TITLE:
Geotechnical Investigations of Sub-Grade Soils at the Connector Road, New Tiba City, Luxor, Egypt
AUTHORS:
Hesham A. H. Ismaiel
KEYWORDS:
Proctor Density, California Bearing Ratio, Swelling
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Geology,
Vol.8 No.12,
November
29,
2018
ABSTRACT: The presented study dealt with geotechnical investigations on the sub-grade soils along the connector road between the electrical transformer station and the industrial city, New Tiba city, Luxor, to classify these soils and to examine their geotechnical behavior and their proportionality for constructing the road at the study area. One of the most important aims of this work was to determine the problematic sub-grade soils and to recommend the suitable reclamation. To achieve these goals sixty disturbed samples from six mechanical wash drilling boreholes and three undisturbed samples from three open pits were collected. The studied soils were belonged to Quaternary age. Gradation parameters (coefficient of uniformity, Cu and coefficient of concavity, Cc), plasticity, California bearing ratio (CBR), proctor density and free swelling percent of the studied soils were measured. PH-value, dissolved chloride, dissolved sulfate, calcium carbonate, total carbonate, and total dissolved salts were determined. The results pointed that the studied Quaternary soils along the study road were mainly composed of gravels, sands and clayey sands. The studied gravels were classified as poorly graded gravels (GP) according to Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and as A-1-b according to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official (AASHTO). The studied sands were classified as well graded sands (SW) according to USCS and as A-1-a according to AASHTO. The results showed also that the sub-grades at boreholes no. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were excellent to good and the sub-grade at boreholes no. 2 was fair to poor. Free swelling percent of the studied clayey sand soils was ranging from 30% to 80% and they were classified as low to medium grade expansive soil. Replacement and/or chemical stabilization (using lime and/or cement kiln dust) of the problematic clayey sands soils were suggested to reduce their swelling and to prevent the possible heave.