PHASE 1

GEOTECHNICAL SITE INVESTIGATION

FOR

SIR LOWRY'S PASS VILLAGE

FOR

AECOM

CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: +27 21 671 4274/80 Fax: +27 21 671 4277 email: [email protected]
Postal address: Postnet Suite 177, Private Bag X3, Pumstead, 7801, Cape Town
Physical address: Unit b02, Clareview Business Park, 236 Imam Haron Road, Claremont, 7708, Cape Town, South Africa
 PHASE I GEOTECHNICAL SITE INVESTIGATION FOR
SIR LOWRY'S PASS VILLAGE

September 2014 Project no: 149-14

Contents
Page
Executive Summary 1
1. Introduction and terms of reference 2
2. Information used in the study 2
3. Site description 2
4. Nature of investigation 3
4.1 Test pits 3
4.2 Laboratory testing 3
5. Site geology and groundwater conditions 3
5.1 General 3
5.2 Soil profile 3
5.3 Water table 4
6. Geotechnical evaluation 4
6.1 Engineering and material characteristics 4
6.2 Slope stability and erosion 6
6.3 Excavation Classification with respect to Services 6
6.4 Impact of the Geotechnical Character of the Site on 6
Subsidy Housing Developments
7. Site classification 7
8. Foundation commendation and solution 8
9. Drainage 8
10. Special precautionary measures 9
11. Conclusions 9

Appendix A: Site Plan and Site Class Designation, Figures 3.1 & 3.2
Appendix B: Test Pit Soil Profiles
Appendix C: DPL probe test results
Appendix D: Laboratory Test Results
 PHASE I & II GEOTECHNICAL SITE INVESTIGATION FOR
SIR LOWRY'S PASS VILLAGE
for
AECOM
September 2014 Project no: 149-14
Executive Summary
The area of investigation comprises two portions of land, approximately 8.5 Ha and 3.7 Ha in extent.
These areas are located to the west and east of Sir Lowry's Pass Village respectively. Topographically,
the western site has a general fall from the north towards the south and the eastern site has a fall from
the east to the west. A stream is located just south of the western site together with a man-made dam in
the central portion of the site. The eastern site is located on an elevated hill area.
Regionally the area is underlain from surface by Recent unconsolidated sandy and gravelly deposits of
alluvial and colluvial (transported) origin. Residual and weathered shales of the Malmesbury Group
underlie the transported soils together with granites of the Cape Granite Suite, mostly on the eastern
site.
The water table was encountered within all test pits except for three (test pits TP9, TP11 and TP12) on
the western site and within only two test pits on the eastern site (TP15 and TP17). It appears that
groundwater generally occurs within a gravelly alluvial horizon, and is perched above the underlying less
permeable clayey residual shale horizons. Perched groundwater water generally occurs at depths
ranging from surface to approximately 1.6 m, while on the eastern site, perched water is intersected at
between 0.3 m to 0.9 m depth below surface, where it accumulates over the less permeable residual
granites.
The following geotechnical characteristics of the site are expected to have an impact on subsidy housing
development and subsidy variations:-
• Potentially expansive founding conditions in the clayey residual shale/granite portions of the site
• Perched groundwater within 1.0 m of ground surface on the western area
• Boulder excavation within 1.5 m of surface on both areas
A schedule of generic subsidy variations applicable to the site is outlined in Table 6.3.
The Residential Site Class Designations (after Watermeyer & Tromp and the Joint Structural Division) are
set out in Table 7.1. The areal extent of classified areas is shown in the site plans in Appendix A. The
site classifications for the western site are S1/H and S2/H1. The entire eastern site is classified as S1/H.
Structures may be founded according to site class designations using the following founding options:
Western area:
a) Stiffened concrete raft foundations on transported sands and engineered fill with a bearing
pressure of 80 kPa.
b) On stiff residual clayey silts, pedogenic calcrete or dense transported cobbles and boulders
using strip footings or piers and ground beams at an average depth of 1.3 m. Bearing pressures
of up to 120 kPa are applicable.

