ANRS BUREAU IRRIGATION & LOW LAND AREA

DEVELOPMENT (BOILLAD)
CLIENT:
P.O. Box:88
Telephone:0528-200853/855
Fax: 251-08-20-65-68/204676/202040

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

DENDEWA IRRIGATION PROJECT FINAL FEASIBLITY STUDY AND

DETAIL DESIGN

ENGINEERING GEOLOGY FINAL

REPORT

By
LIHIKET DESIGN & SUPERVISION CORPORATION

(LDSC)

CONSULTANT:

P.O.Box: 1921

Telephone: +251-582-181023/ 180638/181201/181254

Fax: (058) 2180550/ (058) 2180560

E-mail: amhara [email protected]

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

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 May, 2012 DESSIE

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................2

1.1 General................................................................................................................................................2

1.2 Objectives............................................................................................................................................3

1.3 Locations and Accessibilities.............................................................................................................4

1.4 Methodology.......................................................................................................................................6

2. GEOLOGY OF THE STUDY AREA................................................................................................................6

2.1 Regional Geology...............................................................................................................................6

2.2 Local Geology.....................................................................................................................................9

2.3 Quaternary Sediments.......................................................................................................................9

3. Seismicity condition of the area............................................................................................................10

4. Geomorphology and Drainage Patterns................................................................................................11

4.1 Geomorphology of the Area............................................................................................................11

4.2 Geomorphology of the River and Drainage Patterns...................................................................11

5. Hydrogeology........................................................................................................................................12

6. Engineering geological and geo-technical investigation........................................................................13

6.1 Headwork Site..................................................................................................................................13

6.2 Right River Bank.............................................................................................................................14

6.3 Stream Bed.......................................................................................................................................15

6.4 Left River Bank................................................................................................................................15

7. Main Delivery Pipe Route.................................................................................................................20

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8. Natural construction materials.............................................................................................................23

8.1 Rock Quarry.....................................................................................................................................24

8.2 Coarse Aggregates...........................................................................................................................24

8.3 Fine Aggregates................................................................................................................................25

8.4 Fill Material......................................................................................................................................27

8.5 Water.................................................................................................................................................28

9. Conclusions and recommendation........................................................................................................28

9.2 Recommendation..............................................................................................................................29

10. Reference............................................................................................................................................31

List of Figures

Figure 1.1: Location Map of the Project Area..............................................................................................5.

Figure 3.1: Seismic Risk Map of Ethiopia 99 Years Return Period............................................................10
Plate 4.1: River Morphology........................................................................................................................11
Plate 6.1: Right River Bank and Stream Bed End Geologic Formations....................................................13
Plate 6.2: Left River Bank and Stream Bed End Geologic Formations.......................................................14
Plate 6.3: Headwork Site..............................................................................................................................15
Figure 6.1: Topographic Maps and Some Appurtenant Structure...............................................................16
Figure 6.2: Engineering geological Cross section along Headwork Axis...................................................17
Figure 6.3: Engineering geological Map of Project Area............................................................................18
Plate 6.4: From 0+000m to about 0+060m of Main Pipe Route..................................................................19
Plate 6.5: From 0+060m to about 2+700m of Main Pipe Route..................................................................20
Plate 6.6: From 2+700m to end of Main Pipe Route...................................................................................21
Plate 6.7: (a) Rock Quarry Site within the River, (b) Rock along the Proposed Canal Route....................22
Plate 6.8: Coarse Aggregates within the River............................................................................................23
Plate 6.9: Borrow Area for Sand or Fine Aggregate Source........................................................................24
Figure 6.4: Gradation Curves of Fine Aggregate or Sand...........................................................................25

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 General
Since agriculture is one of the principal means of bringing sustainable development in the country, it is

vital to plan and modify the farming system by adopting modern agricultural practice and utilizing

naturally available water resources for irrigation purpose. In this line, the regional government has

planned to implement irrigation projects, with the help of various funding agencies and by its own

budget in order to solve food security problems. The Amhara Irrigation And Low Land Area

Development Bureau collaborate with IFAD are the clients to implement the engineering

identification, study and design, and later construction supervision of small scale irrigation schemes

following various approaches; on force and/or contractual modalities the Lihiket Design and

Supervision Works Corporation (LDSC) have received several such schemes to provide

consultancy services, study and design. One of those projects that have been given attention is

Dendewa small scale irrigation project.

