Geotechnical zoning of deltaic and alluvial soils of Guayaquil (Ecuador) using CPT and Nkt calibration based on FVT

This document summarizes the results obtained from geotechnical zoning analysis in the city of Guayaquil and its surroundings, which stratigraphy consists mostly of alluvial and estuarine deltaic soils, by compiling over 600 CPTs and 800 boreholes. Products generated include a map of rigid stratum depth with high impedance contrast as well as spatial distribution of liquefaction susceptibility using a simplified methodology. Furthermore, shear strength s_u peak and remolded have been evaluated by comparing CPT-borehole pairs and 26 sites with CPT and electric FVT. It has been found that s_u peak from laboratory tests adjusts well to the FVT s_u remolded and f_s, suggesting sample disturbance. It has been verified that N_kt values measured with FVT are lower than average reported values in previews studies, possibly due to diatoms identified in scanning electron microscope (SEM). F_r based estimates appear to yield an upper limit of N_kt factor in Guayaquil soft clays, while s_u maps for 5 m soil segments are provided from CPT-based N_kt values.