Geotechnical Investigation

Report for a proposed new

Community Health Centre in
Alexandria, Eastern Cape

Report Prepared for

ArchWorXS

Report Number 481913/1

Report Prepared by

October 2014
SRK Consulting: Project No: 481913 Community Health Centre Page i

Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation Report

for a proposed new Community Health Centre
in Alexandria, Eastern Cape

ArchWorXS

SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd.

Ground Floor Bay Suites
1a Humewood Rd.
Humerail
Port Elizabeth 6001
South Africa

e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.srk.co.za

Tel: +27 (0) 41 509 4800

Fax:+27 (0) 41 509 4850

SRK Project Number 481913

October 2014

Compiled by: Peer Reviewed by:

Brent Cock Pr Sci Nat John Brown Pr Sci Nat

Senior Engineering Geologist Principal Engineering Geologist, Partner

Email: [email protected]
Authors:
Brent Cock

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Table of Contents

Disclaimer.................................................................................................................................................... iii
1 Introduction and Scope of Report............................................................................... 1
1.1 Objectives ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Fieldwork ............................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Site description............................................................................................................. 4
3 Soil profile and underlying geology............................................................................ 4
3.1 Regional geology ................................................................................................................................ 4
3.2 Soil profile ........................................................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Groundwater seepage ........................................................................................................................ 5
3.4 Soil consistency .................................................................................................................................. 5
3.5 Material properties .............................................................................................................................. 6
4 Evaluation of the geotechnical properties ................................................................. 9
4.1 Excavatability ...................................................................................................................................... 9
4.2 Problematic soils ................................................................................................................................. 9
5 Summarised Ground Conditions ................................................................................ 9
6 Foundation Recommendations ................................................................................. 10
Appendices ...................................................................................................................... 12
Appendix A: Detailed soil profiles ............................................................................... 13
Appendix B: DPL graphs .............................................................................................. 14
Appendix C: Detailed laboratory certificates .............................................................. 15

List of Tables
Table 1: Test pit details....................................................................................................................................... 2
Table 2: Summarised laboratory results. ............................................................................................................ 8

List of Figures
Figure 1: Site location. ........................................................................................................................................ 1
Figure 2: Test pit layout. ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Figure 3: Topsoil, colluvium and ferruginised colluvium with calcrete nodules (TH 1). ...................................... 5
Figure 4: Topsoil, colluvium, ferruginsed colluvium overlying residual shale and bedrock (TH 9)..................... 5
Figure 5: Combined DPL penetration profiles. ................................................................................................... 6

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Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Report have been based on the information supplied to SRK
Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SRK) by ArchWorXS. The opinions in this Report are provided
in response to a specific request from ArchWorXS to do so. SRK has exercised all due care in
reviewing the supplied information. Whilst SRK has compared key supplied data with expected
values, the accuracy of the results and conclusions from the review are entirely reliant on the
accuracy and completeness of the supplied data. SRK does not accept responsibility for any errors
or omissions in the supplied information and does not accept any consequential liability arising from
commercial decisions or actions resulting from them. Opinions presented in this report apply to the
site conditions and features as they existed at the time of SRK’s investigations, and those
reasonably foreseeable. These opinions do not necessarily apply to conditions and features that
may arise after the date of this Report, about which SRK had no prior knowledge nor had the
opportunity to evaluate.

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1 Introduction and Scope of Report

SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SRK) was appointed by ArchWorXS to undertake a
geotechnical investigation for the construction of a new Community Health Centre at a site located
on the outskirts of Alexandria in the Eastern Cape (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Site location.

1.1 Objectives
 Provide a summary of the underlying soil profile and geology;
 Assess the excavatability of the site according to SANS 1200 D for restricted excavations using
a TLB excavator;
 Comment on groundwater seepage and depth to bedrock (if present);
 Comment on any problematic soils and their potential impact on the construction of the new
health centre;
 Determine the suitability of the in situ soils for construction purposes; and
 Provide a suitable founding level and allowable bearing pressure.

