Contstruction problems in deltaic areas: roads, airport runways and shallow foundations

Abstract

The wide variety of soil types present in deltaic deposits, the occurrence of weak compressible soils extending to considerable depths, and the unstable topography of the deltaic terrain can give rise to difficult problems in the design and construction of roadworks, airports, and the shallow foundations of buildings and engineering structures. This paper describes some of the topographic features and geotechnical characteristics of deltas, as they affect the siting, design, and construction of highways, airports and buildings. Examples are given of construction projects in each category.