Abstract (EN):
This paper summarizes the results of an experimental site investigation and characterization
survey, on a residual (saprolitic) soil from granite, in the framework of a research
project led by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). This project aims
at characterizing these unusual soils in the context of the development of an International
Prediction Event (Class A) on the behaviour of different types of piles. A very extensive site
characterization campaign, including a large variety of in-situ tests and field methods, has been
held. These investigations comprised the application of several geophysical borehole and
surface methods, namely P- and S-wave seismic refraction, reflection, cross-hole (CH), downhole
(DH), electrical resistivity imaging and ground probing radar (GPR), as well as
mechanical tests, namely SPT, CPT and DMT, among others. The site is geologically formed
by an upper layer of heterogeneous residual granitic soil, overlaying rather weathered granite
contacting a gneissic migmatite. Direct and indirect results from some of the referred surveys
were compared between them and with some of the available geological and geotechnical
information, namely those obtained from seismic, electrical and GPR profiles, conducted
adjacent to three boreholes in which undisturbed soil samples were collected previously to
geophysical data acquisition. In addition, a comprehensive laboratory testing program was
carried out using the collected undisturbed samples. A discussion of the obtained results is
hereby presented, giving emphasis to the correlations encountered between the different tests,
specific of saprolitic soils with weak relic structures.
Idioma:
Inglês
Tipo (Avaliação Docente):
Científica