Soils and Foundations Handbook 2016 State Materials Office Gainesville, Florida This page is intentionally blank. i Table of Contents Table of Contents ......................................................................................................... ii List of Figures ............................................................................................................ xii List of Tables ............................................................................................................. xiv Chapter 1 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Geotechnical Tasks in Typical Highway Projects.................................................. 1 1.1.1 Planning, Development, and Engineering Phase ...................................... 1 1.1.2 Project Design Phase ................................................................................. 2 1.1.3 Construction Phase .................................................................................... 2 1.1.4 Post-Construction Phase ............................................................................ 2 Chapter 2 2 Subsurface Investigation Procedures ........................................................................ 4 2.1 Review of Project Requirements ..................................................................... 4 2.2 Review of Available Data................................................................................ 4 2.2.1 Topographic Maps..................................................................................... 4 2.2.2 Aerial Photographs .................................................................................... 5 2.2.3 Geological Maps and Reports ................................................................... 5 2.2.4 Natural Resources Conservation Service Surveys .................................... 5 2.2.5 Potentiometric Surface Map ...................................................................... 5 2.2.6 Adjacent Projects....................................................................................... 5 2.3 Field Reconnaissance ...................................................................................... 5 2.4 Field Exploration Methods .............................................................................. 6 2.4.1 Test Pits and Trenches............................................................................... 6 2.4.2 Boreholes ................................................................................................... 6 2.4.2.1 Auger Borings ..................................................................................... 7 2.4.2.2 Hollow-Stem Auger Borings .............................................................. 7 2.4.2.3 Wash Borings ...................................................................................... 7 2.4.2.4 Coring ................................................................................................. 7 2.4.3 Soundings .................................................................................................. 7 2.4.4 Geophysical Methods ................................................................................ 7 2.4.4.1 Seismic Refraction and Reflection...................................................... 8 2.4.4.2 Resistivity ........................................................................................... 8 2.4.4.3 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) ....................................................... 8 2.4.5 Soil Sampling ............................................................................................ 8 2.4.5.1 Bag Bulk Samples ............................................................................... 9 2.4.5.2 Split-Barrel .......................................................................................... 9 2.4.5.3 Shelby Tube ........................................................................................ 9 2.4.5.4 Piston Samplers ................................................................................... 9 2.4.5.4.1 Stationary ...................................................................................... 9 2.4.5.4.2 Floating ....................................................................................... 10 ii 2.4.5.4.3 Retractable .................................................................................. 10 2.4.5.5 Rock Core Sampling ......................................................................... 10 2.4.5.5.1 Double Tube Core Barrel ........................................................... 10 2.4.5.5.2 Triple Tube Core Barrel ............................................................. 11 2.5 References ..................................................................................................... 14 2.6 Specifications and Standards ......................................................................... 14 Chapter 3 3 Subsurface Investigation Guidelines for Highways and Related Structures ........... 16 3.1 General Requirements ................................................................................... 16 3.2 Guidelines for Minimum Explorations .......................................................... 17 3.2.1 Roadway Soil Surveys and Rails to Trails/Multi-use Trail Projects ....... 18 3.2.2 Structures ................................................................................................. 20 3.2.2.1 Bridges .............................................................................................. 20 3.2.2.2 Approach Embankments ................................................................... 23 3.2.2.3 Retaining Walls ................................................................................. 24 3.2.2.4 Sound Walls ...................................................................................... 24 3.2.2.5 Buildings ........................................................................................... 24 3.2.2.6 Drainage Structures ........................................................................... 24 3.2.2.7 High Mast Lighting, and Overhead Sign Structures ......................... 25 3.2.2.8 Mast Arms Assemblies and Strain Poles .......................................... 25 3.2.2.9 CCTV Poles ...................................................................................... 26 3.2.2.10 Cable Barriers ................................................................................. 26 3.2.2.11 Tunnels ............................................................................................ 27 3.2.2.12 Other Structures .............................................................................. 27 3.2.3 Borrow Areas .......................................................................................... 27 3.2.4 Open Retention Ponds ............................................................................. 27 3.2.5 Closed Retention Ponds .......................................................................... 28 3.2.6 Exfiltration Trenches/French Drains ....................................................... 28 3.3 References ..................................................................................................... 32 3.4 Specifications and Standards ......................................................................... 32 Chapter 4 4 In-situ Testing ......................................................................................................... 33 4.1 Standard Penetration Test (SPT) ................................................................... 33 4.2 Cone Penetrometer Test (CPT) ...................................................................... 34 4.3 Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Test ................................................................. 35 4.4 Dilatometer Test (DMT) ................................................................................ 36 4.5 Pressuremeter Test (PMT) ............................................................................. 36 4.6 Field Vane Test .............................................................................................. 37 4.7 Percolation Test ............................................................................................. 37 4.8 Infiltration Test .............................................................................................. 37 4.9 Permeability Test ........................................................................................... 38 4.10 Environmental Corrosion Tests ................................................................... 39 iii 4.10.1 pH of Soils ............................................................................................. 39 4.10.2 pH of Water ........................................................................................... 39 4.10.3 Chloride Ion in Water ............................................................................ 39 4.10.4 Chloride Ion in Soil ............................................................................... 40 4.10.5 Sulfate Ion in Brackish Water ............................................................... 40 4.10.6 Sulfates in Soil ...................................................................................... 40 4.10.7 Electrical Resistance of Water .............................................................. 40 4.10.8 Electrical Resistance of Soil .................................................................. 40 4.11 Grout Plug