Integrated Geotechnical Analysis of Allophanic Volcanic Ash Soils: SDMT and Laboratory Perspectives
Source abstract
Abstract
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/m3), high plasticity, and SUCS (OH) classification are typical of soft soils, with an effective friction angle (ɸ’CD) of 25.5° to 30° and effective cohesion (c’CD) 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 × 10−7 and 3 × 10−8 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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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Geotechnical and construction materials studies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Laboratory of Materials Resistance, Soil Mechanics, Pavements and Geotechnics, Faculty of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito 170143, Ecuador
Multidisciplinary Engineering Research Hub, International Faculty of Innovation PUCE-Icam, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito 170143, Ecuador
Funding
Eddy Sanchez · PUCE
References (47)
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