GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION REPORT

FOR

PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF PHE STRUCTURE

AT ZAINAKOT HMT, J&K.

SUBMITTED TO

CLIENT: M/S SHAH.TECHNICAL

AUG- 2023

BY

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS

(DMCC)
(ARCHITECTURAL,SURVEYING,GEOTECHNICAL AND STRUCTURAL CONSULTANTS)
Office: Old Bridge Barzulla,Srinagar. Pin: 190005.
Phone: +91-7889559685
email: er.anjum8881@gmail.com
 Contents
List of Tables/Figures/Abbreviation

1. Introduction
1.1 General …………………………………………………………………………...1
1.2 Purpose of Investigation and Scope ………………………………………..…….1

2. Site Conditions
2.1 General Description of Site/Topography……………………………………….....2
2.2 Subsurface Conditions…………………………………………………………….2
2.3 Ground Water …………………………………………………….........................2

3. Field Exploration, Field Testing and Sampling

3.1 Drilling………………………………………………………………………….…3
3.2 Sampling……………………………………………………………………….….3
3.3 Boring Logs.……………………………………..………………………………..4

4. Laboratory Testing
4.1 Soil Classification and Identification Tests……………………………………….6
4.2 Summary of Laboratory Test Results ……………………………………………..6
5. Bearing Capacity Analysis
5.1 Calculation of Safe Bearing Capacity (SBC) Based on Shear Criterion …………7
6. Engineering Recommendations ……………………………….……………………9

7. References
8. Limitations
9. Appendices
Appendix-I
Appendix-II
Appendix-III
 LIST OF TABLES

1. Table-1 Bore log (BH-1) ……………………………………………………....4

2. Table-2 Laboratory Investigation results (BH-1)……………………………......6
3. Table-3 Safe SBC (B =3.0m) with valid checks…………….……………….…..8
4. Table-4 Calculation of SBC (BH-1)…………………………………………….12
5. Table-5 Calculation of Settlement (BH-1)………………………………………13
LIST OF FIGURES/GRAPHS
1. Figure -1 Depth-wise variation of Corrected N- value……………………………...11
ABBREVIATIONS USED
No = Observed STP value qu = Unconfined compressive strength
CN = Correction factor Cu = Un-drained shear strength
Nc’ = Corrected N- value C’ = Effective cohesion parameter
γ = Bulk unit weight Φ’ = Effective Angle of shearing resistance
γd = Dry unit weight Φm = Mobilized Angle of shearing resistance
γsat = Saturated unit weight Df = Depth of foundation
G = Specific gravity of soil Q = Effective surcharge
LL = Liquid Limit Nγ, Nq & Nc = Bearing capacity factors
PL = Plastic Limit Sγ, Sq &Sc = Shape factors
PI = Plasticity index dγ, dq &dc = Depth factors
LSF = Local shear failure GWT = Ground Water Table
Cc = Compression Index EGL = Existing ground level
B = Width of foundation W′ = W.T. correction factor for BC from SPT values
L = Length of foundation p- = Natural overburden stress
DS= Disturbed sample eo = Original void ratio
UDS= Un-disturbed sample EGL = Exiting ground level
SBC=Safe bearing capacity
 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 General

M/S Shah TECHNICAL is planning to PREPARE DPR . The agency/owner appointed the
Design Master Construction Consultants (DMCC) for carrying out the Geotechnical
investigation and relevent analysis to develop suitable econimical and safe engineering
recommendations for foundation design at proposed/predefined site. DMCC deputed a
Field/technical team on 17-08-2023 for execution of said work and conducted the
relevant field geotechnical tests and Sample collection with all precautions and
procedures as per standard codes. This report presents the findings/results of the
Geotechnical site investigation/exploration of one Borehole within building area of the structure.
DMCC have a pleasure to work with you during throughout the construction phase and hope you
to be satisfied with our renderded services.

1.2 Purpose of Investigation

The durability of every civil engineering project depends upon the soundness of underlying soil,
therefore proper soil investigation is done at site before construction phase and necessary steps of
soil improvement are taken if needed. Investigation of the underground conditions at a site is
prerequisite to the economical design of the substructure elements. It is also necessary to obtain
sufficient information for feasibility and economic studies for any project. In general, the main
purpose or Objectives of this site investigation are as follows:

1- Information to determine the most suitable type of foundation required (shallow or deep),
founding depths and geotechnical design parameters.

