Authors : M.A.M. Ez Eldin , Tang Huiming and N.H. Bahwi
Abstract: This study has been devoted to calculate the ultimate bearing capacity of teschenite-gabbro and sandstone rock foundation situated at Sennar Proposed Hydroelectric Power (PHP) site, at Sennar Dam, eastern bank, down stream, 350 km south of Khartoum. For this study, Terzaghi and Meyerhof equations were used, geological fieldwork and geophysical investigations, geotechnical properties, elastic moduli, hydraulic conductivity, Rock Quality Designation (RQD) were determined and drilling and laboratory testing of rock samples were carried out. The estimated values of the ultimate bearing capacity of the teschenite-gabbro to depth of 10 m are 2578 kN m 2 and 2417 kN m 2 according to Terzaghi and Meyerhof equations, respectively. The ultimate bearing capacity of the sandstone to the same depth are 1090 KN m 2 and 1096 KN m 2, corresponding to Terzaghi and Meyerhof equations, respectively. Up to about D = B Meyerhof is not greatly different from Terzaghi value, the difference is more pronounced at larger D/B ratios. The values of Terzaghi and Meyerhof showed slight difference in bearing capacity values, this is due to D< B. The results of the dynamic elastic moduli, physical and mechanical properties of the slightly weathered or fresh teschenite-gabbro and sandstone reviled intermediate to good geotechnical properties therefore, the study suggests that the foundation of the PHP plant can be erected directly on the slightly weathered or fresh teschenite-gabbro bedrock down to a depth not less than 10 m.
M.A.M. Ez Eldin , Tang Huiming and N.H. Bahwi , 2007. Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Teschenite-Gabbro and Sandstone Rocks Foundation from Sennar Proposed Hydroelectric Power Plant, Sennar Dam, Sudan. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2: 1756-1761.