1.2 Fieldwork
In order to meet the objectives listed in Section 1.1 the following tasks were completed:

 Excavation of nine test pits to a depth ranging from 1.5 m to 3.0 m below natural ground level
(average depth 2.3 m). The positions of the test pits are shown in Figure 2. The test pit details
are summarised in Table 1;
 Dynamic Probe Light (DPL) penetrometer tests were driven from surface to a depth ranging from
1.6 m to 3.0 m ( average of 2.0 m);

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 Five bulk disturbed soil samples were collected and submitted to a soils laboratory for the
following tests:
o Sieve analysis including hydrometer;
o Atterberg Limit determinations;
o Moisture: density relationship at optimum moisture content; and
o CBR analysis.

Table 1: Test pit details.

TP ID Coordinates GW Depth (m) Refusal conditions

TH 1 Figure 1 legend No 2.5 Slow excavation within sandy clay
TH 2 Figure 1 legend No 1.5 Slow excavation within sandy clay
TH 3 Figure 1 legend No 2.2 Slow excavation within sandy clay
TH 4 Figure 1 legend No 2.5 Slow excavation within sandy clay
TH 5 Figure 1 legend No 2.0 Refusal within shale
TH 6 Figure 1 legend No 3.0 No refusal
TH 7 Figure 1 legend No 2.3 Slow excavation within sandy clay
TH 8 Figure 1 legend No 2.6 slow excavation within shale
TH 9 Figure 1 legend No 2.2 Refusal within shale
Datum: WGS 84
Format: Decimal Degrees
GPS Accuracy: 3 m
GW = Ground Water

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Figure 2: Test pit layout.

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2 Site description
The natural ground surface slopes at a moderate gradient (approximately 1v:10h) towards the north
east. The natural ground surface has been altered in certain areas with the construction of a small
cut platform and southwest-northeast aligned soil berms. A storm water channel is located towards
the south east of the site running parallel to TH3 and discharging in the direction of TH6. Vegetation
is limited to grass with scattered small trees and occasional succulent type plant species. Small
mounds of builders’ rubble are noted to occur across the site.

3 Soil profile and underlying geology

3.1 Regional geology
Published geological maps extracted from a GIS database indicate that the northern portion of the
site is underlain by the Sardinia Bay Formation and the southern portion by the Skurweberg
Formation. Bedrock is expected to be quartzitic sandstone, phyllitic shale and subordinate small-
pebble conglomerate or thickly-bedded, medium- to coarse-grained, cross-bedded, quartzitic
sandstone. The bedrock intersected in the test pits is shale and the site is therefore inferred to be
underlain by phyllitic shale of the Sardinia Bay Formation (Table Mountain Group, Cape
Supergroup).

3.2 Soil profile

The soil profile is fairly consistent across the site generally characterised by topsoil, colluvium and
ferruginised colluvium overlying shale in certain areas. The soil types identified beneath the site are
individually described below.

Fill (0)

The fill material is characterised by dry to slightly moist, brown, loose silty SAND with plastic and
builders’ rubble. This material was intersected in TH4 only with a thickness of 0.9 m.

Topsoil (1)

The topsoil is characterised by slightly moist to moist, dark greyish brown, medium dense silty SAND
with minor pinhole voids. The thickness ranges from 0.1 m to 0.9 m (average 0.5 m). Note that the
topsoil was not intersected at TH4.

Colluvium (2)

The topsoil is underlain by slightly moist, mottled orange and grey, very stiff, shattered silty CLAY.
The thickness ranges from 0.3m to 2.0 m (average 1.1 m).

Ferruginised colluvium (3)

The clay colluvium is underlain by slightly moist, mottled orange and brown, very stiff, fissured with
occasional polished surfaces, rounded calcrete and iron oxide concretions, sandy CLAY with gravel
becoming more gravelly in TH9. The thickness ranges from 0.1m to 0.9 m (average 0.6 m).

