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K I S E R I A N I ADO

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DOUGLAS MUTHA URA ABUURU

A thesis submitted in partial

to the Depa!:tment of Geology of the requirements

fulfillment

for the degree of Mater of Science (Geology).

Gniversity

1989

of Nairobi

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ABSTRACT

This thesis

presents

the results

of geological

investigations The dam. and

'i nf o rmati on that
~

carried out at the Kiser-ian\'damtfsite, Ka ji ado district. study was undertaken The main with t.he aim of obtaining and construction be determined could help in the design pa rarne t.e rs to ~thostratigraphical of the proposed we re , the conditions

str-ucture,

sequence;

~drogeologica1

the depth to the bedrockw Field investigations were conducted by way of an integrated photo-interpretation, approach. The methods used included geological mapp rnq , seismic refr-action, electrical sounding, electrical profiling and core-logging. The dam site is underlain by the Ngong Basalts. Seismic

refraction results suggest a highly irregular bedrock surface. There 1S a substantial variation in velocity within the overburden explained as well as in the sound in terms of fracturing rock. These variations are and weathering of the rocks.

Geoelectrical sections revealed a low.resistive zone below the foundation bed. This is attributed to a weathered zone. Corelogs show that the overburden mater'i~ls are underlain by fresh basalts,weathered basalts, agg10meratic resulting from weathering. zone and residual soils

The seismic and resistivity result~ allowed interpolation the bedrock surface between drill holes with much confidence than would o t.he rw i se have been possible. On bas is of the resu 1ts obta ined, it 1 S recommended that overburden be excavated to depths of 1.5 m to 2 m. Grout

of more the the cap is

should be used to seal off the fractures. the fractured foundation. A deep cut-off

This will strengthen or grout curtain

recommended at the hee 1 of the dam to p rov i d,,~abetter anChorage which wi 11 increase resistance to sl iding.