Geotechnical problems associated with the white nile alluvium soil

Abstract EN

The study area is a part of White Nile River Basin which is composed of unconsolidated soils of clays, silts, sands and gravels.

Waterberg test showed that, the clayey soils of the White Nile flood plains are predominantly highly plastic swelling dark-grey to grey clays and sandy looms.

Moderately plastic light-grey to light-brown sandy clay which are grade to sandy clays are found to the west of the White Nile at the old river traces and inter-sand dune areas.

The clay's particle size analysis of samples from the surface up to the depth of 30 cm.

shows that clay content ranges between 8-60 %.

These soils show alkaline nature, where the pH ranges from 8-10.at depth of 30-cm.The XRD analysis of some surface samples from the area between EdDueim and Kosti, indicated that, quartz and montmorillonite are dominant and, Kaolinite, mica (muscovite), anchorite, analcites and calcite are present in minor proportions.

Calcium carbonate nodules, calcium sulphate (gypsum) and sodium chloride are very common.