Subsurface Exploration Techniques
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary aim of a preliminary exploration in sub-surface exploration?

  • To determine soil stratum characteristics (correct)
  • To evaluate drainage patterns in the area
  • To assess the surface vegetation at the site
  • To identify the presence of underground water mains
  • Which method is used in detailed explorations to assess the properties of soil?

  • Radar imaging techniques
  • Geophysical surveys
  • Plant root analysis
  • Field tests including vane shear tests (correct)
  • Which of the following features is NOT typically identified during the site reconnaissance stage?

  • Depth of ground water
  • Existence of springs and swamps
  • Drainage pattern
  • Thickness of soil layers (correct)
  • For which type of projects might detailed investigations not be necessary?

    <p>Small projects with uniform strata (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What informs the design for a small project if detailed investigations are not conducted?

    <p>Data from reconnaissance and preliminary exploration (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following aspects is typically included in site reconnaissance?

    <p>Assessing the existence of vegetation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common characteristic of soils encountered in nature?

    <p>Mixture of sand, silt, and clay (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which tests are typically conducted in detailed explorations to understand soil conditions?

    <p>Vane shear, permeability, and plate load tests (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the purposes of site investigations in subsurface exploration?

    <p>To determine the bearing capacity of soil (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT influence the planning of a subsurface exploration program?

    <p>Aesthetic preferences of the architect (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What stage in subsurface exploration involves visiting the site and studying relevant maps?

    <p>Site reconnaissance (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect is NOT typically evaluated during site reconnaissance?

    <p>Material costs for construction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it advised to invest in subsurface exploration for building in a newly developed area?

    <p>To prevent overdesign and excessive costs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a potential aim of subsurface exploration?

    <p>To predict and solve potential foundation problems (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During site reconnaissance, which feature is likely to indicate past geological activity?

    <p>Existence of settlement cracks (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle should guide subsurface exploration regarding cost-efficiency?

    <p>Maximize information gained at minimum cost (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes coarse-grained soil?

    <p>Particle size larger than 0.075mm (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sampling method preserves the structure of the soil?

    <p>Undisturbed sampling (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the shell method in soil sampling?

    <p>To cut and obtain soil samples from dense deposits (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT influence the amount of soil sampling needed?

    <p>Weather conditions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one laboratory test that can be conducted on disturbed soil samples?

    <p>Shear strength testing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method stops boring to obtain undisturbed soil samples?

    <p>Wash boring (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a disadvantage of wash boring?

    <p>It can only be used in sand and clay soils (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which tool is typically used to collect undisturbed soil samples?

    <p>Shelby tubes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which soil types can rotary drilling effectively operate in?

    <p>In sand, clay, and moderately fissured rocks (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of soil sample captures soil conditions in situ?

    <p>Undisturbed samples (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary method used for basic geotechnical investigations?

    <p>Using backhoes to create test pits (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is used in rotary drilling to help advance the borehole and remove cuttings?

    <p>Water or drilling mud (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which scenario is percussion drilling most appropriate?

    <p>For making holes in very hard rock formations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of sampler is NOT effective in gravel or sand?

    <p>Piston samplers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic distinguishes the shell method from other drilling techniques?

    <p>It uses a flat valve that opens only inside (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of the rotary drilling technique?

    <p>It creates boreholes of various diameters with a single method (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the Standard Penetration Test (SPT)?

    <p>Determines soil density and strength (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Cone Penetration Test (CPT) measure soil properties?

    <p>By pushing a cone-shaped probe into the ground (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of soil does the Plate Load Test primarily determine?

    <p>Soil bearing capacity and settlement (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During the Vane Shear Test, what is being measured?

    <p>Shear strength of soft, cohesive soils (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What information does the Pressuremeter Test (PMT) provide?

    <p>In situ stress-strain behavior of soils (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main application of the Field Permeability Test?

    <p>Evaluating permeability of soil or rock (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what context is the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) Test typically used?

    <p>In evaluating soil strength for road construction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Electrical Resistivity Test mainly determine?

