Correlation between soil physical parameters and the dynamic resistance in Penka-Michel (Western Cameroon) and its surroundings.

Abstract

Abstract Proper foundation design will first of all entail a site investigation to obtain the relevant parameters to proceed with the design. A mathematical model was developed to determine the dynamic resistance of the soils of Penka-Michel and its surroundings using the Dynamic Light Probe (DLP) from soil physical parameters. Field investigations reveal the soils were predominantly fine-grained soils with modest dynamic resistance values. The results of the identification tests allowed them to be classified as plastic clay soils (A3) in the GTR classification system. According to the Unified Soil Classification System, the soils studied belong mainly to the classes of very plastic clays and silts (CH and MH), as well as clayey sands (SC) and low plasticity silt (ML). Correlation analysis carried out between dynamic resistance and physical characteristics showed significant correlations between dynamic resistance and the water content (ω) on one hand and between dynamic resistance and porosity (n) on the other. In this analysis, the quadratic model gave strong coefficients of determination (R2) equal to 0.76 and 0.74 for Pearson's correlation coefficients (R) equal to -0.76 and − 0.83 respectively between the relationships cited. These coefficients showed that dynamic resistance, water content (ω) and porosity (n) are well correlated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The mathematical model developed from these physical characteristics is given as: \({Q_d}_{{_{{\exp }}}}=8.86 - 0.34\omega - 1.75n+0.72\omega n - 29.46{n^2}\). This model can be used to determine the dynamic resistance of the soils of Penka-Michel and its surrounding, providing estimates for an informed foundation design.