
Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. The ~lectricCentre,
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Clear Water Bay,
. Homantin, Kowloon.
Kowloon. (Tel.: 2926 4055)
(Tel.: 2358 6747)
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(Tel.: 2848 2480)
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Public Records Office, Rediffusion(Hong Kong)Ltd.,
Tuen Mun Government Storage Flat C, 1st Floor,
Centre, Hang Fook Building.
1 San Yick Lane, 17-23 Shang Hai Street,
Tuen Mun, New Territories. Kowloon.
(Tel.: 2460 3736) (Tel.: 2730 0272)
Lands Department,
14th-15th,21st Floor, Central Government Offices.
Murray Building, Hong Kong.
Garden Road, Hong Kong. (Tel.: 2810 3693)
(Tel.: 2848 2278)
University of Hong Kong Library, Urban Services Department,
Pokfulam Road, 42nd-45th Floors,
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Hong Kong. Queensway Government Offices,
(Tel.: 2859 2203) 66 Queensway,
Hong Kong .
(Tel.: 2867 5596)
B.10 REFERENCES
Allen, P.M. & Stephens, E.A. (1971). Report on the Geological Survey of
Hong Kong, 1967-1969. Hong Kong Government Press, 116 p, plus 2
maps .
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Bennett, J.D. (1984a). Review of Superficial Deposits and Weathering in
Hong Kong. GCO Publication No. 4/84, Geotechnical Control Office,
Hong Kong, 51 p.
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GCO (1988). Guide to Rock and Soil Descriptions (Geoguide 3). Geotech-
nical Control Office, Hong Kong, 189 p.
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NOTES ON S I T E RECONNAISSANCE
APPENDIX C
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T I T L E PAGE 337
CONTENTS 339
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C.5 S I T E INSPECTION PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT O F GROUND 343
INVESTIGATIONS
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C.l GENERAL
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The purpose of t h e site reconnaissance is to confirm and supplement t h e
information collected during t h e desk study (see Section 4.2). The site
reconnaissance may include both site inspection and local enquiries concerning
existing and proposed features on and adjacent t o t h e site.
Although site reconnaissance is normally carried out after completion of
a thorough desk study (see Section 4.2 and Appendix A), an early site
visit/reconnaissance preceding t h e desk s t u d y may sometimes be very useful.
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obtained from both t h e owner and occupier.
( b ) The site plan, topographic and geological maps and t h e
necessary equipment should be available; for example,
notebook, pencil, large clip board, camera. measuring
tape, geological compass (compass and clinometer),
geological hammer, penknife and hand lens ( ~ 1 0 ) . For
large sites, a range finder and binoculars may also be
useful. Any equipment necessary to ensure t h e safety of
field personnel should also be included.
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The whole a r e a should be traversed, preferably on foot.
and photographs should be taken of selected features of
t h e site and its surroundings.
The proposed location of work shown on plans should be
set-out.
Differences and omissions on plans and maps (e.g. site
boundaries, buildings. roads, etc) should be recorded.
An inspection should be made of t h e details of all
existing structures, and. where appropriate, records
should be made.
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fluctuations, should be noted where relevant.
Features of t h e adjacent property should be recorded.
and t h e likelihood of these being affected by proposed
works should be assessed.
Old structures, and any other features, should be
inspected and relevant records should be made.
Local inhabitants should be interviewed about t h e past
uses of t h e site, structural damage t o buildings on o r
near t h e site, flooding and land instability. Such
information should be treated with due caution, but
should be recorded and evaluated.
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C.4 INFORMATION O N GROUND CONDITIONS
Data on and relating to ground conditions should be gathered and
recorded, a s follows :
(a) Surface features, both on site and nearby should be
studied and recorded, preferably i n conjunction with
geological maps and aerial photographs. The following
should be noted :
(i) Slope angles. types of slope (convex o r
concave) and sudden changes in slope.
(ii) Comparison of topography with previous
map records o r aerial photographs t o
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check for t h e presence of erosion, c u t
slopes, fill o r buried stream courses.
(iii) Surface features which may indicate
geological faults. shear zones, previous
slope instability o r k a r s t formation.
(iv) Positions and extent of tension cracks o r
other features which may indicate
impending slope instability.
