Mineralogy of the unified soil classes of Wadi As Suqah: A sustainable engineering geology approach

This research endeavors to enhance soil classification methodologies in alignment with sustainability goals for mining and construction activities. The study focuses on the evaluation, classification, mapping of quaternary surface deposits Wadi As Suqah. To achieve this objective, an integration mineral analyses unified classes was employed. Various methods were utilized, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), sieve analysis, Atterberg limits, X-ray diffraction. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) variance employed identify most influential minerals within deposits. Consequently, a sophisticated engineering geological map deposited category created, resulting categorization Suqah into 13 groups (A, B, C, …, L) based similar lithofacies. These further represented 7 clusters mineral-based classes, such as quartz-anorthite or quartz-albite, leading formation 5 namely SP, SP-SM, SM, SC-SM, SC. Among classified groups, group characterized by rich sandy quartz some albite content, emerged largest group, occupying 20.3% total area. Conversely, M, consisting fine anorthite trace quartz, constituted minor representing only 0.5% entire acknowledges limitations being confined investigations and, therefore, strongly recommends subsurface more comprehensive geotechnical understanding. findings hold significant implications sustainable practices enabling refined approach composition classes.