The use of test pits to investigate subsurface fracturing and glacial stratigraphy in tills and other unconsolidated materials

Joints and fractures, common in Ohio glacial tills, often influence shallow ground water flow paths and rates. Environmental site investigations in gl acial till and lacustrine sediments should include determination of the gla cial stratigraphy and evaluation of the presence, extent, and density of su bsurface fractures. The test pit is one approach to directly assess fractur ing and stratigraphy, The design and construction of deep test pits is exam ined in this research report, which includes an extensive literature review and case studies from three test pit sites in Ohio. A generic design is re commended that may be used for 1-meter, 2-meter, 3-meter, or 4-meter deep t est pits. Scaled drawings are included.