INFLUENCE OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF QUATERNARY DEPOSITS: A CASE STUDY FROM TEMIRTAU

Abstract

In the context of the active development of the construction industry in Kazakhstan, there is a growing need for geotechnical investigation aimed at assessing the properties of soils serving as foundations for buildings and structures. The bases of constructions are predominantly composed of Quaternary deposits, which are characterized by high lithological and facies heterogeneity. One of the key parameters influencing the physical properties of soils is their particle size distribution. Based on the geotechnical survey in Temirtau city, a reconnaissance study of the territory was conducted, 144 wells up to 15 m deep were drilled, the groundwater level was measured, 115 soil samples were taken and their physical characteristics were determined in the laboratory. Using the laboratory data, a correlation analysis was performed, revealing strong relationships between water content and the fraction of particles smaller than 0.05 mm (R² = 0.75), as well as between the plasticity index and clay particle content (R² = 0.52). The identified correlations confirm the key role of particle size distribution in shaping the hydro-physical and mechanical properties of soils and emphasize its importance for engineering-geological assessment and the justification of design solutions.