UNIVERSITY OF ANBAR

ENGINEERING COLLEGE
ENGINEERING CONSULTING BERAUE

Geotechnical Investigation Report

Proposed 2900m Road Project between Hai

Alyarmouk and Altoufaha Bridge
Fallujah, Anbar

Prepared for
The Reconstruction Fund for Areas Affected by
Terroristic Operations (REFAATO)
October 2019
University of Anbar Geotechnical Investigation
Engineering Consulting Bureau Report

CONTENTS

Page
1. INTRODUCTION 2
1.1 Authorization 2
1.2 Site Location and Topography 2
1.3 Purpose of soil Investigation 3
1.4 Design Information 3

2. FIELD EXPLORATION 3
2.1 Number, Depth and Location of Boreholes 3
2.2 Drilling and Sampling Techniques 4
2.3 Field Test 5
2.3.1 Correction of N Value 6
2.4 Laboratory Testing 7

3. SUBSURFACE CONDITION 8
3.1 Soil Profile 8
3.2 Shear Strength Parameters 8
3.3 Chemical Test Results 9
3.4 Ground Water Level 9
3.5 Evaluation and Discussion of Results 10
3.5.1 laboratory and Field Tests 10
3.5.2 Analysis of Bearing Capacity 10

4. RECOMMENDATIONS & PRECAUTIONS 11

5. REFERENCES 13
APPENDIX ( A ) TEST RESULTS RECORDS
APPENDIX ( B ) BOREHOLE LOGS
APPENDIX ( C ) SOIL PROFILES

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University of Anbar Geotechnical Investigation
Engineering Consulting Bureau Report

1. Introduction

1.1 Authorization
The soil investigation for a proposed 2900m road project between Hai
Alyarmouk and Altoufaha Bridge has been conducted at the request of (The
Reconstruction Fund for Areas Affected by Terroristic Operations
(REFAATO)) via the letter No. 6 on 19/9/2019. Six boreholes were located by
the client’s representative and the boring was reached 3 to 6 meters below natural
ground surface. The soil investigation program described in this report consists of
drilling the boreholes, conducting SPT, and obtaining representative samples to
adequately characterize the site.

1.2 Site Location and Topography

The project under investigation is located in Fallujah, Al-Anbar. The proposed
project is a 2900m road from Hai Alyarmouk to Altoufaha Bridge. The site
topography is generally flat with no distinct landmarks.

1.3 Purpose of Soil Investigation

The main purpose of site investigation is to determine subsurface conditions of the site
under consideration, evaluate its suitability to the proposed construction and to make
technical recommendations for site preparation and foundations.
In particular, the exploration program for the site under consideration has been
designed to:
1. identify subsoil engineering, physical and chemical properties and up to a
predetermined depth;
2. obtain values for soil constants and boundary conditions necessary for structural
design of facilities on the project site;
3. estimate allowable bearing capacity and compressibility of the soil in light of the field
and laboratory investigation outcomes, and
4. help in selecting the most practical, safe and economic foundation design.
It is worth noting that in site investigations works with relatively low budget, as in the
present case, some key soil parameters such as shear strength and compressibility
parameters are inferred, rather than experimentally measured, from the results of other
tests (usually SPT). Nevertheless, it is the client’s responsibility to point out beforehand
nature and extent of the expected investigation outcomes.

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 University of Anbar Geotechnical Investigation
Engineering Consulting Bureau Report

1.4 Design Information

The proposed site is is a 2900m road from Hai Alyarmouk to Altoufaha Bridge.
No technical details or structural design for the lift station have been provided by the
client.

2. Field Exploration
2.1 Number, Depth and Location of Boreholes
To achieve the purpose of the site investigation, six boreholes were assigned
and located, as presented in Table (1) and shown in Figure (1).

