Required Geotechnical Testing
Required Geotechnical Testing
(OP)
Hi everyone,
A newbie here.
There is a project wherein we need to design a conveyor which would run from the ground surface and slopes down until everything is under the ground. it will be protected by concrete walls and slabs along its length.
There is also a portion wherein the conveyor will run under an existing roadway thus there is a need to design a concrete cover suitable to withstand heavy truck loadings.
my question is: what geotechnical test needs to be carried out in order to design the concrete?
thanks.
A newbie here.
There is a project wherein we need to design a conveyor which would run from the ground surface and slopes down until everything is under the ground. it will be protected by concrete walls and slabs along its length.
There is also a portion wherein the conveyor will run under an existing roadway thus there is a need to design a concrete cover suitable to withstand heavy truck loadings.
my question is: what geotechnical test needs to be carried out in order to design the concrete?
thanks.





RE: Required Geotechnical Testing
RE: Required Geotechnical Testing
I have spoken to one of the geotechnical-service provider in my area and one of the tests they recommended was CPT to determine the allowable soil bearing capacity. I'm also thinking the same thing but do you think this test is enough knowing that the loading involves dynamic and heavy loadings? I am also thinking about the settlement - would they be able to recommend some capacities from a given allowable settlement from a cone penetrometer test alone? we don't have a lot of budget for soil investigation so we're trying to squeeze all the information we can get from a single test.
thanks and in advance.
RE: Required Geotechnical Testing
You're dealing with a serious enough development...tunnelling beneath a road. If it was a residensrial development I'd say fair enough but not for what you are doing. I understand that there wil always be budget constraints but You need to do a comprehensive investigation. Time and time again developers cut corners on geotech and it comes back to bite them.
CPT is a good test as it provides a continuous strength provider with "interpretated" soil type. If you have any gravel layers though it may not penetrate. I think CPT testing would only be used to supplement boreholess with sampling and lab testing.
As OG suggests, it should be your geotechnical providing all advice but to get more meaningful answers more info would be needed. What is the geology, how long is the conveyor, how steep is the slope, how deep do you need to go beneath the road etc.
Constructing the tunnel beneath the road may be your biggest concern
Good luck
RE: Required Geotechnical Testing
Your comments are so helpful. I will follow your advice and hopefully I will get to the bottom of this.
kind regards,
bk
RE: Required Geotechnical Testing