QCS 2007 Section 3 Part 1 General Page 1

1. GENERAL .................................................................................................................. 2

1.1 SCOPE ....................................................................................................................... 2

1.2 REFERENCES.......................................................................................................... 2

1.3 DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................ 2

1.4 SUBMITTALS............................................................................................................ 3
1.4.1 Programme of Works 3
1.4.2 Preliminary Logs 3
1.4.3 Exploratory Hole Logs 3
1.4.4 Preliminary Laboratory Test Results 3
1.4.5 Digital Data 3
1.4.6 Form of Report 4
1.4.7 Approval of Report 4
1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE .......................................................................................... 4

1.6 GENERAL PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS.......................................................... 5

1.6.1 General 5
1.6.2 Working Areas 5
1.6.3 Turf and Topsoil 5
1.6.4 Paved Areas 5
1.6.5 Paving Slabs and Blocks 5
1.6.6 Claims for Damage 6
1.6.7 Geotechnical and Environmental Personnel 6
1.6.8 Location of Exploratory Holes 6
1.6.9 Ground Elevation of Exploratory Holes 6
1.6.10 Exploratory Work 6
1.6.11 Methods of Investigation 6
1.6.12 Hazardous and Contaminated Ground 6
1.6.13 Anomalous Conditions 7
1.6.14 Surface Water Control 7
1.6.15 Traffic Safety and Management 7
1.6.16 Photographs 7
1.6.17 Facilities for the Engineer 7

Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology

QCS 2007, 3rd Edition
QCS 2007 Section 3 Part 1 General Page 2

1. GENERAL
1.1 SCOPE
1 General requirements and information for the conduct of ground investigations.

2 Related Sections are as follows:

Section 1, General
Section 6, Roadworks
Section 8, Sewerage
Section 12, Earthworks Related to Buildings
1.2 REFERENCES
1 The following standards and other documents are referred to in this Part:
BS 5930, Code of practice for site investigations
BS 5750, Quality systems
Deere D. U. et al., Design of surface and near-surface construction in rock. Proc. 8th US
symposium on rock mechanics. AIME, New York, 1967
Code of Practice and Specifications for Road Openings in the Highway issued by the
Government.
1.3 DEFINITIONS
Topsoil: the surface layer of earth, that contains organic material and can also support
vegetation.

Soil: earthen material not classified herein as topsoil or hard stratum.

Hard stratum and obstruction: The words 'hard stratum' and 'obstruction' shall mean natural
or artificial material, including rock, which cannot be penetrated except by the use of
chiselling techniques, rotary drilling, blasting or powered breaking tools. The term 'hard
stratum' shall apply during boring, where it is shown that condition (1) and either condition (2)
or condition (3) below are fulfilled, provided that the boring rig involved is in good working
order and is fully manned:

Condition (l) using 150 or 200 mm diameter equipment, boring cannot proceed at
a rate greater than 0.5 m/hour through the hard stratum/obstruction
being penetrated
Condition (2) 100 mm diameter undisturbed sample tubes cannot be driven more
than 300 mm
Condition (3) a standard penetration resistance test shows a resistance in excess
of 35 blows/75 mm.

Fill: deposits or embankments which have been formed by persons, as distinct from
geological agencies.

Exploratory Hole/Trench/Excavation: any boring, pit trench, adit or shaft formed for the
purpose of ground investigation.

Boring: hole in earth, excavated by either percussion or auger equipment.

Drilling: any hole in rock, excavated by rotary equipment.

Borehole: exploratory hole excavated by boring or drilling techniques.

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1.4 SUBMITTALS

1.4.1 Programme of Works

1 The Contractor shall prepare a programme of works for the investigation which will give a
detailed schedule showing proposed time scales for all aspect of the work, details of all plant
and equipment to be supplied with time schedules and a similar schedule for all the prepared
personnel who will work on the project.

1.4.2 Preliminary Logs

1 The Contractor shall prepare a preliminary log of each exploratory hole similar to Form A. For
trial pits and trenches, a trial pit or trench map showing each face of the pit or trench shall be
provided, as appropriate, similar to Form B. Preliminary logs shall be submitted to the
Engineer in duplicate within seven working days of completion of the explorations to which
they refer, and shall contain the information required for the exploratory hole logs.

1.4.3 Exploratory Hole Logs

1 The exploratory hole logs shall be prepared as documents similar to Forms C and D, and
presented to a suitable vertical scale. The logs shall include all the information that follows,
such information having been updated as necessary in the light of laboratory testing and
further examination of samples and cores.

