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Suryakanta | December 5, 2015 | Geotechnical, How To | 6 Comments
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PRESENTATION OF
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GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION Subscribe

REPORT
Upon completion of the geotechnical investigation and analysis, the JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
information and findings must be compiled in a standard report format.
The report serves as the permanent record of all geotechnical data
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known to be pertinent to the project and is referred to throughout the
design, construction, and service life of the project. The data and
recommendations are typically compiled in a Geotechnical Report. The
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intent of the Geotechnical Report is to present the data collected in a
clear manner, to draw conclusions from the data, and to make
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recommendations for the geotechnical aspects of the project. The
primary clients that use the report are roadway designers, Bridge
Engineers, construction personnel, and contractors. The Geotechnical
Report is a professional document, and must be prepared under the
direction of a registered professional engineer. When Consultants
prepare reports, the Consultants recommendations must be reviewed,
documented and retained by the Geotechnical Engineer assigned to the
project. All final reports, calculations, boring logs, details, etc. must be
submitted to the Department on Compact Disks (CD) in addition to
paper copies.
GEOTECHNICAL REPORT
ORGANIZATION
The Geotechnical Report contains factual data, interpretations,
engineering studies and analyses, and recommendations for design and
construction. The report should be formatted to present information
using a standardized approach, so that users are able to locate
information readily and consistently. The format and contents of the
Geotechnical Report are somewhat dependent on the type of project.
The general outline for a Geotechnical Report is as follows:

1. Title Page
2. Table of Contents
3. Executive Summary (optional)
4. Introduction

General
Scope
Other reports and investigations

5. Project Description
6. Geologic Conditions and Seismicity

Local Geology
Faulting and Seismicity

7. Field Investigations (summary, with details in Appendices A, B,

D, and E)
8. Laboratory Analyses (summary, with details in Appendix C)
9. Discussion (with supporting figures in Appendix A)

Anticipated Subsurface Conditions (soil, rock, groundwater)

Geologic Hazards
General Site Evaluation

10. Summary of Engineering Analyses and Calculations (typically a

summary will suffice in a main section of the Geotechnical
Report, and the detailed documentation of analyses and
calculation could be in an appendix or as a separate report.)
11. Recommendations

Site Grading and Earthwork

Use of Materials
Embankments
 Cut Slopes
Drainage
Rock Slopes (slope angles, stabilization, rock fall mitigation)
Foundations
Spread Footings
Driven Piles
Drilled Shafts
Micro piles
Retaining Walls
Construction Specifications
Recommended Construction Observations, Testing and
Instrumentation
Closure

12. References
13. Appendix A: Figures

Site Location Map

Soil Boring Location Map
Geologic Mapping
Supporting Photographs of Site Conditions
Interpreted Geologic Cross-Sections
Recommended Design Details

14. Appendix B: Subsurface Explorations Data

Boring Log Key

Boring Logs
Test Pit Logs
Geophysical Data

15. Appendix C: Laboratory Test Results

Test Result Summary Sheets

Particle Size Distribution Report Sheets (gradation curves)
Consolidation Test Report Sheets and/or Summary Table
Triaxial Test Results Sheets and/or Summary Table
Direct Shear Test Report Sheets and/or Summary Table
Chemical Analysis Results Sheets and/or Summary Table

16. Appendix D: In Situ Test Results

17. Appendix E: Instrumentation Results

1. TITLE PAGE
The title page should include the formal name of the project, the project
identification number, the county, the date the report was finalized, and
the names with titles of report preparers and their signatures (which
include the author, the reviewer, and approval by the overseeing
engineer).

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
The table of contents should list the report sections and subsections,
followed by appendices. A list of tables and figures should be included.
A table of contents is not necessary for a short report or technical
memorandum.

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Executive Summary may be desirable for larger reports to help
provide the most important findings and recommendations in a short
and simple manner. An Executive Summary is not necessary for a short
report or technical memorandum.

4. INTRODUCTION
This section introduces the scope of work as it relates to the general
project description (a more detailed project description is provided in
the next report section). A list of previous reports and investigations
that are relevant to the current project and site should be identified in
this introductory section.

5. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This section describes the elements of the project and the geotechnical
related items. Provide a list of project information that was received
during the course of the investigation (alignment, foundation layout,
30%plans, scour estimate, etc.). The details should include the various
grading requirements and structure needs. Project constraints should
be identified.

Design loads and seismic criteria should be addressed. Provide a

description of width, composition, and condition of existing roadway.
Provide the estimated depths of scour used (typically determined by the
Hydraulics Engineer), if applicable. A vicinity map is useful to show the
general location of the project.

