Engineering Geological Characteristics of Soil Materials, East Nile Delta, Egypt
This paper is concerned with the study of mineralogy
and engineering characteristics of soil materials derived from the
eastern part of Nile Delta. The clay minerals of the studied soil by
using X- ray diffraction are mainly illite (average 72.6 %) and
kaolinite (average 2.6 %), expandable portion in illite-smectite mixed
layer (average 7 %). Smectite is more abundant in fluviatile clays,
whereas kaolinite is more abundant in lagoonal clays. On the other
hand, illite and illite-smectite are more abundant in marine clays. The
geotechnical results show that the soil under study consists mainly of
about 0.3 % gravel, 5 % sand, 51.5 % silt and 42.2 % clay in average.
The average shrinkage limit attains 11 % whereas the average value
of the plasticity index is 23.4 %. The free swelling ranges from 40 %
to 75 % and has a value of 55 % giving an indication about the
inadequacy of such soil under foundations.
From a construction point of view, the soil under investigation
poses many problems even under light foundations due to the
swelling and shrinkage. Such swelling and shrinkage is due to the
high content of soil materials in the expandable clay minerals of illite
and smectite. Based on the results of the present and earlier studies,
trial application of soil stabilisation is recommended.
[1] R. Said, "The geological evolution of the Nile River", Springer
Verlag, New Work, 1981, 151 p.
[2] R. Said, "The geology of Egypt", Elsevier, New York, 1962, 377 p.
[3] G. Hemdan, "Personality of Egypt", a study in uniqueness of the
position", Alam El-Kotob, Cairo 1980, 841 p.
[4] H. E. De Wit and L. Van. Stralen, "Preliminary results of the
paleogeographical survey", In E.C.M VAN DEN BRINK (Editor), The
archaeology of the Nile Delta. Wolfkamb, Amesterdam, 1987, pp.135-
139.
[5] T. A. Foucoult and D. J. Stanely, "Late Quaternary paleoclimatic
oscillations in East Africa recorded by heavy minerals in the Nile delta",
Nature, vol. 339, 1989, pp. 44-46.
[6] A. Rizzini, F. Vezzani, V. Cococcetta, and G. Milad, "Stratigraphy and
sedimentation of a Neogene-Quaternary section in the Nile Delta area",
Marine Geology, vol. 27, 1978, pp. 327-348.
[7] D.J. Stanley, A. G. Warne, H. R. Davis, M. P. Bernascone and Z. Chen,
"Nile delta: the late Quaternary evolution of the north - centeral Nile
delta between Manzalla and Burullus lagoons, Egypt", National
Geographic Society, Research and Exploration vol. 8, 1992, pp. 22-51.
[8] Z.M. Zaghloul, M. A. Essawy and El-Sherbini, "Grain size and texture
analysis of the subsurface sediments of Sidi Salim Well NO.1., Nile
Delta", Egypt, Bull. Fac. Sci., No. 4, 1977, pp. 79-98.
[9] A. El-Shahat, A. Mahmoudi, M. El-Gamili, and A. Farid, "Late
Quaternary evolution of the northeastern Nile Delta", The first
International Conference on the Geology of Africa, Assiut, Egypt, vol.,
2, 1999, pp. 61-78.
[10] DIN- Taschenbuch 113, "Erkundung und Untersuchung des Baugrunds,
Bestimmung der Korngrößenverteilung", DIN 18123 (1), Deutsches
Institut f├╝r Normung e.V., Wiesbaden, 1998, pp. 273-284.
[11] DIN- Taschenbuch 113, "Erkundung und Untersuchung des Baugrunds
Bodenklassifikation f├╝r bautechnische Zwecke", DIN 18196, Deutsches
Institut f├╝r Normung e.V., Wiesbaden, 1998, pp. 409-412.
[12] British Standards Institution, "Linear shrinkage", BS 1377, London,
1975, pp. 93-94.
[13] British Standards Institution,"Moisture content and index tests", BS
1377, London, 1975, pp. 50-100.
[14] H. J. Gibbs and W. G. Holtz, "Engineering properties of expansive
clays", Trans., Am. Soc. Civ. Eng.,121 (1), 1956, paper, 2814.
[15] K. Jasmund and G. Lagaly, ÔÇ×Tonminerale und Tone", Darmstadt
(Steinkopff), Germany, 1993, 490 p.
