Geotechnical and Mineralogical Studies on Edaphic Stresses of the Deccan Trap Formations at NIASM Site, Malegaon, Baramati, Maharashtra

Geotechnical study on 17 Bore Logs with depth up to 5m were conducted at Upper reaches of watershed using rotary drilling rig at NIASM Site, Malegaon, Baramati to understand the nature of lithological/mineralogical compatibility, hydrothermal/secondary mineral crystallization of individual drill core by measuring the rock strength and assessing their feasibility for the foundation of different building blocks as well as for evaluating the possible role of edaphic stresses. Study indicated two phases of volcanic activity with variable thickness of vesicular and non-vesicular flows and most variable physical parameters are the saturated crushing strength and water absorption due to the inhomogeneous and fractured/altered nature of rocks in different horizons and at variable depths at logging site. Net safe bearing capacity is low in the vesicular flow due to presence of amygdales whereas it is high in non-vesicular flow due to compactness indicating that with diverse lithology the different treatment for the foundations are required to set up a strong base of different blocks.