ENGINEERING GEOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE AIN SUKHNA AREA, EASTERN DESERT, EGYPT

Abstract

The present work comprises geological and engineering geological studies carried out at the Ain Sukhna area which lies in the eastern side of the Northern Galala Plateau. The coastal strip of this area is currently subjected to intense constructions representing the most promising new urbanized area. The studies comprise the delineation of geomorphological, lithostratigraphical, structural, and geotechnical characteristics of the study area as well as the stability of the existing rock cut slopes. Moreover, several samples of different lithologies were collected from the foundation bed in the northeastern part of the study area that belongs to the Paleozoic age. These samples were subjected to laboratory testing to determine the geotechnical characteristics.

Geomorphologically, the high-land of the study area is represented by the Northern Galala Plateau, while the low-land area comprises the coastal plain along the Gulf of Suez including alluvial fans. The intermediate area between high- and low-lands is a slope area represented by the eastern scarp of the Northern Galala Plateau. The slopes range from steep to gentle with several slope breaks along the slope profile.