TECTONICS ENGINEERING AND CONSULT LTD.

GEOTECHNICAL SOIL REPORT

BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG

BAUCHI-KARRI ROAD,BAUCHI.

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover
page .............................................................................................................
......................................
Table of
Contents ......................................................................................................
.................................1
List of
Tables ...........................................................................................................
....................................2
List of
Plates ...........................................................................................................
......................................2
List of
Figures .........................................................................................................
.....................................3
Executive
Summary.......................................................................................................
...............................4
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
Background .................................................................................................
............................5
1.2 Scopes of
work .............................................................................................................
.........................5
1.3 Brief Description of the Site
6
CHAPTER TWO FIELD AND LABORATORY WORKS
2.1 Surface
Exploration ..................................................................................................
...........................8

Page 1

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

2.2 Subsurface
Exploration ..................................................................................................
.....................8
2.2.1 Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
Test ....................................................................................8
2.2.2 Test
Pitting ..........................................................................................................
..................9
2.2.3 Hand Auger
Sampling ......................................................................................................
...9 2.2.4 Table of test pit
coordinates ..........................................................................................10
2.2.5 Pictures showing exploratory
activities .........................................................................14
2.2.6 Pictures showing DCP
tests .............................................................................................15
2.3 Laboratory
Testing..........................................................................................................
.....................16
2.3.1 Natural Moisture
Contents................................................................................................16
2.3.2 Particle size
analysis ........................................................................................................
...16
2.3.3 Atterberg
Limits ...........................................................................................................
......16
2.3.4 Direct Shear
Test ..............................................................................................................
..17
2.3.5 Consolidation Test
17
2.3.6 Plate showing laboratory test in
progress................................................................18

Page 2

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

CHAPTER THREE RESULTS AND DICUSSION

3.1 Natural Moisture
Contents ......................................................................................................
..........19
3.2 Particle Size
Analysis ........................................................................................................
..................19
3.3 Atterberg
Limits ...........................................................................................................
.......................19
3.4 Soil Classification
Criteria ........................................................................................................
..........20
3.5

Direct

Shear

Test .........................................................................................................
.......................20
3.6 Bearing
Capacity ..................................................................................................
...............................21
3.7 Consolidation
test ..........................................................................................................
.....................22
3.8 Dynamic

Cone

Penetration

Test

Results ........................................................................................23
CHAPTER FOUR SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
4.1 General
Conclusions .................................................................................................
.........................24
4.2
Recommendations .......................................................................................
......................................24
Page 3

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

4.3
Limitations ...................................................................................................
.......................................24

REFERENCES
. 26

LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 Coordinates and Elevations of DCP/Test Pits
..
Table 3.1 Summary of Test Results
.
Table 3.2 Laboratory Bearing Capacity ..
..
Table 3.3 DCP Bearing Capacity
Results ............................................................................................
LIST OF PLATES
Plate I: Showing Excavation/soil sampling at the Proposed Site
.
Plate II: Laboratory Activities at Tectonics Engineering & Consults Ltd,
Abuja ..

LIST OF FIGURES
Plate I: Showing the sites Layout
..

Page 4

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A
................................................................................Natural Moisture
Contents
APPENDIX B
..................................................................................Particle Size Analysis
Graphs
APPENDIX C..................................................................................
Atterberg Limits Results
APPENDIX D
..................................................................................Direct Shear Graphs
APPENDIX E ...................................................................................
Consolidation Test Plots
APPENDIX
F...................................................................................DCP Bearing
Capacity Plots

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The subsurface exploration and geotechnical engineering services
requested for the site of Bauchi State University along Bauchi-Karri road
have been completed. Subsurface conditions at the subject site were
explored by 120 (One hundred and twenty) test pits taken to a depth of
1.5m each. The results of the sampling and the coordinates of its
approximate locations are included in this report.Also,twenty points were
tested for in-situ bearing capacity values with the use of the dynamic
Page 5