[16] D. M. Moore and R. C. Jr. Reynolds, "X-ray diffraction and the
identification and analysis of clay minerals", New York (Oxford
University Press), 1997, 332 p.
[17] C. E. Weaver, "Dist ribution and identification of mixed-layer clays in
sedimentary rocks", Am. Mineral. , 41, 1956, pp. 202-221.
[18] T. Sato, T. Murakami and T. Watanabi, "Change in layer charge of
smectites and smectite layers in illite/smectite during diagenetic
alternation", Clays and Clay Miner., 44, 1996, pp. 460-469.
[19] J. Srodon, "Nature of mixed-layer clays and mechanism of their
formations and alternation", Annl. Rev. Earth & Planet Sciences, 1999,
27, pp. 19-53.
[20] C. E. Weaver and K. E. Beck, "A discussion of the origin of clay
minerals in sedimentary rocks", Clays and Clay Min., 5, 1971a, pp.159-
173.
[21] C. E. Weaver, and K. E. Beck, "Clay water diagenesis during burial:
how mud becomes grains", Geol. Soc. Amer. Spec., 1971b, pp.134: 96
[22] M. A. El- Askary and O. E. Frihy, "Mineralogy of the subsurface
sediments at Rossetta and Damieta Promontories", Egypt. Bull. Inst.
Oceanogr. & Fish., ARE, 13(2), 1987, pp. 111-120.
[23] A. I. M. Ismail, "Engineering and Petrological Characteristics of Clayey
Silt Soils to be used as Raod Base and their Improvement by Lime and
Cement", PhD Thesis, Technical Unversity of Clausthal, Germany,
ISBN 3-8920-716-8, 2004, 192 p.
[24] F. C. Ugbe, "Basic Engineering Geological Properties of Lateritic Soils
from Western Niger Delta", Research Journal of Environmental and
Earth Sciences 3(5), 2011, pp. 571-577.
[25] F. G. BELL, "The influence of the mineral contents of clays on their
stabilization by cement", Bulletin of the Association of Engineering
Geologists, 13, 1976, pp. 267-278
[1] R. Said, "The geological evolution of the Nile River", Springer
Verlag, New Work, 1981, 151 p.
[2] R. Said, "The geology of Egypt", Elsevier, New York, 1962, 377 p.
[3] G. Hemdan, "Personality of Egypt", a study in uniqueness of the
position", Alam El-Kotob, Cairo 1980, 841 p.
[4] H. E. De Wit and L. Van. Stralen, "Preliminary results of the
paleogeographical survey", In E.C.M VAN DEN BRINK (Editor), The
archaeology of the Nile Delta. Wolfkamb, Amesterdam, 1987, pp.135-
139.
[5] T. A. Foucoult and D. J. Stanely, "Late Quaternary paleoclimatic
oscillations in East Africa recorded by heavy minerals in the Nile delta",
Nature, vol. 339, 1989, pp. 44-46.
[6] A. Rizzini, F. Vezzani, V. Cococcetta, and G. Milad, "Stratigraphy and
sedimentation of a Neogene-Quaternary section in the Nile Delta area",
Marine Geology, vol. 27, 1978, pp. 327-348.
[7] D.J. Stanley, A. G. Warne, H. R. Davis, M. P. Bernascone and Z. Chen,
"Nile delta: the late Quaternary evolution of the north - centeral Nile
delta between Manzalla and Burullus lagoons, Egypt", National
Geographic Society, Research and Exploration vol. 8, 1992, pp. 22-51.
[8] Z.M. Zaghloul, M. A. Essawy and El-Sherbini, "Grain size and texture
analysis of the subsurface sediments of Sidi Salim Well NO.1., Nile
Delta", Egypt, Bull. Fac. Sci., No. 4, 1977, pp. 79-98.
[9] A. El-Shahat, A. Mahmoudi, M. El-Gamili, and A. Farid, "Late
Quaternary evolution of the northeastern Nile Delta", The first
International Conference on the Geology of Africa, Assiut, Egypt, vol.,
2, 1999, pp. 61-78.
[10] DIN- Taschenbuch 113, "Erkundung und Untersuchung des Baugrunds,
Bestimmung der Korngrößenverteilung", DIN 18123 (1), Deutsches
Institut f├╝r Normung e.V., Wiesbaden, 1998, pp. 273-284.
