PROBLEMATIC SOILS IN

PAKISTAN
ASSIGNMENT NO. 03

GROUP MEMBERS

Muhammad Hamza Farhan (Registration. No. 402165)

Muhammad Awais Qamar (Registration. No. 402377)

Muhammad Asif Mushtaq (Registration. No 401732)

 Problematic Soils in Punjab
Expensive soils are considered as problematic soils. Expansion potential of a soil is directly
related to the liquid limit and plasticity index of the soil. Tables below are are showing the
rating of expansive soils based on plasticity index and liquid limit.

Higher the plasticity index, greater the amount of water that can be absorbed within the soil
structure, greater the swelling potential. Here is a table showing range of clay fraction, liquid
limit, plasticity index, and degree of expansiveness of five districts of Punjab namely Dera
Ghazi Khan, Chakwal, Sialkot, Gujranwala and Narowal where problem of swelling is
present.

Range of Range of Degree of

Sr. Range of Clay
District Liquid Plasticity Expansiveness
No. Fraction
Limit Index (based on PI)
1. Dera Ghazi Khan 20-26 37-57 16-28 Moderate to High
2. Chakwal 15-25 33-53 14-27 Low to High
3. Sialkot 18-26 32-57 12-27 Low to High
4. Gujranwala 14-25 32-57 11-27 Low to High
5. Narowal 18-23 34-51 12-24 Low to Moderate

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Here is a district map showing the expensive soils in Punjab.

Figure 1 Districts with Problematic Soil in Punjabi

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Problematic Soils in Sind

Figure 2 Problematic Soils in Sind

The values of the natural moisture contents of this failed road show that as the moisture
content values drop below the plastic limit values, the bearing pressures increase. The failure
of those portions may have been influenced by the higher liquid limit values found for the
majority of the soils because liquid limit is correlated with soil compressibility. Most soil
samples have linear shrinkage values greater than 8%, indicating that there will likely be a
shrinkage issue. Most samples also have linear shrinkage values greater than 10%, which
indicates that there will likely be a field compaction issue, which may have also contributed
to the failure of certain road segments.

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Problematic Soil in Khayber Pakhtonkhawa

Figure 3 Problematic Soils in KPK

 The Karak expansive soil consists of minerals belonging to the smectite group of clay.
The major reason for the expansion and contraction of these soils is the presence of
montmorillonite, nontronite, and palygorskite minerals.
 Kohat and Karak soils are highly expansive and major distresses can happen in lightly
loaded structures constructed in these areas.

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  DI Khan soils have high silt content and termed as medium expensive soils.

Problematic Soil in Balochistan

Figure 4 Problematic soils in Baluchistanii

High possibility of earthquake up to magnitude 7 on Richter scale due to its location that is
near Chaman fault (700 km), Ornach-Nal fault (150 km), Makran fault (100 Km) and Ormara
fault (25 Km). The sands there are very loose (N < 5) sensitive and susceptible to
liquefaction. iii

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Problematic Soil in Azad Kashmir

Figure 5 Problematic soils in Azad Kashmirivv

Sheared clays having discontinuities, random fissures, and shear zones and have a residual
strength as low as 85% of peak shear strength. These soils were identified and recognizes as
problematic by professor Skempton during the construction of Mangla dam.vi

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References

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i
http://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/bitstream/123456789/11602/1/
Imtiaz_Rashid_Geotechnical_Engineering_HSR_2015_UET_Lahore_7.12.2017.pdf

ii
Khan, A. J., Ahsan, N., Sanaullah, M., & Akhter, G. (2019). Appraisal of Geotechnical Characteristics of
Ormara Soil, Baluchistan, Pakistan. International Journal of Economic and Environmental Geology, 10(3),
22-26.

Khan, A. J., Ahsan, N., Sanaullah, M., & Akhter, G. (2019). Appraisal of Geotechnical Characteristics of
iii

Ormara Soil, Baluchistan, Pakistan. International Journal of Economic and Environmental Geology, 10(3),

22-26.
iv
Ashiq, S. Z., Akbar, A., Farooq, K., & Mujtaba, H. (2022). Sustainable improvement in engineering
behavior of Siwalik Clay using industrial waste glass powder as additive. Case Studies in Construction
Materials, 16, e00883.

v
Abbasi, M. K., & Rasool, G. (2005). Effects of different land-use types on soil quality in the hilly area of
Rawalakot Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B-Soil and Plant, 55(3), 221-
228.

Abbasi, M. K., & Rasool, G. (2005). Effects of different land-use types on soil quality in the hilly area of
vi

Rawalakot Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B-Soil and Plant, 55(3), 221-
228.