Test Pit Inspection

[ONENGINEER]

I am planning to excavate test pits for site investigation for a light structure. The soil tends to be granular.

I will not have any test equipment and hope that by visualization I could suggest a conservative bearing pressure.

Typically the ground water level, type of soil (which seems to be till like materials) and presence of organic soils are examined.

What other parameters should I look for in the investigation and how can I assess the compactness of the materials? Thanks for your feedback.

 

[ONENGINEER]

dgillette
Is it not that when the geological map says:

"landslide rubble, gravel and minor sand up to 10 m thick"

It would mean that the sand fraction would be a minor in the soil, let's say 65% gravel and 20% sand. Or does it mean that we have an independent layer of sand. Thanks.