Abstract
The tsunami that struck and devastated large sections of the coastline of Aceh in northern Sumatra, on 26 December 2004 was generated by a massive offshore earthquake of magnitude 9·3. As part of the reconstruction programme, UNICEF is engaged in the replacement of old schools and health clinics at over 580 locations throughout the province of Aceh and the island of Nias. The programme is urgent and tight, compounded frequently by difficult access. An approach to the examination of the ground conditions at the sites had to be established that would allow the use of light equipment and tools and a relatively unskilled workforce. In situ tests were conducted using a locally manufactured equivalent light Dutch cone apparatus, a dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) and field vane equipment. Laboratory testing, apart from normal identification and classification tests, included undrained shear strength determinations. This paper sets out the modus operandi developed to suit the site conditions, and describes the types of soil and conditions encountered. The paper also presents a tentative correlation between the results of the in situ (DCP) testing and the undrained shear strength of the samples recovered for laboratory testing. The approach should have merit when responding to future disasters.
Published Version
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