IEM SEMINAR ON PITFALLS IN SITE

INVESTIGATION AND LABORATORY TESTS

COMMON ISSUES in Field Tests
12 NOVEMBER 2024, TUESDAY
ARMADA HOTEL, PETALING JAYA
Present by
Mr. Choong Pek Kem
Test Sdn Bhd
INTRODUCTION
The final product of site investigations (SI) is not tangible as compared to other manufactured
products like food, furniture, mechanical or electronic products where we can compare, examine,
test for compliance and finally choose to buy the product. The product of a site investigation is
presented in the form of a factual report with data from boreholes consisting of bore logs, field
tests, soil & rock sampling and laboratory tests results. In the process of testing to gather data the
evidence (samples) are destroyed. Site investigation is an integral part of the engineering design
process to procure information for design’s needs. So, the competent design engineer has to keep
constant track and supervise the work in the field in order to make necessary adjustments to
ensure that valid information and test data relevant for his analysis and design is successfully
obtained. Material engineering properties vary with depth in the ground. Especially stress history;
not just the stratigraphy. Then the thickness of materials of engineering significance also vary
laterally owing to being dependant upon the original bedrock geometries. Therefore, to ensure a
successful site investigation project, the SI work must be supervised by the Design Engineer who is
responsible to the employer to ensure compliance in the drilling process, field sampling, field and
laboratory tests. Unsupervised SI projects will encourage SI Contractors to take short cuts or even
skip the processes. Unsupervised SI projects will result with endless issues on borehole drilling,
sampling and field testing.

1-1
Standard Penetration Test in accordance with MS 1056 : Part 9 : 2005 Clause 5.4 / BS EN 22476-3, 2011
Standard Penetration Test (SPT) Set-up

SPT Hammer 63.5kg with automatic

release mechanism which will ensure
a constant freefall of 760mm.

Drive rods marked at 75mm

intervals. Mass of drive rods must be
less than 10kg/m.

N-value is the number of blows

required to drive the sampler for a
Split-barrel sampler assembly fitted test drive of 300mm following the
to the drive rods above seating drive. 1-2
N-Value: 10 Total Drive : 450mm
Recovery : 450/450mm 1-3
N-Value: 10 Total Drive : 450mm
Recovery : 450/450mm 1-4
N-Value: 19 Total Drive : 450mm
Recovery : 450/450mm 1-5
N-Value: 20 Total Drive : 450mm
Recovery : 430/450mm 1-6
N-Value: 43 Total Drive : 450mm
Recovery : 450/450mm 1-7
N-Value: 50 Total Drive : 375mm
Recovery : 310/375mm 1-8
N-Value: 50 Total Drive : 380mm
Recovery : 310/380mm 1-9
N-Value: 50 Total Drive : 415mm
Recovery : 260/415mm 1-10
N-Value: 50 Total Drive : 375mm
Recovery : 290/375mm 1-11
N-Value: 50 Total Drive : 225mm
Recovery : 125/225mm 1-12
N-Value: 50 Total Drive : 160mm
Recovery : 140/160mm 1-13
N-Value: 50 Total Drive : 80mm
Recovery : 80/80mm 1-14
SPT Sample with Washed Sediments

Recovery with sediments

SPT carried out at base of borehole not sufficiently cleaned. SPTs are expected to be carried
out at the test elevation which is essentially undisturbed.

1-15
 BOREHOLES
• Drilling methods

2-1
 Issue on water
jetting and wash
boring
mentioned in
MS 2038 : 2006
2-2
2-3
2-4
From AS 1726-1981 SAA Site Investigation Code
2-5
 There are Bills of Quantities still using ‘Wash
boring’ for drilling in soils. Wash Boring and Water
Jetting methods are not used in the country.

Figure 1-Washboring rig (From Hvorslev 1949) 2-6

2-7
 Figure 2-Set-Up for Rotary Drilling
(From Acker Core Drill Operator’s Training Program, 2nd Edition) 2-8
Relief Valve to set the
maximum pressure

Pressure gauge

2-9
Relief Valve to set the
maximum pressure

Pressure gauge

2-10
Preparation of bentonite drilling fluid

2-11
 Rotary Drilling with casing bit
(Rotary wash boring)

Figure 3 - Types of Rotary Drilling

2-12
Figure 4 - Rotary Drilling with casing bit (Rotary Wash Boring)
2-13
 Good practice to check the depth of drilling

• A good practice is to check the depth of drilling by using a measuring tape to measure
the depth of the hole before field tests or soil sampling. The sediments should not be
more than 50mm above the drilled level. Photographs showing measuring tape and
hole measurements as shown in Plate 3-1, 3-2 & 3-3.

• Any boring method can be used as long as the method is efficient and the test and
sampling locations are not disturbed.

