GUIDELINES FOR

SITE INVESTIGATION WORKS

Disediakan Oleh:

Unit Geoteknik
Cawangan Pakar & Kejuruteraan Awam
Ibu Pejabat JKR Malaysia
Tkt 10, Menara Tun Ismail Mohamaed Ali
No. 25, Jalan Raja Laut,
50350 Kuala Lumpur

0
 CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 THE IMPORTANCE OF SI
3.0 WORKS PROCEDURE FOR SITE INVESTIGATION
4.0 PLANNING OF SITE INVESTIGATION WORK
4.1 SURFACE INVESTIGATION INCLUDES PARTS
4.2 PLANNING SCOPE OF S.I
4.3 GUIDELINES OF PLANNING SITE INVESTIGATION FOR ROAD
PROJECTS
4.4 GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING SITE INVESTIGATION FOR BUILDING
PROJECTS
4.4.1 PLANNING S.I FOR BUILDING PROJECT
4.4.2 SPACING OF BOREHOLE
4.4.3 DEPTHS OF BOREHOLE
4.4.4 INSITU TESTING AND SAMPLING PRACTICE
4.4.5 WATER TABLES (WT) SHOULD BE TAKEN
4.4.6 DISTUBED SAMPLES
4.5 FACTOR INFLUENCING SELECTIONS OF S.I METHODS
4.5.1 GEOLOGICAL NATURE OF THE SITE
4.5.2 TOPOGRAPHICAL NATURE OF THE SITE
4.5.3 TYPE OF INFORMATION REQUIRED
4.5.4 FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS & TIME RESTRICTION

1
 GUIDELINES FOR SITE INVESTIGATION WORKS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

A process of the site exploration consisting of site inspection, boring, sampling and
testing to obtain necessary properties for ground characterization, geotechnical
evaluation and design.

To determine within practical limits, the depth, thickness, extend and compositions
of each soil stratum; the depth, type and condition of rock; the depth and composition
of ground water; the strength, compressibility and hydraulic characteristic of soil
strata as required by geotechnical designers.

Adequate knowledge of subsoil conditions is very crucial in the design of foundation

for a structure including the design of temporary works. Absence of proper Site
Investigation (SI) results invariably will lead to produce a geotechnical design which
is either unnecessarily over designed or dangerously inadequate.

Site Investigation generally ranges from 0.1% to 5.0% of the construction cost
depending on the extent and scope of SI required for the project, which in place
depend very much on the possible geotechnical problems identified, the character and
variability of the subsoil properties, the type and nature of project, the experience of
the designer and the existing information available.

2.0 THE IMPORTANCE OF SITE INVESTIGATION (SI)

2.1 The purposes of carrying out a site investigation are as follows:

a) To study the general suitability of the site for an engineering project

(Feasibility studies).

b) To enable a safe, practical and economical evaluation and design of

foundation, earthwork, construction method.

2
 c) To determine the possible difficulties and problems that may be encountered
by a specific construction method.

d) To study the properties or suitability of construction material (soils or rocks).

e) To determine the cause of failure (civil works) or failure investigation and

subsequently prepare the necessary remedial works.

2.2 Without SI or inadequate SI, geotechnical design is incomplete and it has been
identified as a main factor accounting for many geotechnical failures, significant
delay and increase in construction cost when the design has to be revised or amended

3.0 WORKS PROCEDURE FOR SITE INVESTIGATION

3.1 Works procedure for SI are as follows:-

a) Desk study to collect all relevant data and preliminary information.

b) Site reconnaissance to familiarize general site condition and review of

information available from desk study and site inspection report.

c) Planning programmed and scope of site investigation. Need, purposes and

possible geotechnical problems of the project must be identified clearly first
before the scope snd extent of SI including the number and locations, of
boring, sampling and testing can be decided.

d) Prepare specification, BQ & necessary documents for tender/quotation.

e) Tender evaluation and appoint suitable/competent contractor to carry out the

ground exploration; boring, sampling and testing under close supervision of
experienced engineer.

3
 f) Carry out laboratory testing after the study of the bore logs.

g) Preparation of Site Investigation interpretative report.

h) Geotechnical analysis and design.

i) Review during construction and monitoring or instrumentation works.