    <p>Soil moisture content, salinity, and structure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary disadvantage of hand operated augers when used below the water table?

    <p>They are not suitable for very stiff to hard clay (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the depth capability of power driven augers?

    <p>Up to 60 m (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of soil can power driven augers be used in below the water table?

    <p>Sandy soils (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the flights in power driven augers?

    <p>To convey the soil to the surface (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must engineers look for in samples collected from soil explorations?

    <p>Signs of disturbance during collection (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might a hollow stem auger be preferred over a solid stem auger?

    <p>It allows for testing without removing the auger (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the normal diameter range for holes drilled by hand operated augers?

    <p>10 to 20 cm (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method is NOT suitable for sampling soils mixed with gravel while above the water table?

    <p>Hand operated augers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Purpose of Site Investigations

    To gather information for foundation design, bearing capacity assessment, settlement prediction, ground water analysis, lateral earth pressure estimates, suitable construction techniques, potential problem identification, material analysis, and existing structure safety evaluation.

    Factors Affecting Exploration Program

    Type of structure, soil variability, and investigation cost.

    Site Reconnaissance

    Initial site visit and map/record study to plan further subsurface investigations, choosing the appropriate methods, materials and laboratory/in-situ tests.

    Reconnaissance Data

    Information collected during the initial site visit about topography, settlement cracks, landslides, and other features.

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    Cost Considerations in Exploration

    Balancing the cost of the investigation with the project's cost.

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    Soil Variability vs. Cost

    More variable soil conditions demand more detailed subsurface investigation, increasing costs. Uniform soil conditions allow for less extensive exploration.

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    Subsurface Exploration Goals

    To obtain the maximum useful information for design and construction while minimizing costs.

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    Site Investigation Phases

    A phased approach to subsurface investigations, starting with site reconnaissance to gather data for detailed planning, drilling, sampling, testing, and reporting.

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    Preliminary Exploration

    A step after site reconnaissance, aiming to identify soil depth, thickness, extent, and composition. It uses a few borings and tests like cone penetrometers, and sounding rods to understand soil strength and compressibility.

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    Detailed Exploration

    The final stage of exploration, determining engineering properties of different soil layers. It involves extensive borings, sampling, and laboratory testing, and potentially field tests like vane shear, plate load, and permeability tests.

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    Soil Strata

    Different layers of soil with varying composition and properties.

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    Cone Penetrometer

    Device used during preliminary exploration to determine the strength and compressibility of soils.

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    Vane Shear Test

    A field test to assess the shear strength of soil in its natural state.

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    Plate Load Test

    A field test used to determine the load-bearing capacity of soil.

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    Permeability Test

    A test to determine how easily water flows through a soil.

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    Soil Classification

    Grouping soil based on particle size. Coarse-grained soils have particles larger than 0.075mm, while fine-grained soils have particles smaller than 0.075mm.

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    Undisturbed Sampling

    Collecting soil samples that maintain the original structure and conditions found in the ground.

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    Disturbed Sampling

    Collecting soil samples that change the original structure, but maintain the proportions of different components.

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    Sampling Methods: Disturbed

    These samples represent the soil's composition but not its original structure.

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    Sampling Methods: Undisturbed

    Samples that preserve the soil's original structure for tests like shear strength and consolidation.

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    Undisturbed Sample Tests

    Tests conducted on undisturbed samples, such as shear strength, consolidation, density, water content and permeability.

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    Sampling Factors

    Elements that influence sampling, including time constraints, terrain, costs and the purpose of the investigation.

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    Sampling Tools (Disturbed)

    Tools used to collect disturbed samples from depth, such as split-spoon samplers, Shelby tubes and macrocore push samplers.

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    Hand Operated Augers

    Used to drill boreholes up to 10m deep in various soil types. Best suited for soils above the water table, but can also work in clayey soils below the water table. Uses a string of drill rods for advancement.

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    Hand Auger Limitations

    Not suitable for very stiff clays, hard clays, granular soils below the water table, and sand mixed with gravel. The type and depth of the soil layer limit its application.