Residual soil of underlying shale (4)

The colluvium is underlain by slightly moist, yellow brown, very dense, matrix supported, angular
clasts, silty GRAVEL. The thickness ranges from 0.3 m to 0.5 m (average 0.4 m). The residual shale
was intersected in TH5, 8 and 9 only.

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Sardinia Bay Formation shale (5)

The residual shale grades into slightly weathered, yellow brown, very closely jointed/fractured, very
soft rock to soft rock SHALE (Sardinia Bay Formation, Table Mountain Group, Cape Supergroup).
The depth to bedrock appears to increase in an upslope direction as the overlying colluvium
increases in thickness.

In general, two main soil profile types have been identified at the site, These profiles are depicted in
Figure 3 and Figure 4 with average contact depths for the soil layers.

The detailed soil profiles are included in Appendix A.

Figure 3: Topsoil, colluvium and Figure 4: Topsoil, colluvium, ferruginsed

ferruginised colluvium with calcrete colluvium overlying residual shale and
nodules (TH 1). bedrock (TH 9).

3.3 Groundwater seepage

No ground water seepage was intersected within the excavation depth ranging from 1.5 m to 3.0 m
below natural ground level.

3.4 Soil consistency

The soil consistency is fairly consistent across the site generally characterised by loose to medium
dense sandy topsoil to approximately 0.5 m below surface underlain by very stiff cohesive colluvium
overlying very soft rock to soft rock shale (Figure 5). Notable exceptions are at TH8 where stiff clay
colluvium (Figure 5, pink line, average DPL penetration rate of 20 mm/blow) was intersected to 0.9 m

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below surface followed by a sharp transition to very stiff (average 5 mm/blow); and TH6 where loose
sandy topsoil (Figure 5, orange line, average 40 mm/blow) was intersected to 0.9 m followed by a
gradual transition from stiff (26 to 12 mm/blow) to very stiff clay colluvium at 1.5 m below natural
ground surface.

It is important to note that TH8 was positioned within an old cut platform where ponding of storm
water is likely to occur after periods of heavy rainfall and TH6 is located down gradient of a storm
water outlet from the adjacent settlement. In both cases the ponding of and/or the regular discharge
of storm water appears to have ‘softened’ the cohesive clay soil and sandy topsoil.

The individual DPL graphs are included in Appendix B.

Figure 5: Combined DPL penetration profiles.

3.5 Material properties

A brief description of the material properties for the different soil types profiled are provided below.
The laboratory results are summarised in Table 2 with the detailed certificates included in Appendix
C.

Colluvium

The colluvium is characterised by a very high percentage passing through the 0.425 mm sieve (94 –
99 %) with low clay content (4 – 8 %). The plasticity of the whole sample ranges from 6 – 12
(generally low) with a low potential to exhibit expansive behaviour. The CBR values indicate that the
colluvium is classified as lower than G10 according to the TRH14 standards i.e. poorer quality.

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Ferruginised colluvium

The ferruginised colluvium is coarse grained with 49 % retained on the 0.425 mm sieve i.e. medium
to-coarse grained sand and gravel. The clay content is very low (2 %) with a low plasticity index for
the whole sample. The potential to develop expansive behaviour is also low. The CBR values
indicate that the colluvium is classified as lower than G10 according to the TRH14 standards i.e.
poorer quality.

Residual soil of underlying shale

The grading of the two residual shale samples is variable ranging from fine-grained (74 % passing
through the 0.425 mm sieve) to coarse-grained (60 % retained on the 4.75 mm sieve i.e. gravel) with
low clay content (3 – 8 %). The plasticity of the whole sample ranges from 4 – 10 (generally low) with
a low potential to exhibit expansive behaviour. The CBR values indicate that the residual shale is
classified as lower than G10 to G10 according to the TRH14 standards.