3.2 The following preliminary information/details facilitating site investigation planning

should be prepared when planning site investigation works:-

a) Location Plan – showing the location of the project concerned. Latest

developments in the area involving in earthwork or piling works etc. if any,
should be indicated

b) Site Plan – showing the layout of the proposed structures, utility pipes and
cables, nearby structures/buildings/rivers, other potential hazardous
conditions if any, should also be indicated

c) Other Details – like topographical map, loading conditions and preliminary

site inspection/ investigation reports if any should be included. According to
KPKR ‘s circular Ref.(20)dlm.KPKR/PP/79/11 dated 21/12/79, JKR District
has to carry out at least 6 JKR probes for each building and fill up Form SI
2/71 Rev. 79 and send to designer for further action. JKR probes need not be
carried out if the building is likely to have piled foundation.

4.0 PLANNING OF SITE INVESTIGATION WORKS

4.1 Site investigation includes three parts namely:-

a) Surface investigation - Site inspection or walk-over survey to access the

general site conditions and identify the possible changes that may arise in the

4
 ground and environmental conditions, either naturally or as a result of the
works, and the effect of such changes on the works, on adjacent works and on
the environment in general.. Usually soil engineer is required to inspect the
site to appreciate actual site and ground problems with particular reference to
terrain, vegetation, swamps, water runoff, stratigraphical formation where
they are exposed.

b) Subsurface investigation - Ground or soil investigation by means of boring,

sampling, testing etc. so as to determine stratigraphy and pertinent properties
of soil underlying the project site.

c) Construction monitoring/ observation and feedback.

4.2 Planning scope of SI means:-

a) Select type of testing and methods of site investigation. Important

considerations are; terrain features and accessibility, geological conditions,
possible geotechnical problems, types of samples and test required. An
understanding of geology of the site is crucial for identification of possible
geotechnical problems and subsequent proper planning and interpretation of
SI.

b) Estimate cost and time requirement.

c) Determine the number and spacing of boreholes or other field tests. (location
and procedure of test, criteria to terminate a borehole should be clearly
specified)

d) Determine frequency and types of in-situ testing and sampling in each

borehole.

e) Determine extent of supervision on testing and boring.

5
 f) Prepare list of special precautions for the site investigation supervisor, if any.

g) Prepare scheme of laboratory testing after analysis of field bore logs.

4.3 Guidelines for Planning Scope of Works for Road Projects (Refer Appendix C)

4.4 Guidelines For Planning Site Investigation For Building Projects

4.4.1 For building projects, JKR probes are usually carried out first. The results are
sufficient for shallow foundation design if all the following conditions are complied:-

a) Results are reasonably consistent

b) Good bearing layer is above water table and available at about 2m below the
ground and the subsequent strata has better bearing capacity up to at least 3m
below the proposed founding level or 1.5 times the width of footing
whichever is larger.

c) No footings are on filled ground.

d) Design pressure is 100 KN/m2 or less.

e) Building is a low rise building (column load less than 1000 KN/column)

f) Designer has some knowledge about the site condition

Otherwise further SI has to be carried out. This includes one or two or more of the
following methods of soil investigation:-

i. Hand Augering to determine the water table; type and consistency of soil
ii. Motorised Hand Boring
iii. Deep Boring (for any soil where piling is anticipated)

6
 iv. Deep Sounding (mainly for alluvial soils where piling is anticipated; also
used to supplement DB results)
v. Plate bearing or pressuremeter tests (for shallow foundation using high
bearing capacity, say 100KN/m2 or more or in fractured rock or soft rock)
vi. Test pit and bulk sampling (shallow foundation or deep excavation)

4.4.2 Spacing of borehole

 Spacing of boreholes for multistory building should be 15m-45m (depending on

the uniformity of strata, geologic conditions and foundation type)
 Two boreholes for a block of low rise building on flat land is sufficient.
 For problematic and erratic soil formation like limestone areas, uncontrolled
filled ground or boulder abundant areas, or structures sensitive to settlement more
boreholes are necessary.
 For erratic and very variable subsoil condition, more field and boring tests; but
less laboratory testing and little undisturbed sampling is required.
 For more uniform soil considerable lab testing and minimum field testing is
required.

4.4.3 Depths of Boreholes

 All boring should extend through unsuitable/compressible strata to dense or hard

strata.
 Required depth of boreholes depends on purpose of SI, the size and type of
structures, characteristic and sequence of subsoil strata.
 Boring should be terminated after 5 consecutive SPT exceed 50 or 5 consecutive
SPT exceed 30 if the borehole also exceeds 60m.
 At least one borehole per site to be drilled up to 3m or more into bedrock
 When rock is encountered, it should be proved by coring to minimum of 3m into
rock having an average core recovery of at least 50% or at least 6m if the rock is
limestone.

