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ABSTRACT
Study of the characteristics of the physical, chemical and engineering of the soil is considered
as an important matter in the processes of engineering projects (such as highways, dams, bridges,
etc..). Study was done at selected locations in the governorate of Al-Najaf by drilling three
boreholes with 10m depth, for disturbed (DS) and undisturbed (US) samples, to determine soil
characteristics, and the level of groundwater depth in the study area because of their effect on the
design of foundations. The laboratory and field tests showed that the soil is clayey high plasticity
(CH) in most of the study area, while the chemical analysis of the water in the boreholes has a high
concentration of SO4 (1031-1037) mg/l and PH values range from (7.7-8.0). The number of blows
in the standard penetration (SPT) test was between (58-86) blows. The depth of groundwater was
(0.5-0.9) m in the boreholes. The bearing capacity using the dynamic method was (21.4531.35) T
/m for all boreholes, while the bearing capacity using the static method for depths from (1-3) m
ranged from (9.82-14.20) T /m. The study concluded that this soil needs some engineering
treatments before establishing the engineering structures.
Key words: Soil Mechanics, Bearing Capacity, AL-Najaf-Iraq.
Cite this Article: Kamal R. Mauff, Muhsen O. Khalif, Rand S. Al-Salami and Amer A. Lefta. The
Effect of geotechnical Properties on the Bearing Capacity of Selected Soils in Al - Najaf
Governorate-Iraq. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 8(1), 2017, pp. 222
233. http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=1
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1. INTRODUCTION
Soil geotechnical evaluation is very important and essential in civil engineering and dependent on the
physical, chemical and engineering characteristics employment for surface layers and subsurface that are
affected by the stresses from the loads imposed on it, (Terzaghi, 1996).Geotechnical study is expanding to
include exploring the site and study of ground water and its relationship with soil to understand soil
behavior in the case of certain structures on it.
Geotechnical assessment includes the study of geometric properties, the stress influenced on the soil as
consolidation, resistance and compressibility. The chemical contents of soil and water affect the physical
and engineering properties (Bowles, 1979).All geotechnical investigations can be obtained from field
works at the engineering structure in addition to test the samples to find suitable drilling method (Fang,
2005).The bearing capacity of soil is to select the extent of dynamic and static loads without failure. The
soil compressibility characteristics study is very important when establishing any engineering structure.
The bearing capacity of soil is calculated from the standard penetration test (SPT) and core penetration
test (CPT), or depend on engineering and physical properties obtained from test results for the samples in
the laboratory , (Terzaghi,1996).The bearing capacity depends on several factors such as soil quality,
cohesion soil (fine-grained), cohesionless soil (coarse grained), and groundwater in addition to soil
saturation condition, and wet and dry density (Freeze, 1979)By knowing the bearing capacity for the soil,
the type of foundations and its depths can be gussed, as well as improving soil properties to take the
necessary precautions to the damages from earthquakes (Santamarina, 2001).
4. METHOD OF STUDY
All tests are performed according to ASTM and B.S standards.
The Liquidity Index (LI) has been proposed as a measure of quantifying liquefaction problem. Values
of LI 1 are indicative of a liquefaction or quick potential. As long as most calculated values of LI shown
in Table 3 is less than and equal to one, so the samples have no liquefaction potential. Values of LI in
Table (3) with less than zero indicate also that the consistency of the soil is in a semi-solid or solid state,
while other values indicate that the soil is in a plastic state. The value of LI with less than or equal zero
indicates that the soil is over consolidated. Which is the ratio of Plasticity Index to clay content, is a
measure of degree to which soil will exhibit colloidal behavior?
Values of Activity (A) in Table (3) less than 0.75 are termed inactive clays. Normally active clays have
activities between 0.75-1.25. The samples with activity more than 1.25 are active clays. The test results
indicate that most of the soil samples have activity of less than 0.75. This means that the samples are of
inactive clay.
Liquid Limit and plasticity Index values put on Casagrande Chart table (4) to make material
classification as a result of Atterberg Limit Test and CH medium-high plasticity clay is determined from
table (5).
Table 6 The correlation of SPT-N value with undrained shear strength and consistency of clays
Shear strength of cohesion less soils is usually described in terms of relative density. The relative
density is an index that quantifies the degree of packing between the loosest and densest state of coarse
grained soils. The denseness state of a cohesion less soil can be described as very loose, loose, medium-
dense, dense, and very dense. Some standards (like BS 5930) give the relationship shown in Table (7)
below, between N-values and the relative density of cohesion less soils.
Table 7 Below, between N-values and the relative density of cohesion less soils.
