The construction of the new town of Ain Harouda (Morocco) requires prior recognition studies of soil properties on which will be built this city. This is done using two independent but complementary technics which are the geotechnic and the geophysics. Geotechnics mainly based on the recognition of mechanical properties of soils [1]; while geophysics, studied the physical properties of the latters [2,3]. The results of these two approaches will be used thereafter by planners for establishing the ground plane of the projected new city [4].

Study area

The new town of Ain Harouda (Morocco), will stretch along the Atlantic coast between the two cities Casablanca and Mohammedia, on a coastal strip of 6 km length ranging the SE Mohammedia to NE of Casablanca, and a width of 4 km ranging from the coast to the inside the country [5]. Its area is more than 1,700 ha (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Location of the new town of Ain Harouda [5].

Geological setting

The study area is located in the Meseta domain. It consists of consolidated dunes taking on the appearance of elongated hills parallel to the shore. These dunes are composed of Plio-Quaternary sandstone and sandy formations of a few tens of meters thick, sitting on a Cambro Ordovician bedrock, composed of schist and quartzite [6,7,8]. Recently, studies have revealed neotectonic deformations in Plio-Quaternary deposits in this region [9], and particularly probable fault oriented NE– SW in south extremity of Zenata city (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Geological map of the study area [8].

The geotechnical approach

The geotechnical approach includes:

• In-situ studies: 11 mechanical core holes, and 5 wells excavators (SG1 to SG5) with sampling for laboratory testing (identification tests). The implantation sites of wells and boreholes were selected after examining the geological map, documentary research, and field investigations (Figure 3). The scale of the depth data "1.10 to 2.20". While boreholes down to 50 m.

Figure 3: Intrinsic characteristic of sediments encountered in the well SG4.

• Laboratory studies: samples taken in each of five wells were subject a lithological description and identification tests. This latter includes water content (W), density, granulometric analysis by sieving, sedimentation particle size analysis, value of methylene blue (VBS), equivalent of sand, and Atterberg limits. All identification tests were performed according to the French standard [10-13].

The geophysical approach

The resistivity survey techniques s a method of electrical prospecting studying the resistivity variations generated by geological structures or heterogeneities in the basement. It involves the passage of current into the ground by means of two current electrodes while the potential difference is measured using a second pair of potential electrodes. Two separate electrical resistivity techniques are used, the Schlumberger vertical electrical sounding (VES) and the Schlumberger tomography

(a) The Schlumberger vertical electrical sounding (VES): The Schlumberger VES investigation measures the changes in formation resistivity with depth [14] (Figure 4). It requires that current electrodes spacing, AB is increased after every reading while potential electrodes spacing, MN is kept constant for most readings but increased when necessary using the control AB/2 > MN/2 [15]. In our case, the sedimentary cover on the basement is not as thick as to warrant large current electrode spacing for deeper penetration therefore the largest current electrode spacing AB used was 200 m, that is, 1/2AB=100 m. For this survey, five vertical electrical soundings were performed (figure 5). The principal instrument used is Geotrad. With the Schlumberger vertical electrical sounding (VES), the obtained apparent resistivity data ρa were plotted against half current electrode spacing (1/2AB) on a log-log scale. The curves were then interpreted qualitatively by visual inspection and quantitatively by partial curve matching and modelled using computer iteration with the aid of Winsev version 6 computers software to generate depth strata for analysis.

Figure 4: Schlumberger array Electrode spacing.

Figure 5: Location profiles tomography Electrical background Google maps 2014.

(b)Electrical Resistivitity Thomographic Pseudo-sections: Electrical tomography gives an idea of changes in subsurface resistivity in 2D, i.e. the both lateral and vertical along the line of electrodes [16]. It in fact corresponds a succession of electrical surveys one beside the others. For this, an array of electrodes is installed along a rectilinear profile with a constant spacing chosen to optimize the length of the profile, the depth of investigation and the desired resolution. Measurements are presented as a pseudosection of apparent resistivity as a function of the position along the profile. In this study eight profiles of 630 m each have been used (Figure 5). The spacing between the selected electrode is 10 m, and the acquisition hardware used is Terra meter LS.

Results of geotechnical approach

• Observations in-situ allows to recognize, identify and characterize the land forming the study area.

• Land observed in five wells on the first two meters show upward sandstone, limestone, sand, and finally topsoil (Figure 3).