7
  The depth of borehole should extend through any unsuitable or weak soil to a
sufficient depth of soil stratum which is firm or strong and unlikely to undergo
settlements due to the load of the building.

4.4.4 In-situ testing and sampling practice

 SPT test/ samples should be taken at 1.5m intervals or at change in materials.

 For very soft or soft cohesive soil, vane shear test and piston samplers should be
used
 For the site where shallow foundation is feasible or deep excavation is expected,
SPT should be carried at 1.0m interval.
 Test pits are also relevant for bearing tests, undisturbed sampling for shear
strength test, water table conditions etc.

4.4.5 Water Table (WT) should be taken:-

 During boring,
 At completion of borehole, and
 A min of 24hr after completion of borehole

More accurate WT is crucial for deep excavation and stability analysis and can only
be obtained by installation of piezometer and long term monitoring.

4.4.6 a) Disturbed Samples

 Mostly obtained from the split barrel sampler used in SPT, are used for
identification and classification tests.
 Some approximate strength and compressibility properties can be
obtained from classification test results based on some correlations.

b) Undisturbed Samples

8
  Structural disturbance is kept to minimum and mainly used for
consolidation and strength test
 Common undisturbed soil samplers are piston sampler, thin wall samplers,
hydraulic sampler and Mazier samplers

4.5 Factor Influencing Selection of SI Methods

In planning process of site investigation, the following factors that may influence the
selection of site investigation methods have to be considered:-

4.5.1 Geological nature of the site

 For alluvial fluvial deposit formation, Deep Sounding is generally suitable; but
need to determined the soil type and ground water table (by Hand Augering or
Deep Boring (DB)/Motorised hand boring(MHB))
 For residual soils, DB or MHB are more suitable; but only DB can do rock coring
(not MHB).
 Trial pits are only practicable in firm or compact soils or in soft rock, above
water table.
 For limestone areas, boulder abundant areas and uncontrolled filled ground, DB
have to be used.
 SPT is appropriate for all soils except soft or very soft clay where vane shear test
is more appropriate.
 Sampling for undisturbed samples by thin-walled sampler or piston sampler is
only appropriate for cohesive soil with SPT value of about 10 or less.
 Disturbances in sampling for soils with SPT value exceeding 15 are unacceptable
unless special measures are taken or Denison or Mazier samplers are used.

4.5.2 Topographical nature of the site

 Terrain and access condition are important considerations from the point of view
of moving site investigation equipment about.

9
  In hilly or steep inclined sites, headings driven (horizontal or inclined drilling)
may be more convenient than vertical boring machine or alternatively use small
portable boring machine.
 In waterlogged or swampy areas, some preliminary work to prepare working
platforms or staging are necessary

4.5.3 Type of information required

a) Type of SI methods required to be done depend very much on the type of

information and analysis required or geotechnical problems identified based
on the assessment of preliminary information available.

b) If a construction such as road embankments or building formation is on soft

or swampy ground, the important geotechnical problems or concerns are the
amount and rate of settlements, stability analysis, foundation design, negative
friction on piles etc. Hence the required important information are:-
 Subsoil profile showing the various thickness of compressible/hard strata
water table (by DS/DB/Piezo cone/continuous sampling)
 Compressiblility properties for settlement analysis (by undisturbed
sampling using piston samplers for conso test, Cv, Mv, Cc etc.
 Shear strength properties for stability analysis and ground treatment and
pile design (vane shear tests, SPT, strength values can be from
correlations with index properties etc.)

4.5.4 Financial constraints and time restriction

a) More extensive site investigation means more cost and more time.

b) Deep Sounding (DS) is usually cheaper and faster when compared to Deep
Boring (DB); but when in swampy areas with very soft ground, DS can be as
expensive as DB due to difficulty in getting anchorage load

10
c) Cost of SI is usually within the range of 0.1% to 5% of the construction cost;
therefore to reduce the scope of SI for financial reasons alone is seldom
justified

d) Three possible approaches can be taken when planning SI works:-

 Method 1: Carry out limited SI and adopt high FOS (Factor of Safety) in
design. (Usually the design is unnecessarily over conservative or
dangerously inadequate)
 Method 2: Carry out limited SI for design. Allow instrumentation works
and additional SI during construction stage to verify the design.
(Acceptable if the designer is very experienced and followed through
during the construction stage, but the cost may not be cheap)
 Method 3: Carry out detailed SI for design (Usually cost effective if the
designer has adequate experience, but it needs longer time for the SI)

