TABLE OF CONTENTS

1-0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................... 1

11 GENERAL......................................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 SCOPE OF WORK............................................................................................................................ 1

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION AND GEOLOGY...............................................................................................................2

3.0 SEISMICITY OF THE SITE AREA.....................................................................................................................2

3.1 SEISMICITY..............................................................................................................................................2
3.2 SEISMIC SOIL PROFILE CHARACTERIZATION .............................................................................2

4.0 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS.................................................................................................................................2

5.0 LABORATORY TESTING................................................................................................................................... 3

5.1 LABORATORY TESTING - SOIL SAMPLES..................................................................................4

5.1.1 Classification Tests..........................................................................................................................4

5.1.2 Atterberg Limits...............................................................................................................................4

5.1.3 Natural Moisture Content................................................................................................................4

6.0 RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION..........................................................................................................................5

6.1 GENERAL.................................................................................................................................................5

6.2 SUBSURFACE STRATA...........................................................................................................................5

6.3 GROUNDWATER TABLE............................................................................................................................5

7.0 SELECTION OF FOUNDATION TYPE.............................................................................................................5

7.1 BEARING CAPACITY ANALYSIS..............................................................................................................6

B. 0 FOUNDATION PROTECTION AGAINST WATER

9.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS...

LIMITATIONS …………………………………………….
7
FIGURES

Fig 1: LOCATION PLAN OF SITE

Fig 2: LOCATION PLAN OF BOREHOLES

Fig 3: SPT PROFILE OF BOREHOLES

APPENDIX “A”

BOREHOLE LOGS

APPENDIX “B”

LABORATORY TEST RESULTS

APPENDIX “C”

SITE PHOTOGRAPHS

A REPORT ON GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS

TAJ TOWER, PLOT NO. 6,7,8, MADINA TOWN, ISLAMABAD.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL

This report presents the findings of Geotechnical Investigations for the Construction of Commercial

Building at Plot No. 6,7,8, Madina Town, Islamabad. The proposed building consists of Ground plus 9

storey structure with a basement (B+G+9). The purpose of investigations was to obtain geotechnical

parameters to design the foundations. The work was carried out for Ch. Tabassum Taj. Geotechnical

Investigations of proposed site were earned out by M/s AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd., Islamabad. Field
investigations were carried out on 23rd August, 2019.

This report presents details of the geotechnical investigations carried out, provides evaluation of the

subsurface conditions encountered at the investigated locations, and recommendations for the

foundations of the proposed building. Recommendations given in this report are based on field and

laboratory test results, and on the state-of-the-art knowledge in geotechnical engineering, design and

construction.

1.2 SCOPE OF WORK

Scope of work under this contract for geotechnical investigation consisted of the following major tasks.

1. Drilling and sampling of two (2) boreholes down to the max. Depth of 50ft or up

to rock using Percussion.

2. Performance of Standard Penetration Tests (SPTs) at specified depth intervals to

test and sample the subsurface soil.

3. Performing laboratory tests to determine pertinent index and engineering properties of the strata

encountered at the site.

Geotechnical Investigation Report
Taj Tower, Plot No. Madina Town, Islamabad

4. Analyze the Held and laboratory data and submit an engineering report

giving recommendations for the foundation design and construction,

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION AND GEOLOGY

A Commercial Building is proposed for this site. The investigated site is located at Madina Town,

Islamabad. The area is mainly consists of layers of Silt with Sand to the maximum explored depth.

Location Plan of Site and boreholes are shown in Fig. 1 & 2 respectively.

3.0 SEISMICITY OF THE SITE AREA

3.1 SEISMICITY
The project site is located in Zone 2B as per “Seismic Provisions-2007” of Building Code of Pakistan. This

zone indicates high degree of damage during the seismic loading. Keeping in view the seismotectonic set up of

the project site and the degree of importance of the structure of the proposed project, it is recommended that the

structures should be designed to withstand maximum horizontal peak ground acceleration (GPA) of 0.16- 0.24g.

This GPA has 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years.

3.2 SEISMIC SOIL PROFILE CHARACTERIZATION
Chapter 16, Division V of this code describe the procedure for determining Soil Profile Types S A through S F

in accordance with Table 16-J (UBC 97: Section 1636). It is recommended to use S D as soil profile type for this

site. Here S D is defined as follows;

SD: Stiff Soil

Vs (Shear wave velocity) = 575ft/sec to 1150 ft/sec

N (SPT Blows value) -15 to 50

Su (Undrained Shear Strength) = 1044 psf to 2088 psf

4.0 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

The proposed field work consisted of Borehole Drilling, Sampling, and In-situ Standard Penetration 'Vesting

4
(SPT),
The drilling of boreholes was carried out using heavy percussion method. Standard
Penetration Tests (SPTs) were performed at a depth interval of 3.0 - 5.0ft. These tests
were performed generally in accordance with ASTM D 1586. The samples recovered
from split spoon sampler were visually inspected and classified as per ASTM D 2488. A
description of soil samples recovered and the number of blows of the Standard hammer
used in SPTs for successive 6 inches of penetration was recorded on field borehole logs.
The boreholes were prepared in the field. These logs were finalized after laboratory
testing and are ptesented in Appendix “A” of this report.

5. LABORATORY TESTING
Samples retrieved from boreholes were examined in the field and then transported to
testing laboratory for relevant laboratory testing. The laboratory tests were conducted on
selected soil samples to determine the engineering characteristics of the subsurface strata.
Following laboratory test results are presented in Appendix “B” of this report:

Type of Test No. of Tests Test Method

1. Grain Size Analysis 06 ASTM D 422

2. Liquid Limit 05 ASTM D 4318

3. Plastic Limit 05, ASTM D 4318

4. Moisture Content koej j^ASTM D 2216

 Taj Tower, Plot No. 6,7,8, Madina Town, Isla mabad.

