Assessment of Foundation Rocks of The Proposed Al-Baghdadi Dam Site in Al-Anbar Governorate, Western Iraq
Abstract
The current study aims to evaluate the foundation rocks of the proposed Al-Baghdadi dam site, which is located in Al-Anbar Governorate, Al-Baghdadi area. The study includes field, laboratory and office works for six stations along the dam axis in western Iraqi province of Al-Anbar Governorate. Six stations are selected in the study area along the axis of the dam. Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Dam Mass Rating. (DMR), and Geological Strength Index (GSI) are the three rock mass classification systems that have been chosen to use in assessment. The range of dam's stability-related DMR values is (60.201 - 67.009). The numbers show that the foundation rocks at the planned dam site are stable. The values of RMRBD89 fall between (60.3 - 67.1). In addition, to being desirable (moderate to good), the foundation rocks could be excavated for fill dams and rock dams. The Geological Strength Index (GSI) values varied from (44.5 to 60.5) and these values are considered moderate according to this classification. The mechanical characteristics of every rock unit from during Hook-Brown failure criterion are ascertained using RocLab program and their values ranged: Cohesion strength (0.795 - 1.303) MPa, Angle of internal friction (24.09 - 29.76), Tensile strength (-0.106 - -0.025) MPa, Compressive strength (0.613 - 2.033) MPa, Global force (2.484 - 3.198) MPa, and deformation coefficient (2451.45 - 7516.72) MPa. From the results mentioned above, it is found that the proposed dam location is safe and stable for constructing the fill dam.