2 Information for exploratory hole logs:

Static
Pit and
Rotary and Dynamic
Borehole Drilling Trench Probing

All the designated information √ √ √ √

National grid co-ordinates √ √ √ √
Ground level related to the datum √ √ √ √
Elevation of each stratum referred to the datum √ √ √ (√)
Description of each stratum in accordance with √ √ √ (√)
BS 5930 and initials of person who carried out the
logging (and responsible Supervisor if under training)
Details of groundwater observations √ √ √ (√)
Symbolic legend of strata in accordance with BS 5930 √ √ √ (√)
Core recovery as percentage of each core run √
Rock Quality Designation, RQD (Deere et al. 1967) √
_____
Note: √ means information required; (√) means information required if applicable.

1.4.4 Preliminary Laboratory Test Results

1 Laboratory test results shall he submitted to the Engineer in batches at the completion of
each week's testing. Legible photocopies of work sheets are acceptable.

1.4.5 Digital Data

1 Data from the investigation shall be provided in digital form to the approval of the Engineer.

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1.4.6 Form of Report

1 The report shall comprise of a factual or interpretative or both types of reports as required by
the Employer or Engineer. Reports shall begin with a cover page showing the name of the
Contract and the names of the Employer, Engineer and Contractor. Report pages shall be
numbered consecutively.

2 The factual report shall contain, as a minimum, the following information:

(a) a statement from the Engineer on the purpose and rationale of the investigation
(b) a description of the work carried out, including reference to specification and standards
adopted and any deviations from them
(c) exploratory hole logs
(d) in-situ test records
(e) laboratory test results
(f) plan with locations of exploratory holes
(g) site location plan
(h) geological cross-sections (if appropriate).

The plans shall be to a stated scale and shall include a north arrow. Additional information
shall be provided as designated.
3 The interpretative report shall contain the following information:
(a) a written appraisal of the ground and water conditions
(b) analysis and recommendations as designated.

When so designated, the Contractor shall supply the calculations and analyses on which
recommendations are based.
1.4.7 Approval of Report

1 A draft copy of the factual report and the interpretative report shall he submitted to the
Engineer for approval before submission of the final report.

1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE

1 Only contractors holding a current approval certificate from the Central Materials Laboratory
shall be permitted to carry out ground investigations.

2 The work shall be carried out in accordance with the relevant British Standards.

3 Where specifically designated, all work shall be carried out in accordance with a quality
management system established in accordance with BS 5750. Records to indicate
compliance with quality management shall be made available to the Engineer on request.

4 The Contractor shall provide full time professional attendance on site. The professional
attendant shall be approved by the Engineer, and shall be responsible for the technical
direction of all fieldwork.

5 The Contractor’s geotechnical and environmental personnel employed on the Contract shall
be competent to undertake the work required. Categories of personnel who may be required
by the Contract are as follows:
(a) Technician
(b) Graduate Engineer/Geologist/Environmental Scientist
(c) Graduate Engineer/Geologist/Environmental Scientist with at least three years of
relevant experience since graduation
(d) Professional Engineer/Geologist/Environmental Scientist with at least five years of
relevant experience
(e) Professional Engineer/Geologist/Environmental Specialist with at least ten years of
relevant experience.

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6 All drillers employed on the Contract shall be experienced and competent in percussion or
auger boring or rotary drilling, to the complete satisfaction of the Engineer. One competent
drilling supervisor per site shall be permanently on the Site during borehole operations.

1.6 GENERAL PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS

1.6.1 General

1 Contractor shall only use access routes to and between exploration sites that are approved
by the Engineer.

2 Where the presence of underground services is likely, exploratory holes shall be started by
means of a hand excavated inspection pit.

3 In addition to any designated notice, at least one working day's notice of the intended time of
entry shall be given to the land owner and occupier of the exploration site.

4 All work shall be carried out with the least possible damage to the Site and its environs.

5 All barriers breached or otherwise disturbed during the execution of site operations shall be
immediately repaired or replaced to the same standard.

6 Working hours shall be restricted to those designated.

7 Daily allocation sheets similar to Form E detailing the work carried out shall be submitted in
duplicate at the end of each day’s work.

1.6.2 Working Areas

1 Operations shall be confined to the minimum area of ground required for the Works. Unless
otherwise designated, on completion of each exploration all equipment, surplus material and
rubbish of every kind shall be cleared away and removed from the Site. Damage to land or
property in the vicinity of the exploratory hole and on access routes shall be made good. The
whole of the Site and any ancillary works shall be left in a clean and tidy condition.

1.6.3 Turf and Topsoil

1 Turf and topsoil shall be stripped from the site of each exploration and stockpiled for future
replacement. Vegetation and topsoil adjacent to the exploration which may be damaged by
the operations shall either be removed and stockpiled as above, or otherwise protected from
damage. After completion of the exploration all topsoil shall be replaced and the Site
restored to its original condition.