11
 APPLICABILITY OF COMMON FIELD OR INSITU TESTS

FIELD TESTS Soil Soil Rock SOIL TYPE SOIL PARAMETERS

Type Profile H.Rock S.Rock Gr Sand Silt Clay Peat Ø Cu Mv Cv K
1. Penetrometer
1.1 JKR Probe X C X X C B B B B X B X X X
1.2 SPT A B X B B A A A A B B X X X
1.3 DS (CPT) B A X X B A A A A C B C C X
1.4 Pliezocone (CPTU) A A X X A A A A A B B A A B
1.5 Flat Dilatometer B A X X C A A A A B B C C X
1.6 Resistivity Probe C C X X C A A A A B C X X X
2. Vane Shear B C X X X X B A B X A X X X
3. PB Pressuremeter B B C A B B B A B X B B C X
4. SB Pressuremeter B B C B B B B A B B B B B B
5. Continuous Soil A A X B B A A A A C B B B C
Sampling

Legends:-

A = suitable/useful O = effective friction angle K = coef. of permeability

B = moderate Cu = undrained strength
C = doubtful Mv = coef. of volume compressibility
X = not suitable Cv = coef. of consolidation

11
 Appendix C

Guidelines For Planning Scope of

Site Investigation Works For Road Projects

1.0 General

Site investigation (SI) is the exploration of the ground conditions to enable

engineers to make informed design decisions. This will avoid or reduce the
likely risks of unexpected hazards being encountered during and after
construction. The main purpose of SI is to determine within practical limits,
the depth, thickness, extent and composition of each distinct subsoil stratum;
the depth and composition of ground water; the strength, compressibility
properties of soil/rock stratum and other ground features information as
required by geotechnical engineers to perform appropriate cost effective
design.

The extent of the SI mainly depends on the character and variability of the
subsoil and ground water, and the amount of existing information available.
However it should be noted that subsoil conditions of a road alignment are
very sensitive to geological conditions, and so the spacing and location of
boreholes/test pits/types of tests should be more closely related to the detailed
geology of the project area and geotechnical problem/analysis required to be
carried out.

2.0 Filling Areas

The purpose of SI in filling areas is mainly to check bearing capacity and

assess settlement of the ground, overall slope stability and provide necessary
soil data for design of ground treatment works.

For filling area where embankment is high (> 6m) or the ground is swampy
and consists of compressible soils, adequate number of boreholes and other

12
relevant field test should be carried out to determine the subsoil condition with
particular reference to:-

a) The geometry of the subsoil strata both transversely and longitudinally

 Usually one or two boreholes in addition to three or more Deep
Sounding (DS) or piezocones are used to determine the generalized
subsoil profile for deposited formation at each stretch of soft
ground.
 For residual soils areas, hand augering (HA) and deep boring (DB)
plus JKR probes are performed instead of DS.

b) The nature of these subsoil strata, their basic physical properties or

index properties (moisture content, liquid limit, plastic limit, sieve
analysis, SG and organic content)shear strength (Cu, C’ and Ø’) and
compressibility (Cc,Cv and Mv). At least two undisturbed samples per
distinct soft strata per borehole plus field & lab testing are preferred.
Additional penetration vane shear and pressure meter tests are
invaluable to obtain representative strength and consolidation
properties of the soft ground.

The extent of site investigation in embankment areas should be

sufficient to produce:-
 adequate characterization of the site conditions and properties to
assess slope stability,
 to predict amount and rate of settlement, and
 to design the necessary cost effective ground treatment.

c) Regime of ground water (and seepage) and its variation (by HA/DB
and piezometers).

d) The depth of boreholes should extend through all compressible or

unsuitable soil or unstable laminated weathered rock at shallow depth
(<6m) which is likely to encounter instability and settlement problems
due to the surcharge load of the filling. As a practical guide, boreholes

13
 should only be terminated after reaching very stiff/dense strata (two
consecutive SPT values exceeding 20) for soft ground areas such as in
coastal alluvial soils. In residual soil areas, at least one borehole should
be extended until very hard/very dense strata (SPT value exceeds 50).

e) For filling on steep sloping more boreholes should be carried out to

determine the presence of unstable soil/rock horizons.

f) For low embankment in residual soil areas, one or two hand augering
plus a few JKR probes are sufficient for design.