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    Power Driven Augers

    Used in all types of soil, including sandy soils below the water table. The flights of the auger convey soil to the surface. Hollow stem allows for sampling and testing.

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    Hollow Stem Auger

    A power-driven auger with a hollow stem, enabling sampling and testing without lifting the auger. The hollow stem can be plugged or removed for these operations.

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    Plugged Hollow Stem

    The hollow stem can be plugged when advancing the auger. This plug can be removed to collect soil samples or conduct standard penetration tests.

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    Benefits of Power Driven Augers

    Faster drilling, deeper boreholes (up to 60m), versatile for different soil types, and allows for sampling and tests without lifting the auger.

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    Sampling & Testing in Hollow Stem

    Soil samples can be collected and standard penetration tests can be conducted through the hollow stem without lifting the auger from its position. This saves time and effort.

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    Flight of Augers

    The helical blades of the auger, responsible for conveying soil to the surface. These flights can also act as a casing for the borehole.

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    Shell Method

    A method for drilling exploratory borings using a heavy-duty pipe with a cutting edge and a flat valve. It's effective in dense sandy deposits, stiff to hard clay soils, and even sandy soil mixed with gravel.

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    Wash Boring

    A method for drilling holes primarily for obtaining undisturbed samples for analysis. It's suitable for sand, silt, or clay, but not soil mixed with gravel or boulders.

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    Rotary Drilling

    A method that uses rotating bits attached to drilling rods to cut and grind soil, creating a borehole. It's commonly used for sand, clay, and rocks (unless highly fractured).

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    Drilling Mud

    A slurry of water and bentonite used in rotary drilling to lubricate the drill bits, remove cuttings, and prevent borehole collapse.

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    Percussion Drilling

    A method that utilizes a heavy chisel repeatedly dropping onto the surface to create holes in rocks and hard strata.

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    Undisturbed Sample

    A soil sample obtained from a borehole using a technique that preserves the natural structure and properties of the soil for accurate analysis.

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    Suitable Method for Gravel Mixtures

    The Shell Method is effective for drilling through soil containing gravel due to its robust cutting edge and ability to handle denser materials.

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    SPT Test

    A test to measure soil density and strength by driving a split-spoon sampler into the ground using a hammer. The number of blows to drive the sampler 30 cm is recorded as the SPT N-value.

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    CPT Test

    Measures soil resistance to penetration by pushing a cone-shaped probe into the ground at a constant rate.

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    Pressuremeter Test

    Measures the in-situ stress-strain behavior of soils by applying pressure radially to a cylindrical probe inserted into a borehole.

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    Field Permeability Test

    Assesses how easily water flows through soil or rock by injecting or pumping water into a borehole and measuring the flow rate.

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    DCP Test

    Evaluates soil strength, especially for road construction, by driving a cone into the soil using a hammer and recording the penetration per blow.

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    Electrical Resistivity Test

    Determines soil moisture content, salinity, and structure by measuring the resistance to electrical current flow through the soil.

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    Study Notes

    Soil Exploration

    • Soil exploration is the process of identifying subsurface layers and their characteristics.
    • It's crucial for designing structures and planning construction techniques.
    • It involves field and laboratory investigations to gather information on the subsoil.

    Subsurface Exploration: Purposes

    • Selecting the suitable type and depth of foundations for a given structure.
    • Determining bearing capacity of soil.
    • Estimating probable maximum and differential settlements.
    • Establishing ground water levels and determining properties of water.
    • Predicting lateral earth pressure against retaining walls and abutments.
    • Choosing appropriate construction techniques.
    • Identifying and solving potential foundation problems.
    • Assessing the suitability of soil for construction materials.
    • Investigating the safety of existing structures and suggesting remedial measures.

    Planning a Subsurface Exploration Program

    • The program depends on the type of structure, variability of strata at the site, and cost of investigation.
    • A small house in a developed area may require less extensive exploration, whereas a complex structure in a new area would need more extensive exploration.
    • The goal is to gather maximum useful information at minimum cost.