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provide a n indication of soil a n d g r o u n d w a t e r conditions.
(f) The condition of embankments, buildings a n d o t h e r
s t r u c t u r e s (e.g. t u n n e l portals a n d ventilation s h a f t s ) in
t h e vicinity should b e s t u d i e d a n d recorded.
( g ) On extensive o r more complex projects, a site
reconnaissance s u r v e y should b e c a r r i e d out, followed b y
t h e production of engineering geological maps a n d / o r
plans a n d a n evaluation of t h e t e r r a i n based on t h e
underlying soils, vegetation cover. a n d o t h e r f e a t u r e s
(see Chapter 9 ) . This t y p e of mapping should be c a r r i e d
o u t with t h e assistance of a n engineering geologist.
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INVESTIGATIONS
A supplementary s i t e visit will often b e necessary j u s t prior to
commencement of t h e actual g r o u n d investigations. Where appropriate, t h i s
should include t h e following activities :
(a) The locations a n d conditions of access to t h e working
s i t e s should b e inspected a n d recorded.
( b ) Obstructions, s u c h a s power cables, telephone lines.
boundary fences a n d t r e n c h e s , should b e located a n d
recorded.
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( d ) Where applicable, suitable points of water s u p p l y a n d
electricity s u p p l y should b e located a n d recorded.
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INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
APPENDIX D
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CONTENTS 347
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D.5 MATERIAL SOURCES 350
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D.l GENERAL
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In addition t o t h e determination of g r o u n d conditions at t h e site, which
are considered elsewhere in t h i s Geoguide. o t h e r information t h a t may be
r e q u i r e d f o r design a n d construction i s briefly summarised in t h e following
sections.
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access, utilities a n d services, easements a n d d r a i n a g e networks, will be
necessary. S u r v e y coordinates should b e referenced t o t h e 1980 Hong Kong
Metric Grid a n d levels t o t h e Hong Kong Principal Datum. Exact locations of
s i t e boundaries should b e ascertained from t h e a p p r o p r i a t e District Lands
Office (see Appendix A.8). The following may also be r e q u i r e d :
Particulars of a d j a c e n t o r n e a r b y s t r u c t u r e s t h a t may b e
affected b y works o n t h e site, including building heights.
floor levels, t y p e s of foundations, s t r u c t u r a l condition,
a n d o t h e r p e r t i n e n t information.
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may affect t h e site, including assessment of stability a n d
details of a n y necessary s u p p o r t o r remedial works. This
assessment should include boulders t h a t may pose a
hazard t o t h e s i t e or t h e work.
Locations a n d d e p t h s of a n y u n d e r g r o u n d o b s t r u c t i o n s o r
f e a t u r e s , s u c h as t u n n e l s o r cavities, w h e r e known, with
s u p p o r t i n g details.
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and t h e r a t e of tidal fluctuations, velocity and direction
of currents, and wave data.
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metal work, disintegration of concrete and attrition by
floating debris o r bed movements.
( g ) Data on water quality.
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~ r o-j e c t i o n so r assessments of response to a one-in-ten
.
year rainfall event.
(c) Local wind speeds and wave heights generated during
tropical cyclones.
(e) water.
351
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D.6 DISPOSAL OF WASTE AND SURPLUS MATERIALS
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as well as t r a n s p o r t requirements a n d environmental controls.
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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
APPENDIX E
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E.5 REFERENCES 358
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E.l GENERAL
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The prime factors required t o ensure safe working conditions a r e
supervision by a competent person and t h e engagement of a suitably
experienced contractor who possesses adequate resources for t h e project in
hand.
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E.2 SAFETY REGULATIONS
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Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations.
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also s e r v e s as a check-list of m a t t e r s r e q u i r i n g attention.
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(dl Guidance Notes on Hand-dug Caissons (HKIE. 19811,
which deals with t h e s a f e t y a n d technical a s p e c t s of
hand-dug caissons.
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t o a s s i s t excavation t h r o u g h h a r d materials. b u t should be u s e d with extreme
care.
E.5 REFERENCES
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Government Printer. 58 p. (Amended from time t o time).
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Highways Office (1984). Code of Practice for t h e Liqhtinn. Signing & Guardins
of Road Works. Hong Kong Government Printer. 41 p.
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