Question

As a Project Engineer in consultant firm, you are assigned to design a residential building with basement at Yuen Long. How would you describe to the developer your findings from site investigation?

Answer 1

As a Project Engineer, I would make a detailed report of the site investigation and submit it to the developer which would consist of the following key points:-

• DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE

This point would contain the type of building, details of columns, details of loads, calculated central column load for foundation calculations.

• FIELD SAMPLING

This point would contain the bore hole data, their locations, type of test say SPT, The depth/interval at which samples are collected.

• LABORATORY TESTS

This point would contain the laboratory tests carried out in order to evaluate soil parameters such as--Type of soil and it's gradation properties, Specific Gravity,Natural Moisture Content (NMC) ,Sieve analysis on the coarse grained soil fraction.

• SOIL PROFILE

The arrived soil profile is mentioned in this point based on visual identification of soil samples and test results.The soil profile details are presented in the bore-chart.

• GROUND WATER TABLE

The ground water table depth at the time of soil investigation encountered is mentioned here.

• DETAILS OF FOUNDATION

From the sub soil profile and laboratory test data, the foundation to be used is selected.

• RECOMMENDATIONS

This point contains recommendations such as excavation depth, type of footing, thickness of footings, grade of concrete, type of dewatering technique to be used.

• SAFE BEARING CAPACITY CALCULATIONS

These calculations are done based on the assumed loads of the foundations. They can be modified as per structural analysis.

• TEST RESULTS AND GRAPHS

This would contain all the supporting laboratory and field test result sheets and graphs which support the soil investigation and recommended values.