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GIS-based map** of geotechnical and geophysical properties of Lahore soils

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Abstract

To accurately determine subsurface soil type and condition for engineering projects, structural safety, and foundation design under static and seismic loading conditions, it is necessary to have a comprehensive workflow that maps and explores the interrelationships between geotechnical and geophysical properties of soil. Although multiple interpolation techniques and mathematical correlations are available for this purpose, there is no globally accepted workflow yet. This study proposes a GIS-based workflow for selecting an interpolation technique and establishing interrelationships among SPT N values, bearing capacity, shear wave velocity (Vs), and groundwater using data from sixty-five boreholes in Lahore city. By evaluating Kriging and Inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation techniques using GIS software, the study finds that IDW is more effective than Kriging, with lower mean root mean square error (RMSE) for all studied geotechnical properties. The correlation coefficient of 0.77 between measured and interpolated SPT N values, Vs, and bearing capacity increases confidence in the estimated properties at unsampled locations. Additionally, cross-plots between geotechnical properties demonstrate that they are interdependent and vary with soil type and groundwater depth, which can be helpful for soil characterization, shallow foundation design, and seismic microzonation in the study area. The geotechnical maps and cross-plots produced by this study for Lahore soils are new and consistent with soil types, demonstrating the suitability of the proposed workflow for global use.

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Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Punjab, 54890, Pakistan

    Muhammad Daniyal, Ghulam Mohyuddin Sohail & Hafiz Muhammad Awais Rashid

Authors
  1. Muhammad Daniyal
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  2. Ghulam Mohyuddin Sohail
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  3. Hafiz Muhammad Awais Rashid
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Muhammad Daniyal and Ghulam M. Sohail. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Muhammad Daniyal. H. M. A. Rashid commented on original and revised versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Muhammad Daniyal.

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Appendices

Appendix-A

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Soil types at 5 m to 10 m depth intervals

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See Fig. 16.

Appendix-B

See Fig. 17.

Fig. 17
figure 17

SPT N-values maps at 5 m to 10 m depth intervals

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Daniyal, M., Sohail, G.M. & Rashid, H.M.A. GIS-based map** of geotechnical and geophysical properties of Lahore soils. Environ Earth Sci 82, 540 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11201-w

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