SHALLOW GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR ENGINEERING- GEOLOGICAL PURPOSES AT GEBEL LIBNI CEMENT FACTORY, AL-ARISH AREA, SINAI PENINSULA, EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Associate professor, Geophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Egypt

Abstract

Surface geophysical measurements using shallow seismic refraction and very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) methods have been carried out at a proposed site for construction of Gebel Libni Cement Factory, Sinai, aiming at the evaluation of the geotechnical properties of its soil materials for engineering purposes and the detection of cavernous structures and shallow groundwater. The results of data interpretation provide four-layer soil profile intersected by a NW-SE trending normal fault with a throw toward the southwest. The thickness, seismic velocity and EM equivalent current-density are very variable within each layer. The geotechnical parameters for the first and second layers were also calculated. The soil profile materials are suitable for any kind of constructions, particularly in the southern part of the study area, which is more competent than the northern part. However, the fault trace should not cross any kind of structure, i.e. the load of the engineering structure must be constructed on one side of the fault trace. Neither cavernous structures nor shallow groundwater was observed till 40 m depth range
Keywords: Seismic refraction, VLF-EM, Gebel Libni, Al-Arish, engineering purposes