Evaluation of geotechnical properties of soils from Wukari, Taraba state

ABSTRACT This study was aimed at evaluating the geotechnical properties of soils within Wukari , Taraba state. Disturbed samples were collected from tests suggests that the soil and subjected to engineering classification and strength tests. Results of the index

INTRODUCTION The geotechnical properties of soils play a significant role in all construction projects ranging from buildings, roads or earthen structures such as dams and embankments. These soils serve as engineering materials and are used to support structures. In order to use soils, an understanding of its behavior under various loadings and condition is required. Soil behavior also varies widely from region to region as well as within similar patches of land. The effective use of soils as engineering materials requires a detailed knowledge of the geotechnical properties of soils, which are naturally complex and heterogenous. This study therefore is aimed at evaluating the geotechnical properties of soils within Wukari, Taraba

STUDY AREA Soils samples used for this study were obtained from borrow pits in Wukari between latitudes; 070 50 25.2N , 070 51 06.50N and longitudes 0090 45 51.12E, 0090 46 46.48E. Geologically, Wukari lies in the middle of the Benue trough which is a cretaceous sedimentary basin. A review of literature shows that layer is underlain by very coarse, conglomeratic, gritty, arkosic sandstone. The outcrops of this sandstone are very rare in the southern part of the area as they are mostly covered by weathered, loosed lateritic sediment derived from their weathering, but in the north part, most especially towards the north-eastern part, the sandstone was seen to be outcropping into a highly compacted lateritic or ferruginized hill measuring about 2 to 3 m in thickness. The overburden thickness around this area is also very thin and rarely exceeds 0.5 m in thickness. Like most parts of northern Nigeria, Taraba State has a wet

and dry climate. The wet season lasts, on the average, from April to October. Mean annual rainfall varies between 1058mm in the north around Jalingo and Zing, to over 1300mm in the South around Serti and Takum. The wettest monthsare and September. The dry season lasts from November to March. The driest months are December and January with relative humidity dropping to about 15 percent. Mean annual temperature around Jalingo is about 28C with maximum temperatures varying between 30C and 39.4C. The minimum temperatures range between August

15C

to

23C.

The

Mambilla

plateau has climatic characteristics typical of a temperate climate. Temperatures are tow throughout the year and the rainy season lasts from February to November with a mean annual rainfall of over 1850mm. Vegetation: Rainfall distribution and topogra phy are the most important factors influencing the pattern of vegetation in Taraba State. The vegetation may Mountain Grassland and forest vegetation. The study area is located on a fairly level terrain with elevations ranging from 158m to 176m a.s.l. The area is characterized by an uneven spread of vegetation comprising mainly of shrubs and isolated trees. Some areas of the site were observed to have stunted trees and shrubs while others revealed a lot of shrubs and trees. The study area falls within the savannah belt of the northern part of Nigeria and soil types in this area are typically sands and sandy clays. MATERIALS AND METHODS Field Investigation During the field investigation, representative soil samples were collected in a grid network at an average interval of 100m between points. A total number of samples were collected in order to ascertain the lateral variation of soil across the study area. Undisturbed samples were collected at a depth of 1.m from the surface. be classified into three broad types: the Northern Guinea, the Southern Guinea and the

Laboratory Investigation Samples were air-dried and specimens were prepared in accordance with BS 1377: 1990 Particle Size Distribution: This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within a soil. The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to determine the distribution of the coarser, larger-sized particles, and the hydrometer method is used to determine the distribution of the finer particles. This test is performed in accordance with BS 1377: Part 2: 1990. The distribution of different grain sizes affects the engineering properties of soil. Grain size analysis provides the grain size distribution, and it is required in classifying the soil.