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

cone penetrometer (DCP). This report describes the subsurface

conditions encountered in the explorations, presents the test results
obtained, and provides recommendations for use in designing of
structural foundations.
The soils underlying the site are classified based on Unified Soil
Classification System (USCS) for the proposed area.Soils recording more
than 50% of its particle passing sieve #200 is considered fine grained
soil while those below 50% are classified as coarse-grained. Based on this
criteria, the soils underlying the site are predominantly coarse grained.
The group symbol of the soil is SM with group name silty sand with
gravel.
The soil strenght values were determined with the use of Direct Cone
Penetrometer (DCP) and the allowable bearing pressures determined by
direct shear tests in the lab. The values from the DCP range from
66kn/m2 and 418kn/m2 while the allowable pressures from the direct
shear tests range from 60kn/m2 and 240kn/m2. It is to be noted that areas
nearer to the streams are the ones with the lower bearing values as
informed by their moisture content and their particle size
gradations.Based
on
the
results
above,60kn/m2
is
therefore
recommended as the bearing capacity of the site and can be used for
design purposes.
The compressibility assessment of the soil indicates a range of coefficient
compressibility range of 0.011m2/MN and 0.38m2/MN.Areas with low
compressibility values fall under the category of Very slightly
compressible materials while those above 0.35m2/MN are Very highly
compressible soils.As a result,those areas nearer to the streams are very
highly compressible and structures to be built in such areas recquire
rigorous analysis and standard construction methods as primary
settlement should be anticipated on the areas.
Based on the results of our findings, the following are hereby
recommended:

A bearing capacity value of 60kN/m 2 at 1.5m depth was established

for the site and can be used for design purpose.
A dry unit weight of 18.6 kN/m3 may be used for design purpose.
The foundation types to be used depend on the complexity of the
intended structures and anticipated loadings.The engineering
judgement of a registered structural engineer is of importance
since the strenght values and their corresponding compressibilities
vary due to the size of the site.Isolated pad foundations would
Page 6

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

suffice for the areas with low compressibilities while foundation

beams and raft foundation would be recquired in places with low
bearing capacities and high compressiblities.Tables showing
locations and their values are included in this report.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 General Background
Successful engineering projects often involves the use of engineering
principles in the appropriate manner which in turn answers concerns
such as safety and economy. Such concerns includes and is not limited to
a proper understanding of site conditions on which projects are to be
built.

To

this

end,

Tectonics

Engineering

&

Consults

Ltd

was

commisioned to investigate the proposed land belonging to Bauchi State

University along Bauchi-Karre road Bauchi for site exploration and
characterisation.This process involved a two-part program of tests
performed

on the site insitu properties ,also known as field tests and

laboratory analysis .
Samples were taken at detailed positions and locations and

further

logged

in

on

which

series

of

tests

were

performed

on

the

laboratory.Various field methods were employed in acquiring relevant

data on the site vis-a-vis Dynamic Cone Penetration Test and Hand Auger
method along with Test Pitting in collecting the soil samples.
The present assessment is conducted to present in details the findings on
the underlying soil properties of the proposed Bauchi state university for
the purpose of design and execution by employing relevant and reliable
techniques. One hundred and twenty test pits were sampled and properly
logged and twenty points were tested for in-situ bearing capacities
determination.Each split-barrel sample was tested to determine the
moisture

content,

Atterberg

limits

tests

were

performed

on

representative soil sample to aid in soil classification. All laboratory

Page 7

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

testing was performed in general accordance with appropriate standards.

The results of these laboratory tests are reported on approriate tables
including their respective sample location.
The DCP test equally gave on indication of the site underlying soil as the
penetrations recorded against each hammer blow was found to be low
with depths of refusal ranging between 0.8m and 2.7m.
1.2 Scopes of Work

To conduct Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Test (DCP) on twenty

locations of the site for in situ bearing capacity determinations.

To obtain undisturbed/disturbed samples through accessible

exploration methods by test pits and sampling.

To evaluate by conducting laboratory tests the physical properties
and strength of the soils obtained for both disturbed and
undisturbed samples from the test pits.

1.3 Brief Description of the Site

The proposed site is located in Bauchi state along Bauchi-karri road in
the northern part of the country. The site was covered with vegetation at
the time this exploration was conducted. The study area has a gentle,
undulating topography characterized by relatively high ground from the
northern part that slopes gently towards the southern part of the area.
The area lies within the Borno basin and it is underlain by Pleistocene
sedimentary rocks of the Chad Formation, which consists of yellow, grey
clay, fine to coarse-grained sand with intercalations of sandy clay, gravels
and diatomites. The Chad Formation is underlain by the basement rocks
at the periphery of the basin and underlain by Kerrikerri Formation and
Fika Shale towards the shallow part of the basin and towards the basin
centre respectively.
The soil formation in the project area is predominantly coarse-grained
with a high content of gravel,silt and clay in varying combinations
resulting in medium to low strength values.

