METHODOLOGY OF DRILLING FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF 380KV D/C

OHTL BETWEEN PP9 BSP # 9019- KHASHIM ALAN.

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

METHODOLOGY OFSOIL INVESTIGATION

1. Introduction:
In purpose of the geotechnical investigation job this methodology is prepared prior to field
investigation on the basis of the site acceptance through site visit along with the
representative of all party’s concern department as per the PTS # 12 SN 102. For the
commencement of the site a primary work schedule is prepared based on the provided tower
locations, borehole numbers and type of the tower route shown in the supplied drawing
based on assumed soil profile at the region. On the basis of submittal of this and acceptance
of the methodology field investigation will be started in practical following the schedule.

2. Purpose and scope of the investigation

The purpose of this investigation is to:

1) Determine the soil profile at the site, with groundwater observation.

2) Appraise and suggest the engineering properties of the finding soil profiles based on
the field and laboratory testing.

3) Recommend the soil design parameters for the purpose of proposed foundation
design.

4) Recommend a suitable foundation system and allowable bearing pressures at the

founding level for the proposed project.

5) Advise on backfill and subsurface concrete requirements.

The scope of our work includes-

1) Conduct and executing the exploration program in field and laboratory as per the
relevant standard.

2) Preparation of geotechnical investigation report consists of results of the findings and

interpretation of the results, recommendation on allowable bearing pressure and
foundation types for the proposed structures, backfilling, soil resistivity measurement
and subsurface concrete requirements.

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 METHODOLOGY OF DRILLING FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF 380KV D/C
OHTL BETWEEN NAJRAN UNIVERSITY (NJR) BSP TO FARA (FRA) BSP,
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

3. Mobilization & Demobilization:

Mobilization for geotechnical investigation and earth resistivity tests shall consist of the site
crews for operating the job, equipment, materials and supplies as the complete assembly in
working order on the job, and the storage at the work site of all such material and supplies.
Mobilization will also include on-site support such items as living and messing facilities when
applicable. Demobilization for the above will consist of the removal from the site of all crew,
equipment, after removal of all environmental contamination & completion of the work.

4. Field Investigation Methods:

After receiving the site with borehole location mark as per the client instruction/drawing
specified both by the client and by us, the subsurface investigation will be performed by
mobile type drilling rig/s or by auger type drilling rig/s mounted on truck.
The frequency and depth of boreholes will be decided as per the total tower locations
considering the tower types to be constructed and the importance of it in terms of service
requirements.

Overburden rotary drilling will be any drilling made through soil overburden or decomposed
rock by drilling equipment utilizing power rotation of a drilling bit as circulating fluid removes
cuttings from the hole.

Soil boring sampling:

Rotary drilling will be performed in the over burden soil and casing pipe will be used to
stabilize the bore holes up to required depth. Field tests and sampling will be conducted in
accordance to relevant ASTM standards.

The equipment and procedure used for overburden drilling for or with SPT and undisturbed
sampling and for core drilling will be in accordance with the methods ASTM D1586-84 and
ASTM D2113-83- Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

The scope, apparatus, procedure, and report will be in accordance with ASTM D1586,
“Penetration Test and Split barrel Sampling of Soil”.

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 METHODOLOGY OF DRILLING FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF 380KV D/C
OHTL BETWEEN NAJRAN UNIVERSITY (NJR) BSP TO FARA (FRA) BSP,
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

Equipment Supplies and Procedure:

Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) is performed on the overburden soil. In this test, a
standard split spoon of length about 600 mm and external/internal diameter of 50/38 mm
initially penetrates the soil for 15cm to bypass the expected accumulated sludge at the
bottom of the hole by means of a 63.5 kg hammer falling freely along a guide from a height of
760 mm. Standard penetration test (SPT’s) will be taken at maximum vertical intervals or 750
mm (2-1/2 ft) for the first 3 meters (10ft) of depth, measured from ground surface and at
maximum intervals of 1.5 meters (5ft) thereafter. The total number of blows (N) required
advancing the spoon into the hole, for another two successive 15cm (a total of 30 cm) is
recorded as a measure of the soil relative density or consistency.

Double Tube Barrel Samplers will be used for clay, cemented coarse grained soil, chalk and
soft or weathered rock which cannot be recovered intact by drive sampling or penetrated with
thin-wall Shelby tube samplers. The sampling operation will be advanced by continuous
rotation of the outer cutting barrel in conjunction with the circulation of the drilling fluid.
Adequate down pressure will be inserted for continuous smooth penetration of the smaller
without undercutting the protruding edge of the inner barrel. Blockage of circulation or
sudden changes in speed of advancement runs to avoid possible loss or damage to the
sample. The natural material exposed at the ends of the liner tube shall be visually classified
immediately following recovery of the sample. Samples which appear to be suitable for
laboratory testing will be capped, sealed, labeled and treated as “undisturbed samples”.
Samples which appear to be suitable only for laboratory classification tests may be ejected in
the field and treated as “soil classification samples”.