For the design of various stable and cost effective engineering structures in different parts of the

project, the areas were investigated to gather engineering geological and geotechnical input data. This

engineering geological feasibility study was carried out from Dec, 2012 EC.

Geotechnical investigations are performed to evaluate those geologic, and soil conditions that affect

the safety, cost effectiveness, design and excavation of the proposed project. The fact that insufficient,

faulty interpretation of results, or failure to portray results in clearly understandable manner may

contribute to inappropriate designs, delay in construction schedules, costly construction modifications,

use of sub-standard borrow material, environmental damage to the site, post construction remedial

work and even failure of structure and subsequent litigation. Hence, geotechnical investigation is

usually thought of as the backbone of engineering structure design.

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Investigations performed to determine the geologic setting of the project include the geology (nature

and behavior of rock materials), soil and rock behaviors, and seismic conditions. This parameters

influence the construction site selection through the control of the characteristics of the foundation soil

and rocks, geotechnical conditions, project safety, design, and construction, critical geomorphic

processes and source of natural construction materials.

Based on the above facts, the site selection criteria and factors that should be taken in to account in

studying the intake site are as listed below:

 Nature of subsurface material at the intake axis and potential canal route with the fact that they

should be sound and resistant to bear the load imposed by the weight of the overlying

materials, including the structures to be built.

 Nature of the back ground material in reaction with water (solution resistant rock, soil, or

nature of clay material).

 Uniformity of geological formations, geological structures and their continuity.

 Topographic conditions of the river both upstream and downstream of the anticipated intake

axis.

 Relation of the anticipated intake axis with the potential canal route and the available command

area.

 Availability and quality of naturally occurring construction materials within an economically

justified distance from the project site.

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1.2 Objectives

The study is focused to give sufficient pertinent information on the geologic formations and their

suitability for proposed construction. Consequently, the specific objectives to be addressed within this

study are:

 Developing overall approach on the geological parameters through investigation of surface and

subsurface geological conditions of the site to provide geotechnical inputs needed for the

design of the diversion structure and main canal, so that the project becomes cost effective,

durable and socially acceptable.

 Explaining the local geology and developing findings to the rock units and structural

patterns on the context of the local area of interest.

 Locating the specific sites for the construction of the headwork and potential canal routes,

which are resolute on the basis of:

 Determining the geotechnical conditions of the headwork axis and potential canal routes.

 Defining the distribution of formations in space.

 Suitability of the land and stability of the foundation material for the construction and

establishment of stable water tight zone.

 Strength, workability and permeability of the existing formations.

 Providing pertinent and reasonable information for post survey data analysis in the design and

construction of the proposed structures.

 Determining the qualities and identifying the sources of naturally available construction

materials within an economically feasible distance from the construction site.

 Defining ground water condition and its influence on the structures.

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1.3 Locations and Accessibilities
The project site is located in the Amhara National Regional State, South Wollo Zone, Mehal Sayint

Woreda, and Work mawcha/ 031 Kebele. The intake axis is geographically located at 475787m E

(UTM), 1213069 m N (UTM) and 2481m elevation (UTM adindan) GPS reading. The project site can

be accessed from Densa which is the woreda town of about 20km through Densa-Workmawcha kebele

main road and the remaining about 5km is inaccessible. It can also access from Dessie which is the

zone town, through Mekane selam- Dessie main road (about 40km Asphaltic) and the remaining about

35km through gravel road till the headwork site.

Fig.1 Location map of the study area.

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1.4 Methodology
Different traverse were taken to have clear geological visualization of the study area, following river

line, gully sections, main canal route, exposures etc.