2- Information to allow the geotechnical consultant to make a recommendation on the allowable

bearing capacity of the soil, expected foundation settlement.

3- Location of the groundwater table and other hydrological conditions at the site.

4- Need of any ground improvement technique.

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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 2. SITE CONDITIONS
2.1 General Description of Site/Topography

The site is located in the vicinity of NORTH Kashmir’s HMT area with plain terrain. The soil
deposits at this location may be primarily of alluvium in origin which can be guessed initially by
site visit. After boring the subsurface conditions showed the similar behavior consisting of both
young and matured alluvium deposits up to deeper depths, generally include silty-clay with
traces of fine sands generally of non- plastic nature with fine traces of organic material. No high
voltage, electrical or telephone poles, sewer or water pipes were observed within the depth of the
drilled boreholes.

2.2 Subsurface Conditions

Geotechnical investigations have been undertaken at the site as per the scope of investigations,
stipulated by the client, which consisted of only three borehole down to 10.0m depth in soil strata
or down to refusal strata (where N value is >100) whichever is encountered earlier and further
drilling in refusal strata by 3m.The subsoil strata consists of silty-clay in varying proportions
almost up to full depth of exploration.

2.3 Ground Water

Ground water table was encountered at 2.0m depth below the existing ground level/NSL and
may changes by seasonal variations.

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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 3. FIELD EXPLORATION, FIELD TESTING AND SAMPLING

3.1 Drilling/Boring/Open Excavation

As the subsoil strata consist of silty-clay manually driven augers are used to reach the desired
depth up to end with the possibility of continuous sampling, handling and transportation of soil
samples at different depths and at each lithological change of the strata.
3.2 Sampling
Two types of samples were collected:

a) Disturbed sampling (DS): Disturbed samples suitable for identification and index property
testing purposes at every depth interval were collected using the manual auger/wash-boring
residue. The soil samples were sealed in polythene bags for retaining the natural moisture
content and tagged with clear address and information for further laboratory testing.

b) Undisturbed sampling (UDS): Actual undisturbed samples are obtained by using thin shelly
tubes but here the samples will be obtained by using split spoon samplers at every depth interval
the samples were protected in brass liners and tagged for laboratory investigations. These are
also called Representative samples. This is done in accordance with the standard SPT codal
procedure IS: 2131-1981 and the penetration value N- value is obtained. The observed N-value is
corrected by applying suitable corrections and is explained below.

1) Correction for overburden pressure

N (Corrected) = Nc = CN X NO

CN = 0.77 log10 (2000/P-), P-= effective overburden pressure (KN/m2)

Another overburden correction that is commonly used is due to Bazaraa (1967)

2) Water table Correction (Dilatency correction)

N (Final Correct value) = NC’ = 15 + 0.5(Nc-15) (for Nc> 15)

If Nc is less than or equal to15, this correction is not applied.

Bazaraa recommendation for dilatency correction is

N″ = 0.6 NC (NC>15)

The overburden correction is always applied first. These corrections are applied in case of
cohesion-less soils like sand/very fine sands and non-plastic/ very low-plastic silts/sandy-silts.
But to be on the safer side, the overburden correction is not applied here as it increases the N-
value and only water table correction is applied here.
DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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3.3 Boring Logs

The entire field-work of boring process is assembled and presented as BORE-LOG for subsurface Exploration. The bore-log contains
all the information regarding the site location type and depth of boring, sampling type, visual identification of strata, SPT N-values
and Ground penetration resistance patterns. The Bore-log for the present site at three locations is presented in following Table-1
below. The variation of corrected N- value along the depth is shown in Figure-1, in Appendix-I

Table-1 Bore Log (BH-1)

Project Location: HMT

Borehole No. 01 Page No. GPS Coordinates

Bore Dia. 15cm Drilling/Boring date 17-08-2023

Depth of Boring 8.0m EGL elevation
Sampler used Split spoon sampler(UDS) Weather Sunny
Boring Method Manual Auger Soil Classification IS
Operator Water table At 2.0m below EGL/NSL
Depth(m) No. of Blows Corrections Final N-value Visual observation
150mm 150mm 150mm NO NC NC’
1.5 2 2 4 6 6 6 6 Brown silty clay .
3.0 UDS Greyish fine to med. Sand .
4.5 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 Greyish fine to med. Sand .
8.0 4 6 6 12 12 12 12 Grey clayey silt .
10.0 5 7 8 15 15 15 15 Grey clayey
Boring terminated Avg. value 10 10 Clayey
The site is having no borrowed earth/Filling.

