IS 10883 : 1984Code of practice for selection of exploration methods and bore-hole logging procedures for underground investigations

Q: What are the essential components of a borehole log?

A log must include project details, coordinates, ground level, borehole diameter, water table, strata description, sample types with depth and number, and in-situ test results like SPT 'N' values (Clause 6).

Q: What are the main methods of subsurface exploration covered?

The code details methods including test pits, trenches, and various types of boring (auger, wash, rotary) and drilling (percussion, rotary) (Clause 4).

Q: How do I choose an exploration method?

The selection depends on the purpose of the investigation, type of ground expected, required depth, and the type of samples or in-situ data needed, as guided by Table 1.

Q: What is the purpose of borehole logging?

To create a permanent, standardized record of the subsurface conditions encountered, which forms the primary basis for geotechnical analysis and foundation design (Clause 6).

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BS 5930 · EN 1997-2 · ASTM D420

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IS 10883:1984 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for selection of exploration methods and bore-hole logging procedures for underground investigations. This code of practice provides guidance on the selection of suitable exploration methods and standardizes the procedures for logging data obtained from boreholes during underground investigations. It covers the planning of exploration, different methods like boring and drilling, and the essential details to be recorded for characterizing soil and rock strata for civil engineering projects.

Provides guidance on the selection of appropriate exploration methods and bore-hole logging procedures for various underground investigations.

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Frequently Used
Domain: Geotechnical — Surveying and Geotechnical Investigation
Type: Code of Practice

International equivalents

BS 5930:2015+A1:2020 · BSI - British Standards Institution, UK EN 1997-2:2007 · CEN - European Committee for Standardization, Europe ASTM D420-18 · ASTM International, USA ISO 22475-1:2021 · ISO - International Organization for Standardization, International

Typically used with

IS 1892 IS 2131 IS 2132 IS 5529

Also on InfraLens for IS 10883

5Key values 2Tables 4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes

! This code should be read in conjunction with IS 1892 for a comprehensive approach to subsurface investigations for foundations.

! The accuracy of the borehole log is paramount; ensure all details, including water levels, strata changes, and sample depths, are recorded meticulously on-site.

! The choice between disturbed (e.g., from SPT) and undisturbed (e.g., from Shelby tube) sampling depends entirely on the specific laboratory tests planned.

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 3Planning of Subsurface Exploration Cl. 4Exploration Methods Cl. 5Boring and Drilling Cl. 6Logging of Bore Holes Cl. 7Sampling

soilrockgroundwater

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

BS 5930:2015+A1:2020BSI - British Standards Institution, UK

HighCurrent

Code of practice for ground investigations

Comprehensive coverage of all stages of ground investigation, from planning to reporting, similar to the intent of IS 10883.

EN 1997-2:2007CEN - European Committee for Standardization, Europe

HighCurrent

Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design - Part 2: Ground investigation and testing

Details requirements for the planning, execution, and reporting of geotechnical investigations, directly aligning with IS 10883's scope.

ASTM D420-18ASTM International, USA

MediumCurrent

Standard Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering, Design, and Construction Purposes

Focuses on the selection and planning of investigation programs, similar to the first half of IS 10883, but less on specific logging procedures.

ISO 22475-1:2021ISO - International Organization for Standardization, International

HighCurrent

Geotechnical investigation and testing — Sampling methods and groundwater measurements — Part 1: Technical principles for execution

Provides technical principles for executing sampling and investigation, overlapping significantly with the methods and procedures in IS 10883.

Key Differences

≠IS 10883:1984 is dated and does not include modern geophysical techniques like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) or Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), which are standard in current international practice (e.g., BS 5930).

≠Modern international standards (e.g., Eurocode 7) are integrated into a broader risk-based design framework, emphasizing Geotechnical Categories and linking investigation intensity to project complexity, a concept not formalized in IS 10883.

≠International standards like EN ISO 22476-3 mandate the correction of SPT N-values to a reference energy ratio (N60), a practice not required by the 1984 Indian standard, leading to potential inconsistencies in data.

≠BS 5930 and EN 1997-2 have extensive and explicit requirements for health, safety, and environmental management during investigations (e.g., dealing with contaminated land, utility clearance), which are minimally covered in IS 10883.

≠International codes place greater emphasis on digital data acquisition, management, and the development of 3D ground models, whereas IS 10883 primarily describes manual logging and paper-based reporting.

Key Similarities

≈All standards advocate a phased approach to investigation, starting with a desk study/reconnaissance, followed by preliminary and then detailed investigations.

