Geology for Initial Planning and Scoping
Geology for Construction Materials
Geology for Foundation Design
Geohazard Identification
Impacts of Geology on Construction
Geology for Foundations (Part 3)
Geology is a very important factor in designing and constructing
foundations. After all every foundation sits on the soil or rock that exists
beneath a structure!
The soil or rock conditions (i.e., the geological materials)
beneath the site often govern the type of foundation that is chosen.
For example, a structure placed on a site that is underlain
by soft alluvial clays will most likely require piled foundations, whereas one
that is underlain by heavily over consolidated soils or rock will likely only
require shallow foundations.
Typical foundations are shown in the figures below.
The above scenario provides a basic example of why the
geology is so important for civil engineering. Furthermore, with a detailed engineering
geological assessment, potential issues can be raised and addressed.
Undertaking an intrusive investigation using boreholes may
provide some geological information of the foundation subgrade materials. But
it is the geological interpretation that identifies factors that were
not encountered or that cannot be seen with the investigation. The project
examples below demonstrate the importance of geological knowledge in informing
foundation design.
Project Example 1
During preparations for a project for a road bridge in the Eastern
Kimberley region of Western Australia, metamorphosed sedimentary rocks were
identified along the proposed bridge alignment. Through geological mapping,
knowledge, experience and careful interpretation, igneous rocks were also
identified in the immediate area. Although these were not specifically
encountered during the borehole drilling, it was noted that it was likely that
they would be present in the area.
During construction of one of the bridge pad footings, a contact between the two rock types was encountered with an associated shear zone approximately 0.5m wide (shown as red dashed in figure below).
The foundation design required the highly fractured shear
zone to be excavated to reach competent rock.
Because a geological interpretation of the area was undertaken, this scenario did not come as a surprise and was easily dealt with during construction.
Project Example 2
A borehole encountered sand above limestone when drilled to assess the ground conditions beneath a site (see below).
Without geological knowledge of the area, you may only have
data from boreholes that encountered sand to a few metres depth whereas in
some locations, limestone is very near the surface. Knowing the geological
processes that form and shape the Tamala Limestone in this area meant that it
was anticipated that pinnacles such as these would be encountered in the
excavation.
This is particularly important for assessing the excavatability and allowable bearing pressures for the shallow foundations at this site.
Project Example 3
A final example for the importance of geological context
related to a marine project with driven piled foundations. A geotechnical
investigation was not enough to identify the complexity of the area alone.
Two separate ground models can be created based on the ground conditions encountered. The ground conditions encountered can be summarised as follows:
- Unit 1: Soft/loose alluvium (Silty Sand/Sandy Silt and Clay, Interbedded Silty Sand, Sandy Silt and Clay)
- Unit 2: Alluvial sand (Medium dense to dense)
- Unit 3: Possibly extremely weathered limestone (Silty/Clayey Sandy GRAVEL Typically medium dense, locally cemented, limestone gravel, trace)
- Unit 4: Limestone (Medium to high strength (intact))
Ground Model Based Solely on Geotechnical Investigation Points
If we just look at the boreholes and Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs), a simple ground model can be created. The below cross section image displays a ground model that could be interpreted by just linking up strata from investigation points (Note: additional locations were also completed but are not displayed).
This is a reasonable interpretation if solely looking at the
site area and not looking externally to the site. However, the next section
shows the importance of using engineering geology/geomorphology to assist in
ground model interpretation.
Ground Model Based on Geotechnical Investigation Points AND Engineering
Geological Interpretation
Looking outside the bounds of the site, a couple of easily
identifiable elements can be interpreted. A palaeochannel is known to be
present in this area and it is possible that it would roughly follow the
meandering of the existing Swan River. In addition, the channel was steep sided
creating high angle cuts within the limestone. It is possible that the steep
limestone cliffs that are present on the river shore immediately adjacent to
this site were formed by the palaeochannel.
With these interpretations, together with the knowledge that here the limestone is typically deeper than other areas surrounding the site, it is possible to interpret a different ground model, as shown on the cross section below.
This model indicates the potential for a steep sided slump
within an historical channel. The driven piles had to be carefully designed to
ensure they did not penetrate deeply into the potential slumped limestone
features.
These case studies presented display the importance of looking outside the site and of using engineering geology and geomorphology skills and interpretation to establish ground models for civil engineering projects.