Soils and Foundations Handbook 2011 State Materials Office Gainesville, Florida ii This page is intentionally blank. i Table of Contents Table of Contents ......................................................................................................... ii List of Figures ............................................................................................................. xi List of Tables ............................................................................................................. xiii Chapter 1 ......................................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Geotechnical Tasks in Typical Highway Projects.................................................. 2 1.1.1 Planning, Development, and Engineering Phase ...................................... 2 1.1.2 Project Design Phase ................................................................................. 2 1.1.3 Construction Phase .................................................................................... 2 1.1.4 Post-Construction Phase ............................................................................ 3 Chapter 2 ......................................................................................................................... 4 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 Percussion Drilling.............................................................................. 7 2.4.2.5 Rotary Drilling .................................................................................... 7 2.4.2.6 Coring ................................................................................................. 7 2.4.3 Soundings .................................................................................................. 8 2.4.4 Geophysical Methods ................................................................................ 8 2.4.4.1 Seismic Refraction and Reflection...................................................... 8 2.4.4.2 Resistivity ........................................................................................... 8 2.4.4.3 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) ....................................................... 9 2.4.5 Soil Sampling ............................................................................................ 9 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 ................................................................................. 10 ii 2.4.5.4.1 Stationary .................................................................................... 10 2.4.5.4.2 Floating ....................................................................................... 10 2.4.5.4.3 Retractable .................................................................................. 10 2.4.5.5 Rock Core Sampling ......................................................................... 11 2.4.5.5.1 Double Tube Core Barrel ........................................................... 11 2.4.5.5.2 Triple Tube Core Barrel ............................................................. 11 2.5 References ..................................................................................................... 14 2.6 Specifications and Standards ......................................................................... 14 Chapter 3 ....................................................................................................................... 16 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 ............................................................................ 17 3.2.2 Structures ................................................................................................. 19 3.2.2.1 Bridges .............................................................................................. 19 3.2.2.2 Approach Embankments ................................................................... 21 3.2.2.3 Retaining Walls ................................................................................. 22 3.2.2.4 Sound Walls ...................................................................................... 22 3.2.2.5 Buildings ........................................................................................... 22 3.2.2.6 Drainage Structures ........................................................................... 22 3.2.2.7 High Mast Lighting, and Overhead Sign Structures ......................... 23 3.2.2.8 Mast Arms Assemblies and Strain Poles .......................................... 23 3.2.2.9 CCTV Poles ...................................................................................... 23 3.2.2.10 Cable Barriers ................................................................................. 23 3.2.2.11 Tunnels ............................................................................................ 24 3.2.2.12 Other Structures .............................................................................. 24 3.2.3 Borrow Areas .......................................................................................... 24 3.2.4 Open Retention Ponds ............................................................................. 24 3.2.5 Closed Retention Ponds .......................................................................... 24 3.2.6 Exfiltration Trenches ............................................................................... 25 3.3 References ..................................................................................................... 29 3.4 Specifications and Standards ......................................................................... 29 Chapter 4 ....................................................................................................................... 30 4 In-situ Testing ......................................................................................................... 30 4.1 Standard Penetration Test (SPT) ................................................................... 30 4.2 Cone Penetrometer Test (CPT) ...................................................................... 31 4.3 Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Test ................................................................. 32 4.4 Dilatometer Test (DMT) ................................................................................ 33 4.5 Pressuremeter Test (PMT) ............................................................................. 33 4.6 Field Vane Test .............................................................................................. 34 4.7 Percolation Test ............................................................................................. 34 4.8 Infiltration Test .............................................................................................. 34 iii 4.9 Permeability Test ........................................................................................... 35 4.10 Environmental Corrosion Tests ................................................................... 36 4.10.1 pH of Soils ............................................................................................. 36 4.10.2 pH of Water ..........................................................................................