Table (1) Borhole details

Borehole No. Elevation with respect Depth Date of
to sea level (m) (m) boring
1 50.00 6.0 23/9/2019
2 50.00 6.0 23/9/2019
3 50.00 6.0 23/9/2019
4 50.00 3.0 23/9/2019
5 50.00 3.0 23/9/2019
6 50.00 3.0 23/9/2019

Figure (1): Locations of the Boreholes on the Proposed Route (Not to scale)

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University of Anbar Geotechnical Investigation
Engineering Consulting Bureau Report

2.2 Drilling and Sampling Techniques

¨ Drilling
Drilling has been performed by using continuous flight auger with a power driven
machine. The method of drilling was carried out according to the British standards
(BS 5930 1999).

¨ Sampling
In general, samples of soils were taken at intervals of 1.5 meter depth or where the
strata changed. The disturbed samples (DS) were collected from cutting of auger at
any depth. The split spoon samples (SS) were obtained from split spoon used in a
standard Penetration Test (S.P.T), which was performed for every test boring at
different intervals depending on the stratification of the soil. The undisturbed
samples marked (US) were obtained using Shelby tubes. The Shelby tubes were
covered from both ends with wax; disturbed and undisturbed samples were labeled
and placed in labeled wooden box. The collected samples were dispatched to the
Soil Mechanics Laboratory after taking the precautions in packing and handling.
The actual depth for all samples and the N-values for S.P.T are shown in the record
of test results sheet of this report.

2.3 Field Test (Standard Penetration Test – SPT)

The test is standardized as BS 5930 1999 (Sec. 25.2). The procedure is
summarized as:
1. Driving the standard split-barrel sampler into the soil at the bottom of the
boring a distance of 18 in (450 mm) by means of 140 Ib (63.5 kg) weight
(hammer) falling a free height of 30 in (760 mm).
2. Counting the number of blows to drive the sampler the last 12 in (305 mm)
to obtain the number N-SPT value.
3. The test is halted if:
¨ 50 blows are required for any 6 in (150- mm) increment.
¨ 100 blows are obtained
¨ 10 successive blows produce no advance.
The test was generally carried out in intervals of 1.5 m. Samples were recovered
from the spoon as previously mentioned.

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University of Anbar Geotechnical Investigation
Engineering Consulting Bureau Report

2.3.1 Correction of N Value

The measured blows of the SPT were standardized as a function of the input driving
energy and its dissipation around the sampler into the surrounding soil, or
Nh Hh|Bh Sh R
N 60 =
60
where
N60 = standard penetration number, corrected for field conditions
N = measured penetration number
ηH = hammer efficiency (%)
ηB = correction for borehole diameter
ηS = sampler correction
ηR = correction for rod length

Variations of these correction factors are based on recommendations by Seed et al.

(1985) and Skempton (1986) are summarized in Table 2.
Table (2) Variations of hH, hB, hS, and hR (from Das 2007).

The SPT count N60 should be changed to correspond to a standard value of effective
overburden pressure (σ/o), that is
( N1 )60 = CN N60
where
(N1)60 = standard penetration number corrected to a standard value of σ/o (100
kN/m2)
N60 = standard penetration number, corrected for field conditions
CN = correction factor

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University of Anbar Geotechnical Investigation
Engineering Consulting Bureau Report

Liao and Whiteman (1986) (cited in Das 2004) suggested the following relationship to
estimate the value of correction factor

0 .5
é ù
ê ú
ê 1 ú
CN =
ê æ s o¢ ö ú
ê çç ÷÷ ú
ëê è Pa ø ûú
where Pa »100 kN/m2 (atmospheric pressure)

2.4 Laboratory Testing

Each of the soil samples received by the Soil Mechanics laboratory was given
a laboratory number. The samples of each borehole were visually examined
for initial classification before laboratory testing. The testing program of this
work included the following tests on representative specimens.
A. Classification Tests
• Atterberg Limits (L.L and P.L)
• Moisture Content (M.C)
• Grain Size analysis (sieve analysis)
[Link] Tests on soil samples
• Sulphate Content (SO3)
• Gypsum Content (G.C) (Calculated from Sulphate Content (SO3))
The tests were carried out in accordance with standards given in Table (3). The results
of these tests are shown in the result sheets appended.