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Table 2: Summarised laboratory results.

CBR
Grading (%) Atterberg Limits

Optimum Moisture Content (%)

Maximum Dry Density (kg/m3)
> 4.75 mm

2.00 - 4.75 mm

0.425 - 2.00 mm

0.075 - 0.425 mm

< 0.075 mm

< 0.002 mm

Liquid Limit

Plasticity Index (fines)

Plasticity Index (whole)

Linear Shrinkage
Sample Interval (m)

TRH14
Heave
Origin

Swell
TP ID

100%

98%

95%

93%

90%
TH 2 0.5 - 1.0 Colluvium 0 0 1 52 39 8 28 12 12 5.5 Low 1825 13.7 5 4 3 1 0 1.0 <G10
TH 4 0.9 - 1.5 Colluvium 3 1 2 54 36 4 25 6 6 5.0 Low 1841 14.6 1 1 1 0 0 0.4 <G10
TH 1 1.6 - 1.9 Ferruginised colluvium 26 13 10 16 33 2 45 23 12 11.5 Low 1921 13.6 1 1 1 1 1 0.4 <G10
TH 5 1.4 - 1.7 Residual 14 6 6 34 32 8 30 14 10 6.5 Low 1838 12.4 43 24 10 5 2 0.4 <G10
TH 9 1.1 - 1.4 Residual 60 9 4 10 14 3 30 15 4 8.0 Low 2005 10.9 9 8 8 7 5 1.0 G10

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4 Evaluation of the geotechnical properties

4.1 Excavatability
The very stiff clay and very dense ferruginised gravel colluvium and highly fractured shale bedrock
proved difficult to excavate with TLB to an average depth below natural ground of 2.3 m (range 1.5
m to 3.0 m). Hand excavation methods will require a mechanical breaker which will prove time
consuming. A TLB will suffice for shallow excavations e.g. foundation trenches less than 1.5 m deep
provided extra time is allowed for the excavation given the slow (difficult) excavation conditions
described above.

Soft excavation conditions are expected for deeper, non-restricted excavations (e.g. cut slope of
engineered platform) provided a track mounted excavator is used.

4.2 Problematic soils

Heaving soils
The low clay content, generally low plasticity index, low potential expansion classification according
to the van der Merwe method and low swell value recorded in the re-compacted CBR tests (0.4 – 1.0
%) all indicate that problems associated with heaving soils are not expected for this site.

Engineered fill
The CBR results for the colluvium. ferruginised colluvium and residual shale indicate that the
material softens appreciably when saturated and will prove to be particularly difficult to re-compact if
disturbed. These soils are therefore not well suited for use as engineered fill.

5 Summarised Ground Conditions

The site is underlain by a sequence of fine-grained clayey and ferruginised colluvium overlying a thin
horizon of residual shale grading into very soft rock to soft rock shale. The thickness of the colluvial
layers increases in an upslope direction.

The topography of the site indicates that the proposed health centre and associated infrastructure
will need to be constructed on cut to-fill platforms. Depending on the depth of cut, the most likely
founding material will be the colluvium and residual shale (to a lesser extent).

The colluvium was noted to be slightly fissured with occasional polished surfaces during soil
profiling. These features indicate that some movement within the soil due to heave has taken place
in the past. The foundation indicator results indicate that the potential for expansive soil behaviour to
develop within the clayey colluvium will be low. SRK is of the opinion that soil movement associated
with a heaving soil (after being exposed to wetting and drying cycles) will be limited and unlikely to
impact on the foundations and structures to any great extent.

The soil consistency is generally very stiff within the cohesive colluvium with ‘softer’ intervals noted
at TH 8 and TH 6 attributed to storm water ponding on the small cut platform and discharged from
the storm water pipe outlet up slope of TH 6. The softening of the colluvium is confirmed by the CBR
results. This will impact on the allowable bearing capacity and construction sequence in terms of
keeping the founding soils dry.