2-14
2-15
Plate 3-1 Plate 3-2 Plate 3-3

2-16
Undisturbed
Sampling

3-0
 “UNDI TURBED LING”
“UNDISTURBED SAMPLING”
Common MethodsOF
COMMON METHODS of SAMPLING
Sampling Used in MALAYSIA
USED IN Malaysia
MATERIALS

SOFT GROUNDS RESIDUAL SOILS INTACT ROCK

(Undrained Shear (50 Kpa and above) (Grade 4 to 1)

Strength 50 Kpa and
below)*

Thinwall Tube Sampler Hand Cut Block NMLC Triple Tube

Samples Core Barrel
Thinwall Stationary (Conventional Drilling)
Piston Sampler Thinwall Tube Sampler
NQ Double and Triple
Open-Tube Sampler Core Barrel (Wire-line
Core Drilling)
Mazier Triple Tube
Core Barrel

* uthor’s practice 3-1

Installation of anchor to hold down machine

3-2
Drill Rig anchored for UD Sampling

3-3
 Thinwall Tube Sampler

• Thinwall tube sampler (Figure 5) consists of a tube with wall thickness of about 1.5 to
2.0mm and a sharp cutting edge at the open end. The other end has a ball non-return
valve with attachment to drill rods. The non-return valve allow free exit of water and
air. The cutting edge is about 10o formed with a small inside clearance ratio of about
1%. The area ratio is about 10%.

• The friction on the inner side of the sampler and the vacuum created by the ball non-
return valve helps to retain the sample in the tube. Thinwall samplers are used for
sensitive fine-grained soils. The sampler is normally used in a borehole by pressing
into the soil with the hydraulic core drill. With a YWE D90R or YBM 2WS drilling rig
weighing about 12kN, a reaction force of about 5kN can be achieved without lifting the
machine. A reaction force of 30kN can be achieved if the machine is anchored down.

• The thinwall sampler can be used for fine-grained soils up to SPT N-value 12 blows.
This sampler is not recommended for soft soils with SPT N-value of 1 and below as it
will sink into the soil under its own weight together with the drill rods. It will cause
over travel in the pressing operation and will result in compression of soil in the tube.

3-4
Figure 5 – Thinwall Tube Sampler
(From Acker Core Drill Operator’s Training Program, 2nd Edition)

3-5
Components of a Thinwall Sampler

3-6
A fully assembled Thinwall Sampler

3-7
 Thinwall Stationary Piston Sampler

• The thinwall stationary piston sampler (Figure 6) consists of thinwall (1.5 to 2mm)
with a sharp cutting edge tube containing an air-tight close-fitting sliding piston.

• The piston is locked to the lower end of the sample tube and lowered to bottom of
the boreholes. The piston is held stationary and the tube is pushed down until the
piston meets the drive head. The sampler is retrieved from the boreholes. The soil
sample is retained inside the sample tube by vacuum. This sampler produces Class 1
samples in silt and clay.

3-8
Figure 6 – Basic Details of Piston Sampler
(From BS 5930 : 1999)
Piston rod
Hollow drill rod
Drive head containing device for
clamping piston rod

Thin-walled sample tube

Piston
3-9
Components of a Thinwall Stationary Piston Sampler

3-10
A fully assembled Thinwall Stationary Piston Sampler

3-11
Horizontal sample extruder

3-12
UD sample being extruded

3-13
Extruded Piston Sample

3-14
 Mazier Triple Tube Core Barrel

• The mazier triple tube core barrel with a retractable cutting shoe and tungsten core bit is as
shown in Figure 7.

• The mazier sampler has a spring-loaded inner tube which allows the cutting shoe to
protrude or retract with changes in soil stiffness. The mechanism allows the cutting shoe
to protrude below the outer core bit. This reduces the exposure of the material being
cored to the drilling fluid. The PVC liner is housed inside the inner barrel. The liner retains
the cored sample.

• Mazier sampler is suitable for medium to hard soils. 100% core recovery can be achieved
but generally 70 to 80% recovery can be expected with suitable spring, pvc liner, cutting
shoe inner diameter and experienced drilling crew. The common drilling fluid is clean
water. The core recovery can be improved with water foam mixture as drilling fluid.

3-15
Figure 7 – Typical Details of Mazier Triple-Tube Core Barrel
(From Proceedings of Seminar on Geotechnical Aspect of the North-South Expressway Paper “Sampling with
Mazier Core Barrel, Chin C.H. & Low K.S.”)