[11] DIN- Taschenbuch 113, "Erkundung und Untersuchung des Baugrunds
Bodenklassifikation f├╝r bautechnische Zwecke", DIN 18196, Deutsches
Institut f├╝r Normung e.V., Wiesbaden, 1998, pp. 409-412.
[12] British Standards Institution, "Linear shrinkage", BS 1377, London,
1975, pp. 93-94.
[13] British Standards Institution,"Moisture content and index tests", BS
1377, London, 1975, pp. 50-100.
[14] H. J. Gibbs and W. G. Holtz, "Engineering properties of expansive
clays", Trans., Am. Soc. Civ. Eng.,121 (1), 1956, paper, 2814.
[15] K. Jasmund and G. Lagaly, ÔÇ×Tonminerale und Tone", Darmstadt
(Steinkopff), Germany, 1993, 490 p.
[16] D. M. Moore and R. C. Jr. Reynolds, "X-ray diffraction and the
identification and analysis of clay minerals", New York (Oxford
University Press), 1997, 332 p.
[17] C. E. Weaver, "Dist ribution and identification of mixed-layer clays in
sedimentary rocks", Am. Mineral. , 41, 1956, pp. 202-221.
[18] T. Sato, T. Murakami and T. Watanabi, "Change in layer charge of
smectites and smectite layers in illite/smectite during diagenetic
alternation", Clays and Clay Miner., 44, 1996, pp. 460-469.
[19] J. Srodon, "Nature of mixed-layer clays and mechanism of their
formations and alternation", Annl. Rev. Earth & Planet Sciences, 1999,
27, pp. 19-53.
[20] C. E. Weaver and K. E. Beck, "A discussion of the origin of clay
minerals in sedimentary rocks", Clays and Clay Min., 5, 1971a, pp.159-
173.
[21] C. E. Weaver, and K. E. Beck, "Clay water diagenesis during burial:
how mud becomes grains", Geol. Soc. Amer. Spec., 1971b, pp.134: 96
[22] M. A. El- Askary and O. E. Frihy, "Mineralogy of the subsurface
sediments at Rossetta and Damieta Promontories", Egypt. Bull. Inst.
Oceanogr. & Fish., ARE, 13(2), 1987, pp. 111-120.
[23] A. I. M. Ismail, "Engineering and Petrological Characteristics of Clayey
Silt Soils to be used as Raod Base and their Improvement by Lime and
Cement", PhD Thesis, Technical Unversity of Clausthal, Germany,
ISBN 3-8920-716-8, 2004, 192 p.
[24] F. C. Ugbe, "Basic Engineering Geological Properties of Lateritic Soils
from Western Niger Delta", Research Journal of Environmental and
Earth Sciences 3(5), 2011, pp. 571-577.
[25] F. G. BELL, "The influence of the mineral contents of clays on their
stabilization by cement", Bulletin of the Association of Engineering
Geologists, 13, 1976, pp. 267-278
@article{"International Journal of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences:52438", author = "A. I. M. Ismail and N. Ryden", title = "Engineering Geological Characteristics of Soil Materials, East Nile Delta, Egypt", abstract = "This paper is concerned with the study of mineralogy
and engineering characteristics of soil materials derived from the
eastern part of Nile Delta. The clay minerals of the studied soil by
using X- ray diffraction are mainly illite (average 72.6 %) and
kaolinite (average 2.6 %), expandable portion in illite-smectite mixed
layer (average 7 %). Smectite is more abundant in fluviatile clays,
whereas kaolinite is more abundant in lagoonal clays. On the other
hand, illite and illite-smectite are more abundant in marine clays. The
geotechnical results show that the soil under study consists mainly of
about 0.3 % gravel, 5 % sand, 51.5 % silt and 42.2 % clay in average.
The average shrinkage limit attains 11 % whereas the average value
of the plasticity index is 23.4 %. The free swelling ranges from 40 %
to 75 % and has a value of 55 % giving an indication about the
inadequacy of such soil under foundations.
From a construction point of view, the soil under investigation
poses many problems even under light foundations due to the
swelling and shrinkage. Such swelling and shrinkage is due to the
high content of soil materials in the expandable clay minerals of illite
and smectite. Based on the results of the present and earlier studies,
trial application of soil stabilisation is recommended.", keywords = "Engineering Geological Investigations, Nile Delta,
Swelling, Shrinkage", volume = "6", number = "5", pages = "247-6", }
