Integrated Geotechnical Analysis of Allophanic Volcanic Ash Soils: SDMT and Laboratory Perspectives
The geological study area is volcano-tectonic in nature. Microscopic observations and mineralogical analyses revealed the presence of allophane and diatom clusters whose mineral compositions coincided with weathered andesites and dacites. Edometric consolidation tests showed a high porosity and a re...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1386 |
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| Summary: | The geological study area is volcano-tectonic in nature. Microscopic observations and mineralogical analyses revealed the presence of allophane and diatom clusters whose mineral compositions coincided with weathered andesites and dacites. Edometric consolidation tests showed a high porosity and a reduction in the void ratio by up to five times. These are highly compressible soils with a Cc/Cs ratio of 12 to 15 and a specific gravity (Gs) of 2.4. Low initial bulk density (1.10 Mg/m<sup>3</sup>), high plasticity, and SUCS (OH) classification are typical of soft soils, with an effective friction angle (ɸ’C<sub>D</sub>) of 25.5° to 30° and effective cohesion (c’<sub>CD</sub>) of 11.90 to 47.27 KPa. The shear wave velocity for the first 10 m (Vs10) on average ranged from 78 m/s to 120 m/s, whereas that for the first 30 m (Vs30) was 169 m/s. The permeability, which was calculated indirectly, was between 2 × 10<sup>−7</sup> and 3 × 10<sup>−8</sup> m/s. With an organic matter content between 5% and 25%, the Caupicho soil is an organic mineral sediment that is not considered peat (non-peat). The results of this study serve as a basis for future analyses of soil dynamics, bearing capacity, and consolidation settlements in the medium and long term in an area of high urban growth in southern Quito, Ecuador. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-3417 |