CORE Geotechnical Consultants

Sir Lowry's Pass Village Phase 1 geotechnical report 1
 Eastern area:
a) Found on stiff residual granites at depths of between 0.6 m and 1.0 m using strip footings and
modified normal construction. Safe allowable bearing pressures of up to 130 kPa are
applicable.
This Phase 1 geotechnical site investigation indicates that the site is broadly suitable for project linked
subsidy housing development, provided that aspects of concern relating to the geotechnical character of
the site are addressed.

1. Introduction
At the request of Mr David Naude of AECOM, we have carried out a Phase 1 Geotechnical Site
Investigation for the proposed housing development near Sir Lowry's Pass Village.
The objectives of this investigation were as follows: -
a) Identify any potential hazards
b) Define the ground conditions and provide site classifications including detailed soil profiles and
groundwater occurrences within the zone of influence of foundations
c) Provide the geotechnical basis for safe and appropriate land use planning, infrastructure
design, housing unit design and the formulation of precautionary measures and risk
management procedures
d) Broadly classify the land that is to be developed for subsidy housing in terms of the Housing
Code's Residential Site Class Designations
e) Gather factual data that has a bearing on the determination of housing subsidy variations and
the installation of township services.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the standard specifications of the National
Housing Code for Project Linked Greenfield Subsidy Housing Projects (Standard Specification
GFSH-2).

2. Information used in the study

The following information sources were used in the investigation: -
a) Remote colour imagery - Google (2013)
b) The 1:250 000 geological map – 3318 Cape Town (Council for Geoscience)
c) Layout plan of the proposed residential development supplied by client

3. Site description
The area of investigation comprises two portions of land, approximately 8.5 Ha and 3.7 Ha in
extent, these areas are located to the west and east of Sir Lowry's Pass Village respectively. The
locations of the sites are indicated in the the locality plan, Figure 3.1.
Topographically, the western site has a general fall from the north towards the south and the eastern
site has a fall from the east to the west. A stream is located just south of the western site together
with a man-made dam in the central portion of the site and the eastern site is located on a elevated
hill area. Figure 3.2 depicts the physiological features on the site.
The western site consists almost entirely of farm lands, which have been used as pastures for cattle
and horses. Old farm houses, barns and outbuildings form an “L” shape in the central portion of
the site and vegetation generally consists of grasslands with rows of larger trees, presumably planted

CORE Geotechnical Consultants

Sir Lowry's Pass Village Phase 1 geotechnical report 2
 as wind-breaks. The eastern site is mostly undeveloped with an old reservoir towards the north of
the site. Vegetation consists mostly of grasslands, alien vegetation and large trees.
No minerals or natural resources of economic value are known to underlie the sites and no mining
activity has consequently been undertaken in the area. The site is apparently not undermined.

4. Nature of investigation
4.1 Test pits and dynamic probe light (DPL) testing
The following field work was carried out: -
a) Seventeen test pits (test pits TP1-TP17 inclusive), located across the site where access would
allow, were excavated using a digger-loader to expose the soil profile. All test pits were visually
profiled, with representative soil samples being taken from selected horizons for laboratory
testing purposes
b) Dynamic probe light (DPL) tests at selected locations to determine soil consistencies with
depth
Test pit and DPL probe test positions are shown on the site plans included in Appendix A. Copies
of the recorded soil profiles and DPL tests are included in Appendices B and C respectively.
4.2 Laboratory testing
The following laboratory tests were carried out on selected soil samples: -
a) Indicator tests in the form of grading and Atterberg Limits analyses to determine basic soils
engineering properties.
b) Moisture-density with CBR strength testing to determine compaction and strength properties of
recompacted soils.
b) Geochemical testing (pH and conductivity) to indicate possible deleterious effects of soils on
concrete and buried services.
Copies of the full laboratory test results are included in Appendix D.

