1.

0 Subsoil Investigation

The determination of a reasonably accurate soil profile at each of the proposed bridge
sites is essential for correctly deciding the location and type of foundation. The subsoil
investigation should aim to provide adequate data to the designer at a cost consistent with
the value of the information. Availability of correct and reliable data would enable the
designer to plan the work intelligently, resulting in a better job at a lower cost.
Borings have to be taken over the length of the bridge and approaches, particularly at the
probable locations of abutments and piers. The data required are:
i) nature of soil deposit,
ii) depths and thicknesses of soil strata,
iii) location of groundwater table,
iv) depth to rock bed, and
v) engineering properties of soils and rock.

If hard rock is available at shallow depths, trial pits may be dug by open excavation, and
the soil overlying the rock may be examined and classified.
The detailed investigation would call for careful sampling and a thorough study of the
engineering properties of the soils and rock. The methods used for the study of subsoil
conditions include the following: sounding rods, auger borings, wash borings, test pits
and core drilling.

2.0 Hydraulic Data

Generally, the following hydraulic data pertaining to the river or nullah is required for
deciding the bridge waterway, depth and type of foundations and type of protective
works:
i) the highest flood level, ordinary flood level and low water level,
ii) site, shape, slope and nature of the catchment,
iii) intensity and frequency of rainfall in the catchment,
iv) flood velocity of flow in the stream,
v) probability of large trees or rolling debris floating down the stream,
vi) navigational requirements, if any, for the stream,
vii) need for large scale river training works,
viii) determination of design discharge, and
ix) maximum scour depth.

Since soil conditions differ substantially from site to site, designing all the bridge
substructures on the basis of the worst soil conditions existing at any one site would be
highly uneconomical and inefficient.