Characterization of Fluvial Sand Deposits on Floodplain of Ohio River

Construction of power plants is being considered at three sites located on the floodplain of the Ohio River. The results of a comprehensive subsurface investigation show that all three sites are fairly similar in terms of subsurface profile, consisting primarily of thick fluvial sand deposits composed mostly of medium to coarse sand with small amounts of silt and gravel. Assessment of soil properties, including relative density and effective stress friction angle, was made by applying various empirical or semi-empirical correlations to field and laboratory measurements. By comparing the results given by the different correlations, their relative accuracy at these sites is evaluated.