3.0 Cut Areas

a) The purpose of SI in cut areas is to procure geological information

(soil/rock interface), soil properties and water table conditions for
slope stability checking and design of slope stabilization works when
necessary. The SI for cut areas to be potential borrow areas is to
determine soil properties, compaction properties and assess the
suitability as construction material specified.

b) Adequate soil investigation should be carried out to determine the type

of soils (soil classification, index and strength properties from on
quality samples etc.) and ground water lavel and its variation and
fluctuation ( by Casangrande stand pipe or pneumatic piezometer).
Infiltration, erosion and terrain characteristics aspects are very
important for slope design. This is for assessement of the stability of
slopes and drainage requirements.

c) Exploration to a minimum depth of 2m to 3m below the proposed

formation level is necessary for proper assessment of possible
subgrade strength and drainage conditions. For sedimentary rock areas,
in addition to geological mapping, at least three boreholes per major
hill should be carried out to determine the stratigraphical formation,

14
 the presence of defective or unstable geological structural
discontinuities and its strength properties. Seismic survey may have to
be carried out for major road projects passing through mountainous
areas involving massive and deep excavation. This is to ensure that
more geological information are made available for slope stability
assessment and also the quantity of rock excavation can be estimated
with reasonable accuracy. Foam drilling and Mazier sampling are only
required for high quality undisturbed samples in determining the shear
strength of the residual soils.

d) For generalized subsoil profile purpose of the whole alignment

(including in filling areas):-,
 the spacing of boreholes or hand augering for highway projects
should be 60m – 600m.
 For road alignment passing through the same type of geological
formation, less number of boreholes are required or spacing should
be 500m interval or more.
 For road alignment passing through complex, variable/different
geological formations, more boreholes at closer spacing are
necessary.
 JKR probes should be carried out near the HA positions and filling
areas to verify the consistency of the subsoil.

e) At least one test pit (2m deep or more) should be carried out at each
major cut area which form major sources for filling. Bulk sampling for
classification test, CBR, dispersion and compaction test should be
carefully planned for study on suitability and availability of filling
materials.

4.0 Bridges and Structures

For major structures like bridges, major culverts and retaining walls, at least
two Deep Boring should be carried out at each site or minimum one borehole
per pier or abutment or maximum spacing of borehole should be 60 m.

15
Additional boreholes should be allowed for bridge approach embankments
especially on soft ground or high embankment areas. Other basic requirements
are as follows:-

a) Bore Depth

All boreholes should be rotary wash boring. Boring shall be terminated

after 5 consecutive SPT exceeds 50 or 5 consecutive SPT exceeds 30 if
the bore depth also exceeds 60 m or refer to designer for advice and
direction. Boring also can be terminated if rock is encountered:-

Rock Type Min. Core

Length
Igneous rocks (granite) & bore depth <24m or 4.5m
Recovery Ratio R/r <50%
Igneous rocks, bore depth <24m 3.0m
Shale/schist/slate/sandstone 6.0m
Recovery Ratio R/r <50%
Shale/schist/slate/sandstone 3.0m
Recovery Ratio R/r >50%
Limestone R/r >50% and no cavity 6.0m
Limestone R/r <50% or with cavity 9m – 21m
Other rock R/r >50% 4.5m
Other rock R/r <50% 6.0m

b) Field Test
SPT shall be carried out at 1.5 m interval unless otherwise stated by the
designer. In case of soft ground, vane shear test shall be carried out
instead of SPT and interval of testing should be 1 m interval.

c) Undisturbed samples, (UD samples)

Preferable stationary piston samples shall be taken at soft clay strata
(alternate to SPT/vane test) for consolidation/shear test especially for
boreholes at abutment/approach to abutment.

d) At least 3 water samples (from river and or from UD samples) shall be

taken for chemical test (pH, So4 & chloride contents).

16
e) All soil classification test (natural moisture content. Atterberg limits, &
sieve analysis etc.) shall be carried out for all typical disturbed sample
at various distinct strata.

f) Photographs (at least 5 nos.) shall be taken to give general site

conditions, access (terrain and vegetation etc.), river/stream bank &
water flow condition, boring machine set up, typical soil/ rock samples.

17