1.6.4 Paved Areas

1 Pavement from paved areas (other than paving slabs and blocks) shall be broken out to the
minimum extent necessary for each exploration. After completion of the exploration and
backfill of the excavation, the disturbed subgrade shall be compacted and the paving
replaced.

2 Restoration of highway pavement shall be in accordance with the current Code of Practice
and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway issued by the Government.

1.6.5 Paving Slabs and Blocks

1 Paving slabs and blocks shall be removed from the Site, as required for each exploration,
and stored for reuse.

2 Contiguous paving slabs and blocks which are liable to be damaged by the operations shall
either be removed and stored as above or otherwise protected from damage.

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3 After completion of the exploration and backfill of the excavation, the disturbed subgrade
shall be compacted and the paving slabs and blocks relayed.

1.6.6 Claims for Damage

1 Any damage, or claim for compensation for damage by owners or occupiers of the Site, shall
be reported to the Engineer.

1.6.7 Geotechnical and Environmental Personnel

1 In addition to the provision of the designated personnel by the Contractor, the Engineer may
specifically require the services of geotechnical and environmental personnel for advice,
assistance or preparation of interpretative reports. The form of interpretative reports shall be
agreed with the Engineer. Details of the qualifications and experience of the personnel shall
be supplied to the Engineer.

1.6.8 Location of Exploratory Holes

1 The location of each exploratory hole shall be measured from an approved grid co-ordinate
system, and shall be accurate to within 1 m, and the position recorded on a plan as
designated.

1.6.9 Ground Elevation of Exploratory Holes

1 The elevation of the ground at each exploratory hole shall be established, on the basis of the
Qatar National Datum unless otherwise designated or approved by the Engineer, to the
nearest 0.05 m.

1.6.10 Exploratory Work

1 The location and depth of each exploratory hole shall be as designated. The Engineer may,
after consultation with the Contractor, vary the location and depth of any exploratory hole and
the sequence or quantity of in-situ testing depending on the actual ground conditions
encountered. When the position of an exploratory hole has been varied, the Contractor shall
take all necessary measurements and shall inform the Engineer of the revised co-ordinates
and ground elevation or other measurements required to locate the exploratory hole.

1.6.11 Methods of Investigation

1 The Engineer will have the option to require any of the following methods of investigation.
These options will comprise, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
(a) desk study
(b) geological mapping
(c) topographic survey
(d) aerial photographs.

or any other methods described in this Section.

1.6.12 Hazardous and Contaminated Ground

1 The presence and nature of known areas of hazardous or contaminated ground are
designated, based on available records. If evidence of further hazardous or contaminated
ground is encountered, the Contractor shall immediately so inform the Engineer. If required
by the Engineer, the Contractor’s work plan shall be a revised appropriately to take into
account the nature and level of contamination encountered. Where contaminated land is
present or suspected the Contractor shall take the appropriate health and safety precautions
as directed by the Engineer and where appropriate by the Civil Defence Department of the
Government. Care shall be taken to avoid contaminating the egress from the Site.

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2 A method statement indicating the safety procedures to be followed during the investigation
of hazardous or contaminated ground shall be provided by the Contractor before beginning
the investigation in the hazardous or contaminated ground.

1.6.13 Anomalous Conditions

1 Where anomalous or unexpected features are revealed, the Contractor shall immediately
inform the Engineer.

1.6.14 Surface Water Control

1 Surface water or other water shall be prevented from entering the exploratory hole, except as
permitted by the Engineer.

1.6.15 Traffic Safety and Management

1 Traffic safety and management measures shall be provided, in accordance with the
provisions of traffic control of Section 1, General. Where the circumstances of any particular
case are not designated, proposals for dealing with such situations shall be submitted to the
Engineer for approval.

1.6.16 Photographs

1 Colour photographs shall be taken and supplied by the Contractor as designated. Each
photograph shall clearly show all necessary details, and shall have its scale identified.

2 A single gloss colour print (size 150 mm by 100 mm) copy of each photograph shall be
submitted to the Engineer for his approval, within seven working days of the photography. In
the event that the photographs are of a quality unacceptable to the Engineer, they shall be
retaken.

3 On acceptance of the quality of the photograph, two complete sets of prints of all the
photographs shall be presented, annotated and submitted in bound volumes, together with
the photograph negatives with the factual report.

4 Particular requirements for photographs of cores and pits and trenches are given in Parts 3
and 4

1.6.17 Facilities for the Engineer

1 When required by the particular contract documentation, facilities to the designated standard
shall be provided for the use of the Engineer, as described in Section 1.

END OF PART

Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology

QCS 2007, 3rd Edition