›› 2017, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (5): 588-590.

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Geotechnical Investigation of a 2×660 MW Power Plant on Coral Reef Sands in Saudi Arabia

LIU Zhiwei, YANG Shengbin, CHENG Dongxing, HU Xin, LI Can   

  1. (Northwest Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd., China Power Engineering Consulting Group, Xi’an, 710032)
  • Received:2017-07-26 Revised:2017-07-31 Online:2017-10-20 Published:2017-10-29

Abstract: The subsurface soils underneath a proposed 2X660MW power plant consist of limestone of coral reef origin. In order to characterize the engineering properties of limestone of Red Sea coral reef origin, the geotechnical investigation program included field conventional test boring, plate loading test and acoustic velocity testing and laboratory unit weight, unconfined compressive strength testing.  This project provides a useful case history of construction on the coral reef limestone and significant amount of experience of geotechnical investigation, coordination among different disciplines and different stake holders as well as practical execution of technical plans are accumulated.

Key words: Coral Reefs, Engineering Properties, Foundation Soils