6. GEOLOGIC CONDITIONS AND

SEISMICITY
This section describes the known and published geology of the site and
vicinity, as well as the regional and local seismicity. Provide a
description of significant geologic and topographic features of the site.
The principal geologic formations are described, along with their soil
and rock characteristics. The general thicknesses (and contact
elevations) of the principal geologic units should be described based on
available information. Describe both natural and man-made features
that are of construction importance or need to be protected.

Include pertinent geologic mapping. Identify the closest relevant faults

and areas of seismic activity, along with the published expected peak
horizontal ground acceleration (as stated in reliable geologic
publications).

7. FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
This section presents an overview of the exploration program.
Information presented here should include geologic reconnaissance
work, the method of subsurface explorations, in situ testing, and
instrumentation. The sampling methods should be briefly described.
Each boring and test pit should be identified and labeled, along with its
depth and purpose. Provide a sentence referencing the exploration logs,
in situ test results, and instrumentation results in the appendices.

8. LABORATORY ANALYSES
List the types of tests performed and summarize the results, leaving the
details in the appendix. Briefly describe key findings from the laboratory
tests. Provide a sentence referencing the laboratory test results in the
appendix.

9. DISCUSSION
The subsurface conditions should be described along the route of the
project. This might require splitting the discussion into sections along
the alignment. Describe the engineering characteristics and anticipated
behavior of each soil and rock unit. Identify potentially difficult or
problematic conditions. Describe any precedent information such as
past slope performance or instabilities and ground settlement evidence.
The groundwater regimes throughout the project should be described.
Describe any potential geologic hazards, such as unstable slopes and
rock fall hazards.

10. ANALYSIS & CALCULATIONS

A complete set of the analysis computations should be adequately
documented and saved in a separate file or report. All calculations by
Consultants are reviewed by the Geotechnical Engineer. The
Geotechnical Engineer reviews and makes recommendations back to
the Consultants to be incorporated into the calculations. Consultants
remain responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all
deliverables.

Provide an overview of the geotechnical engineering analyses and

studies performed. Describe the purpose of each set of analyses, and
provide the assumptions used, the corresponding results, and impact
on the project. Details should be included in an appendix, if necessary.
When applicable, analyses for alternate foundations including spread
footings, driven piles and drilled shafts should be provided for all
structures. A description of the analyses performed and an explanation
of why specific foundation alternatives were eliminated should be
included.

11. RECOMMENDATIONS
The Geotechnical Engineer must provide recommendations for all
earthwork, rock slopes, retaining walls, foundations and geotechnical
problems. The excavated materials must be described in terms of their
behavior and its suitability for use as Borrow material. Address how the
materials satisfy Department standards for Borrow materials.
Unsuitable materials must be addressed and their locations identified.

If groundwater or seepage could impact the project, describe any

recommended drainage systems and their locations. Estimate
earthwork shrink/swell factors to allow for computation of earthwork
quantities.

Provide recommendations for embankment construction, including

methods to ensure slope stability and manage settlement. Estimate the
magnitude and rate of settlement.

Evaluate possible alternatives if magnitude or time required for

settlement is excessive, and recommend treatment based on economic
analysis, time and environmental constraints.

When addressing stability, describe the factor of safety criteria and the
level achieved with the recommended approach. Evaluate possible
treatment alternatives if the factor of safety is too low. Provide
recommendations for any ground improvement. Reinforced slopes, if to
be used, should be detailed for design. Landslide mitigation measures
require detailed design recommendations.

Provide rock slope recommendations including the design of slopes

(appropriate cut slope angles) and fallout area dimensions. The
potential for rock fall should be described and any recommended
mitigations should be detailed.

Foundation recommendations should be provided for all structures

including bridges, sound walls, earth retaining walls, channels, box
culverts and poles. Address the use of both shallow and deep
foundations and describe advantages and disadvantages for each.
Provide detailed recommendations for preferred foundation types. For
shallow foundations, provide the recommended elevations of bottom of
footings and the allowable soil pressures based on settlements and
bearing capacities. Describe suitable pile types and reasons for design
selections and exclusions. Provide plots of soil resistance for selected
pile size alternates.