During geological feasibility studying the following materials were used to take data from weir axis,

canal route, river banks, flood plain etc.

ü Global position system (GPS)

ü Computer

ü Photo Camera

ü Hand digging tool,

ü Tape meter

ü Sample bag

ü Geological Hammer

2. GEOLOGY OF THE STUDY AREA

2.1 Regional Geology

The Ethiopian volcanic province is characterized by two volcanic series: the Tertiary Trap Series of

the high plateau and the recent (Pliocene-Quaternary) Aden volcanic series. Contemporaneous with

the major uplift of the Horn of Africa, extrusion occurred from fissures and centres of immense

quantities of flood lavas (Traps). These lavas covered the greater part of the Mesozoic rocks in

Ethiopia.

The Trap Series consists of a very thick succession of lava flows, chiefly flood basalts (Traps), but

with Trachyte and Rhyolites occurring especially near the top of the Series. The Trap Series

essentially pre-dates the Rift faulting and therefore forms the great heights of the Ethiopian plateau.
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The Aden Volcanic Series post-dated the Rift faulting and is largely confined to the floor of the Rift

System where it lies on the Trap Series (Mohr, 1962).

According to Blandford (1869), three volcanic units are distinguishable: the Trap Series of the plateau

subdivided into the Ashangi and the Magdala groups; and the Aden Series. The Ashangi group

includes predominantly basaltic rocks while the overlying Magdala group is essentially Silicic. Young

(Quaternary) volcanic rocks were designated as the Aden Series (Kazmin, 1962).

There are three volcanic cycles for the north eastern part of the western plateau, Zanettin and Justin-

Visentin (1975):

 First cycle: pre-Oligocene volcanic activity giving rise to the outpouring of the Ashangi basalts that

cover the upper sandstone unit.

 Second cycle: after a long quiescence, the second volcanic cycle began to erupt in the lower middle

Oligocene and cover the Ashangi penplain. This cycle started first with flood basalts (Aiba basalts)

and later with large quantities of ignimbrites (alkaline rhyolites and trachytes) with variable quantities

of interbedded basalts, collectively known as the Alaji rhyolites. This cycle culminated in the emission

of large quantities of basalt, termed Tarmaber basalts that cover most of the Alaji rhiolites.

 The third cycle is confined more to the rift and its periphery and also to the Lake Tana Area of Plio-

Pleiostocene age.

The Trap Series, consisting of Asahngi, Aiba, Alaji and Tarmaber formations, make up the regional

rock units from bottom to top in the north eastern part of the western plateau.

The Ashangi formation is tholeiitic and/or basalts (Zenettin et al., 1978). The Aiba basalts, which

overlie the lower Ashangi basalts unconformably, are transitional between tholeiitic and alkaline

basalts. The Alagi rhyolites and basalts, which are a product of fissural volcanism, are dominantly

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Silicic and are made up of alkaline rhyolites and Sodic ignimbrites intercalated with variable quantities

of transitional basalts. Tarmaber basalts are products of central eruption and are alkaline in

composition.

The Tarmaber Series consists of lenticular basalts with a large amount of tuffs, scoriaceous lava flows

and typical red paleosoils (Merla et al., 1973). The Tarmaber basalt is a thick sequence that reaches

1,000 m and when thicker, characterizes volcanic centres such as Guna Terara. The Tarmaber basalts

directly overlie the Ashangi basalts (in northwestern Ethiopia), mark the Tertiary volcanic cycle in the

region. Based on a few sections from escarpment part of the plateau, the above was assumed to be

valid until recent times for the entire western plateau.

Therefore from field observation the study area is belongs to undifferentiated alluvial, colluvial and

lacustrine deposits surrounded by Tarmaber formation.