5. Site geology and groundwater conditions

5.1 General
Site by Recent unconsolidated sandy and gravelly deposits
Regionally the area is underlain from surface
of alluvial and colluvial (transported) origin. Residual and weathered shales of the Malmesbury
Group underlie the transported soils, together with granites of the Cape Granite Suite, the latter
only being encountered on the eastern site. The residual soil layers are underlain by weathered
rock (shale) in only two test pits i.e.
5.2 Soil profile
Western area:
From ground surface, colluvial material in the form of gravelly silts to clayey silts, varies in thickness
from surfaces to depths of approximately 0.6 m. The colluvium is underlain by an alluvial horizon
which also occurs from surface in places to up to 1.7 m in depth. The alluvium can contain a gravel
and pebble component which consists of angular to sub-angular fragments with this component
varying across the site. This horizon has also undergone pedogenesis in places, where it has been
cemented to form ferricrete and calcrete layers as seen in TP 3 and TP 9. Residual shale, consisting
of clayey silts and silty clays, generally underlies the alluvial and pedogenic material. This horizon

CORE Geotechnical Consultants

Sir Lowry's Pass Village Phase 1 geotechnical report 3
 varies from soft to stiff in consistency and extends to depths of up to 2.4 m. The residual soil layers
are underlain by weathered rock (shale) in only two test pits i.e. TP 1 and TP 2.
Eastern area:
From ground surface, colluvial material in the form of gravelly sand, clayey sands and sandy silts,
which varies in thickness from surface to depths of approximately 1.0 m. Residual granite soils,
consisting of clayey sands and sandy clays, generally underlies the colluvial material. This horizon
varies from loose to stiff in consistency and extends to depths in excess of 1.9 m with granite
core-stones in places (TP 13).
Detailed descriptions of the soils underlying the site and encountered in test pits and trench
exposures, may be found in the recorded soil profiles (see Appendix B).
5.3 Water table
The water table was encountered within all test pits except for three (TP9, TP11 and TP12) on the
western site and within only two test pits on the eastern site (TP15 and TP17). According to locals
in the area, the water table is almost permanently perched at the depths intersected and a spring
supplies the dam on the western site. It appears that groundwater generally occurs within the
gravelly alluvial horizons and is perched above the less permeable underlying clayey residual shale
horizons. Perched groundwater generally occurs from surface to depths of approximately 1.6 m,
while on the eastern site, perched groundwater is intersected at between 0.3 m to 0.9 m depth,
where it accumulates on the less permeable residual granites.
The groundwater relies mainly on recharge from direct infiltration of rainfall, as well as from
up-slope recharge of the groundwater via horizontal flow in the gravelly alluvial soils . As such, this
water table will be best-developed during winter.
The main water table is expected to occur at depth within the fractured shale and granite rock
aquifers. As such, it should not influence the proposed development directly.

6. Geotechnical evaluation
6.1 Engineering and material characteristics
On the basis of the desk study, the available geotechnical investigation information and the
laboratory test results summarized in Table 6.1 and Table 6.2, the following points relating to site
geotechnical conditions and constraints, may be made:-
Western area:
a) The near-surface colluvial soil material is loose and compressible, contains variable clay/silt
content and varies in thickness throughout the site. This material is unsuitable for founding
purposes.
b) The medium dense transported gravelly soils have moderate post-compaction strength, where
they are classified as G6 materials (See Table 6.2). These soils will be suitable as a load bearing
horizon, provided there is some form of ground improvement.
c) The residual shale/siltstone exhibits low to moderate compressibility and plasticity with a PI of
between 8 and 10, which we believe is lower that what is normally expected in these soils.
Post-compaction strength is expected to be low. Poor workability and drainage characteristics
make these soils unsuitable for use in construction. Although these soils have a potential for
low to moderate heave movements, they will be suitable for use as a load-bearing founding
horizon, provided foundations are in material of a stiff consistency and that appropriate design
precautions, to accommodate potential heave movements, are implemented

