The aim of the current research is to use the ultrasonic wave velocity for assessment of rock competence for pre-foundation study at engineering site near Rawa city. Thirty seven (37) rock samples were gathered from different depths of well drilled at the site. Both compressional and shear waves velocity (Vp and Vs) were measured in the laboratory. To assess the competency of rocks as foundation materials, some geotechnical properties include Poisson’s ratio(σ), Effective angle of internal friction (ϕ), Material index(Im), and Coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest (Ko) were calculated. The results of the study showed that the first layer characterized by incompetent to fairly competent materials, the second layer (Anah Formation) composed of alternation of the moderately competent (limestone) with thin incompetent (fractured coralline limestone) rocks, while the third layer (Baba Formation) which composed of dolamatic limestone characterized by good competent rocks. Depending on above mentioned results, the third layer (Baba Formation) is more suitable as foundation rocks for constructions purposes at the investigated site. The results also confirm that the ultrasonic wave velocity is effective method in evaluating the geotechnical properties of rock in pre-construction works.

The Qamchuqa Formation was studied in Chwarqauran section, Sulaimanyia, Kurdistan region, Northeastern Iraq. The lithology of the formation contains limestone throughout the whole section except for one bed of dolomite at the Middle part. Twenty-four slides were prepared from 24 rock samples that were taken from this section to discriminate the petrography and fossil content. The petrographic study shows four main microfacies including lime mudstone, wackestone, packstone, and floatstone. Additionally, there are four sub microfacies: bioclast wackestone, miliolid wackestone, bioclast packstone and orbitolinid packstone. However, the fossil content shows the abundance of benthic foraminifera against the planktonic. All the microfacies indicate facies zone 7, 8 and 9A which reflect deposition in the platform interior between the tidal flat to the mid ramp and back reef environment

In this study, some physical and mechanical properties of soil samples collected from the campus site of College of Science, University of Diyalahave been evaluated. All laboratory tests were performed according to the standards of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The test results showed that the range of soil water content wwas (13.89%-16.34%) with an average of 15.44%. The specific gravity range was (2.58-2.77) with an average of 2.66. The range of Liquid Limit LL was (26.20-35.20%) with an average of 32.22%.The range of Plastic Limit PL was (18.63-23.24%) with average of 21.06%. The range of Plasticity Index was (7.57-12.42) with an average of 11.61. Based on USCS classifications, the soil can be considered as fine-grained soil type CL (CL is inorganic clay soil of low to medium plasticity). Liquidity Index LI values were ranged from 0.002 to 0.560 while Consistency Index CI ranged from 0.271 to 0.998 indicating a plastic state. The average optimum water OWC content and maximum dry density MDD calculated from Standard Proctor Compaction test were 10.36% and 1.79g/cm3, respectively. Shear test results revealed that the cohesion strength range was (5-10 Kg/m2) with an average of 7.8 Kg/m2, and the angle of internal friction range was (25-30o) with an average of 29.4o. The measured values of angle of internal friction are within the range of CL soil. However, the cohesion strength is relatively low as cohesion of clay soil is affected by different factors such water content and clay content. The compression index derived from consolidation test was ranged from 0.03 to 0.25, and the calculated values of void ratio (0.94-1.04) and porosity (0.48-0.51) are within the range of clay soils. Physical and mechanical properties presented in the current study are useful for future engineering works scheduled at the campus site of College of Science,University of Diyala.