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Geotechnical Zonation and Vs30 Classification of Soil for Seismic Site Effects Evaluation in the Western Extension of New Aswan City, Egypt

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Abstract

The Egyptian government has been constructing several new cities in recent years to accommodate the rapidly growing population. One of these cities is located in the western extension of New Aswan City. The primary goal of this study is to identify the dynamic engineering properties of underlying rocks by analysis of compressional and shear-wave velocities. Additionally, the Vs30 for site classification has been estimated to delineate the potential likely causes of structural building damages. Engineering features and several significant elastic moduli were assessed. The proposed site consists of two geoseismic units: the upper layer is composed of gravel, friable sands, and sandstone in some places, while the second layer is characterized by stiff sandstone with clay intercalations. They are low- to high-competence rock, respectively. By applying the NEHRP’s guidelines, Vs30 was estimated for near-surface geologic units. Consequently, the defined site was split into two categories: type C, which describes the major part of the area, and class B (rigid rock). In addition, to evaluate the site effects, the soil amplification and site natural period have been estimated to avoid any probable impact of the interactions between the soil and structure. The soil conditions of the study area tend to form a possible danger for one to three story structures during any possible earthquake. In conclusion, the estimated geotechnical characteristics and site classification principally act as a key for seismic site evaluation,  which will utilize as input parameters for civil construction purposes.

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Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

The National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics provided financial support for the authors to complete this work, for which they are extremely thankful. We also express our gratitude to the workers of the Aswan Regional Earthquake Research Center for their assistance in data collection. Our gratitude extends to the Editor of the Pure and Applied Geophysics Journal and to the unknown reviewers for their valuable comments which improved the final shape of the research.

Funding

The National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) in Cairo, Egypt, has financed this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt

    Ahmed M. Meneisy

  2. National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Helwan, Egypt

    Ahmed Hamed, Mohamed Khalifa, Mohamed El Bohoty, Essam Ghamry & Ayman Taha

  3. Aswan Regional Earthquake Research Center, Aswan, Egypt

    Ahmed Hamed

  4. Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Ahmed M. Meneisy

  5. Department of Mathematics and Geosciences, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy

    Ahmed Hamed

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  1. Ahmed M. Meneisy
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Contributions

All researchers were involved in the conceptualization and design of the study. AMM, AH, MK, MEB, EG and AT were in charge of the preparation of the material and the data collecting. However, AH and MK were responsible for the data analysis and first draft of the paper, and all researchers offered feedback on earlier drafts. The final draft was read by all authors before its approval.

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Correspondence to Ahmed Hamed.

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The authors do not have any material financial or non-financial interests to disclose. However, the financing was solely provided by our institute, NRIAG, in Cairo, Egypt.

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Meneisy, A.M., Hamed, A., Khalifa, M. et al. Geotechnical Zonation and Vs30 Classification of Soil for Seismic Site Effects Evaluation in the Western Extension of New Aswan City, Egypt. Pure Appl. Geophys. 180, 3813–3833 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-023-03370-3

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