Fig. Regional Geological Map of the study area

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2.2 Local Geology

The local geology is the key parameters for determining/select the suitable sites of the engineering

structures such as the head work, canal rout and construction materials. However, any irrigation

projects should be designed within the cost effective, durable, social acceptable and sustainable. All

those important parameters are guided by the nature of local and regional geology. Due to this, the

local geology of the study area is characterized by Quaternary sediment and Basalt formation.

The Basaltic unit has been exposed at the surface in terms of rocks out crop and deeply observed on

the stream bed. It is characterized by dark gray to greenish gray, fine to medium grained, olivine rich

aphanetic basalt rock. Hence, it is important rock type for the sake of bearing capacity and stability of

the general foundations of the engineering structure.

2.3 Quaternary Sediments

Most part of the command area is covered with unconsolidated deposit. The deposit has been

classified as residual and alluvial on the basis of its origin. For most, this type of geological formation

is highly characterized with high permeable and low cohesive strength. It is eventually suitable

formation for liquids are easily move through the porous media. Therefore, quaternary sediments has

been derived from the tertiary volcanic basaltic rock formation, the area has been affected by different

surface processes of weathering, and sediment transportation that superficial soil are developed and

cover some areas of the site. These superficial soil materials observed at the site are classified into

three major units for the sake of this project.

a.Cobbles and boulders with some gravel, recent loose alluvium

b. Gravel, sand, clay of talus material at sloppy part

c.Gravely clay, alluvial soil at command area.

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Generally, those Quaternary sediments are poor in the engineering geological and geotechnical points

of view because of low in share strength and pervious. So, these kinds of formation would be removed

at the foundations of canal and head works.

3. Seismicity condition of the area

Earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the earth’s crust that creates seismic waves.

The seismicity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a long

period of time. To construct effective and long-lasting hydraulic structures and assessments on

susceptibility to seismic hazards are fundamental issues. Therefore, the degree of seismicity of the area

should be taken in to account with great emphasis as an important design parameter by evaluating the

seismic nature of the area from history and records of previous earthquakes and knowledge of local

geology. However, the seismic susceptibility study is usually made with the application of secondary

data from the national geophysics and geo-observatory data sources. The most famous edition in the

Ethiopian context is the seismic susceptibility map of the country by Laike Mariam Asfaw, 1986.

According to the seismic hazard map of Ethiopia, the country has been subdivided in to five seismic

Zones as: Zone (0), Zone (1), Zone (2), Zone (3) and Zone (4), the no hazard, the low hazard, the

moderate hazard, the higher hazard and the highest hazard zones, respectively. Therefore, the project

area is belongs to the moderate hazard zone which is zone (2). This area is almost negligible from the

risk of seismic hazard from the project on it.

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Fig.3 Seismic Risk Map of Ethiopia 99 Years Return Period

4. Geomorphology and Drainage Patterns

4.1 Geomorphology of the Area

The surface geological assessment and detail topographic survey of the study area are the main

relevant components of the project during site investigation. The project site is characterized by

lowland command area with very steep high morphology of surrounding ridges in all direction. The

command area is located in the north direction of the proposed diversion headwork site .

4.2 Geomorphology of the River and Drainage Patterns

The river is characterized by young stage that flows in nearly moderately seep ground of erosive

nature. Even if the stream has an abrasive nature at some part of stream banks, most part of the

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streambed is made up of massive rock and the river is more or less mature at the headwork site

area. Hence, the course may not be changed through time.

Fig.4 River Morphology

5. Hydrogeology
The ground water storage, transmission and yield of the aquifer at different formation are different due

to the cementation and consolidation of soils and the weathering, and fracturing condition of rock

formations. In the project area, the aquifer characteristics of the formation were studied on the basis of

field observations such as the distribution of springs, the degree, extent and orientation of fracturing

rocks, the grain size distribution, the degree of cementation of soils as well as the depth and extent of

rock weathering.