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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 4. LABORATORY TESTING

DS and UDS were collected from the boreholes in the field, tightly sealed and transported to
DMCC Quality control Laboratory, Barzulla Srinagar.

4.1 Soil classification and identification

The following tests were performed to evaluate the engineering properties (index and strength)
of the soils and rocks influencing the performance of the proposed structure:

1-Natural moisture content: Natural moisture and Natural Bulk density contents were
determined in accordance with IS: 2720-1980(Part-2).

2- Sieve Analysis: These tests were performed in accordance with IS: 2720 (part 4) -1985 to
establish the depth wise grain/ particle size distribution of soil samples. The organic matter
content in soil is determined as per IS-2720-part-22-1972.

3- Atterberg limits: Liquid and Plastic in accordance with IS: 2720-1985(Part-5). Liquid and
plastic limit tests were conducted on the powder of the obtained samples and the plasticity index
(PI) was determined.

4- Specific gravity: Specific gravity in accordance with IS: 2720-1980(Part-3).

5- Direct shear test: Direct shear test in accordance with IS : 2720-1975(Part-29), where three
identical specimens were sheared under three vertical load conditions and the maximum shear
stress in each case was measured. The strength parameters, namely cohesion (c) and angle of
internal friction (Ø) were determined from the maximum shear-vs- normal stress plot.

4.2 Summary of Laboratory Test Results

The results of the mentioned above tests are summarized in Table-2 below

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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 Table-2 Laboratory Test Results (BH-01)

Gradation

Shear Strength
Parameters

Atterberg

Soil Classification(IS)
limits
Bulk Density (g/cc)

Moisture Content (%)

Void ratio(eo)

Cc(co-related)
Dry Density (g/cc)

Sp. Gravity
Depth(m)

c(Kg/cm2)
Gravel (%)

Silt +Clay
Sand (%)

(Kg/cm2)
material
Organic

LL (%)

PL (%)

PI (%)
U.C.S

Ø(o)
(%)

1.5 0 7 93 0.00 1.86 1.58 17.45 2.66 0.68 0.22 0.58 0.14 13 34 28 6 ML

3.0 0 66 34 0.00 1.98 1.72 15 2.69 0.56 0.16 - - - - - - SP

4.5 0 70 30 0.00 1.98 1.69 16.82 2.68 0.58 0.16 - 0.08 21 - - - SP

6.0 0 20 80 0.00 1.94 1.57 23.74 2.66 0.70 0.23 0.54 - - 35 29 6 ML

8.0 0 12 88 0.00 1.93 1.55 24.67 2.67 0.72 0.23 - 0.13 15 - - - ML

Avg. Value 35.00 65.00 0.00 4.85 1.62 19.54 2.67 0.65 0.20 0.56 0.12 16 34.50 28.50 6.00
Consistency tests conducted on fraction passing 425µ sieve size

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)
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5. BEARING CAPACITY ANALYSIS

The parameters required for the design of economic, safe and durable foundation system for the
proposed structure are: type of foundation to be adopted, depth at which the foundations have to
be laid/piles have to be terminated, Allowable bearing pressure on the soil/rock at the foundation
level/load carrying capacity of piles.

5.1 SBC based on shear criterion

The bearing capacity was calculated using the shear test parameters of cohesion, angle of internal
friction and the soil density of the specimens extracted from the borehole after taking into
consideration of shape factor, depth factor and water table of the foundation in accordance with
I.S. 6403-1981.

Qnu = cNc Sc dc + q (Nq -1) Sq dq + 0.5 B γ N γ S γ d γ W’

Where, c = Unit Cohesion (Kg/cm2)

Νc, Nq, Nγ = Bearing capacity Factors

q = Overburden Pressure

γ = effective unit weight of the soil (g/cc) 

Β = Width of the Footing (m)

W’ = Water table correction factor : Sc, Sq, Sr = Shape Factors : dc, dq, dr = Depth Factors

Thus, local shear failure was considered for safe bearing capacity computation. The net safe
bearing capacity for Strip Raft foundation having predefined minimum dimensions of 3.0m
under vertical static load intensity is evaluated as given below in Table -3. Settlement computed
as per I.S.8009, Part I-1976 for 75.00 mm permissible settlement and corrected N- value is used
for checking the Safe SBC as calculated earlier, as shown in Appendix-II.