Atterberg Limits The Atterberg limits are based on the moisture content of the soil. This test is performed to determine the plastic and liquid limits of a fine grained soil. The liquid limit (LL) is arbitrarily defined as the water content, in percent, at which the soil changes from a plastic to a viscous fluid state The plastic limit on the other hand, is the moisture content that defines where the soil changes from a semi-solid to a plastic (flexible) state. The shrinkage limit is the moisture content that defines where the soil volume will not reduce further if the moisture content is reduced. A wide variety of soil engineering properties

have been correlated to the liquid and plastic limits, and these Atterberg limits are also used to classify a fine-grained soil according to the Unified Soil Classification system or AASHTO system. This test was performed in accordance with BS 1377: Part 2: 1990.

Specific Gravity Test Specific gravity is the ratio of the mass of unit volume of soil at a stated temperature to the mass of the same volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature. The specific gravity of a soil is used in the phase relationship of air, water, and solids in a given volume of the soil. This test was performed to determine the specific gravity of soil by using a pycnometer and is performed in accordance with BS 1377: Part 2: 1990. Determination of specific gravity of soil using pycnometer.

Natural Moisture Content : The water content is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the mass of water in a given mass of soil to the mass of the dry soil solids. For many soils, the water content may be an extremely important index used for establishing the relationship between the way a soil behaves and its properties. The consistency of a fine-grained soil largely depends on its water content. The water content is also used in expressing the phase relationships of air, water, and solids in a given volume of soil. This test was performed in accordance with BS 1377: Part 2: 1990 using the oven-drying method.

Direct Shear Test The direct shear test is used for carrying out drained shear tests for the determination of effective shear strength parameters in cohesionless soils. The test was carried out using the small shearbox apparatus on undisturbed specimens obtained from the trial pit. This test was carried out in accordance with clause 4 of BS 1377: Part 7: 1990. Consolidation Test One-dimensional consolidation tests were carried out to determine the amount of compression and the rate at which this will take place. The test was carried out on undisturbed samples from the trial pits and performed in accordance with clause 3 of BS 1377: Part 5: 1990. Analysis of Laboratory test results Grain Size Analysis The subsoil investigation at the proposed site shows that the topsoil consists basically of brownish to light brown sandy soils. The grain size distribution of the soil showed more than 50% of each soil sample tested was retained on sieve No 200, indicating the soils are generally coarse grained. They were further classified as sandy soils since a greater portion passed through sieve No 4. The grain size analysis shows that the soil within the study area are predominantly sandy soils with some silt and clay. The gravel content is relatively low to non-existent. However, percentage of fines (i.e materials

finer than 75microns) varies between 1.2 to 66.7% with a corresponding mean of and standard deviation of.. The relationship between plasticity index and the fines is presented in figure

Atterberg Limits The atterberg limits of the soils (Liquid Limit and Plasticity Index) plotted above the A-line on the Cassagrande plasticity chart. Based on the USCS soil classification system, these soils fall into the category of silty or clayey fine sands with slight plasticity. This group of soils tends to have slight to medium degree of compressibility and expansion with poor drainage characteristics. However, about 10% of the trial pits were classified as fine grained soils: both clays and silts with generally low plasticity. The plasticity index and linear shrinkage values obtained show that the soil would exhibit a medium degree of expansion.

Direct Shear The results from the direct shear test further confirmed the soils to be generally cohesive with varying degrees of cohesion throughout the site. Allowable bearing pressures ranged from 89 250 kN/m2.

Compaction and California Bearing Ratio

Standard compaction and California Bearing ratio tests were performed on some samples collected from the trial pits. The table below summarizes the results obtained.

Table 2: Compaction and C.B.R test results Trial Pit Depth m M.D.D Kg/m3 TP22 TP16 TP153 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.12 2.33 2.43 9.2 17.0 14.5 21.0 3.2 6.9 O.M.C % C.B.R %

Consolidation The results from the one-dimensional consolidation test at 250 KN/m2 incremental pressure are presented in the table below: Table 3: Consolidation test results

Trial Pit

Depth

Coefficient Consolidation m2/yr

of Coefficient Volume Compressibility m2/MN

of

TP24 TP28 TP44 TP56 TP85 TP168 TP180

1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

13 17 21 9.4 14 13 16

0.0049 0.015 0.0004 0.024 0.015 0.014 0.015