Print this pageSoil Mechanics Series - Subsurface Exploration
Yun Zhou, Ph.D., P.E.
Course Outline
In this course, you need to review Chapter 3 – Subsurface Explorations from “Reference Manual Volume I, SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS”, Publication No. FHWA NHI-06-088, by Federal Highway Administration of U.S. Department of Transportation.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end of each of the five lectures, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course material.
Learning Objective
Upon completion of this course, the student will gain the following specific knowledge:
- Principles and state-of-practice of subsurface exploration;
- How to plan and execute a site- and project-specific subsurface exploration program;
- Guidelines for minimum number of exploration points and depth of exploration;
- Practical guidelines for selecting proper sampling and field-testing methods;
- Preparation for subsurface exploration;
- How to collect and analyze existing site data;
- Area concept for explorations based on landforms;
- Common landforms of transported soils and their engineering significance;
- Examples of field reconnaissance;
- Objectives for subsurface exploration program;
- Boring methods and equipment;
- Disturbed sampling of soil;
- Undisturbed sampling of soil;
- Undisturbed sampling of rock;
- Standard penetration test (SPT);
- Correlation of SPT N-values with basic soil characteristics;
- Boring log format and information retrieval;
- Standard cone penetration test (CPT);
- CPT profile interpretation;
- Types of geophysical Tests; and
- Advantages and disadvantages of geophysical tests.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for geotechnical, civil, mining, structural, and environmental engineers, as well as design and construction personnel involved with the planning, design, and construction of building structures on, in, and with soils.
Benefit to Attendees
Attendee of this course will be able to understand and deal with issues associated with soil subsurface exploration.
Course Introduction
To design a cost-effective structural foundation for a structure to interact favorably with the soil on which it rests, a site- and project-specific subsurface model must be developed. Subsurface exploration is the first step in building subsurface model.
Course Content
The associated course materials are contained in an Adobe Acrobat pdf format of Chapter 3 – Subsurface Explorations from “Reference Manual Volume I, SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS”, Publication No. FHWA NHI-06-088, by Federal Highway Administration of U.S. Department of Transportation.
Chapter 3 – Subsurface Explorations
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Course Summary
This course, as a part of soil mechanics series, covers basics of planning and execution of a subsurface exploration.
Related Links
For additional information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:
PDHonline Course C518 - Soil Mechanics Series - Stress and Strain
PDHonline Course C519 - Soil Mechanics Series - Deformation
PDHonline Course C520 - Soil Mechanics Series - Description and Classification
PDHonline Course C522 - Soil Mechanics Series - Laboratory Testing
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
