Soils Technology Part 3: Field Investigation TSYH 3206

Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:

Module 1 - Introduction to Geotechnical Survey

• Describe and explain the purpose and value of geotechnical surveys.
• Identify the main categories of geotechnical surveys currently in use.
• Identify the characteristics, uses, and types of geotechnical materials.
• Identify potential geotechnical problems.

Module 2 - Office Reconnaissance Techniques

• Collect, record and review information from such sources as:
• Geotechnical files (Geotechnical Investigation Register)
• Topographical maps
• Highway plans
• Aerial photographs, and
• Reports from other agencies.
• Conduct office geotechnical reconnaissance.

Module 3 - Field Reconnaissance - Location

• State and discuss the three main purposes in recording information during field reconnaissance.
• State and describe the main method of recording ground conditions.

Module 4 - Preliminary Reconnaissance and Investigations

• Find and fix in the field any locations shown on maps, plans or aerial photographs.
• Transfer ground locations of points of geotechnical interest onto maps, plans and aerial photographs.

Module 5 - Detailed Field Investigations

• Explain the purpose of a detailed geotechnical investigation.
• Describe the uses of each of the following methods of investigation:
• Test pitting
• Hand auger
• Truck auger drill
• Washboring
• Percussion drill
• Diamond drilling
• Hammer drill
• Surface mapping
• Seismic testing
• Ground conductivity testing.
• Discuss the relative costs of each of the above methods of investigation.
• Understand the influence and control that other agencies may have on the field reconnaissance techniques employed and comprehend your responsibilities to those agencies.

Module 6 - Field Investigations - Sampling Techniques

• Describe and apply the methods used to measure and record the vertical location of samples taken in a geotechnical investigation.
• Name and describe the types of samples that are taken in an investigation.
• Describe the factors governing the type of sample taken.
• Define a sample interval and discuss how it is selected.
• Describe the size and type of sample to be taken in an investigation.
• Describe (and avoid) potential safety hazards.

Module 7 - In-Situ Testing - Introduction

• State and discuss the purpose and limitations of in-situ testing.

Module 8 - In-Situ Testing and Measurement - Section A

• Describe the purpose of the following in-situ density tests:
• Washington Densometer
• Sand Cone
• Nuclear Method.
• Explain the basic theory behind the above tests.
• Describe the methods used in the above tests.

Module 9 - In-Situ Testing Measurement - Section B

• Describe the purposes of conducting the following:
• Probing
• The standard penetrometer
• The cone penetrometer
• The pocket penetrometer
• The plate bearing test
• Field vane shear test
• Pressuremeter.
• Explain the basic theory behind the above tests.
• Describe the methods used in the above tests.

Module 10 - In-Situ Testing and Measurement - Section C

• Describe the uses of the following in-situ tests and methods of measurement.
• Permeability
• Piezometers
• Water packer.
• Explain the basic theory behind the above.
• Describe the methods used in conducting the above.

Effective as of Fall 2003