CORE Geotechnical Consultants

Sir Lowry's Pass Village Phase 1 geotechnical report 4
 d) The underlying shales, where intersected, exhibit fairly low compressibility. Post compaction
strength is expected to be fair with good workability. This horizon will be suitable for founding
without any ground improvements or major design precautions.
e) No particular excavation problems are anticipated, either in the transported soils, or in the
residual shales as these generally classifies as “soft” excavation. Precautions will, however,
need to be made for potential sidewall collapse and water ingress. Controlling of the perched
water will require the use of pumping from sumps and possibly also cut off drains upslope.
f) Soil samples, tested geochemically, are fairly neutral in terms of pH and have low conductivity.
No particular problems are foreseen with regard to possible deleterious effects on buried
services.
Eastern area:
a) The colluvial soil material contains variable silt/sand content and varies in thickness throughout
the site. This material is unsuitable for founding purposes.
b) The residual granites exhibits low compressibility low plasticity with a PI of 8. Post-compaction
strength is expected to be moderate. Poor workability and drainage characteristics make these
soils unsuitable for use in construction. Although these soils have a potential for slight heave
movements, the stiff granites will be suitable for use as a load-bearing founding horizon with
only minor design precautions to cater for predicted heave movements.
Table 6.1 Summary of Soils Engineering Properties

Conduc
Test Depth Material tivity CBR at 93% Mod
Pit (m) Description LL PI LS MC GM pH (mS/m) AASHTO
1 0.5 Transported SP SP SP - 1.6 6.3 21 27
gravelly silty
sand
2 0.2 Residual clayey 40 8 5.0 25.5 0.26 - - -
silty shale
5 1.2 Residual clayey 34 8 5.0 20.6 0.29 5.4 13 -
silty shale
7 0.7 Residual silty 33 10 5.0 18.4 0.22 - -
clay shale
9 0.3 Transported 21 4 2.0 - 2.58 - - 26
silty gravel
13 1.0 Residual clayey 33 8 5.0 15.8 1.09 3.8 17 -
sand granite
15 0.5 Transported 23 4 2.0 - 2.20 4.6 15 54
gravelly sand
Key: LL – liquid limit. PI – plasticity index. LS - linear shrinkage. S-P – slightly plastic. MC – in-situ moisture content. GM
– grading modulus. CBR – California bearing ratio. (* computed CBR value).

c) Excavation problems that may be anticipated within the transported soils or residual granites
are possibly boulder/core-stone excavation. These soils, however, generally classify as “soft”
excavation and should be possible using digger loader type machinery. If less weathered
granite rock/pedogenic horizons are intersected at depth then excavation within these
materials may require the use of heavier plant such as excavators equipped with rock buckets.

CORE Geotechnical Consultants

Sir Lowry's Pass Village Phase 1 geotechnical report 5
 d) Soils samples tested geochemically show that the residual granite soils and transported soils on
the eastern site are slightly acidic with low conductivity. Due to the acidity of the soils
deleterious effects may occur and precautions such as an additional sacrificial layer on
foundation bases should be considered.
Table 6.2 Engineering Properties of Compacted Materials

Material Potential usage Shear strength Drainage Workability as TRH 14

when compacted character- a construction classification
istics material
Transported Subbase, Selected Moderate Fair Good G6
gravelly silty sand layers
(western portion)
Transported Base-coarse, Moderately good Fair Good G4 - G5
gravelly silty sand Subbase, Selected
(eastern portion) layers
Residual Unsuitable Poor Poor Poor G10
shale/granite