Rock Drilling and Coring:

A standard penetration test with less than 50 mm (2 inches) penetration with 50 blows shall
be used to determine top of rock. Equipment for core drilling will include diamond core drilling
machinery of a type complete with all accessories for taking continuous rock cores of
consolidated or semi consolidated material of a diameter consistent with bit size to the
depths specified. Machines will be equipped with hydraulic feed head.

Rock samples are extracted by rotary drilling technique using double tube core barrel of
76mm diameter, fitted with a diamond bit. The extracted cores for every run, not exceeding

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 METHODOLOGY OF DRILLING FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF 380KV D/C
OHTL BETWEEN NAJRAN UNIVERSITY (NJR) BSP TO FARA (FRA) BSP,
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

1.5 meter are arranged in the core boxes and the T.C.R as well as R.Q.D values are
measured.

In areas where a water table is encountered in overburden or decomposed rock materials, or

where caving of the sidewalls occurs, boring may be drilling by using suitable drilling mud
slurry. The drilling mud will be maintained at the top of the hole during all drilling and
sampling operations. The mud slurry consists of bentonite-water mixtures as required for
stabilization of the hole. Sampling procedure will be by such means as will prevent inclusions
of the drilling mud in the samples. Otherwise, the boring will be suitably cased to prevent
collapse of the sidewall and to permit sampling.

The fieldwork is carried out under the close supervision of our geologist in accordance with
ASTM D1586 & D2113 & also witnessed by NGSA representative.

Logging and Labeling:

Soil and rock materials will be classified by the field geologist immediately following the
drilling. The log of each boring will include the time of drilling required for each “run” with the
precise depth and elevation at which ground water is encountered, and the amount of drill
water lost. Each boring shall be logged on a separate log sheet for each ten meters of drilling
(or less), and a complete field log of each hole is submitted to office lab for further checking
and necessary lab testing. The labeling of core boxes will be done in proper manner in
sequence to coring and progressing depth in individual borehole. The materials encountered
in drilling will be visually classified according to soil type as defined in ASTM D -2487 or, if
appropriate, ASTM D-3282 & NGSA witnessing by authorized representative.

5. Laboratory Investigations:

Soil Boring Sampling: The samples will be placed in air-tight plastic bags or other bags
immediately after they are taken from the hole in order that the natural moister content of the
material may be retained to the fullest extent.

Undisturbed Soil samples:

An undisturbed sample is a thin-walled tube sample taken in accordance with ASTM D-1587,
using Shelby tube. The thin wall sampler will be forced down by a continuous push using the
hydraulic feed. For tube samples containing medium stiff to very stiff clays, the ends will be
sealed in accordance with the requirements of ASTM D-1587. For tube samples containing

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 METHODOLOGY OF DRILLING FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF 380KV D/C
OHTL BETWEEN NAJRAN UNIVERSITY (NJR) BSP TO FARA (FRA) BSP,
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

cohesive soil or soft clay will be handled specially and the ends of the sample tubes shall be
cleaned out to a depth of 76 mm (3inches) and a seal provided of micro-crystalline wax. A
metal or rubber “o” ring type expansion disc having a diameter slightly less than the diameter
of the shelby will be inserted into the wax at 25mm (1-inch) from the end of the soil sample.
The wax plugs will be flush with the ends of the tube and a final seal consisting of a
metal/plastic cap and/or plastic adhesive tube will be placed over the ends. Particular care
will be taken to indicate the relative positions and the tops and bottoms of samples and
tubes. Undisturbed samples will be marked and labeled for proper shipment and handling.
Samples will be hauled and freighted with the tube in a horizontal position in order to prevent
consolidation and segregation of water content.

Soil Sampling, Testing and Procedures:

Samples retrieved from rotary drilling will be retained for classification and index properties
testing. The scope of sampling, procedures and report will be in accordance with ASTM D
1452-Rev A, and as per AASHTO soil classification system. Samples retained for laboratory
classification (visual or by testing) will be in heavy duty plastic pages or other appropriate
containers as approved by the client. Moisture content sample bags will be tightly sealed to
prevent moisture loss. Each bag will be identified with a label or tag which clearly indicates
the project, boring number, sample number, top elevation of boring, sample depth, “N” value
from SPT (if applicable), and a description of material. It will be classified as below after
getting the field and lab data.

All extracted soil samples are brought to the Geotechnical & Materials Testing Laboratory of
Omar Jazzar Consulting Engineers for further examination in accordance to ASTM D2488
with approval of NGSA representative. Selected samples are subjected to the physical and
chemical tests in accordance to relevant ASTM & BS Standards. The relevant tests to be
carried out include the following:

1. Moisture Content. (ASTM D4643-08)

2. Liquid Limit (ASTM D4318-93).

3. Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index (ASTM D4318-93)

4. Sieve Analysis (ASTM D422-63)

5. Chemical Analysis (BS 812 Part 4/BS1377) of soil.

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 METHODOLOGY OF DRILLING FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF 380KV D/C
OHTL BETWEEN NAJRAN UNIVERSITY (NJR) BSP TO FARA (FRA) BSP,
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

6. Direct Shear Tests (ASTM D3080-98)

7. Unconfined Compressive Strength (rock core sample)

6. Ground Water Observations:

Ground water will be monitored inserting piezometer pipe into the borehole just after drilling.
It will be established with the maximum drilling depth by PVC pipe and ground water level will
be monitored at least for next 72 hrs taking reading of every 24 hrs after finishing the drilling.
Groundwater levels may vary due to variation in seasonal rainfall and surface evaporation
rates.

