GEOTECHNICAL EVALUATION OF THE FOUNDATION BEDS AT NORTHERN GALALA PLATEAU, EASTERN DESERT, EGYPT

Abstract

Geotechnical parameters are essential during the planning framework and site evaluation for engineering structure purposes. Hence, geotechnical evaluation of the foundation beds was carried out at the eastern side of the Northern Galala Plateau (Ain Sukhna area). This area is currently being subjected to intense new urban development, particularly along the coastal area. The Paleozoic strata of Aheimer Formation are the target for sample collection as they represent the foundation beds for several civil structures in the study area. This formation is made up mainly of varicoloured sandstone, mudstone, shale, and claystone beds that intercalated with quartzite interbeds. The physical, geotechnical, and mechanical properties of each foundation bed were measured and interpreted. The measured geotechnical parameters indicate that the mudstone and claystone samples have low to medium plasticity, in semi-plastic solid or solid-state, and are considered as very stiff clays and stiff consistency. The swelling potentiality of the studied samples varies from low to medium potential. The strength of quartzite lenses ranges from strong to very strong, while other sandstone layers range from moderately weak to strong. Consequently, the massive sandstone layers represent good rock layers as a foundation bed. However, other rock layers including the semi-friable sandstone, shale, mudstone, and claystone beds considered as a poor rock and cannot be used as foundation beds without geotechnical enhancements.