Static and dynamic characterisation of Agartala peat

Peat is a unique soil type whose properties vary widely compared to other soils due to its high water content, low shear strength and high compressibility. Thus, construction on peat deposits is challenging and needs proper attention from engineers. The present study attempts to characterise the engineering characteristics of peat samples collected from 140 boreholes across Agartala town, in the Northeast Region of India. Field and laboratory investigations were conducted to determine physicochemical, microstructural, mineralogical, resistivity, static and dynamic engineering parameters. Physicochemical and microstructural investigation suggested a hemic classification for the Agartala peat. Further, results show that water content, liquid limit and settlement parameters significantly increase with increased organic matter content. In contrast, a decreasing trend in specific gravity, bulk density and shear strength was observed with increase in organic matter content. Results obtained from the present study showed a similar pattern of changing engineering properties with variation in organic matter content when compared with previous studies across the world. Finally, a geographic information system map of Agartala town was developed, highlighting the spatial variation of different physicochemical characteristics of peat, and site-specific empirical correlations for Agartala peat were presented