6.2 Slope stability and erosion

The sandy nature of the surface soils on both areas indicates that these soils would be susceptible to
erosion by water. Appropriate design precautions will be necessary, particularly with regards to
storm water management.
The natural slopes in both areas are relatively stable under present conditions. Excavations deeper
than 1.5 m for service trenches on side slopes may be unstable and will require shoring or battered
slopes for safety reasons. Sub-vertical open cuts to at least 2.0 m depth in residual shale and
granites are likely to be stable in the short term, but may require stabilization in the long term.
6.3 Excavation classification with respect to services
Excavation in the transported and residual soils classifies as “soft excavation” in terms of the
SANS 1200 D Earthworks Specification. Excavation within the pedogenic soils classifies as
“Intermediate” excavation and may require the use of heavier plant. Excavation within transported
soils containing cobbles, boulders and core-stones will be classified as “Boulder Class B” excavation.
Deeper less weathered granite on the eastern site may be classified as “hard rock excavation” but is
unlikely to be encountered within 1.8 m of ground surface. In practice, these materials can
probably be excavated and worked using conventional earthmoving equipment.
6.4 Impact of the geotechnical character of the site on subsidy housing developments
The following geotechnical characteristics of the site are expected to have an impact on subsidy
housing development and subsidy variations:-
a) Potentially expansive founding conditions in the clayey residual shale/granite areas of the site
b) Perched groundwater within 1.0 m of ground surface on the western area
c) Boulder excavation within 1.5 m of ground surface on both areas
A schedule of generic subsidy variations applicable to the site is outlined in Table 6.3.
There are no positive impacts of the geotechnical character for the western area. Positive impacts of
the geotechnical character for the eastern area are shallow relatively uniform founding conditions
and more manageable perched water conditions.

CORE Geotechnical Consultants

Sir Lowry's Pass Village Phase 1 geotechnical report 6
 It should be noted that Groundwater Category 1 applies to the western site, as delineated on the
site plan (see Appendix A). This affected area is approximately 60 % of the total develop-able site
area.
Table 6.3 Factors to consider in subsidy variations
Category of subsidy Factors Affecting Amount of Subsidy
Variation Verification Criteria Variation
Founding conditions: Site class designations classified in Masonry houses will require foundation
Expansive soils Class H accordance with 2.5 of Part 1 Section2 design, building procedures and
and H 1 of the NHBRC Home Building Manual precautionary measures to be in
accordance with Tables 5, 6 and 7 of Part
1 Section2 of the NHBRC Home Building
Manual
Seepage/groundwater: Site class designations classified in Masonry houses will require foundation
Category 1 (Western accordance with 1.1 of Part 1 Section2 design, building procedures and
area) of the NHBRC Home Building Manual precautionary measures to be in
accordance with Tables 5, 6 and 7 of Part
1 Section2 of the NHBRC Home Building
Manual
Difficulty of excavation: Site class designations classified in Masonry houses will require foundation
Type 3 condition for accordance with 4.3 of Part 1 Section2 design, building procedures and
boulder excavation of the NHBRC Home Building Manual precautionary measures to be in
accordance with Tables 5, 6 and 7 of Part
1 Section2 of the NHBRC Home Building
Manual

7. Site classification
The Residential Site Class Designation (after Watermeyer & Tromp and the Joint Structural Division)
is set out in Table 7.1. The areal extent of classified areas is shown in the site plan in Appendix A.
Three site class designations are identified due to the inherent variability in the soil/geological
conditions.

The site class designations for the western site are S1/H and S2/H1. While the eastern site is
classified as S1/H.
Table 7.1 Residential Site Class Designations

Site Character of founding materials Expected Assumed Maximum Erven

Classificati range of differential allowable
on total soil movement bearing
movement (% of pressure
(mm) total) (kPa)

S1/H Variable and potentially compressible

920 (See
transported soils overlying potentially >7.5 50 120
site plan)
(west site) expansive residual shale
Variable and potentially compressible
S2/H1 transported soils overlying, 920 (See
7.5 - 10 75 100
potentially moderately expansive site plan)
(west site)
residual shale

S1/H Variable and potentially compressible

transported soils overlying overlying >7.5 50 150 849
(east site) potentially expansive residual granite

CORE Geotechnical Consultants

Sir Lowry's Pass Village Phase 1 geotechnical report 7
 Table 7.1 also shows the erven investigated in the Phase 1 report (As per plan) according to their
site class designations.

