The document outlines soil investigation services to determine soil properties and constraints to inform the development of a Ministry of Health head office and nephrology center. Key objectives are to evaluate location options, quantify risks, and determine design and cost implications. Critical soil properties to analyze include bearing pressure, settlement, slopes, liquefaction potential, and suitability for construction. The investigation will involve soil borings, testing, and classification to provide recommendations for foundations, construction methods, and pavements.

1. MINISTRY OF HEALTH
HEALTH FACILITIES MAINTENANCE UNIT
45-47 Barbados Avenue
SOIL INVESTIGATION SERVICES
[INSUPPORT OF SITEPLANDEVELOPMENT FOR MINISTRY OF HEALTH HEAD OFFICEAND NEPHROLOGY CENTER OF
EXCELLENCE] .
The objectives of these site investigations and surveys are:
o To determine the constraints which may impact on the location for the proposed
works
o To determine the design and cost implications of each viable option/location.
o To evaluate the location options and determine the applicable costs for each option
with reasonable accuracy and certainty
o To quantify the risk of unforeseen ground conditions, underground services etc
Ultimately there will be a discussion with the MOH Engineering Unit in order to decide
upon the optimal location of the structure(s)…
The followingCriticalsoilproperties areto be determined fromthese investigations:
o Allowable soil bearing pressure.
o Expected foundation settlement.
o Active soil load.
o Passive soil loading.
o Sliding friction factor.
o Potential for differential settlement.
o Soil liquefaction potential during an earthquake.
o Seismic design accelerations.
o Groundwater table location.
o Permanent stable slope.
o The need for piling.

2. o Suitability of native soil for backfill use. Will material have to be screened or
crushed.
o Criteria for the pavement sections.
o Presence of hazardous wastes and how corrosive the soils are.
o Presence of voids, obstructions or unstable soils.
The followingrequirements/parameters/conditions are to be met/made known from field
and laboratory tests in order to calculate-determine the above:
o Type of Soil boring/excavation equipment required
o Recommendations for construction methods
o Soil boring logs are to be kept for in-depth analysis
o A description (classification such as silty-sand) of the soil is to be given
o Soil properties (hard, stiff, dense, loose, etc.) are to be made known
o Boring depth to be determined from soil logs 6m below the foundations of the
proposed structure.
o Depth of Boring refusal documented( if it occurs)
o Blow counts documented to determine the degree of difficulty of excavation
o Soil moisture content curves plotted
o Soil dry density
o Particle distribution curves (sieve analysis) are to be plotted
o Atterburg limits (liquid limits and plasticity index) determined
o Compaction test (optimum moisture for compaction)
o Direct shear tests to determine permanent stable slope for excavation
o Seismic velocity lines to determine ease of ripping(of rock if necessary)
o Permeability of native soil
 A graphical representation of the sieve/gradation and moisture content analyses is expected. Standard
Soil investigation documents should be utilized.
 Trial holes should be dug from which to take soil samples at lower levels.
For Trial holes record the:
o date of excavation
o location of hole on the site
o relative level of hole if the ground is not flat
o overall dimensions and depth of hole
o excavation system used
o ease of excavation
o rainfall that occurred while the holes were being dug
o groundwater conditions and water table level (if found)
o soil descriptions and depth of each layer
o locations from which samples were taken.

3.  During digging, support the sides of the excavations so the hole can be entered safely to take samples.
On completion of soil sampling, backfill the trial hole by compacting the material in 150 mm layers so
that future work in the area will not be affected.
To be included in the Report
o Introduction: Identify the project by location and name.
o Project Description: Give an overview of the structures, with proposed foundation
depths.
o Field Exploration and Testing: Identify the methods and equipment used to bore
and test the soils.
o Site conditions: Describe the terrain, prior known land use, general area geology,
groundwater, fault proximity, seismic shaking, landslides and other concerns such
as sink hole or fracturing problems.
o Recommendations: Translate the various explorations and tests into specific loading
criteria, settlements, dewatering requirements, seismic accelerations, pavement
sections and site coefficients.
o Site observations: Review the excavation procedures necessary based on the data
gathered
o Maps: Include a general area map with geology and faults. Site maps with boring log
locations are to be included.
o Logs: Include boring logs with soil densities, blow counts, ground water elevations,
moisture, soil classifications and sample locations.
o Test results: Include sieve analysis, optimum moisture plots, direct shear tests,
cone- penetrometer, contaminants/hazardous material and other various tests that
are deemed necessary.
o Seismic velocities: Determine rock properties(if hard rock is found)

4.  The contractor is to be guided by the following table(s) in the classification of the soil on site with
respect to its reactivity:

5. Class A
Stable, non-reactive.Most sandandrock sites. Little or no ground movement likely as a result of
moisture changes.
Class S Slightly reactive clay sites. May experienceslight ground movement as aresult of moisturechanges.
Class M
Moderately reactive clay or silt sites. May experience moderate ground movement as a result of
moisture changes.
Class H1
Highly reactive clay sites. May experience a high amount of ground movement as a result of
moisture changes.
Class H2
Highly reactive clay sites. May experience very high ground movement as a result of moisture
changes.
Class E
Extremely reactive sites. May experience extreme amounts of ground movement as a result of
moisture changes.
Class P
Problem sites. The ability of the soilto evenly bear a load is very poor. Sites may be classified as
'Class P' as a result of mine subsidence, landslip, collapse activity or coastalerosion (e.g. dunes),
or soft soils with a lack of suitable bearing. Ground movement as a result of moisture changes
may be very severe, and these sites are typically subject to abnormal moisture conditions
resulting from things like trees,dams andpoor site drainage. If youare building on a Class P site
you willneed to consult a structuralengineer.
Classes M-
D, H1-D,
H2-D and E-
D
The 'D' in these classifications refers to 'deep' movements in soil due to deep variances in
moisture. These classifications areonly foundin dry areas (e.g. north of hte GreatDividingrange,
in places like Stawell, Horsham, Mildura, Bendigo, Shepparton and Wangaratta).