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Dear Mr.Khalil,
This report discusses the findings of a geotechnical study carried out at the
site of a proposed construction of two new cities, namely Jaber Al Ahmed and
Northwest Slubikhat.
Foundations
Given the very loose nature and excessive thickness of silt deposits
throughout the site, this precludes the use of conventional strip footings and
spread footings for the proposed structures. The loose silty sand strata can
offer only marginal allowable bearing capacity and the anticipated total and
differential settlements may exceed the permissible criteria of the future
villas and buildings.
Allowable bearing capacity values in the order of 200 kpa to 250 kpa can
usually be achieved by the dynamic compaction method for loose silty soils
as those found at the site.
Consolidation settlement is related to the clayey silt layers which were found
at deeper heights and is more a long-term one, given the impermeable
nature of such deposits. The placement of granular filled pillars shall
accelerate consolidation of these soft layers. An adequate time should be
given for these layers to be properly consolidated prior to the
commencement of construction. In general, 30-45 days are given prior to
construction in order to avoid excessive settlements of the anticipated
foundations.
Preloading
Materials used to create a platform layer shall meet the required criteria, as
stated by Kuwait Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW):
The thickness of the platform will depend on the groundwater level. The
elevation of the platform should have a minimum elevation of 1.5 – 1.7 m
above the final elevation of the water table, as revealed in the borehole logs.
The following scheme shows a typical platform layer that was put in place
after removing approximately 0.5 m of top soil and organic material. Taking
a random borehole log JBH-151, where the final water table was found at
1.17m, Hence:
1.17 – 0.5 = 0.67m 0.67m represents the depth of the water table after
removal of top soil.
1.7 – 0.67m = 1.03m this number represents the thickness of the platform
needed to keep a distance of 1.7 between the platform elevation and the
final water level.
New Ground Level
dmax = n (WH)0.5
Where:
The PAHW recommends the n value = 0.4 for the entire site. However, it is
important to mention that this factor should be subject to variation
depending on the type of soil layer encountered during dynamic compaction.
We trust that this preliminary report meets with your present requirements.
A final and detailed geotechnical report shall be handed in the upcoming
week. Please do not hesitate to contact me should any questions arise.