8. Foundation recommendations and solutions

The following founding options are recommended on the basis of the geotechnical evaluation:-
Western area:
a) Trim out and spoil the upper 200 mm of material over the building footprint. Over-excavate
500 mm into transported materials and compact the excavation base using a heavy vibratory
roller. Re-introduce the transported material and compact to at least 98% Mod AASHTO to
construction level. Then introduce and compact a 500 mm selected granular material over the
building footprint to form an engineered soil mattress. Found nominally, using reinforced
concrete raft foundations. Bearing pressures of up to 80 kPa are applicable.
b) Found structures on stiff residual clayey silts, pedogenic calcrete or dense transported cobbles
and boulders using strip footings or piers and ground beams at an average depth of 1.3 m.
Bearing pressures of up to 120 kPa are applicable. In the vicinity of TP 7, where soils are
classified as S2/H2, soft spots occur, foundations in this area may need to be taken to depths of
up to 2.4 m. Alternatively these areas could be used as recreational zones.
Eastern area:
a) Trim and spoil the upper 200 mm of material. Found on stiff residual granites at depths of
between 0.6 m and 1.0 m using modified strip footings. Safe allowable bearing pressures of
130 kPa are applicable.
Modified normal construction techniques are required to cater for predicted heave movements of
up to 10 mm on the western site and less than 7.5 mm on the eastern site. Suitable measures
would include additional reinforcement in brickwork in plinth walls and above doors and windows,
reinforcement of surface beds, articulation of brick panels using construction joints and effective
water management as outlined in Section 9 (refer also to NHBRC Home Building Manual).
Surface beds can be founded on compacted transported materials. Where clayey horizons are
intersected this material should be over-excavated and spoiled followed by introduction of a
geotechnically inert material compacted at least 93% Mod AASHTO to form a suitable subgrade.
Based on the performance of existing houses in the area and the nature of the soils, it is our
opinion that the required precautions should minimize the risk of problems associated with the
identified geotechnical character of the site.

9. Drainage
In view of the potentially expansive nature of the residual shales, as well as the risk associated with
storm water run-off due to slopes and low permeable soils, sound water management is required.
Close attention to drainage and the effective collection and disposal of storm water run-off is
required throughout the site as part of surface erosion management. Surface water should be
drained/deviated in a herringbone type layout to best intersect water flow paths and deep cut off
drains upslope should also be considered. Maintenance of these systems will be required
throughout their lifespan. The planting of vegetation in undeveloped areas should also help
prevent the formation of erosion channels down slope.
Roads should also be constructed with adequate drainage to minimize the possible effects of
seasonal shallow perched ground water and surface water run-off and to prevent deterioration of

CORE Geotechnical Consultants

Sir Lowry's Pass Village Phase 1 geotechnical report 8
 the upper layer works (base course and sub-base layers). This includes subsurface drainage and
raising levels to ensure that shallow groundwater is kept well below road layer works.
Measures to prevent water ingress into soils below foundations are also required. These would
include grading of slopes to promote run-off and prevent ponding close to houses, effective
collection and removal off site of storm water and water from downpipes and regular checking of
wet services for leaks.

10. Special precautionary measures

Design measures are required for possible heave movements. These measures have been outlined
above.

11. Conclusions
This Phase 1 geotechnical site investigation indicates that the site is broadly suitable for project
linked subsidy housing development, provided that aspects of concern relating to the geotechnical
character of the site are addressed. These have been outlined in the report.

JOHN YATES

MATTHEW JONES

CORE Geotechnical Consultants

Sir Lowry's Pass Village Phase 1 geotechnical report 9