Abstract
Marls and marly limestone deposits cover most of Northern Jordan, where Amman City and its suburbs are located. These deposits serve as foundations for most buildings and roads as well as fill material for structural back filling, especially road bases and sub-bases. The present study aims at investigating the geotechnical characteristics and mineral composition of the marl units of these deposits through field investigations and laboratory testing. Using X-ray diffraction technique along with chemical analysis, representative samples of marl horizons were tested for mineral composition, and for a set of index and geotechnical properties including: specific gravity, grain size, Atterberg limits, Proctor compaction and shear strength properties. The test results show a positive linear relationship as expected between the clay content and both liquid and plastic limits. The tests results also show an inverse linear relationship between the clay content and the maximum dry density in both standard and modified compaction. This is attributed to the adsorption of water by the clay minerals. The relationship is more prominent in the case of modified compaction test. The results also indicate a similar relationship for the angle of internal friction. No clear correlation between cohesion and clay content was apparent.
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The authors thank the University of Jordan for supporting and financing the project. No. 34/2003–2004.
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Shaqour, F.M., Jarrar, G., Hencher, S. et al. Geotechnical and mineralogical characteristics of marl deposits in Jordan. Environ Geol 55, 1777–1783 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1128-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1128-5