Date Published:

Abstract:

Prediction of soil swelling characteristics and accurate quality estimation can be of a great consideration and contribution regarding the site stability. Any concerned investigation is correspondingly an advanced priority for the project realization. Related inquiries allow potential reduction concerning financial and technical charges damage prior to any urban development. The determination of soil characteristics lead for a better recognition, and allow to make the best choice of foundation type adopted for each site. Thus, in any urban case study, much gain can be made by team work recording and surveying the related data. In the considered city of El Kouif, located in Tebessa (Algeria), several buildings have been mainly built on expansive soils. Observations indicate different severe damages which were caused mostly in the nearby structures. These damages are characterized by deflection and failure of walls. Lateral and vertical displacements evidences support the presence of shear movements and subsidence. The scale up of these movements occurrence can reach millimetric shifting dimension. Ground and subsurface risk activity affecting El Kouif city site are also related to the presence of destructive chemical components such as sulfates. The sulfate occurrence is illustrated through generally gypsum minerals concentration present in the concerned soil. During building projects, these soils, in meeting concrete and in presence of water, are source of new mineral generation such as ettringite. It consists on the assemblage of water and sulfate in addition to calcium. Source for these chemical products expansion might be associated to historical event: the city of El Kouif was the field of phosphates mining area in addition to established phosphate extraction plant. Thus, determination of soil characteristics and involvement of chemical components turn out to be the main objectives in this investigation.