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A review on the impact of salinity on foundation soil of coastal infrastructures and its implications to north of Red Sea coastal constructions

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Abstract

The present paper summarizes previous studies on the characteristics and soil properties of Red Sea water and how it is impacting civil engineering infrastructures; the review also looks at various geotechnical parameters. Seawater may have negative effects on soil as well as on infrastructures such as airports, seaports, highways, and buildings. The average value of salinity (psu) is 40.60 ± 0.10 with significant positive or negative differences among years, months, and depths. However, along the northern coast of the Red Sea, turbidity is in the range of 1 to 3 Formazin Nephelometric Units (FNU). Moreover, while surface average pH is 8.1 ± 0.02 during winter, higher values occur in the north due to lower temperatures. Similarly, during the summer, average Red Sea surface pH is 8.07 ± 0.03, with higher values occurring in the north due to temperature differences. The water pH at Gulf of Aqaba fluctuates around 8.3. The mean value of Red Sea temperature is 27.88 ± 2.14 °C. The average value of dissolved oxygen is 6.77 ± 0.41 mg/L. During the present work, the geotechnical parameters are investigated. In general, salts decrease the plasticity index, soil compressibility, swelling characteristics, and optimum moisture content while increasing the permeability, maximum dry density, shear strength, and bearing capacity of soil.

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Funding

This work was funded (S-1439-0207) by the University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The authors thank specially the Deanship of scientific research at University of Tabuk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tabuk, P.O. Box 741, Tabuk, 71491, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammed B. D. Elsawy & Abderrahim Lakhouit

  2. Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Aswan, Aswan, Egypt

    Mohammed B. D. Elsawy

Authors
  1. Mohammed B. D. Elsawy
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  2. Abderrahim Lakhouit
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Correspondence to Abderrahim Lakhouit.

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Responsible Editor: Zeynal Abiddin Erguler

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Elsawy, M.B.D., Lakhouit, A. A review on the impact of salinity on foundation soil of coastal infrastructures and its implications to north of Red Sea coastal constructions. Arab J Geosci 13, 555 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05601-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05601-6

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