The mountains and hills of the study area are highly weathered that have different orientation of

fractured rocks that allow increasing the infiltration rate of surface water to the subsurface. Due to this

condition springs are outflow at the foot of the mountains and the ridges and flow towards the main

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river and join it. The other cause of the existence of shallow subsurface water is that the command

area is wet throughout the year, from rainfall during the summer season and from command irrigation

during the winter season so as it is back recharge of the subsurface water . Therefore, hydrogeological

investigation is one of the most important parameters for determining the uplift geodynamic effects of

groundwater on the engineering structures.

6. Engineering geological and geo-technical investigation

This part emphasizes on the details of engineering geology and geo-technical aspects of the project

focusing on strength and permeability characteristics of the underlying geological formations over

which the proposed structures lies, mainly at the headwork site and along the pipe route. In addition to

this, required natural construction materials' source areas and their suitability conditions are discussed.

6.1 Headwork Site

The headwork site of Dendiwa irrigation project is located at 475787m E, 1213069m N and 2481m

elevation (UTM ADINDAN) GPS reading.

For this project, intake structure plus pipe system has been proposed for diverting the river water to

the command area. The headwork site geological surface and subsurface conditions have been

investigated based on the nature of the proposed structure. At the headwork site and immediate

vicinity, the stream flows along moderate to gentle slope course and its bed mainly covered with

recently deposited alluvial sediments. These sediments are dominated with cobbles and oversized

boulders with some gravel deposit. At both stream bed ends, there is outcrop of the bedrock (basalt

rock) that extends from right and left banks. On other hand, the river banks at the headwork site are

made up of slightly weathered to fresh rock; most part of the right river bank is made up of slightly

weathered rock whereas the left river bank is made up of fresh rock at the bottom and overlying by

highly weathered rock (talus material).

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The detail geologic nature of the banks, and bed of the stream along the headwork axis and immediate

vicinity are described and their potential geotechnical influence on the proposed structures also

discerned/detected below, with remedial measures.

6.2 Right River Bank

At the headwork site/axis, the right river bank is characterized by very steep to vertical slope

topography. But it is stable that there is no evidence of slope instability of any type (slide, fall, flow,

etc.) from surface observation. However, there is soil creep at about 100m downstream of the

headwork axis which has not an impact at the bed bar structure that will construct, Picture\

IMG_20191211_092412.jpg. The right river bank is made up of slightly weathered rock at the top and

fresh bedrock at the bottom.

Slightly weathered rock

Fresh rock

Fig.6 Right River Bank and Stream Bed End Geologic Formations

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6.3 Stream Bed

At the proposed headwork site, the stream bed or course has moderate to gentle slope, well defined

banks, matured and shows rough surface due to recent sediment accumulations and undulating

appearance of bedrock outcrops. Along the intake axis, the bed is made up of two basically different

geologic materials, as seen from surface observation. These are recently deposited alluvial coarse

grained sediments, and underlying bedrock.

The central area of the bed (lower elevation portions) is covered with the alluvial deposits, while at

both ends of the stream bed there is fresh basalt rock. The bedrock is totally covered with the sediment

at the center of the stream. To know the thickness of the sediments or depth to bedrock, surface

geological understanding of the area (careful observation of up and downstream of the river geology)

would be used to estimate the thickness of sediment that covered area of the stream bed. Finally the

central areas (lower elevation portions) estimated 1m depth from the surface. The stream bed

deposits mainly covered with cobbles and boulders with some gravel. It is hence, the bedrock reaches

up to the depth 1m, at narrow sections of the bed (at center), and exposed on the surface at both

stream ends, Picture\IMG_20191211_105308.jpg.

6.4 Left River Bank

At the proposed headwork axis and immediate vicinities, the left river bank is also characterized by

very steep to vertical slope nature. As observed from the river bank exposure, in the same way as the

right bank, it is made up of weathered rock at the top and fresh bedrock at the bottom. The top

weathered rock is resulted into talus material (gravel, sand and clay) soil and rock slide of large size

boulders. Hence, it should be stabilized and protected by constructing retaining well to stop the talus

material as well as the rock slide (top weathered rock section), Picture\IMG_20191211_111520.jpg.

