Author(s)

Khaleel Hussain^1*, Dou Bin^1*, Javid Hussain², Syed Yasir Ali Shah¹, Hadi Hussain³, Altaf Hussain³, Sadam Hussain³

¹Geological Resources and Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China.
²Geological Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China.
³Oil and Gas Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China.

The most important aspect of every civil engineering project is acquiring reliable information on the ground on which the project will be constructed. This research includes a site investigation, which is seen as a primary stage in gathering geological, geotechnical, and other essential engineering data for structures’ safe and cost-effective design. Five boreholes at well-spaced spots were drilled for subsurface investigation at a maximum depth of 15 m to 30 m. The standard penetration tests (SPT) were performed at different depths, soil samples were taken at various intervals, and lithological changes were observed. The friction angle was between 19.6º and 33.03º, whereas the cohesion ranges between 0.25 kg/cm² and 0.42 kg/cm², indicating a strong resistance to shearing and a high capacity to sustain the load. Furthermore, the soil samples’ maximum dry density ranges from 1.63 g/cm³ to 1.80 g/cm³. In addition, water table depths were recorded from 6.0 m to 7.0 m. The net bearing capacity for isolated/pad foundation at a depth of 1.5 m to 2.5 m below the ground level has been calculated as 95.0 to 120.0 kPa and 120.0 to 180.0 kPa for raft foundation. The net allowable pressure settlement limits for isolated/pad and raft foundations are 25 mm (1-inch) and 50 mm (2-inches), respectively. The investigation has found no severe geological flaws on the proposed construction site, and therefore it is appropriate for the construction of an Air Separation Unit (ASU) Oxygen Plant.

Geotechnical Properties, Subsurface Profile, Water Conditions, SPT, Bearing Capacity, Foundation

Hussain, K. , Bin, D. , Hussain, J. , Shah, S. , Hussain, H. , Hussain, A. and Hussain, S. (2022) Engineering Geological and Geotechnical Investigations for Design of Oxygen Plant. International Journal of Geosciences, 13, 303-318. doi: 10.4236/ijg.2022.134016.