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6 Foundation Recommendations
Conventional strip foundations will suffice for the proposed structures cast within the in situ
colluvium. The founding depth will need to be determined once final levels for the platforms have
been approved but should not be less than 0.5 m below surface.

The strip foundations should be cast, as far as is practically possible, within the same soil horizon in
order to limit the development of differential settlement. The foundations will need to be reinforced
should they span two different soil horizons.

Foundations must be carried through any engineered fill (where present) to a depth of approximately
0.5 m into the underlying in situ material.

It is recommended that the foundations be designed using an allowable ground bearing capacity not
exceeding 100 kPa.

The DPL profiles at TH 8 and TH 6 as well as the very low CBR results all indicate that the colluvial
material softens appreciably when wetted. Foundation trenches and cut platforms should be under
excavated by say 150 mm in case of inclement weather where the colluvium will be exposed for an
extended period of time. This layer of ‘soft’ material can then be removed when required thereby
exposing the less saturated material underneath for the placement of road layers, backfill beneath
floor slabs or foundations.

Foundation trenches and cut platforms should also be constructed with a slight fall of ground to
prevent ponding of storm water. A sump will be required to remove water from the trenches.

Structural fill material will need to be imported from a commercial source. The colluvium, ferruginised
colluvium and residual shale material is NOT suitable for use as construction material. It is unlikely
that the underlying shale bedrock will be intersected during the construction of the platforms. If
bedrock is exposed, the volume of material will probably not be sufficient for the structural fill
platform. Also, the appropriate suite of tests will need to be conducted to confirm its suitability for use
as construction material.

Cut to-fill platforms will require stringent storm water management. Measures must be put in place to
prevent storm water ingress behind any cut and fill slopes, behind retaining walls and to the in situ
colluvium and structural fill.

Prepared by

Brent Cock Pr Sci Nat

Senior Engineering Geologist

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Reviewed by

John Brown Pr Sci Nat

Principal Engineering Geologist, Partner

All data used as source material plus the text, tables, figures, and attachments of this document
have been reviewed and prepared in accordance with generally accepted professional engineering
and environmental practices.

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Appendices

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Appendix A: Detailed soil profiles

COCB/BROW Geotechnical Investigation Report for a proposed new Community Health Centre in Alexandria Eastern Cape_FINAL October 2014
PROJECT NUMBER: 481913

TEST PIT NUMBER: TH 1

PROJECT: ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY HC GEOTECH NORTHING (X): 3725500

EXCAVATION METHOD: TLB Excavator EASTING (Y): 53903
CONTRACTOR: Venter Stene LOCATION: Alexandria, Eastern Cape
DEPTH: 2.50 m ELEVATION (m msl):
LOGGED BY: David Mahlakahlaka DATE: 9 October 2014

DEPTH LEGEND SAMPLE DESCRIPTION

sandy SILT
0.2 Slightly moist, greyish brown, soft to firm, minor pinhole voids, sandy
0.4 SILT. Topsoil

0.6 silty CLAY

Slightly moist, mottled orange grey, firm to stiff, shattered, silty CLAY.
0.8 Colluvium
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6 F.I/MDD/C
sandy CLAY with gravel
1.8 BR Slightly moist, yellow brown blotched creamish, stiff, fissured, sandy
between CLAY with calcrete nodules and iron concretions. Colluvium
2.0 1.60 and
2.2 1.90 m
2.4
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.4

EXCAVATIBILITY: Soft 0.00 - 2.50 m

GROUNDWATER: No
REFUSAL: TLB Refusal - slow excavation

:
PROJECT NUMBER: 481913

TEST PIT NUMBER: TH 2

PROJECT: ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY HC GEOTECH NORTHING (X): 3725500