Plots should be developed indicating both Davissons curve and ultimate

soil resistance versus elevation, and should show end bearing and skin
friction as well as total resistance. Depth of scour should be accounted
for on each plot. Separate pile analyses for recommended pile sizes are
to be performed for each boring. A corresponding pile capacity curve
for each analysis should be provided. When more than one boring is
drilled at a pile group location or when it is appropriate to generalize
the soil strata, one design analysis is performed for each pile size.
Recommendations for piles include:

Lateral capacity
Vertical (axial) capacity
Seismic criteria and design parameters
Minimum pile length or tip elevation (related to axial capacity)
Minimum pile spacing
Estimated pile settlement or pile group settlement
Effects of scour, down drag, and lateral squeeze, if applicable.
Pile cap depths or elevations
Maximum driving resistance to be encountered in reaching the
estimated bearing elevation including the estimated amounts of
scour used in the capacity analysis
Recommended locations of test piles and pile installation criteria for
dynamic monitoring
Selection of load test types, locations and depths, where applicable

Recommend which retaining wall types are appropriate for the project.
Provide detailed recommendations for design of the preferred wall
type(s). Include any requirements for tiebacks, geo-textiles, reinforcing
materials, etc.

Describe the effect of roadway construction (vibratory rollers, utility

excavations, settlements, etc.) on surrounding structures and any
possible impacts they may have on the use of the structures during
construction. Structures in close proximity to construction activities
must be evaluated for potential damages caused by these activities.
When warranted, recommendations such as time restraints on certain
operations, underpinning, and monitoring need to be provided to
reduce the damaging effects of the construction. Where there is a
potential impact on existing buildings in the surrounding area, include
the structures address, type of construction, the estimated vibration
level that may cause damage, the usage (storage building, hospital, etc.),
what the potential problem may be and what actions should be taken to
minimize the impact in the report.

Provide recommendations for geotechnical testing, observations, and/or

instrumentation, depending on the needs of the project and the relative
complexity or criticality of the work to be performed. Describe the
benefit of performing the testing and instrumentation, and the possible
consequences if they are not performed or if the instruments are
accidentally damaged. List the tests and instruments to be used and
their planned locations.

12. REFERENCES
Cite the references used in the geotechnical evaluations and analyses.

13. FIGURES
Figures are typically presented in Appendix A. The main figures should
include:

Topographic site plan, usually with a vicinity map

Boring location map
Geologic mapping
Supporting photographs of site conditions
Geologic cross-sections and typical sections along the alignment, if
approved by the Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Recommended design details

14. SUBSURFACE EXPLORATIONS DATA

The details of the exploration methods are in the main body of the
Geotechnical Report and do not need to be repeated in the appendices.
On large projects, a Summary Table with borings listed in numerical
order and their corresponding stationing locations may be included to
allow the reader to find boring locations and numbers readily.
Subsurface exploration data including Boring Logs, Test Pit Logs, and/or
Geophysical plots are typically presented in Appendix B. A key to Boring
Logs needs to be included.

15. LABORATORY TESTS RESULTS

A Summary Table of laboratory test results and detailed graphs of
results of tests such as consolidation, shear strength, triaxial, and
gradation are typically presented in Appendix C.

16. IN SITU TESTS RESULTS

Details of any in situ testing (other than SPT) and corresponding test
data and results are typically presented in Appendix D.

17. INSTRUMENTATION RESULTS

Details of the instrumentation installations and the monitoring program
are typically presented in Appendix E. The results of the monitoring
program are typically included.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suryakanta
Geotechnical-Material Engineer. You can
connect me on Google +. To know more about
me just visit AboutMe

6 COMMENTS

Kimkel kang November 17, 2016 Reply

 Could you explain why we need both. What is the purpose of each
test.

Kimkel kang November 17, 2016 Reply

Do we need both dynamic and static load test for each

project?

Yan Chu December 25, 2015 Reply

As a structural engineer, I think this provides a very

comprehensive how to for my fellow geotechnical
engineering colleagues. Will definitely use this as a
guideline for our reports!

amin December 6, 2015 Reply

thanks for your interesting note my friend

thats very useful for creating a geotechnical report
visit me
http://omranmoshavere.ir

Sunil Saifudeen December 5, 2015 Reply

Very useful.
Thank you very much and appreciate your effort to
provide valuable information in this space.

Wilson Gwand March 16, 2017 Reply

Very much appreciated for the useful

information

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BUILDING-CONSTRUCTION

6 IMPORTANT 15 DIFFERENT HOW BEAM DIFFERENCE 8 COMMON SCAFFOLDS &

ENGINEERING TYPES OF LOADS COLUMN JOINTS BETWEEN TYPES OF LADDERS
PROPERTIES OF ON BUILDING RESISTS PLASTERING & PLASTICS USED SAFETY AT
MORTAR (IN SHORT) EARTHQUAKES? POINTING CONSTRUCTION
 IN BUILDING
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