Expedient Mitigation of Collapsible Loess in Northern Afghanistan

Abstract

The arid climate, low water table and mountainous terrain in northern Afghanistan favor aeolian deposition of deep formations of collapsible loess with low relative density. When the loess deposits become wet, the clay cementing agents are unable to support the overburden pressure, and the soil structure collapses. Loess collapse is causing settlement basins and slope failures that damage facilities, roadways and airfields on military bases in northern Afghanistan. This paper aims to present military engineers with expedient options to identify and mitigate collapsible loess for construction in this region.