• The field studies well as those of drilling until 50 m depths show that the geological formations of the study area are all of sedimentary origin and consist of primary plinth formed of schists and quartzites of Cambro-Ordovician age; above, come the Plio-Quaternary formations usually composed, from bottom to top by coquina conglomerates, surmounted by marine calcarenite beach, passing progressively dune calcarenites intercalated locally by rubefies and often altered continental spreading.

The identification tests carried out on samples taken from each of the five wells were used to determine the intrinsic characteristics of different lands that form the study area (water content W, expressed in %, Value of Methylene Blue of Sol, VBS, liquid limit WL, plasticity index IP and granulometric analysis). An example of results concerning the well SG4 is given in the table below.

Results of geophysical approach

The sounding curves obtained by the vertical electrical sounding Schlumberger (VES) have in the general form of "inverted cloche" which translates, first, by a decrease in the apparent resistivity values followed by an increase of these. This form of electrical diagram sounding matching to a model of the basement formed of at least four layers, corresponding to the superposition of two resistant terrains, separated by a third conductor, and sitting on a conductive substratum.

We give two examples of vertical electrical sounding, those of SEV1 and SEV3 (Figures 6 and 7).

Figure 6: Vertical electrical sounding curve SEV.

Figure 7: Curve of electric vertical sounding SEV 3.

Curve of this sounding SEV₁ above survey brings out from top to bottom the following entities:

A resistant terrain R1 with intrinsic resistivity ρ=258 Ohm.m corresponding to surface coverage type limestone at lumachelles.

• A conductor level C1 (ρ=47 Ohm.m) representing limestones at lumachelles with intercalation of thin clay layers.

• A resistant level R2 (ρ=363 Ohm.m). The characteristics of this terrain are calcareous.

• A resistant terrain R3 (ρ=348 Ohm.m). This formation is attributed tothe top of the quartzitic schists little altered.

• A conductor C2 (ρ=4.86 Ohm.m) terrain. This sudden drop in resistivity may be caused by the intrusion of saline Atlantic waters.

• The curve of this sounding brings out from top to bottom the following entities:

• A Resistant level R1, intrinsic resistivity ρ=2078 Ohm.m corresponding to the superficial coverage type quartzitic sandstone.

• A conductor level C1 (ρ=43 Ohm.m) representing micaceous sandstone fractured which are the subject of thin aquifer of water.

• A resistant level R2 (ρ=1010 Ohm.m) matching quartzitic sandstone fractured.

• A terrain conductor C2 (ρ=5.21 Ohm.m), representing a thicker aquifer.

• The results obtained by electrical tomography are represented by three images (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Electrical tomography profiles.

The top image shows the results of true resistivity measured field, the middle one shows the results of resistivity given by the Res2div software, the final image below is that which results from the combination of the first two Each profile is formed from a single device 640 m, depending on accessibility to the ground.

Electrical tomography profiles whose average depth of investigation is 70 m, sometimes up to 130 m can give an image of the basement of the future city of Ain Harrouda (Figure 9). They show resistivity 200- 1600 Ω.m corresponding to calcareous sandstone exposed in places like the above profile. Medium resistivity around 50-100 Ω.m representative loamy sands. Low resistivity, below 50 Ω.m corresponding clays. While the substratum, it is deeply marked in depth by high resistivity superior to 3000 Ω.m, as the profile below where only the inverse model resistivity is shown.

Figure 9: Resistivities obtained by electrical tomography profiles. Example profile 2.

In addition, concerning the search on the field of the fault NE-SW suspected in the study area, none of 8 profiles electrical tomography performed on the probable line of the fault or either side of it was able to show clearly the presence of such a fault.

The preliminary study developed in this work shows that the geographic study area appears healthy and suitable for the construction of the new town of Ain Harrouda. The geotechnical approach currently serves as a guide for planners to establish the ground plane of the new city. The results obtained so far concern the identification tests. They must be supplemented by mechanical tests on soil and rock.

The geophysical approach, vertical electrical sounding and electrical tomography allowed the determination of the consistency of the soil will be sitting the works that will be projected in the study area. It shows a lateral variation of electrical resistivity clearly visible. The substratum is characterized by high resistivity (greater than 3000 Ohm.m); and sedimentary cover is represented by three classes of resistivity, medium for calcareous sandstone (200-1600 Ohm.m), low for loamy sands (50- 100 Ohm.m) and very low for clays (less than 50 ohm.m).