Drill Rod

Drill Rod Coupling

Flush Duct

Swivel Mechanism
Retractor Spring

Outer Tube

Flushing Medium

Vent

Mobile Tube Head (connected to inner tube)

Detachable Liner Core 73mm
diameter by 1m long
Inner Tube
Core Spring Catcher
Discharge of Flushing
Medium
Core Bit (connected to outer tube)
Cutting shoe (connected to inner tube, protrusion
5mm – 30mm)
3-16
3-17
3-18
3-19
3-20
3-21
3-22
3-23
Open-Tube (Thick Wall) Sampler
• The open-tube sampler (Figure 8) has the inside clearance ratio and the ball non return valve features of
the thinwall sampler. The cutting shoe area ratio is about 30% sampler. The degree of disturbance is
minimized by the following features:-

a) The slightly larger inside diameter accommodates the elastic expansion of the sample as it enters the
tube and the same time reduces frictional drag from the inside wall of the tube and help to retain
the sample;
b) The larger outer diameter of the cutting shoe provide easier withdrawal of sample; and
c) The non-return valve allow quick exit of water and air when the sampler is driven and the vacuum
assist to retain the sample.

• The sampler is driven into the ground using a drop weight or sliding hammer. A hydraulic jack with
sufficient reaction can also be used. The open-tube sampler can be used for all cohesive soils and in
weak rock. Class 1 samples can be obtained from non-sensitive fine cohesive soils of stiff or lower
consistency. In most cases, Class 2 samples can be obtained. In sandy and gravelly material the sampler
can provide Class 3 samples.

3-24
Figure 8 – Basic Details of Open-Tube Sampler
(From BS 5930 : 1999)

3-25
3-26
In situ Bulk Density tests
require Class 1 or Class 2
Undisturbed Samples

3-27
Field Permeability
Test

4-0
From BS 5930 : 1999 4-1
4-2
Comparison of
SI rates

5-1
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-8
5-9
1) YWE D90 Boring Machine = RM 93,000.00
2) YWE Piston Pump, Yanmar Engine = RM 19,500.00
3) U2.5 Piston Sampler Assy = RM 855.00
4) U2.5 x 750mm Stainless Steel Sampling Tube = RM 80.00
5) U2.5 Baby Rod, Stainless Steel, 1.5M = RM 75.00
6) U3 Piston Sampler Assy = RM 955.00
7) U3 x 1000mm Stainless Steel Sampling Tube = RM 102.00
8) U3 Babyrod = Same as Item 5
9) U2 x 600mm Mild Steel Sampling Tube = RM 18.00
10) U3 x 1000mm Mild Steel Sampling Tube = RM 40.00
11) Geonor Vane H-10 = RM 77,000.00
5-10
COMPLETION TIME

Borehole with Thinwall

Mazier Sample
UD Sample
(hr/no.)

0.4 0.6

0.6 0.8 1.20 1.20

0.8 1.0 1.40 1.40

5-11
Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (ACT 133)
(From Proceedings of Seminar on JKR Malaysia Standard Specifications 2024 “The Consequences of an
Incorrect Seismic Survey, Ir. Yee Thien Seng”)

5-12
CONCLUSION & RECOMENDATION
1. SI personnel are mainly trained in-house through on-the-job training. Therefore, skills of SI
personnels between SI contractors vary greatly. There is an urgent need for CIDB to implement
the National Occupational Skill Standards, training modules and accreditation for site
investigation personnel.

2. Another issue is that the local skilled SI personnel (Drillers and Assistant Drillers) are
decreasing as they aged without local replacements. Their professions are considered 3Ds
(Dirty, Dangerous and Difficult) normally commands higher salary. This is not so with the SI
industry as it has become too competitive. In order to survive, most SI contractors resort to
sub-contracting. Eventually, most, if not all, the drillers and assistant drillers in the country will
be foreign personnel. Stake holders are urged to come up with innovative actions to reverse
the trend.

3. Propose that stake holders use the JKR schedule of rates as a reference for cost of SI projects
to maintain healthy SI Industry.

5-13
REFERENCES
1. British Standards Institution, Code of Practice for Site Investigations BS 5930 : 1999
2. Department of Malaysian Standards, Code of Practice for Site Investigations MS 2038 : 2006
3. Department of Malaysian Standards, Code of Practice for Site Investigations MS 2038 : 2024
4. Standards Association of Australia, SAA Site Investigation Code AS 1726-1981
5. Acker, Basic Procedures for Soil Sampling and Core – 2nd Edition
6. C.R.I. Clayton, M.C. Matthews and N.E. Simon – Department of Civil Engineering, University of Survey –
Site Investigation, Second Edition.
7. Chin C.H. & Low K.S. (1990) “Sampling with Mazier Core Barrel – Proceedings of the Seminar on
Geotechnical Aspects of North-South Expressway”
8. Choong P.K. (2003) “Wire-line Drilling and Sampling – Proceedings of MSIA Seminar on Site
Investigations”, Armada Hotel, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
9. Choong P.K. (2009) “ Undisturbed Sampling – Proceedings of IEM-MSIA Seminar on Site Investigations”,
PSDC Penang.
10. Ir. Yee. T.S. (2024) “The Consequences of an Incorrect Seismic Survey – Proceedings of the Seminar on
JKR Malaysia Standard Specifications 2024”, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
THANK YOU