Geophysical site assessment of an active urban development site, South Eastern Suburb of Cairo, Egypt

Medhat, N. I.; Atya, M.; Ragab, E. A.; El-Kenawy, A. A.; Abdel Zaher, M.; Pringle, Jamie

Abstract

There has been significant structural damage of newly-built residential buildings in Quarter-27 District in the South of Cairo, Egypt. The proximity of an active limestone quarry may also be affecting ground stability. This paper shows how a near-surface geophysics survey could characterize the site, unusually after the initial housing construction had already been undertaken. Geophysical surveys included seismic refraction (acquired between phases of quarry blasting), electrical resistivity and ground penetrating radar 1D and 2D datasets. Geophysical results produced maps of a 3D ground model that also included water table depth, known major faults and a saturated layer that may have caused the building damage. ERT and GPR data was deemed optimal of the geophysical techniques trialled. This study shows that it is possible to undertake geophysical surveys to characterize a restricted urban site development.

Citation

Medhat, N. I., Atya, M., Ragab, E. A., El-Kenawy, A. A., Abdel Zaher, M., & Pringle, J. (2020). Geophysical site assessment of an active urban development site, South Eastern Suburb of Cairo, Egypt. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 54(1), Article ARTN qjegh2018-151. https://doi.org/10.1144/qjegh2018-151

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 22, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jun 1, 2020
• Publication Date: Jul 15, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: May 26, 2023
• Journal: Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
• Print ISSN: 1470-9236
• Publisher: The Geological Society
• Volume: 54
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: ARTN qjegh2018-151
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1144/qjegh2018-151
• Publisher URL: https://qjegh.lyellcollection.org/content/early/2020/05/27/qjegh2018-151/tab-article-info