Geotechnical characterization of Quaternary alluvial soils: An example from Tenth of Ramadan city, Egypt

EL Shinawi, Abdelaziz; Gemail, Khaled; Abdelwahab, Mohamed; El Nagar, Randa

doi:10.21608/bfszu.2021.54052.1051

Geotechnical characterization of Quaternary alluvial soils: An example from Tenth of Ramadan city, Egypt

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Environmental Geophysics Lab ?(ZEGL), Zagazig University

² Environmental Geophysics Lab (ZEGL), Zagazig University

³ National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences

⁴ Department of Geoloy, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University

10.21608/bfszu.2021.54052.1051

Abstract

The site investigations in the new urban areas are aim to map the shallow clay soils and their geotechnical properties which are considered the main reason for most engineering and environmental problems. The present study is conceded for assessing the soil characterization of Quaternary alluvial deposits which are covered sites of the new urban projects amidst desert fringes of East Nile Delta, Egypt (e;g. Tenth of Ramadan city, Cairo-Ismailia desert road). The site investigations were carried out on distributed and undistributed samples collected from 10 drilled boreholes with maximum depth of 10 m. Several field and lab tests were carried out to determine the physical and geotechnical site characterizations including free swelling, Self-penetration test (SPT), Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), Water-content (WC) and others. The obtained results indicate that, the soil properties in the site are variable within a short distance and, consequently, difﬁcult to be predicted. Surficial soils have medium plastic values, low compressive strength, saturated and moderate swelling potentiality. Accordingly, clayey soils were generally rated as poor material for backfill or embankments. Furthermore, gravelly sand soils are classified as a good foundation material for sup-porting structures, roads and embankment and can be used for backfill material for retaining walls. Based on the inferred geotechnical and physical properties, foundation and environmental problems in the suggested site or other related regions could be evaluated.

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