Significance of In-Situ and Laboratory Tests for Design of Foundations in Granular Carbonate Soils

Abstract

Various in situ and laboratory tests that have been used to study the behavior and engineering characteristics of granular carbonate sediments are described and evaluated. Based on success or failure of these different test procedures (in terms of foundation performance) in situ and laboratory tests are recommended to make future geotechnical investigations in these soils more cost effective while meetin8 the technical demands of designing foundations in a material that is not well understood. Such standardization schemes will lead to significant improvements in soil characterization procedures and ultimately pave the way for improved foundation design methods. It is hoped that this will lead to development of rational geotechnical investigation programs rather than the arbitrary selection of tests and test procedures which may not always be appropriate.