Table (3) Standards for laboratory testing.

Natural water content, (ωn) ASTM D 2216
Liquid Limit, (L.L) ASTM D 4318
Plastic Limit, (P.L)
Grain size analysis (sieve analysis) ASTM D 422
Sulphate Content (SO3) BS 1377
Gypsum Content (GC) BS 1377

The measured values from all classification tests are listed in the result sheets 1 to 4 of
Appendix A. Soil is classified according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
in accordance with ASTM D 2487, see the Borehole Logs in Appendix B.

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University of Anbar Geotechnical Investigation
Engineering Consulting Bureau Report

3. Subsurface Condition
3.1 Soil Profile
The relative density of sand and the consistency of clay (Table 4) are determined
using SPT results in accordance with the recommendation of Terzaghi and Peck
(1967).

Table (4) Correlation of N-values with soil properties

Sands Clays
No. of blows per 30 cm Relative Density No. of blows per 30 cm Consistency
0-4 Very loose 0-2 Very soft
4-10 Loose 2-4 Soft
10-30 Medium 4-8 Medium
30-50 Dense 8-15 Stiff
>50 Very Dense 15-30 Very Stiff
>30 Hard

Generally, the subsoil surface shows the following layers:

1- Fill: Existing fill was encountered in boreholes 1, 2, and three as artificial fill, or
modified land surface deposits. Fill soils depth above the native soil was about 2m
and consisted of sand or gravel with silt. The gypsum content was high for the soils
in boreholes 1 and 2 while the topsoil was loose in borehole 3. The moisture
content of the fill was low.
2- The native soil is generally Stiff Light Brown Silty Sand sometimes with
gravel. It extends from the natural ground surface to the end of boring (E.O.B.).
Table (5) shows a summary of the soil properties of these soils. Each property is
analyzed statistically where the number of data, maximum, minimum and the
average values are recorded. The average value can be taken as a design parameter.

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 University of Anbar Geotechnical Investigation
Engineering Consulting Bureau Report

Table (5) Summary of the soil properties.

Property Data Layer 1 Layer 2
No. of data 3.0 12.0
Natural water content, (%)
Max. 12.9 33.3
Min. 3.3 1.3
Average 7.54 21.55
No. of data - 1.0
Liquid Limit, (%)
Max. - 56.4
Min. - 56.4
Average - 56.40
No. of data - 1.0
Plasticity index, (%) Max. - 22.2
Min. - 22.2
Average - 22.20
No. of data 1.0 14.0
(N1)60
Max. 15.4 124.1
Min. 15.4 5.8
Average 15.40 107.01

3.2 Chemical Test Results

A summary of the chemical tests results is presented in Table 6.

Table (6) Summary of the chemical tests of the layers

Property Data Layer 1 Layer 2
No. of data 3.0 6.0
Sulphate content Max. 13.8 14.9
SO3 (%) Min. 1.2 3.2
Average 7.97 8.04
No. of data 3.0 6.0
Gypsum Content Max. 29.0 32.0
GC (%) Min. 2.6 7.8
Average 16.87 17.44

A 2900m Road Project, Fallujah 8

Al-ANBAR UNIVERSITY - ENGINEERING COLLEGE PROJECT: 2900m Road Project between Hai Alyarmouk and Altoufaha Bridge
ENGINEERING CONSULTING BUREAU LOCATION: Falluja, Anbar
SOIL LABORATORY BORE HOLE NO.: 1&2
SHEET NO.:1
Depth (m) Index Properties Partical Size Distribution S.P.T Chemical Tests, %
Sample Sample USCS
B. H. Soil Description
No. From To Type M.C.% L.L% P.I% Finer % Sand % Gravel % Symbol N N60 (N1)60 SO3 Gypsum

