Summary
The stratigraphy, geomorphological evolution and physical and chemical properties of the various geological units forming the foundations to the £232 million Dubai Dry Dock are presented. The investigations confirm the existence of weaker, silty gypsiferous palaeosabkha and lagoonal deposits within the more typical Miliolite Sandstone, a cemented aeolian carbonate sandstone of Pleistocene age. The distribution and engineering significance of the weaker, gypsiferous layers are described in relation to the construction of the dock floor and settlement of a few caissons adjacent to the sea.
This paper outlines selected remote sensing techniques and their application to civil engineering surveys.In BS 5930, emphasis has been placed on the interpretation of black and white aerial photography to provide information. However, other techniques such as true colour and false colour infra-red photography, thermal infra-red, radar and landsat satellite imagery may be useful in appropriate applications.
Procedures of site investigation included in BS 5930:1981 concentrate on obtaining information on ground conditions near proposed structures. Groundwater flow paths, however, are often influenced by hydrogeological conditions well beyond the area and tracer tests have been found a useful addition to investigations.Different types of groundwater tracers are described and their uses in establishing groundwater flow paths and other hydrogeological characteristics of some regimes are outlined. Precautions are always necessary when using tracers, however, and these are especially stringent with radioactive tracers. The paper shows how groundwater tracers were employed in investigations of landslips, waste disposal studies and other investigations with which the authors have been involved.The paper concludes that the specification of standard procedures for tracer tests is probably not appropriate but reference to the techniques available would be useful in promoting their application.
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