Early Applications of DMT in Arabian Gulf Area – Three Case Studies

DMT was used for three main applications in famous projects in Dubai, UAE and in Duqm Port in Sultanate of Oman in the Arabian Gulf. The 1^st two applications were conducted in man-made sandy earthfill embankments formed by dredging from the sea bed and stabilized by deep ground improvement. The recent correlations of S. Marchetti to incorporate the DMT stress history parameter K_D for CPT-based CRR was used to confirm post-compaction CPT-based liquefaction analysis in the Duqm Site, whereas DMT was used in Dubai site to confirm the over consolidated nature of upper sandy fill soil that was previously Vibro-Compacted (8–10 years). On the other hand, the design of large diameter flexible steel oil storage tanks is based on controlled & strict, edge settlement requirements. Without DMT, the estimates of soil modulus are made based on SPT or CPT tests resulting in conservative estimates, and suggesting the need for deep ground densification/improvement. Site specific correlation was developed for a large site between DMT based M and CPT tip resistance (qc) indicating at least 50% increase over the CPT based M.