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Highly Weathered rock

Fresh rock

Fig. Left River Bank and Stream Bed End Geologic Formations

Fig.7 Headwork Site

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Fig.8 Topographic Maps and Some Appurtenant Structure

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Fig.9 engineering geological Cross section along Headwork Axis

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Fig.10 engineering geological Map of Project Area

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As described above, the foundation area of the headwork site is characterized by non-uniform geologic

materials of the stream bed; the sediments and the bedrock. The former is loose, while the bedrock is

strong. It is therefore better to remove the top loose deposited material before the bed bar

construction. Then after intercepting the 1m thickness sediment layer at the central portion of the

bed; it should anchor to the bedrock. This will help to stabilize the structure .

7. Main Delivery Pipe Route

The main delivery pipe route of this project passes through moderately steep to very steep (vertical)

slope topography which is made up of different geologic units; it ranges from gravely sandy soil to

slightly weathered bedrock. As opportunity almost all the canal route is through pipe which can be

taken as good fortune to protect both stability and seepage problems.

Based on the findings of geological investigations and with reference to design chain-ages and also

natural existing features, the main pipe route ground conditions have been described in the succeeding

sections.

 From outlet (0+000m) to about 0+060m of main delivery pipe route (Left river bank side), the

main pipe route at this interval passes through the bottom of left river bank of relatively gentle

slope ground which is covered by river deposit of cobbles and boulders with some silt gravel soil.

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Fig.11 from 0+000m to about 0+060m of Main Pipe Route

 From about 0+060m to 2+700m of main delivery pipe route (Sloppy cliff), the main pipe route

within this interval passes through the mid slope of vertical to very steep cliff, see plate below.

According to Engineering classification of the weathering of rocks (from Lama and Vutukuri,

1978), the main pipe route of almost all of this chain-age interval passes through top highly

weathered rock of having an average thickness of about 1.5m and the underlying slightly

weathered rock. The first section of the main pipe route of about 400m length along which

expecting to passes has some stability problems (soil creep & rock slides), Picture\

IMG_20191211_115207.jpg. If there is excavation or if the main route is in cut along this section;

workability problem is inevitable/ unavoidable due to rock excavation. As opportunity, the

underlying slightly weathered rock (relatively stable) is exposed in between the highly weathered

rocks. This in turn could help to anchor the main delivery pipe.

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Fig.12 from 0+060m to about 2+700m of Main Pipe Route

 From 2+700m to end, the main pipe route within this interval passes through the foot of steep

slope cliff, see plate below. It is made up of gravel and sand soil with significant amount of

cobbles and boulders. In additional, there is a talus material within this chain-age. The main pipe

route may face workability problems; if the canal bed level is more than 1.5m depth/ cut-off

greater than 1.5m.

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Fig.13 from 2+700m to end of Main Pipe Route

Within this interval the canal passes two main gullies which needs clarify;

 Gully one is found at this chain-age interval which has about 60m width. From the gully

exposure; both the gully banks and the gully bed is made up of slightly weathered rock.

8. Natural construction materials

During site investigation natural construction materials required for the construction of the various

proposed engineering structures at the headwork site and the main canal route have been assessed, and

possible quarry sites and borrow areas have been identified within the vicinity of the area as much as

possible. In addition to the identification, the quality, quantity, accessibility condition and ownership

of each proposed production sites have also been studied and described in this report; on separate sub-

sections below. The natural materials required for the construction of the proposed hydraulic structures

include; rock for masonry stones, aggregates (both coarse and fine), impervious soil for fill and/or

lining, and water.

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8.1 Rock Quarry

Quarry site that can be used for production of rock for masonry stone has been assessed, during the

field work session within the vicinity of the project area at economic distance for hauling.