Page 8

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

SITE LAYOUT/SATELLITE IMAGERY

Page 9

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

CHAPTER TWO
FIELD AND LABORATORY WORKS
2.1 Surface Exploration
The investigation involved surface exploration. The consultants team
traversed the entire site and the surroundings noting its features and
existing structures.
2.2 Subsurface Exploration

The field crew visited the site in August, 2014 for field explorations,
logging and sampling. The explorations included surface, accessible
exploration methods by test pits and sampling and DCP. Various soil
samples were collected. These samples were examined visual manually
Page 10

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

for possible identification and were transported to the Laboratory for

further analysis.
The twenty (20) points of the DCP were found to record refusal at a
minimum depth of 0.8m and maximum of 2.7m. It was therefore evident
that the sites at the areas farther from the streams have low DCP values
indicating high strenght while those close to the streams show low
strenght values.
2.2.1 Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) Test

Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) Test involves driving a solid cone of

600 into the ground, using repeated blows of a hammer with a fixed mass
of 8Kg falling through a distance of 575mm having maximum diameter of
20mm. The hammer strikes an anvil which is rigidly fixed to the rods
which are of smaller diameters than the cone, and transmit the hammer
energy to it.
As the cone was being driven into the ground, the number of blows
required to drive each increment (typically 100 mm) was being recorded.
The point of refusal was recorded and the test terminated at depths
where hammer blows greater than 50 caused less than 100mm
penetration. The blow count is inputted in to appropriate software to
provide a more-or-less continuous profile of penetration resistance with
depth and consequent determination of the bearing capacity usually at
0.5m depth interval.

It is to be noted that the rods are generally quite short, and as each
new rod was added they are usually being turned through one or
more revolutions, in order to reduce friction.
2.2.2 Test Pits

The test pits were generally located at 120 locations within the site.
The pits were excavated by hand in order that the soil could be
Page 11

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

examined in situ and samples taken. Topsoil was stripped from the
pit area before the start of the work and was stockpiled separately
until completion.

2.2.3 Hand Auger Sampling

Hand auger was used by two men, who press down on the crossbar as they rotate it thus advancing the hole. Once the auger was
full, or has collected sufficient material, it was brought back to the
surface and the soil removed.
The hand auger samples were recommended for the borrow pit
areas where the samples were collected at 1.0 2.0m maximum
depths.
It is rule of thumb that in stiff or very stiff clays, hand-auger
progress will be very slow, and the depth of boring may have to be
limited to about 5 m or less. When such clays contain gravel,
cobbles or boulders it will not normally be possible to advance the
hole at all. In uncemented sands or gravels, it will not be possible
to advance the hole below the water table, since casing cannot be
used and the hole will collapse either on top of the auger (which
makes it difficult to recover the auger from the hole) or when the
auger is being removed. Only samples of very limited size can be
obtained from the hole.
Table 2.1 presents the coordinates and elevations of the test
locations

Page 12

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

Table 2.1 Coordinates of DCP/Test Pits

BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY

TP
NOS

NORTHINGS

EASTINGS

TP1
TP2
TP3
TP4
TP5
TP6
TP7
TP8
TP9
TP10
TP11
TP12
TP13
TP14
TP15
TP16
TP17
TP18
TP19
TP20

10 22' 78.1"
10 22' 7.78"
10 22' 7.55"
10 22' 7.36"
10 22' 7.06"
10 22' 6.66"
10 22' 7.41"
10 22' 7.91"
10 22' 8.43"
10 22' 5.43"
10 22' 9.46"
10 22' 9.99"
10 22' 0.45"
10 23' 0.98"
10 23' 0.84"
10 23' 1.57"
10 23' 1.46"
10 23' 1,.29"
10 23' 0.89"
10 23' 0.46"

00955' 92.9"
00955' 8.86"
00955' 8.31"
00955' 6.89"
00955' 3.67"
00955' 3.32"
00955' 2.83"
00955' 3.62"
00955' 4.35"
00955' 5.43 "
00955' 6.31"
00955' 7.62"
00955' 7.94"
00955' 8.79"
00955' 9.44"
00955' 9.64"
00955' 8.47"
00955' 7.93"
00955' 7.40"
00955' 6.45"