    Stages in Subsurface Explorations

    1. Site Reconnaissance

    • It involves site visit, studying maps and records.
    • Determining general topography, existence of settlement cracks, landslides, creep in slopes, shrinkage cracks, location of high flood marks, depth of ground water (wells), existence of springs, swamps, drainage patterns, vegetation, and presence of underground water mains, power conduits.

    2. Preliminary Exploration

    • Aims to determine the depth, thickness, extent, and composition of different soil strata.
    • Performed with a few borings, test pits, and using cone penetrometers or sounding rods to understand the soil's strength and compressibility.

    3. Detailed Explorations

    • This stage involves an extensive boring program and sampling, followed by laboratory testing of soil samples.
    • For complex projects like bridges, dams, and multistory buildings, detailed investigations are essential.
    • For smaller projects with uniform strata, reconnaissance and preliminary exploration data might suffice.

    Sampling in Soil

    • Natural soil is a heterogeneous mixture of sand, silt, and clay in varying proportions.
    • Soil can be classified into coarse-grained and fine-grained based on particle size.
    • Sampling methods can be either undisturbed or disturbed.
    • Undisturbed samples are representative of the in-situ conditions; methods like piston samplers are used for undisturbed samples.
    • Disturbed samples are collected for general analysis and may not accurately reflect the structure of soil; methods like split-spoon samplers are used.
    • Factors influencing sampling amount include time constraints, topography, cost factors, and the purpose of sampling.
    • Techniques for disturbed soil sample collection include backhoe, hand augers, and drill rigs.
    • Undisturbed soil sample collection methods include piston samplers, long split-spoon samplers, and pitcher barrel samplers.
    • Selection of sampling method depends on soil type, depth, and nature of information required.

    Exploratory Borings in the Field

    • Hand operated augers are suitable for shallow depths and above the water table.
    • Power driven augers can be used in all types of soils below water tables.
    • Shell and auger methods use heavy-duty pipes with cutting edges.
    • Wash boring is suitable for sand, silt, and clay; methods include pressure water to drill to specific depth.
    • Rotary drilling uses rapidly rotating bits and is suitable for varied formations (sand, clay, or rock).
    • Percussion drilling employs a heavy chisel often used on rocks, boulders and hard strata
    • Core drilling is for obtaining rock cores and uses diamond-studded bits.

    Soil Exploration Report

    • The report summarizes soil and rock sample analysis, visual observation, and laboratory tests.
    • It includes scope of investigation, general description of the structure, geologic conditions, drainage facilities, boring details, subsoil descriptions, and groundwater tables from boreholes.
    • The report also includes details of foundation recommendations, anticipated construction problems, and limitations of the investigation.
    • Essential supplemental data such as maps, boring logs, and laboratory test results should be included in the report.

    In-Situ Tests

    • In-situ tests directly assess soil properties at the site without disturbing the soil. Common methods include:

    • Standard Penetration Test (SPT): Measures soil density and strength using a hammer and split-spoon sampler.

    • Cone Penetration Test (CPT): Measures soil resistance to penetration with a cone-shaped probe.

    • Plate Load Test: Determines soil bearing capacity and settlement under load by incrementally applying load to a steel plate.

    • Vane Shear Test: Measures the shear strength of soft, cohesive soils by inserting and rotating a vane into the soil.

    • Pressuremeter Test (PMT): Measures in-situ stress-strain behavior.

    • Field Permeability Test: Assesses soil or rock permeability by injecting or pumping water and measuring flow rate.

    • Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP): Evaluates soil strength, especially for road construction.

    • Electrical Resistivity Test: Determines soil moisture content, salinity, and structure.

    • The benefits of in-situ tests include reflecting real soil behavior and minimizing soil disturbance.

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    Description

    This quiz assesses your understanding of subsurface exploration methods, including preliminary exploration and site reconnaissance details. Test your knowledge on soil properties, design considerations for projects, and testing methods used during detailed investigations.

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