Site characterization of clay deposits in northeast Nile delta

This paper presents the results of an investigation program conducted at different sites in the northeast region of Nile delta. This area happens to be a priority investment area for the Egyptian government where a number of huge projects are in progress. In situ tests; flat dilatometer (DMT), mechanical cone penetration (CPT), and vane shear (VST), as well as laboratory tests were performed in order to characterize the geotechnical properties of the clay deposits. These properties include soil classification, stress history, and undrained shear strength. The most commonly used correlations of these soil parameters with the in situ testing results are examined in light of direct laboratory measurements. This study emphasizes the key role of in situ tests as rapid and economical profiling tools that are able to provide useful information on a wide range of soil properties. However, the published correlations need always to be validated to suit local soil conditions. It is shown that these correlations mostly do not appear to hold for the investigated region, and hence area-specific correlations instead are developed.