7. Chemical Analysis for Sulfate and Chloride:

Chemical Analyses are conducted on the soil samples using the following methods:
1. MRDTM 319 – (Application of ASTM D1411) Chemical Analysis for Chloride
content determination
2. MRDTM 318 – Chemical Analysis for Sulfate content determination.
3. pH value by a desk type pH meter.

The test results indication of the pH value, water soluble Sulfates and Chloride concentration
with maximum and minimum range as per the different boreholes will be determined will be
taken into account at the time of design of foundation concrete.

8. Engineering Analysis and Recommendations:

The detailed description of soil and the depth at which samples are taken is presented in
borehole logs. Summary of Sieve, Moisture Content, Liquid Limit, Plasticity Index, chemical
analysis test results and Gradation Charts are also presented in main report contents.
Criteria assigned for the soil classification and recommendations are presented in specific
Plate in main report. The depths at which different types of soil/rock present with reference to
borehole will be discussed as per the following soil description section.

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 METHODOLOGY OF DRILLING FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF 380KV D/C
OHTL BETWEEN NAJRAN UNIVERSITY (NJR) BSP TO FARA (FRA) BSP,
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

A) Granular Soils
Standard Relative Approx. Angle of Approx. Rang of
Penetration No., Description Density, Internal Most Unit Wt.,
SPT N Dr % Friction, o γ, kN/m3
 4 Very loose  20  29 11-16
4-10 Loose 20-40 29-30 14-18
10-30 Medium 40-60 30-36 17-20
Dense
30-50 Dense 60-80 36-41 17-22
 50  Very Dense  80   41  20-29

  
  
  
B) Cohesive Soil
Standard Unconfined Approx. Rang of
Penetration No., Description Compressive Most Unit Wt.,
SPT N Strength, kPa γ, kN/m3
 2 Very Soft 0-25 14.4-16
2-4 Soft 25-50 16-17.4
4-8 Medium Stiff 50-100 17.6-19.2
8-15 Stiff 100-200 19.2-20.8
15-30 Very Stiff 200-400 20.8-22.4
 30  Hard  400   20

Rock sampling:
Rock samples will be extracted by rotary drilling technique using double tube core barrel of
76mm diameter, fitted with a diamond bit. The extracted cores for every run, not exceeding
1.5 meter are arranged in the core boxes and the T.C.R (Total Core Recovery) as well as
R.Q.D (Rock Quality Designation) values are measured.

Page 7 of 9
 METHODOLOGY OF DRILLING FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF 380KV D/C
OHTL BETWEEN NAJRAN UNIVERSITY (NJR) BSP TO FARA (FRA) BSP,
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

The appropriate estimation of the properties of the encountered rock strata can be obtained
by referring to the borehole logs and the following description:

R.Q.D. % ROCK QUALITY

90 –100 Excellent.
75 - 90 Good.
50 - 75 Fair.
25 - 50 Poor.
0 – 25 Very poor.

RECOVERY% DESCRIPTION OF ROCK

0 - 20 Rock is treated as soil.
20 - 35 with SPT
>50 blows/30cm Soft or disintegrated rock.
35 - 50 Intermediate rock.
50 - 85 Medium rock.
>85 Sound rock.

The fieldwork is carried out under the close supervision of our geologist in accordance with
ASTM D1586 & D2113 & also witnessed by NGSA representative.

Engineering analysis will be done to establish the followings for recommendation:

a) Subsurface soil profile

b) Soil design parameters

c) Engineering properties of soil/rock like friction angle, shear strength, cohesion, rock
strength etc.

d) Earth pressures

e) Modulus of sub-grade reaction

f) Foundation general features

After getting the all engineering properties recommendation will be made for the followings:

a) Type of Foundation and depth of foundation

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 METHODOLOGY OF DRILLING FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF 380KV D/C
OHTL BETWEEN NAJRAN UNIVERSITY (NJR) BSP TO FARA (FRA) BSP,
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

b) Soil bearing capacity (SBC) at the foundation level’

c) Settlement due to the recommended SBC and maximum allowable settlement

d) Site preparation and excavations

e) Construction and type of concrete with strength

f) Precautions for chemical attack and clear cover

g) Cement type, water cement ratio, etc.

9. Reporting:
After compiling all field data and laboratory test results engineering analyses through
necessary calculations will be done by our experienced geotechnical engineer. Once final
analyses are concluded and recommendations are prepared as per the requirements of the
structure a final geotechnical investigation report will be prepared as book binding format and
will be delivered to the client with soft copy for approval, design and construction purposes. It
will be also recorded in proper manner both hard and soft copy of the delivered one for future
use of the project in terms of client’s request, if any.
ance Vol.13, 1974.

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