ArcGIS mapping, characterisations and modelling the physical and mechanical properties of the Sulaimani City soils, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this research is to quantify the research area’s soil characteristics of the study area, Sulaimani City (35°33′26″N 45°26′08″E) and their spatial variation. The data for spatial variability were evaluated using a combination of traditional analytical techniques and geostatistical techniques. This study was focused on the correlations between the physical and mechanical properties and geostatistical analysis of the Sulaimani City soils based on the experimental data and the data obtained from various research studies. The research also worked on explaining the Atterberg limits and the mechanical properties using ArcGIS modelling, such as undrained shear strength of the cylindrical soils. A number of 268 boreholes with the depth up to 6 m underground were drilled and the physical and mechanical properties of the soils were tested and evaluated. Based on more than 1000 data gathered from the literature, the index characteristics, compressibility properties, swelling and compressive strength of the soils were examined and analysed. Sulaimani City undrained shear strength soils ranged from 10 kPa to 119 kPa and were quite accurately quantified as a function of liquid limit, plastic limit, water content and density of the soils using the laboratory data and literature data.

KEYWORDS:

• ArcGIS map
• Atterberg limits
• strength
• statistical analysis
• modelling

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thanks, Ministry of Construction and Housing-Sulaimani Construction Laboratories, CityLab Center, College of Engineering at the University of Sulaimani, and View Pioneer Company for their greatly acknowledged support. In addition, the authors would like to express their gratitude to the CityLab Engineers; Miss Sivan Baker and Miss Didar Shareef for their significant contributions to this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).