Advanced Applied Geology

Advanced Applied Geology

Analyze the settlement and collapse of gypsum soils by PLT test, in Masjid Soleyman petrochemical

Authors
Mohammad Hossein Jowkar 1
Mashalah Khamehchiyan 2
Mohammad Reza Nikudel 2
1 Engineering Geology Dep., Faculty of Basic Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University
2 Engineering Geology Dep. - Faculty of Basic Sciences - Tarbiat Modares University
10.22055/aag.2025.49740.2516
Abstract
Due to the complexity of gypsum soils' geotechnical behavior, research in this area has been significantly lagging behind that on other problematic soils, with studies often relying on artificially created soil samples. While these types of studies provide controlled conditions, they may not accurately represent the complexities and diversity of natural gypsum soils that are common on Earth's surface. Therefore, in this research utilized in-situ PLT testing to examine the settlement and collapse behavior of gypsum soils at Masjed Soleyman Petrochemical site under dry and saturated conditions. The results indicated under saturated conditions, the behavior of these soil types over human time influenced by various factors, including soil class, void ratio, Atterberg limits, gypsum and carbonate content, soil compaction, water presence, and initial degree of saturation, it is driven from a solubilizing state to a collapsing, and the cement that holds the soil particles together destroyed, resulting in soil settlement and collapse. So that in this region, the soil most susceptible to collapse and settlement is silt soil with gypsum, which has 78% coarse particles (silt and sand), an initial degree of saturation and a liquid limit is 13 and 41%, respectively, and is affected by the natural leaching process (infiltration process or changes in groundwater levels) its initial void ratio reached above 60%. In addition, when encountering gypsum layers, it's also essential to consider not only groundwater level maps, but also the groundwater flow direction map and the compaction of the geological layers in the area.
Keywords
Gypsum soil
settlement
collapse
leaching
Masjed Soleyman petrochemical plant
Subjects
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Advanced Applied Geology
Volume 15, Issue 3
Autumn 2025
Pages 115-141