Abstract
Due to global climatic changes, flash floods are followed as a yearly disaster with high magnitude of influence. During the years 1981, 1988, 2010, 2012 and in January 2013, Tabuk city, northwest of Saudi Arabia suffered huge flash floods. These are major factors affecting on the swelling behavior of expansive Tabuk shale. The examined geotechnical properties of the surface and subsurface lithology of the sedimentary deposits distinguished Tabuk city into three zones. The expansive zone is spread in the middle and the non-expansive zones are distributed in the east and west of the city. The Watershed Modeling System (WMS) and Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC-1) models were used to delineate and identify the drainage system and basin morphometry, where flash floods and accumulation of water might take place. Integration between geotechnical distribution maps of the expansion soil and surface hydrological data in terms of runoff maps was done. It has been identified the whereabouts the soils which have expansion characteristics and areas prone to flooding and surface runoff. They are helpful in defining the hazard zones map. Based on this map, it can be avoided constructions on the risk neighborhoods such as Al Qadsiyah, Al Maseif, Arrwdah, Al Nakhil and Al Rajhi. Also, it can suggest that the western side of Tabuk city is suitable for future urban extension. These results will help planners and citizens to create alternative development scenarios and determine their impact on the future urbanization patterns. Moreover, the direction of surface runoff flow or storm water discharge should be away from the expansion soil areas. Therefore, constructing dams on the outlet of the high-risk basins, south of Tabuk city is an important solution to control flash flood events, as well as increase groundwater recharge.
Highlights
Soils and soft rock that tends to swell or shrink due to changes in moisture content are commonly known as expansive soils [1]
The main objective of the current study is to investigate the runoff hazards on the expanded shale of Tabuk residential neighborhoods and to identify basin tributaries; surface runoff, flash floods location, and depressions allow accumulation or standing water, which activates the expansive shale in a localized manner leading to differential heaving of expansive soil
Geology of the study area was based on the geology of Tabuk Quadrangle mapped (GM-137 Sheet No 28B) by Janjou [47] (Figure 2), field investigation and description and analyses of the drilling boreholes samples; in addition to the general geology and subsurface hydrology [48]-[56]
Summary
Soils and soft rock that tends to swell or shrink due to changes in moisture content are commonly known as expansive soils [1]. One of the major geotechnical problems in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), as has recently been noticed, is the swelling potential of the soils upon change in moisture content. The problem in Tabuk is a terrifying for the administrative, municipality officials and legal authorities; luxury villas, modern built, commercial buildings, schools, hospital, mosques and roads are subjected to upheaval forces. It is resulted in serious cracks, tilting, twisting and sticking doors and windows. Conducted comprehensive studies covering greater parts of the Tabukcity are included in [6] [10] [12] [14] [15] [16]
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