EXCAVATION METHOD: TLB Excavator EASTING (Y): 53903
CONTRACTOR: Venter Stene LOCATION: Alexandria, Eastern Cape
DEPTH: 1.50 m ELEVATION (m msl):
LOGGED BY: David Mahlakahlaka DATE: 9 October 2014

DEPTH LEGEND SAMPLE DESCRIPTION

sandy SILT
0.2 Slightly moist, greyish brown, soft to firm, minor pinhole voids, sandy
0.4 SILT. Topsoil
F.I/MDD/C silty CLAY
0.6 Slightly moist, mottled orange grey, firm to stiff, shattered, silty CLAY.
BR
0.8 between Colluvium
1.0 0.50 and
1.00 m
1.2
1.4
sandy CLAY with gravel
1.6 Slightly moist, yellow brown blotched creamish, stiff, fissured, sandy
1.8 CLAY with calcrete nodules. Colluvium

2.0
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.4

EXCAVATIBILITY: Soft 0.00 - 1.50 m

GROUNDWATER: No
REFUSAL: TLB Refusal - slow excavation

:
PROJECT NUMBER: 481913

TEST PIT NUMBER: TH 3

PROJECT: ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY HC GEOTECH NORTHING (X): 3725577

EXCAVATION METHOD: TLB Excavator EASTING (Y): 53844
CONTRACTOR: Venter Stene LOCATION: Alexandria, Eastern Cape
DEPTH: 2.20 m ELEVATION (m msl):
LOGGED BY: David Mahlakahlaka DATE: 9 October 2014

DEPTH LEGEND SAMPLE DESCRIPTION

sandy SILT
0.2 Moist, greyish brown, soft to firm, minor pinhole voids, sandy SILT.
0.4 Topsoil

0.6
silty CLAY
0.8 Slightly moist, mottled orange grey, firm to stiff, shattered, silty CLAY.
1.0 Colluvium

1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
sandy CLAY with gravel
2.2 Slightly moist, yellow brown blotched creamish, stiff to very stiff,
2.4 fissured, sandy CLAY with calcrete nodules and iron concretions.
Colluvium
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.4

EXCAVATIBILITY: Soft 0.00 - 2.20 m

GROUNDWATER: No
REFUSAL: No

:
PROJECT NUMBER: 481913

TEST PIT NUMBER: TH 4

PROJECT: ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY HC GEOTECH NORTHING (X): 3725590

EXCAVATION METHOD: TLB Excavator EASTING (Y): 53744
CONTRACTOR: Venter Stene LOCATION: Alexandria, Eastern Cape
DEPTH: 2.50 m ELEVATION (m msl):
LOGGED BY: David Mahlakahlaka DATE: 9 October 2014

DEPTH LEGEND SAMPLE DESCRIPTION

Fill
0.2 Dry to slightly moist, brown, loose to medium dense, silty SAND with
0.4 plastics and rubble.Fill

0.6
0.8
F.I/MDD/C
1.0 silty CLAY
BR Slightly moist, mottled orange grey, firm to stiff, shattered, silty CLAY.
1.2 between Colluvium
1.4 0.90 and
1.50 m
1.6
1.8
2.0
2.2 sandy CLAY with gravel
Slightly moist, yellow brown blotched creamish, stiff to very stiff,
2.4 fissured, sandy CLAY with calcrete nodules and iron concretions.
2.6 Colluvium
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.4

EXCAVATIBILITY: Soft 0.00 - 2.50 m

GROUNDWATER: No
REFUSAL: Slow excavation TLB refusal

:
PROJECT NUMBER: 481913

TEST PIT NUMBER: TH 5

PROJECT: ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY HC GEOTECH NORTHING (X): 3725577

EXCAVATION METHOD: TLB Excavator EASTING (Y): 53799
CONTRACTOR: Venter Stene LOCATION: Alexandria, Eastern Cape
DEPTH: 2.00 m ELEVATION (m msl):
LOGGED BY: David Mahlakahlaka DATE: 9 October 2014

