Geotechnical Properties Evaluation of Selected Reservoir Sediments in Samarra Barrage and Wind Dam, Iraq

This study was conducted on selected sediments from the Iraqi dam reservoir to verify their quality, geotechnical properties including physical, engineering, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics. It found that area soil is similar in Mesopotamian plain areas where silts have low plasticity Samarra barrage medium at Wind dam. moisture content because sampling done summer season, high wind due rain snow winter. While specific gravity values converge, fine sediment originated different sources. The mechanical properties, direct shear test show of cohesion angle internal frication with natural range known silt soils, while consolidation for sites shows normal values, Pre pressure, compression index ، swelling over ratio are greater than 1, which indicate soils. total dissolved solids less exceeded 0.5%, gypsum higher 0.5%. organic matter pH value alkaline. using XRD mineral contents analyzed composed mainly quartz, calcite, dolomite, gypsum, albite, clay minerals such as montmorillonite, chlorite, illite, kaolinite.