≈The fundamental principles of borehole logging, such as recording of strata depth, soil/rock description, sample details, water levels, and drilling progress, are common across all standards.

≈The use of core drilling for rock investigation and the calculation of Rock Quality Designation (RQD) as a primary measure of rock mass quality is a shared, fundamental practice.

≈The basic types of exploration methods described, such as trial pits, boreholes (percussion and rotary), and basic in-situ tests like the Standard Penetration Test (SPT), form the common foundation of all the codes.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Guideline Borehole Spacing for Large Buildings	30 m to 60 m grid for large plan areas.	15 m to 30 m grid for high-rise or sensitive structures.	EN 1997-2:2007
SPT Hammer Energy Correction	Not required. Hammer type (donut/safety) is specified but efficiency is not standardized.	Mandatory correction of field N-value to a reference 60% energy efficiency (N60).	ASTM D1586 / EN ISO 22476-3
Minimum Rock Core Diameter for Characterization	NX size (approx. 54mm core) is commonly recommended for major projects.	Larger diameters (e.g., H-size, 96mm core) are preferred for better recovery in fractured/weak rock; N-size (approx. 76mm core) is often a practical minimum.	BS 5930:2015+A1:2020
RQD Core Piece Length Threshold	Sum of intact core pieces longer than 10 cm.	Sum of sound core pieces longer than 100 mm (or 0.33 ft).	ASTM D6032
Scope of Listed Geophysical Methods	Primarily seismic refraction and electrical resistivity methods.	Wide range including GPR, MASW, seismic tomography, microgravity, and electromagnetic methods.	BS 5930:2015+A1:2020
Soil Classification System Basis	Based on IS 1498 (classification by grain size, plasticity).	Based on ISO 14688-1 & -2 or national systems often derived from USCS (e.g., ASTM D2487).	EN 1997-2 / ISO 14688-1

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values

Typical borehole spacing for compact building site10 m to 30 m

Minimum depth of exploration below foundation base1.5 times the width of foundation

Acceptable area ratio for undisturbed samplers< 10%

Recommended minimum inside clearance for samplers1.0% to 3.0%

Commonly used undisturbed sample (Shelby tube) diameter75 mm or 100 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

Table 1 - Applicability of Exploration Methods for Various Purposes

Table 2 - Typical Symbols for Graphic Logs

Key Clauses

Clause 3 - Planning of Subsurface Exploration

Clause 4 - Exploration Methods

Clause 5 - Boring and Drilling

Clause 6 - Logging of Bore Holes

Clause 7 - Sampling

Frequently Asked Questions4

What are the essential components of a borehole log?+

A log must include project details, coordinates, ground level, borehole diameter, water table, strata description, sample types with depth and number, and in-situ test results like SPT 'N' values (Clause 6).

What are the main methods of subsurface exploration covered?+

The code details methods including test pits, trenches, and various types of boring (auger, wash, rotary) and drilling (percussion, rotary) (Clause 4).

How do I choose an exploration method?+

The selection depends on the purpose of the investigation, type of ground expected, required depth, and the type of samples or in-situ data needed, as guided by Table 1.

What is the purpose of borehole logging?+

To create a permanent, standardized record of the subsurface conditions encountered, which forms the primary basis for geotechnical analysis and foundation design (Clause 6).

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋

QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 10883 : 1984Code of practice for selection of exploration methods and bore-hole logging procedures for underground investigations

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

BS 5930 · EN 1997-2 · ASTM D420

CurrentFrequently UsedCode of PracticeBIMGeotechnical · Surveying and Geotechnical Investigation

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

Provides guidance on the selection of appropriate exploration methods and bore-hole logging procedures for various underground investigations.

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Frequently Used
Domain: Geotechnical — Surveying and Geotechnical Investigation
Type: Code of Practice

International equivalents

Typically used with

IS 1892 IS 2131 IS 2132 IS 5529

Also on InfraLens for IS 10883

5Key values 2Tables 4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes

! This code should be read in conjunction with IS 1892 for a comprehensive approach to subsurface investigations for foundations.

! The accuracy of the borehole log is paramount; ensure all details, including water levels, strata changes, and sample depths, are recorded meticulously on-site.

! The choice between disturbed (e.g., from SPT) and undisturbed (e.g., from Shelby tube) sampling depends entirely on the specific laboratory tests planned.