DEPTH LEGEND SAMPLE DESCRIPTION

sandy SILT
0.2 Slightly moist, greyish brown, soft to firm, minor pinhole voids, sandy
0.4 SILT. Topsoil

0.6
silty CLAY
0.8 Slightly moist, mottled orange grey, firm to stiff, shattered, silty CLAY.
1.0 Colluvium

1.2
1.4 F.I/MDD/C
sandy silty GRAVEL
1.6 BR Slighly moist, yellow brown, dense to very dense, subangular,
between medium gravel within sandy silt matrix. Matrix supported sandy silt
1.8 1.40 and GRAVEL. Residual Mudstone.
2.0 1.70 m MUDSTONE
2.2 Slightly weathered, yellow brown, bedded, very closely jointed, very
soft to soft rock, MUDSTONE.
2.4
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.4

EXCAVATIBILITY: Soft 0.00 - 2.00 m

GROUNDWATER: No
REFUSAL: TLB Refusal - slow excavation

:
PROJECT NUMBER: 481913

TEST PIT NUMBER: TH 6

PROJECT: ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY HC GEOTECH NORTHING (X): 3725557

EXCAVATION METHOD: TLB Excavator EASTING (Y): 53821
CONTRACTOR: Venter Stene LOCATION: Alexandria, Eastern Cape
DEPTH: 3.00 m ELEVATION (m msl):
LOGGED BY: David Mahlakahlaka DATE: 9 October 2014

DEPTH LEGEND SAMPLE DESCRIPTION

sandy SILT
0.2 Moist, greyish brown, soft to firm, minor pinhole voids, sandy SILT.
0.4 Topsoil

0.6
0.8
1.0 silty CLAY
Slightly moist, mottled orange grey, firm to stiff, shattered, silty CLAY.
1.2 Colluvium
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
2.2 sandy CLAY with gravel
Slightly moist, yellow brown blotched creamish, stiff to very stiff,
2.4 fissured, sandy CLAY with calcrete nodules and iron concretions.
2.6 Colluvium
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.4

EXCAVATIBILITY: Soft 0.00 - 3.00 m

GROUNDWATER: No
REFUSAL: No

:
PROJECT NUMBER: 481913

TEST PIT NUMBER: TH 7

PROJECT: ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY HC GEOTECH NORTHING (X): 3725527

EXCAVATION METHOD: TLB Excavator EASTING (Y): 53824
CONTRACTOR: Venter Stene LOCATION: Alexandria, Eastern Cape
DEPTH: 2.30 m ELEVATION (m msl):
LOGGED BY: David Mahlakahlaka DATE: 9 October 2014

DEPTH LEGEND SAMPLE DESCRIPTION

sandy SILT
0.2 Slightly moist, greyish brown, soft to firm, minor pinhole voids, sandy
0.4 SILT. Topsoil
silty CLAY
0.6 Slightly moist, mottled orange grey, firm to stiff, shattered, silty CLAY.
0.8 Colluvium
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
sandy CLAY with gravel
1.8 Slightly moist, yellow brown blotched creamish, stiff to very stiff,
2.0 fissured, sandy CLAY with calcrete nodules and iron concretions.
Colluvium
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.4

EXCAVATIBILITY: Soft 0.00 - 2.30 m

GROUNDWATER: No
REFUSAL: TLB Refusal - slow excavation

:
PROJECT NUMBER: 481913

TEST PIT NUMBER: TH 8

PROJECT: ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY HC GEOTECH NORTHING (X): 3725502

EXCAVATION METHOD: TLB Excavator EASTING (Y): 53870
CONTRACTOR: Venter Stene LOCATION: Alexandria, Eastern Cape
DEPTH: 2.60 m ELEVATION (m msl):
LOGGED BY: David Mahlakahlaka DATE: 9 October 2014

