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Geotechnical characterization and statistical evaluation of alluvial soils of Lahore

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Abstract

Data visualization and use of statistics resulting into reliable databases could minimize uncertainty and optimize decision making in terms of both time and resources. Accordingly, this study presents a comprehensive geotechnical database of soil types found in Lahore division, which consists of four important districts of Punjab province, namely, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Nankana-Sahib. Data from 584 geotechnical investigation sites have been collected and analyzed that comprised of 433 sites for Lahore, 57 sites for Sheikhupura, 53 sites for Nankana Sahib, and 41 sites for Kasur District. The data is analyzed digitally and classification of areas into various zones based on standard penetration test results, which have been transformed into digitized geotechnical maps using ArcGIS package. To ensure repeatability and enhanced rigor, the data have been properly evaluated using methods of descriptive and inferential statistics to give the geotechnical designer a confidence to select appropriate SPT-N value while evaluating soil strength in a specific zone. The outcome of this study validated using tools of statistical analysis shall help practicing engineers to carry out prompt preliminary estimation of bearing capacity and other geotechnical parameters with reasonable reliability for foundation design considerations and planning the scope of geotechnical investigations for a site. The foundation design curves for both isolated and raft footings have been presented for the study area to demonstrate the practical utility of this study.

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Abbreviations

\({q}_{a}\) :

Allowable bearing capacity (kPa)

\({\mathrm{q}}_{\mathrm{o}}\) :

Intensity of contact pressure (kPa)

\(c\) :

Soil’s cohesion (kPa)

\(q\) :

Effective overburden pressure (kPa)

\(\gamma\) :

Unit weight of soil (kN/m3)

\(B\) :

Foundation width (m)

\({N}_{c}\),\({N}_{q},\) and \({N}_{\gamma }\) :

Bearing capacity factors for cohesion, overburden pressure, and unit weight, respectively

\({s}_{c}, {s}_{q}, \mathrm{and }{s}_{\gamma }\) :

Shape factors for cohesion, overburden pressure and unit weight, respectively

\({d}_{c}, {d}_{q}, \mathrm{and} {d}_{\gamma }\) :

Depth factors for cohesion, overburden pressure, and unit weight, respectively

\({i}_{c}, {i}_{q},\) and \({i}_{\gamma }\) :

Inclination factors for cohesion, overburden pressure, and unit weight, respectively

\({g}_{c}, {g}_{q}, \mathrm{and }{g}_{\gamma }\) :

Ground factors (based on slope) for cohesion, overburden pressure, and unit weight, respectively

b c, b q \({\mathrm{and }b}_{\gamma }\) :

Base factors (tilted base) for cohesion, overburden pressure, and unit weight, respectively

\(\Delta \mathrm{H}\) :

Settlement (mm)

\(\upmu\) :

Poisson’s ratio (elastic soil parameter)

Es :

Stress-strain modulus (kPa)

m:

Number of corners contributing to settlement

\({\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{s}}\) :

Steinbrenner influence factor

\({\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{F}}\) :

Influence factor at footing depth

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Civil Engineering Department, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan, especially the geotechnical engineering division, for rendering their assistance, guidance, information, and support. Miscellaneous support from Hengshan Research Scholar Program of Ningxia University, China, is also acknowledged. In this study, the data and the information have been reported for educational purposes and bear no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Engineering Department (HUD&PHED), Government of Punjab, Lahore, 54890, Punjab, Pakistan

    Hassaan Ullah Khan

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, Lahore, 54890, Punjab, Pakistan

    Imtiaz Rashid

  3. Helanshan Research Scholar, Institute of Solid Mechanics, School of Physics and Elecronic-Electrical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China

    Jahanzaib Israr

  4. Department Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, Lahore, 54890, Pakistan

    Jahanzaib Israr

  5. School of Civil and Hydraulics Engineering, University of Ningxia, Yinchuan, China

    Gang Zhang

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  1. Hassaan Ullah Khan
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  2. Imtiaz Rashid
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Correspondence to Jahanzaib Israr.

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Responsible Editor: Zeynal Abiddin Erguler

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Khan, H., Rashid, I., Israr, J. et al. Geotechnical characterization and statistical evaluation of alluvial soils of Lahore. Arab J Geosci 15, 845 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10154-x

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