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 3Planning of Subsurface Exploration Cl. 4Exploration Methods Cl. 5Boring and Drilling Cl. 6Logging of Bore Holes Cl. 7Sampling

soilrockgroundwater

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

BS 5930:2015+A1:2020BSI - British Standards Institution, UK

HighCurrent

Code of practice for ground investigations

Comprehensive coverage of all stages of ground investigation, from planning to reporting, similar to the intent of IS 10883.

EN 1997-2:2007CEN - European Committee for Standardization, Europe

HighCurrent

Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design - Part 2: Ground investigation and testing

Details requirements for the planning, execution, and reporting of geotechnical investigations, directly aligning with IS 10883's scope.

ASTM D420-18ASTM International, USA

MediumCurrent

Standard Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering, Design, and Construction Purposes

Focuses on the selection and planning of investigation programs, similar to the first half of IS 10883, but less on specific logging procedures.

ISO 22475-1:2021ISO - International Organization for Standardization, International

HighCurrent

Geotechnical investigation and testing — Sampling methods and groundwater measurements — Part 1: Technical principles for execution

Provides technical principles for executing sampling and investigation, overlapping significantly with the methods and procedures in IS 10883.

Key Differences

Key Similarities

≈All standards advocate a phased approach to investigation, starting with a desk study/reconnaissance, followed by preliminary and then detailed investigations.

≈The fundamental principles of borehole logging, such as recording of strata depth, soil/rock description, sample details, water levels, and drilling progress, are common across all standards.

≈The use of core drilling for rock investigation and the calculation of Rock Quality Designation (RQD) as a primary measure of rock mass quality is a shared, fundamental practice.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Guideline Borehole Spacing for Large Buildings	30 m to 60 m grid for large plan areas.	15 m to 30 m grid for high-rise or sensitive structures.	EN 1997-2:2007
SPT Hammer Energy Correction	Not required. Hammer type (donut/safety) is specified but efficiency is not standardized.	Mandatory correction of field N-value to a reference 60% energy efficiency (N60).	ASTM D1586 / EN ISO 22476-3
Minimum Rock Core Diameter for Characterization	NX size (approx. 54mm core) is commonly recommended for major projects.	Larger diameters (e.g., H-size, 96mm core) are preferred for better recovery in fractured/weak rock; N-size (approx. 76mm core) is often a practical minimum.	BS 5930:2015+A1:2020
RQD Core Piece Length Threshold	Sum of intact core pieces longer than 10 cm.	Sum of sound core pieces longer than 100 mm (or 0.33 ft).	ASTM D6032
Scope of Listed Geophysical Methods	Primarily seismic refraction and electrical resistivity methods.	Wide range including GPR, MASW, seismic tomography, microgravity, and electromagnetic methods.	BS 5930:2015+A1:2020
Soil Classification System Basis	Based on IS 1498 (classification by grain size, plasticity).	Based on ISO 14688-1 & -2 or national systems often derived from USCS (e.g., ASTM D2487).	EN 1997-2 / ISO 14688-1

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values

Typical borehole spacing for compact building site10 m to 30 m

Minimum depth of exploration below foundation base1.5 times the width of foundation

Acceptable area ratio for undisturbed samplers< 10%

Recommended minimum inside clearance for samplers1.0% to 3.0%

Commonly used undisturbed sample (Shelby tube) diameter75 mm or 100 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

Table 1 - Applicability of Exploration Methods for Various Purposes

Table 2 - Typical Symbols for Graphic Logs

Key Clauses

Clause 3 - Planning of Subsurface Exploration

Clause 4 - Exploration Methods

Clause 5 - Boring and Drilling

Clause 6 - Logging of Bore Holes

Clause 7 - Sampling

Frequently Asked Questions4

What are the essential components of a borehole log?+

What are the main methods of subsurface exploration covered?+

The code details methods including test pits, trenches, and various types of boring (auger, wash, rotary) and drilling (percussion, rotary) (Clause 4).

How do I choose an exploration method?+

The selection depends on the purpose of the investigation, type of ground expected, required depth, and the type of samples or in-situ data needed, as guided by Table 1.

What is the purpose of borehole logging?+

To create a permanent, standardized record of the subsurface conditions encountered, which forms the primary basis for geotechnical analysis and foundation design (Clause 6).

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋

QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 10883 : 1984Code of practice for selection of exploration methods and bore-hole logging procedures for underground investigations

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values5

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions4

QA/QC Inspection Templates

IS 10883 : 1984Code of practice for selection of exploration methods and bore-hole logging procedures for underground investigations

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values5

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions4

QA/QC Inspection Templates