Gypseous considered as problematic soils also gypseous soils are distributed all over the world, as well as in large areas of Iraq, including Al- Najaf city. Gypseous soils are characterized by high strength in dry conditions, but they collapse due to water infiltration process under constant head conditions. In this research, a field study investigates gypseous soils and the effect of soaked state on the bearing capacity and settlement of the gypseous soils are investigated. A site with a high percentage of gypsum (about 25%) was selected to perform plate load tests. The test was carried out in a natural and soaked state on the gypseous soils by plate load test with time-dependent. The results show the ultimate bearing capacity of gypseous soil from plate load test are decrease under the soaking condition and maximum settlement increase. The angle of internal friction (ø) of gypseous soil we obtained from the direct shear test is 47.620 for natural soil. The ultimate bearing capacity of gypseous soil was calculated from the Terzaqhi’s equation and the high difference between field tests and theoretical results.

Ignition of waste paper sludge at elevated temperatures to produce electricity in power generation plants utilizing fluidized bed combustion generates paper sludge ash. Due to the high concentration of lime and gelignite in paper sludge ash, it is expected that it will play a vital role as a cementitious material. This paper investigates the use of paper sludge ash to improve the mechanical properties of the granular materials, which are suitable to subbase course for road and building constructions. Also, a comparison study with the use of Portland cement as an additive to granular materials has been covered. The mechanical properties were evaluated by conducting the California bearing ratio test for the two adopted methods. Moreover, the compressive strength of the samples using paper sludge ash and cement are investigated. In accordance to the California bearing ratio test, 4% paper sludge ash was indicated as the optimum ash content at which the California bearing ratio value increased by 173% and 111% in comparison with untreated material and 6% cement, respectively. On the other hand, and by means of the compressive strength, the granular materials with 4% paper sludge ash has compressive strength higher than those with 6% cement.

The study includes analysis of Al – Samaraie Hospital raft foundation by the finite element method (FEM) using program package Fear 4.0. The analysis conducted on the foundation is resting on infinite, homogeneous, isotropic soil. In this study, effect of raft thickness, soil properties, modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio of soil are investigated. The most dominant parameters such as thickness of raft foundation, modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio of soil are graphically plotted against maximum displacements, maximum positive and negative bending moments (Mx, My and Mxy). The results showed that raft thickness and soil properties play a vital role in changing the values of maximum positive and negative moments (Mx, My) and maximum displacements, while their effect on maximum positive and negative moment (Mxy) can be considered as insignificant. Also, empirical equations have been developed to calculate maximum positive and negative bending moment (Mx, My) and maximum displacements beneath the raft. This is performed by the aid of statistical program (Statistic). The accuracy of the proposed equations was ranging between 92.7% and 99.9%.

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The Great Mosque of Kufa, built in 639 CE and located in Al-Kufa, Iraq, is considered one of the most important mosques in the Islamic world. Because cracks appeared in the historical walls of the Al-Kufa Mosque during the construction of the Muslim Bin Aqeel Underpass, the values and locations of bending moment and shear force may be useful for wall maintenance. So, this study aims to determine the maximum and minimum values and locations of settlement, bending moment, and shear forces under the mosque walls’ foundations. Historical references are used to know the previous architectures of the mosque. Also, archaeological investigation reports are adopted to find out the characteristics of the foundations like their dimensions, depths, and materials. Soil investigation reports are used to know the soil layer’s properties and parameters. For non-mentioned soil parameters in soil investigation reports, they are determined depending on the theoretical equations, charts, statistical correlations, and models. A model of soil layers, foundations, and walls is conducted and analyzed using finite element software to determine the deformations of soil layers under the mosque’s brick foundations and walls. According to the analysis, maximum bending moment and shear force were found under the minaret near the Al-Thuaban gate.