DEPTH LEGEND SAMPLE DESCRIPTION

sandy SILT
0.2 Slightly moist, greyish brown, soft to firm, minor pinhole voids, sandy
0.4 SILT. Topsoil
silty CLAY
0.6 Slightly moist, mottled orange grey, firm to stiff, shattered, silty CLAY.
0.8 Colluvium
1.0 silty sandy GRAVEL
Slightly moist, mottled orange brown, dense to very dense,
1.2 subrounded fine gravel within silty sandy matrix. Matrix supported silty
1.4 sandy GRAVEL. Colluvium

1.6 sandy silty GRAVEL

Slighly moist, yellow brown, very dense, subangular, medium gravel
1.8 within sandy silt matrix. Matrix supported sandy silt GRAVEL.
2.0 Residual Mudstone.
2.2 MUDSTONE
Slightly weathered, yellow brown, bedded, very closely jointed, very
2.4 soft to soft rock, MUDSTONE.
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.4

EXCAVATIBILITY: Soft 0.00 - 2.60 m

GROUNDWATER: No
REFUSAL: TLB Refusal - slow excavation

:
PROJECT NUMBER: 481913

TEST PIT NUMBER: TH 9

PROJECT: ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY HC GEOTECH NORTHING (X): 3725483

EXCAVATION METHOD: TLB Excavator EASTING (Y): 53848
CONTRACTOR: Venter Stene LOCATION: Alexandria, Eastern Cape
DEPTH: 2.20 m ELEVATION (m msl):
LOGGED BY: David Mahlakahlaka DATE: 9 October 2014

DEPTH LEGEND SAMPLE DESCRIPTION

sandy SILT
0.2 Slightly moist, greyish brown, soft to firm, minor pinhole voids, sandy
0.4 SILT. Topsoil
silty CLAY
0.6 Slightly moist, mottled orange grey, firm to stiff, shattered, silty CLAY.
0.8 Colluvium
1.0 silty sandy GRAVEL
Slightly moist, mottled orange brown, dense to very dense,
1.2 subrounded fine gravel within silty sandy matrix. Matrix supported silty
1.4 sandy GRAVEL. Colluvium
sandy silty GRAVEL
1.6 F.I/MDD/C Slighly moist, yellow brown, dense to very dense, subangular,
1.8 BR medium gravel within sandy silt matrix. Matrix supported sandy silt
between GRAVEL. Residual Mudstone.
2.0 1.60 and MUDSTONE
2.2 1.90 m Slightly weathered, yellow brown, bedded, very closely jointed, very
2.4 soft to soft rock, MUDSTONE.

2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.4

EXCAVATIBILITY: Soft 0.00 - 2.20 m

GROUNDWATER: No
REFUSAL: TLB Refusal - slow excavation

:
SRK Consulting: Project No: 481913 Community Health Centre Page 14

Appendix B: DPL graphs

COCB/BROW Geotechnical Investigation Report for a proposed new Community Health Centre in Alexandria Eastern Cape_FINAL October 2014
SRK Consulting: Project No: 481913 Community Health Centre Page 15

Appendix C: Detailed laboratory certificates

COCB/BROW Geotechnical Investigation Report for a proposed new Community Health Centre in Alexandria Eastern Cape_FINAL October 2014
SRK Consulting: Project No: 481913 Community Health Centre Page 16

SRK Report Distribution Record

Report No. 481913/1

Copy No. Electronic

Name/Title Company Copy Date Authorised by

Xabiso Sidloyi ArchWorXS Electronic 30 October Brent Cock
2014
Project File SRK Electronic 30 October Brent Cock
2014

Approval Signature:

This report is protected by copyright vested in SRK (SA) (Pty) Ltd. It may not be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever to any person without the written permission of
the copyright holder, SRK.

COCB/BROW Geotechnical Investigation Report for a proposed new Community Health Centre in Alexandria Eastern Cape_FINAL October 2014