Dense Light Brown GRAVEL with Silt

1 0.0 1.5 DS 6.44 _ _ 6.48 38.40 55.12 GP-GM 8.84 19.01
and Sand (Fill)
Dense Light Brown Silty SAND with
2 1.5 3.0 DS DO _ _ DO SM 6.20 13.32
No.1 Gravel
Dense Light Brown Silty SAND with
3 3.0 4.5 SS 21.89 _ _ 17.94 54.28 27.78 SM 93 74 124
Gravel

4 4.5 6.0 SS 25.11 _ _ 22.07 67.66 10.27 SM Loose Light Brown Silty SAND 5 4 6

Dense Light Brown GRAVEL with Silt

1 0.0 1.5 SS 3.25 _ _ 8.03 29.84 62.13 GP-GM 13.84 28.97
and Sand (Fill)
2 1.5 3.0 SS 28.92 _ _ 38.08 59.07 2.85 SM Dense Light Brown Silty SAND 62 50 101
No.2
3 3.0 4.5 DO DO SM Dense Light Brown Silty SAND 87 70 116 5.79 12.45

Dense Light Brown Silty SAND with

4 4.5 6.0 SS 33.28 _ _ 36.11 46.23 17.66 SM 90 72 104
Gravel
Al-ANBAR UNIVERSITY - ENGINEERING COLLEGE PROJECT: 2900m Road Project between Hai Alyarmouk and Altoufaha Bridge
ENGINEERING CONSULTING BUREAU LOCATION: Falluja, Anbar
SOIL LABORATORY BORE HOLE NO.: 3&4
SHEET NO.:2
Depth (m) Index Properties Partical Size Distribution S.P.T Chemical Tests, %
Sample Sample USCS
B. H. Soil Description
No. From To Type M.C.% L.L% P.I% Finer % Sand % Gravel % Symbol N N60 (N1)60 SO3 Gypsum

Loose Light Brown Silty SAND with

1 0.0 1.5 SS 12.92 _ _ 31.86 46.80 21.34 SM 10 8 15 1.22 2.62
Gravel (Fill)

2 1.5 3.0 SS 28.80 56.4 22.2 36.68 58.21 5.11 SM Dense Light Brown Silty SAND 71 57 116
No.3
3 3.0 4.5 SS DO _ _ SM Dense Light Brown Silty SAND 87 70 116

4 4.5 6.0 SS 33.28 _ _ 28.5 67.2 4.3 SM Dense Light Brown Silty SAND 92 74 106 3.16 7.75

1 0.0 1.5 SS 13.23 _ _ 41.70 47.81 10.49 SM Dense Light Brown Silty SAND 79 63 122 7.3 15.7
No.4
2 1.5 3.0 SS 22.02 _ _ 64.29 35.71 0.00 ML Stiff Light Brown SILT with Sand 72 58 118
Al-ANBAR UNIVERSITY - ENGINEERING COLLEGE PROJECT: Proposed 2900m Road between Hai Alyarmouk and Altoufaha Bridge
ENGINEERING CONSULTING BUREAU LOCATION: Falluja, Anbar
SOIL LABORATORY BORE HOLE NO.: 5&6
SHEET NO.:3

Sample Depth (m) Sample Index Properties Partical Size Distribution

USCS S.P.T Chemical Tests, %
B. H. Soil Description
No. From To Type M.C.% L.L% P.I% Finer % Sand % Gravel % Symbol N N60 (N1)60 SO3 Gypsum

1 0.0 1.5 SS 1.26 _ _ 35.57 53.11 11.32 SM Dense Light Brown Silty SAND 74 59 114 10.89 23.42
No.5
2 1.5 3.0 SS 19.96 _ _ 52.6 42.9 4.6 Sm Dense Light Brown Silty SAND 75 60 122

1 0.0 1.5 SS 12.27 _ _ 29.84 61.13 9.03 SM Dense Light Brown Silty SAND 71 57 109 14.9 31.97
No.6
2 1.5 3.0 SS 18.60 _ _ 40.47 58.55 0.98 SM Dense Light Brown Silty SAND 76 61 124