Geophysics Applied in Civil Engineering: Cases of the Cement Factory of Jebel Ressas (North-East of Tunisia) and the Secondary School of Sidi Aich (South-West of Tunisia)

Abstract

The present study exposes two cases of geophysics use in civil engineering.

Case of Jebel Ressas (North-East of Tunisia) -To recognize and characterize the basement of a future cement factory at Jebel Ressas (North –East of Tunisia), 25 vertical electrical soundings are performed using the Schlumberger configuration. The qualitative and quantitative interpretations of the obtained data show that the prospected area is affected by normal faults generating collapses and a remarkable thickening of the clayey layers towards the north and the west. Since many earthquakes marked the Jebel Ressas sector, these faults may be active.

Case of Sidi Aich (South –West of Tunisia) -In order to determinate the factors which damaged the Sidi Aich school (Gafsa gouvernerate, Tunisia) a geophysical study is undertaken . Six vertical electrical soundings are realized. These VES interpretation show that the prospected lithological formations are characterized by facies, thickness and depth variations and affected by two NE-SW faults. The maps established from the VLF data gave more precisions .They identify four faults directed NE-SW to NNE-SSW. The microgravimetric measures dont furnishe any indication about the underground geometry of the Sidi Aich school since the litholgical formations are characterized by similar densities.