Site selection for Proposed Construction Using the Electrical Resistivity Method and Some Geotechnical Tests of Soil At Al-Nahrawan Area, Baghdad, Iraq

The study site represents an investigation of a proposed construction site in Baghdad City, in the Al-Nahrawan area, using 2D electrical resistivity and some geotechnical tests for soil samples. A Wenner-Schlumberger configuration was used for 4 parallel lines, each line 120 m long, with 1m spacing between electrodes. Interpretation is made by RES2DINV software. The results showed areas with relatively high resistivity caused by mud cracks and low- resistivity caused by water content (wet soil). The groundwater depth ranges from 5.5 to 5.7 m; these values were matched by comparing with nearby wells using a sounder device. Soil samples from different depths ranging from 0.5 to 4 m were analysed, and the samples consisted mainly of clay > 88% with low liquid and plastic limits >50 (USCS). It is classified as CL, which means Low plasticity. The electric method and laboratory tests were effective in identifying the subsurface image.