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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 Page 10

at 2.0m depth calculated settlement is crossing

Remarks

the permissible value of settlement,Therefore

Settlement is the governing criterion for
deciding design value of SBC.
88.00

69.85

Calculated
-

Settlement (mm)
75.0 mm

75.0 mm

Permissible
-

-
-

Settlement (mm)
Table-3 Safe SBC (B = 3.0m) with valid checks

12.36
8.70

Avg. SBC (t/m2)

-

-
-

Shear criterion
SBC (t/m2)
----

--------

Shear criterion
-

-
-

(BH-3)
SBC (t/m2)
------
----

Shear criterion -

-
-

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

(BH-2)
SBC (t/m2) 12.36
8.70
Shear criterion

-
-
(BH-1)
Df (m)

2.0

3.0

-
-
Foundation details
Size (m), Wmin. = 3.0m
Type = R.C.C. Strip Raft
Engineering Recommendations
1. From the above investigation, the subsoil stratification along the depth has been observed
as old alluvium deposits containing silty-clay or clayey-silt type soil in alternate layers
with intermixed fine to medium sand. These layers show increase in penetration
resistance or stiffness along deeper depths. The ground water table is encountered at 4.0m
for all the three boreholes below EGL and may undergo seasonal variations.
2. Keeping in view the above soil investigation results, the SBC is calculated for all shallow
depths with all necessary corrections of water table, depth factors, shape factors etc. as
shown in Table-3, based on shear criterion and checked for permissible settlement and
corrected N-value. The calculated settlement values at 2.0m shallow depths are crossing
permissible limits for 3.0 m wide foundation, therefore Settlement is the governing
criterion for design and not the shear failure.
3. As it is clear from the exploration data obtained by conducting SPT at the site under
consideration, there is a soft-soil layer around 4.5m depth of intermediate compressibility
which may get compressed non- uniformly even under moderate loads.
4. By conducting investigation at only three selected locations, the behavior of the soil strata
at any other locations may or may be not be same and cannot be predicted without going
detailed/extensive soil investigation. However, at any stage of execution if differential
behavior from this report is noticed, same should be reported immediately.
5. For assumed Full Stiffned RCC Strip Raft foundation (Bmin. = 3.0m) at shallow depths,
The recommended values of Safe Bearing Capacity (SBC) with minimum one
dimension/geometry (B=3.0m), Factor of safety = 3.0 and depth requirement given
as 8.00t/m2 (2.0m depth), 11.00t/m2 (3.0m depth) and may be adopted for structural
design of the said PHE at proposed construction location which is safe both in shear
and settlement criteria..

6. Keeping in view the high importance of the structure and site under consideration is
located in highly earthquake sensitive zone-V, therefore codal provisions (IS-1893-2002)
are strictly followed in structural design of all building elements including raft/mat.
7. Keeping in view the devastation and destruction induced by flood (Sept.2014) in
Kashmir, the first floor level of the building should be designed in accordance with local
flood codal provisions by considering the recently marked H.F.L and past History.

Sr. Geotechnical Consultant

DMCC

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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 6. REFERENCES
A list of IS codes and textbooks referred for providing the recommendations and that
which might be required to implement the same has been given in Appendix-III.
8. LIMITATIONS
This Geotechnical investigation has been carried out at three selected test location in the
site chosen by the client as representing the entire site. However, multiple boreholes
(every corner and at center) and up to significant depth should have been studied. The
recommendations provided in this Report are hence valid only for selected test
locations.

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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APPENDIX-I
Variation of corrected N- value along the depth
N-value
0 2 4 6
BH-01
8 10 12 14 16 18
0

2
BH-01
3
Depth (m)

Figure-1 Depth-wise variation of Corrected N- value

APPENDIX-II
Safe Bearing Capacity of Soil
Shape of footing = RCC Strip Raft (Bmin. = 3.0m) i.e., L/B>=10.0 (Assume)
Since, Φ < 29o (local shear failure)

Depth(m) Rigidity factor (Rf) Depth factor (Df) Soil factor ( Sf)
2.0 0.8 0.93 0.7 (N.C)
3.0 0.8 0.88 0.7 (N.C)

Corrected mean settlement, Sm = Sc. Rf .Df .Sf

We have checked the calculated SBC calculated from shear criterion and checked for settlement
criterion which governs here, and comes out to be safe for both shear and settlement. The inputs
for the calculation of SBC based on shear criterion are summarized as below:

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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 Table-4 Calculation of SBC (BH-01)
Shear Bearing Capacity Shape factors Depth
parameters factors factors
Thickness(m)

NSBC(t/m2)

SBC(t/m2)
Qnu(t/m2)
Depth (m)

Width(m)

γ(g/cc)

W'
(Kg/cm2)

dq=dγ
Nγ
Nq
Nc

Sγ

dc
φo

Sq
Sc
0.0-2.0 2.0 3.0 1.98 C
0.047 12.80 9.70 3.20 1.91 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.17 1.14 0.83 14.22 4.74 8.70

2.0-3.0 1.0 3.0 1.98 0.054 14.22 10.50 3.66 2.36 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.26 1.22 0.66 19.25 6.42 12.36

3.0-6.0 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

6.0-8.0 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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 Table-5 Calculation of Settlement
Settlement check at 2.0m Depth
Layer Depth range Ho(mm) Po(t/m2) ΔP(t/m2) eo Cc log((𝑃𝑜+𝛥𝑃)/𝑃𝑜) Sc (m) Sm(mm)
No.
1 2.0 to 3.0 1000 4.65 11.02 0.68 0.22 0.528 0.069 37.15
2 3.0 to 4.5 1500 7.07 5.98 0.56 0.16 0.266 0.041 22.00
3 4.5 to 6.0 1500 9.29 3.46 0.58 0.16 0.137 0.021 11.21
4 6.0 to 8.0 2000 10.96 2.11 0.70 0.23 0.076 0.021 11.14
88.0 mm>>75.0mm
Settlement check at 3.0m Depth
2
Layer Depth range Ho(mm) Po(t/m ) ΔP(t/m2) eo Cc log((𝑃𝑜+𝛥𝑃)/𝑃𝑜) Sc (m) Sm(mm)
No.
1 3.0 to 4.5 1500 7.39 9.60 0.362 0.362 64.50
0.080 42.85
2 4.5 to 6.0 1500 9.60 4.90 0.179 0.179 15.81
0.026 13.72
3 6.0 to 8.0 2000 11.32 2.76 0.095 0.095 11.28
0.018 9.57
4 8.0 to 9.0 1000 12.76 1.87 0.059 0.059 0.005 2.95
69.85 mm<<75.0mm

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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APPENDIX-III

LIST OF IS- CODES

Field Investigation
1. IS: 1498 - 1970: Classification and identification of soils for general engineering
purposes (First Revision) (Amendment 2)
2. IS: 1892 - 1979: Code of practice for sub surface investigations for foundations (First
revision)
3. IS: 2131 - 1981: Method of Standard Penetration Tests for soils (First revision)
4. IS: 2132 - 1986: Code of practice for thin walled tube sampling of soils (Second
revision)

Laboratory Tests
1. IS: 2720 - 1983 (Part 1): Methods of test for soils: Preparation of dry soil samples for
various tests (Second revision)
2. IS: 2720 - 1980 (Part 2): Method of test for soils: Determination of water content
(Second revision) Amendment 1
3. IS: 2720 - 1980 (Part 3/Sec 1): Method of test for soils: Determination of Specific
Gravity: Fine grained soils. (First revision)
4. IS: 2720 - 1985 (Part 4): Method of test for soils: Grain size analysis (Second revision)
5. IS: 2720 - 1985 (Part 5): Method of test for soils: Determination of liquid and plastic
limit (Second revision)

Foundation Construction
1. IS: 1080 - 1986: Code of practice for design and construction of shallow foundations
on soils (other than raft, ring and shell) (Second revision)
2. IS: 1904 - 1986: Code of practice for design and construction of foundation in soils:
General requirements (Third revision)
3. IS 6403 - 1981: Code of practice for determination of bearing capacity of shallow
foundations: First revision (Amendment 1)
4. IS 8009 - 1976 (Part 1): Code of practice for calculation of settlements of foundations :
Shallow foundations subject to symmetrical static vertical loads (Amendment 2).
5. IS2911 (Part I to IV) : Design and construction of Pile Foundations.
6. IRC: 78-2000: Guidelines for Design of Road Bridges

Textbooks
1. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (K.R.Arora)
2. Basics and Applied Soil Mechanics ( Ranjan and Rao)
3. Principles of Foundation Engineering (B. M.Das)
J.E. Bowles. Foundation Analysis and Design. Third edition. McGraw - Hill
International 1982.
DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)
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REMARKS

DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)

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DESIGN MASTER CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (DMCC)
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