Engineering geology for sustainable development of Mazar-i-Sharif City, Afghanistan | |
| Author | Muradi, Sabirullah |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.GE-12-04 |
| Subject(s) | Engineering geology--Afghanistan--Mazar-i-Sharif City Sustainable development--Afghanistan--Mazar-i-Sharif City |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering in Geotechnical and Earth Resource Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. GE-12-04 |
| Abstract | This study was carried out with the aim of providing a valuable preliminary data base for emerging engineering geological study of Mazar-i-Sharif city, the capital of Balkh .province. It is the largest city in the north part of Afghanistan. Mazar-i-Sharif city is undergoing a postwar period of strong development in terms of infrastructure, for which the engineering and geological information of the area's subsoil play a very important role. The city is undergoing a high rate of urban growth, such as an intense increase .of urban land use and new construction plans. Many examples of urban land use extention are going on in the city without adequate geotechnical or geological engineering study of the area; Howe.ver, far too little attention has been paid to urban environment studies. In general, the current Mazar-i-Sharif urban development is not based on geotechnical and geological information; thus, making potential hazards for the urban environment, this research work presents the results of the first comprehensive study that has ever been conducted in the area after a prolonged war. The study aimed to understand better the geological and engineering characteristics of the urban of Mazar-i-Sharif city. The methodology comprises desk investigation, field investigation including interviews as well as intensive laboratory works. For the purpose of alleviating such hazards, a large amount of geotechnical and geological information was derived and analyzed from 80 boreholes and 7 test pits. The topography of Mazar-i-Sharif city, its slope, flooding zones, subsurface soil, and erosion as possible effects from development were considered. A geospatial analysis was performed using the Arc GIS 9.3 and the results revealed that the topography of the City could be classified into mountainous, hilly and flat zones. Moreover, result of the geo.:hazard mapping shows that the city could be divided into areas with different soil types and risks, i.e., salty desert area with shallow water table comprising mainly quaternary silty, loam and silty clay soils with materials, and areas highly prone to erosion and land use risk. Although the results of the study are still limited due to the difficult and severe political situation that hampered the conduct the study, it is hoped that the findings could be utilized for land use planning as well as for the reconstruction of the city and its adjacent areas. |
| Year | 2012 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. GE-12-04 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Geotechnical Engineering (GE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Noppadol Phien-Wej |
| Examination Committee(s) | Pham, Huy Giao;Hadikusumo, Bonaventura H. W.;Hwang, Sang Gi |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT- Balkh University Partnership Project |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph. D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2012 |