Experimental Investigation on the Hydraulic Conductivity Variation in Coastal and Inland Sabkha Soils in Kuwait under Continuous Leaching

Authors

• Fahad A. AL-Otaibi, Department of Civil Engineering, Paaet, Kuwait
• Yahia E.-A. Mohamedzein, Department of Civil & Arch Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, OmanFollow
• Mohammed Y. Al-Aghbari, Department of Civil & Arch Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

Abstract

The existence of high salt content in sabkha soils is highly affecting their geotechnical properties and leaching behaviour. In the current study, the variation of the hydraulic conductivity of two types of sabkha soils in Kuwait, namely coastal and inland sabkha, was experimentally investigated. For this purpose, leaching tests were conducted on soil samples under a pressure of 21 kN/m2 to increase water percolation. More than 55 pore volumes of water in more than 20 days were collected for measuring total dissolved solids (TDS). The variation in the hydraulic conductivity and TDS were analyzed periodically for the outflow at 5 pore volume intervals. Experimental results revealed higher initial hydraulic conductivity values for the inland sabkha soil due to its coarser gradation and lower fine content. As the leaching process continued, the hydraulic conductivity of coastal sabkha increased substantially by 230%, but a smaller increase in inland sabkha of 90%. The dissolution rate of coastal sabkha is twice that of inland sabkha.

Recommended Citation

AL-Otaibi, Fahad A.; Mohamedzein, Yahia E.-A.; and Al-Aghbari, Mohammed Y. (2026) "Experimental Investigation on the Hydraulic Conductivity Variation in Coastal and Inland Sabkha Soils in Kuwait under Continuous Leaching," The Journal of Engineering Research: Vol. 23: Iss. 1, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53540/1726-6742.1325

First Page

43

Last Page

50