From the results of in-suite the allowable bearing capacity of the soil from N-SPT method for depth
from (1.5 m to 10.0m) is ranging from (23.1031.35) T /m for all boreholes While Shear Strength of
cohesion less soils ..Results are shown in Table (8) below:-
2-Bearing capacity for foundation on undrained saturated clay for =0, so the general expression will be :
qult= C Nc + D (i.e. Nq=1, N=0)
(Nc) rectangular = (1+ 0.2 B/L) (Nc) strip (Skempton Formula)
3-The net allowable bearing capacity of clay or plastic is approximately equal to the unconfined
compressive strength where
qult= C Nc + D for =0
The net ultimate bearing capacity (qult) is defined as the pressure that can be supported at the base of
the footing in excess of that at the same level due to the surrounding surcharge.
qult= qult- D = C Nc + D - D
qult= C Nc take F.O.S=3
qult= C Nc/3
C= q unconfined /2 , usually Nc6 , so
qall= q unconfined x 6 /2x3 , so
qall= qult/ Sf safety factor =3.0
Thus the allowable bearing capacity of clay or plastic silt is approximately equal to the unconfined
compressive strength.
Bearing capacity formulas considering -ground relation depending on ground types are given below.
In the calculate
Ones;
Foundation depth = 1.00 m
Foundation width = 2.00 m
SF= Safety factor = 3. 00
Nc, Nq & N are representing the bearing capacities and given in Table (9) above according to the
internal friction angles.
The results of the unconfined, direct shear and triaxial tests are shown in Table (10). The results
indicate that the consistency of cohesive soil layer is very stiff and the relative density of cohesive less soil
layer is very dense. The allowable bearing capacity for foundation from Terzaghi equation are shown in
the table (11)
Table 10 Strength parameters (unconfined& triaxial test and direct shear test results with depth)
Table 11 The allowable bearing capacity for foundation from Terzaghi equation
Df= the depth of foundation (m ) allowable bearing capacity T/m
(1.00) m (9.82) T/m
(2.00) m (11.96) T/m
(3.00) m (14.20) T/m
6. CONCLUSIONS
1-The study found that liquidity limit between (68-45) % and plasticity index its value ranges from (45-27)
%, and that means that the soil in the study area are high plasticity.
2-The study the soil classification by using grain size and hydrometer method according to Unified soil
classification found the soil is (CH), and some layer is (CL).
3-From the results of in-suite the allowable bearing capacity of the soil from N-SPT method for depth from
(1.5 m to 10.0m) is ranging from (23.1031.35) T /m for all boreholes Those values are good compared
with Mesopotamian region in Iraq.
4-The groundwater table is about 0.6 m.b.g.l below existing ground level .Water flow around the
foundations may cause scouring under the foundations so foundation type must be chose carefully.
Dewatering is required for the part of structure below the water table level.
5- The water is high alkalinity , medium to high in salts content and it has harmful amount of sulfates
(according to ASTM specifications). Precaution should be taken in concreting examining the tests results,
it can be seen that the range of sulphate (SO4) in water between (1030-1037) mg/l, while the range of
chloride content is between (213-220) mg/l [For water samples]. On the other hand it also noted that the
range of pH value for water samples were (7.7-8.0) It can be seen that the TDS of water samples is high
and varies from (1246-1253) mg/l.
6- The highest value of sulfate as SO3 % is in the range of (0.42-1.81%) for soil and the range of chloride
content is (0.026-0.051) %. Organic matter of soil samples is varied from 0.19 to 0.45 %. On other hand
the TSS and gypsum content were found to vary from 2.68 to 9.14 % and 1.10 to 3.92 %, respectively ,so
the suitable cement should be used in concrete that contact with soil .
7. RECOMMENDATIONS
Study and observing the groundwater table in other seasons of the year to see decline and rise in the study
area also study the movement of groundwater and its direction.
Study of the mineral elements for the study area in the water and soil with possibility of benefit from it as an
economic feasibility after additions.
Work study compared with other areas of Najaf for comparison and definition.
REFERENCES
[1] Al-Kadimi, Jassim, M. Sessecian, F. Kh., Fatah A.S., Deikran, D.B. (1996), "Structural Iraq map, series
geological maps scale (1:1000 000) unpublished, Geological Survey of Iraq.
[2] Al-Sakini, J.A., 1993, New look on the history of old Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, in the light of
Geological Evidences, Recent Archeological Discoveries and Historical Sources, Oil Exploration Co.,
Baghdad, Iraq, 93 pp (in Arabic).
[3] Al-Shakarchi,Y. and N. Al-Mohamadi, (1985) " Foundation Engineering" in Arabic
APPENDIX
Physical properties & field test of soil for. (BH.1)