LABORATORY TESTING - SOIL SAMPLES

5.1.1 Classification Tests

This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained
within a soil. The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to determine the distribution
of the coarser, larger-sized particles. Classification tests confirm the visual description of
the soil units recorded at the site. Six (06) sieve analyses were carried out on the soil
samples. The classification test results indicate fine and coarse grained soils mostly
comprise Silt with Sand Soil group according to Unified Soil Classification System
(USCS). The soils classified as fine- and coarse-grained soils contained fines (passing
sieve No. 200) ranging from 26.05% to 85.65%.

5.1.2 Atterberg Limits

The Atterberg limits are a basic measure of the critical water contents of a fine-grained
soil, such as itsfcrinkage limit, plastic limit, and liquid limit. As a dry, clayey soil takes
on increasing amounts of water, it undergoes dramatic and distinct changes in behavior
and consistency. Five (05) Atterberg limit tests were performed on the soil samples
including liquid limit, and plastic limit. The results indicate that the soils have liquid limit
(LL) ranging from 29% to 3^4% with a plasticity index (PI) ranging from 6 to 9.

5.1.3 Natural Moisture Content

The natural water content also called the natural moisture content is the ratio of the
weight of water to the weight of the solids in a given mass of soil. The laboratory tests
performed ion Six (06) soj^ samples have yielded natural moisture content ranging from
14.41% to 25
.
6.0 RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION
6.1 GENERAL

Boreholes drilling, in-situ testing, and sampling were done in the field and
samples retrieved were tested in the laboratory. Results of the investigations
discussed in this report are based on the data obtained at the investigated
points, tests results and on the engineering interpretation of the data collected.
It is possible to have variations in the ground conditions; in case of any
significant variation revealed during execution of the construction work, the
matter should be referred back to AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd. for further
clarifications.
6.2 SUBSURFACE STRATA
Based on the field and laboratory investigations, the site is found to be
underlain by similar type of strata to the maximum explored depth.
The subsurface stratum consists layers of Silt with Sand up to the maximum
explored depth.

6.3 GROUND WATER TABLE

At the time of field investigations, Ground Water Table was not encountered
in any of the boreholes.

7.0 SELECTION OF FOUNDATION TYPE

In order to be safe, the load carrying strata must be competent to sustain the
imposed loading without undergoing shear failure,j and at the same time
settlements of the foundations must not exceed the tolerable limits. Therefore,
the load carrying characteristics of the strata must be evaluated keeping in
view these considerations.
 7.1 BEARING CAPACITY ANALYSIS

7.1 The subsurface strata indicate that the load carrying strata mainly
consists of partially saturated strata. The bearing capacity calculation is
based on Meyerhof method for shear failure and Terzaghi’s Consolidation
Theory for settlement failure. Keeping in view, loading conditions and
subsurface strata, Raft foundations are recommended for main structure.
Recommended Allowable bearing capacities are given below in the table.

S. No.
Type of Footing Min. Depth of Allowable Bearing

Foundation w.r.t Capacity (Tsf)

E.G.L. (ft)
1. Raft 12.0 1.25
L_______________J

8.0 FOUNDATION PROTECTION AGAINST WATER

The following measures are required to be adopted in order to prevent ingress

of water into strata underlying the foundations:

• Proper disposal of drainage and rain water away from the

•
• building.
• Prevention of leakage of underground utility lines.
9.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• Raft foundations are recommended with an alio waterbearing
capacity of 1.25t/sft at min depth of 12.0ft from Existing Grcmnd Level.
• The open areas surrounding the structures, and enclosed within the
structures should properly drain away* from the built-up areas. Moreover
proper drainage should be provided to the project area.
 • Proper plinth protection at-least 3.28 ft (or 1,0m) wide should be provided all around the
building.
• On the basis of our evaluations, Building be designed for Seismic zone 2B, the soil profile
type as per UBC97 should be taken as SD. Seismic zone characterization and seismic hazard values
to be carefully selected and site specific seismo-tectonic investigations are recommended based on
importance of structure.
• Any soft soil / filling encountered at the excavation base of the foundation should be
completely removed and backfilled with suitable granular material in a proper compaction.
• An experienced geotechnical engineer/engineering geologist should thoroughly inspect all
the activities relating to excavation, backfilling, and compaction and placing of foundation.

10.0 LIMITATIONS

AJK Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd. has prepared this report for this project, “ Construction of Commercial
Building at Taj Tower, Plot No. 6,7,8, Madina Town, Islamabad.” as per instruction’s received from the
client. This report is provided for the exclusive use of the proposed buildings and purpose as described
in the report. It should not be used for other projects or by a third party. In preparing this report, AJK
Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd. has necessarily relied upon information provided by the client.
AJK’s advice is based upon the conditions encountered during this investigation. The accuracy of the
advice provided by AJK in this report may be limited by undetected variations in ground conditions
between sampling locations.
This report must be read in conjunction with all of the attached notes and should be kept in its entirety
without separation of individual pages or sections. AJK
cannot be held responsible for interpretations or conclusions made by others unless
they are supported by an expressed statement, interpretation, outcome or conclusion
given in this report.
APPENDIX
 “A”
B O R E H
O L EJL O
G
SAPPENDI
X “B”
L A B O R AT
ORY TEST
R E S U LT S
APPENDIX
“C” SITE
PHOTOGR
APHS