For this project, a quarry site was proposed at about 2.5 km downstream specifically, at 475762m E,

1213163m N UTM ADINDAN GPS reading. The rock type within this quarry site has dark color and

has good intact rock strength properties due to basalt is strong if it is occur fresh in nature, see plate

below.

a b

Fig.14 (a) Rock Quarry Site within the River, (b) Rock along the Proposed Canal Route

The other quarry site has been identified as optional due to difference in engineering properties (easily

shapeable) between the two types of rocks. It has sufficient amount of rock which is found along the

pipe route. Naturally, this rock is strong as it is generally fresh except very thin cover of weathered

zones which need to be removed during rock dressing and before crushing. All quarry sites needs

accessibility roads.

8.2 Coarse Aggregates

Coarse aggregate is required for concrete construction during headwork and masonry channel

construction. There is excess gravel and cobble size rock fragments within the river so by only
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crushing and gridding it in to required size and required amount coarse aggregate to use them. Its

source is the river and no deficiency problem as well as transportation cost. From this site, rock of

different sizes can be produced; ranging from coarse gravels to large boulders that masonry stone and

coarse aggregate can be produced easily.

Fig.15 Course Aggregates within the River

8.3 Fine Aggregates

Fine aggregate or the sand source could take from a distant stream locally known as ‘Wayet River’

which is the tributary of Wenchit stream. It is found at about 214km from the headwork site and 170km

of this distance is through Werilu-Akesta-Densa main road; whereas the remaining 40km is dry weather

road. The final about 4km till the headwork site is inaccessible.

At the borrow site, there are 15 local legalized sand miners associations, and the sand is acquired from

them through negotiation and agreement. During the time investigation, the price of sand for one truck

was 2000 birr. The sand is obtained from similar geological unit basalt rock. In the proposed borrow area,

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there is sufficient amount of sand and the required volume should be mined in summer time for better

quantity. The estimated volumes of sand that can produce at borrow area is more than 60000m3.

All the samples were taken to Amhara Design & Supervision Works Soil Laboratory Section. In this lab,
mainly grain size analysis and determination of percentages of fines were conducted. To define the
important geotechnical properties of the sand source in the laboratory, representative samples were taken.

Fig.16 Borrow Area for Sand or Fine Aggregate Source

Table 6.1: Gradation or Grain Size Analysis

Gradation for Filter Materials

Particle Size Percent Passing (%)
(mm) DeFi-1 MeFi-1 Average Residual Sample
9.5 100 100 100
4.75 90.08 88.06 89.07
2.36 80.52 79.83 80.17
1.18 68.96 67.13 68.05
0.6 33.35 33.17 33.26
0.3 16.12 16.26 16.19
0.15 7.76 5.67 6.72
0.075 5.96 4.41 5.18
Pan 00 0.00 00

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Fig.17 Gradation Curves of Fine Aggregate or Sand

8.4 Fill Material

Along the main canal route, there are no more places that exceed 1m that needs where the original

ground level is lower than the designed canal bed level (CBL). However, for fill of different structures

that constructed at the head work site and along the main canals will be proposed from the excavations

along the canals. For such fill, natural fine grained soil material having low to medium plasticity, non-

expansive and impervious is required. For this project such soil material source can be get from

command area. But it is enough for fill of the structures cited above that is found through the canal

route.

From visual examination of the material source, the soil has black to brown color, and composed of

silt and sand. It is residual soil having low plasticity and low liquid limit. It is non-expansive soil.

According to the Unified Soil Classification System, the soil group lies in low plastic SILT (MH).

Such soil type possess a maximum dry density (MDD) lies within 1.25 to 1.37gm/cc; on average

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1.31gm/cc, and the associated optimum moisture content (OMC) of 33.1% to 39.5%; on average

36.3%. The construction of the fill can be then done using these parameters.

8.5 Water
Water for construction purposes can be getting from the project stream which is Perennial River that

flows throughout the year.

