Geotechnical and Geophysical Assessment of the Soil Layers of the Missan Combined-Cycle Power Plant Project

Abstract

This study investigated the geotechnical and geophysical properties of the soil layers at the Missan combined-cycle power plant in Iraq. The data from 69 boreholes, including physical and chemical soil properties, were analyzed. The soil is primarily classified as silty clay with moderate to high plasticity, with some sandy layers. Since the Missan governorate is located in a seismically active region represented by the Iraq–Iran border, a study on the seismic properties of the site is also performed. Seismic downhole tests were conducted to determine wave velocities and dynamic moduli. The site was classified as soft clay soil according to FEMA and Eurocode 8 standards. Correlations for the physical and dynamic soil properties were evaluated. The correlations were executed via regression statistical analysis via Microsoft Excel software (2013). The results of the correlation equations and the coefficient of correlation R2 show that the physical correlations were considered medium to good correlations, whereas the dynamic soil correlations were perfectly correlated such that the R2 values were close to 1. This paper provides comprehensive data and soil property correlations, which can be valuable for future construction projects in the Missan area and similar geological formations.