Geotechnical Investigation of Soil for Construction of a Court Building

This study has been carried out to assess the competence and suitability of the soil stratum so that the foundation and soil underneath can safely bear the incoming load of the court building without the risk of shear failure and undesirable settlements. Standard penetration tests (SPT) were carried out at the proposed site in Sikandra Rao, District Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, and thirty-five soil samples were collected at 1.5 m depth of interval up to 10.5 m depth from the five bore holes and brought to the laboratory for further geotechnical investigations. Laboratory tests conducted on collected disturbed/undisturbed soil samples include sieve analysis, hydrometer analysis, liquid limit and plastic limit, natural moisture content, bulk and dry density, specific gravity and tri-axial shear tests. The soil bearing capacity was determined by settlement and shear criteria according to the procedure laid down by the relevant IS codes. The explorations up to significant depth helped in deciding the minimum depth and type of foundation best suited in the existing situation and the safe bearing capacity of the soil. The investigations also helped in detecting the filled-up stretch or the presence of discontinuities, cavities or zones of weakness beneath the proposed foundation within the zone of pressure bulb. These were taken into account while making recommendations for safe bearing capacity and the type of foundation suitable under the prevailing soil conditions.