9. Conclusions and recommendation

9.1 Conclusions

 It is intended to design and construct a small scale irrigation project using intake structure at

Dendwa stream which is found in south wollo zone, in Mehal Sayint woreda of the region. For

these works, a suitable diversion headwork site has been selected and required technical data

have been collected to design safe and economic structure. One of the data is the geological

and geotechnical conditions of the foundation area at the headwork site and along the proposed

main canal route. In addition to this, nearby source areas for suitable required natural

construction materials have been also assessed. In these regard,

 The proposed diversion headwork site has non-uniform geologic condition that the stream bed

and the banks are made up of different materials. The central area of the bed (lower elevation

portions) is totally covered with the alluvial deposits of cobbles and boulders with some gravel

while at both ends of the stream bed there is basalt rock. On other hand the banks of the stream

at the headwork site are made up of different geologic materials; most part of the right bank is

made up of slightly weathered rock and fresh rock at the bottom. The left bank, on the contrary,

is made up of talus material (gravel, sand and clay) whereas fresh rock at the bottom. The left

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bank should be stabilized and protected by constructing retaining well to stop the talus material

as well as the rock slide (top weathered rock section).

 For this project, the main delivery pipe from outlet (0+060m) to about 2+700m of the

proposed route passes through the mid slope of vertical to very steep cliff which is made up of

top highly weathered rock of having an average thickness of about 1.5m and the underlying

slightly weathered rock. Similarly, from about 2+700m to end of this chain-age route passes

through the foot of cliff which has steep slope ground, and it is made up of gravel and sand soil

with significant amount of cobbles and boulders. In additional, there is a talus material within

this chain-age and underlying by slightly weathered rock.

 Except for fine aggregate (sand), other required natural construction materials are available

sufficiently near the project stream and close to the command areas within the project site. The

sand source could take from a distant stream locally known as ‘Wayet River’ which is the

tributary of Wenchit stream. It is found at about 214km from the headwork site and 170km of

this distance is through Werilu-Akesta-Densa main road whereas the remaining 40km is dry

weather road. The final about 4km till the headwork site is inaccessible.

9.2 Recommendation
 Since the streambed of headwork foundation area is made up of alluvial sediments, it is better

to design a masonry or concrete cut-off wall at the central portion of the stream. The wall

should penetrate the sediments expected within depth of 1m from surface at center of the

stream bed. This wall has two benefits; it forms uniform foundation, and also as seepage

barrier that subsurface water flow be blocked and will be utilized for the irrigation.

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 Since the left river bank is made up of talus materials, it should be stabilized and protected by

constructing retaining well to stop the top weathered section (rock slide) for about 10m at

upstream and for about 20m downstream to prevent the headwork structure.

 The first section of main delivery pipe route (about 400m length) from outlet (0+060m) to

about 2+700m has some stability problems (soil creep & rock slides). As opportunity, the

underlying slightly weathered rock (relatively stable) is exposed in between the highly

weathered rocks. Therefore, the main delivery pipe should anchor on the slightly weathered

rock (relatively stable).

 The main delivery pipe route from outlet (0+060m) to about 2+700m and from about

2+700m to end of this chain-age is made up of top highly weathered rock of having an average

thickness of about 1.5m and the underlying slightly weathered rock. Hence, within this chain-

age workability problem is an avoidable due to rock excavations if any cut more than 1.5m

depth is required.

 The proposed intake axis is the ideal site for the proposed intake structure based on the

geological condition of both the river bank and the bed. If any change of the headwork axis is

needed for engineering purpose, it should only move to upstream of the current axis, due to the

foundation condition (right river bank geological material) is not appropriate after 100m

downstream (soil creep) as evidenced from the exposure.

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10. Reference
ASRAT, A., DEMISSIE, M. & MOGESSIE, A., Geoheritage conservation in Ethiopia: the case of the

Simien Mountains. Quaestiones Geographicae31 (1), Bogucki Wydawnictwo Naukowe, Poznań 2012,

pp. 7–23.

Engineering- geology, second edition, F.G. Bell, 2007

Foundation engineering, second edition, 1974

Geotechnical engineering, principles and practice of soil mechanics and foundation engineering

Seismic risk map of Ethiopia, Lake Mariam, 1986

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