TP21
TP22
TP23
TP24
TP25
TP26
TP27
TP28
TP29
TP30
TP31
TP32
TP33
TP34
TP35
TP36
TP37
TP38
TP39
TP40

10 23' 0.05"
10 22' 9.91"
10 22' 9.50"
10 22' 9.40 "
10 22' 9.04"
10 22' 9.92"
10 23' 0.16"
10 23' 0.68"
10 23' 1.10"
10 23' 1.30"
10 23' 1.68"
10 23' 2.00"
10 23' 2.67"
10 23' 3.01"
10 23' 2.43"
10 23' 2.32"
10 23' 2.32"
10 23' 2.63"
10 23' 3.20"
10 23' 0.04"

00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'

5.67"
4.85"
3.77"
2.81"
2.37"
2.52"
3.12"
3.56"
4.18"
4.51"
5.08"
5.95"
6.67"
7.33"
7.59"
8.19"
8.68"
9.04"
9.86"
0.04"

Page 13

ELEVATI
ON (m)
565
568
567
564
563
564
568
567
569
571
570
567
566
569
564
561
565
565
566
568
568
569
569
564
558
560
561
560
562
562
563
563
561
560
560
559
564
560
557
556

REMARK
Not far from road

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

TP41
TP42
TP43
TP44
TP45
TP46
TP47
TP48
TP49
TP50
TP51
TP52
TP53
TP54
TP55
TP56
TP57
TP58
TP59
TP60
TP61
TP62
TP63
TP64
TP65
TP66
TP67
TP68
TP69
TP70

10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10

TP71

23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'
23'

0.46"
0.02"
9.42"
8.67"
7.62"
6.47"
6.02"
4.92"
3.60"
2.92"
2.52"
1.85"
1.59"
1.93"
2.29"
2.76"
3.13"
3.53"
4.48"
4.61"
4.86"
5.02"
5.26"
5.53"
5.84"
6.08"
6.44"
6.65"
7.08"
7.85"

553
555
559
558
560
563
564
561
558
556
556
553
552
552
553
551
553
553
552
552
552
552
551
551
551
551
549
555
555
558

10 23' 6.75"

00955' 7.85"

558

close to rock

TP72
TP73
TP74
TP75
TP76

10
10
10
10
10

00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'

7.70"
8.25"
8.43"
8.96"
9.02"

557
554
553
550
551

close to rock

TP77
TP78

10 23' 7.02"
10 23' 7.21"

00955' 9.64"
00956' 0.24"

551
551

Close to stream

TP79
TP80
TP81
TP82
TP83

10
10
10
10
10

00956'
00956'
00956'
00955'
00955'

0.57"
0.46"
0.31"
9.89"
9.64"

553
552
551
551
550

Road track
Road track

TP84
TP85

10 23' 7.92"
10 23' 8.10"

00955' 9.20"
00955' 8.75"

550
551

23'
23'
23'
23'
23'

23'
23'
23'
23'
23'

3.96"
4.18"
4.29"
4.42"
4.27"
4.05"
3.95"
3.31"
3.21"
3.10"
3.08"
3.32"
3.64"
3.85"
3.96"
4.14"
4.27"
4.70"
5.19"
5.43"
5.95"
6.13"
6.43"
6.70"
6.98"
7.18"
7.35"
7.59"
7.91"
8.22"
7.04"
7.18"
7.13"
7.14"
7.44"

7.44"
7.77"
8.02"
7.85"
8.02"

00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'

Page 14

Close to footpath

Close to rock

Close to track
road

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

TP86
TP87
TP88
TP89

10
10
10
10

23'
23'
23'
23'

TP90

10 23' 9.22"

TP91
TP92
TP93
TP94
TP95
TP96

10 23' 89.57"
10 23' 9.65"
10 23' 9.39"
10 24' 0.07"
10 24' 0.07 "
10 24' 0.66"
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'

7.93"
8.59"
8.67"
8.72"

8.44"
7.75"
7.33"
7.04"

552
552
551
551

00955' 7.83"

549

Close to rock

00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'

7.71"
7.13"
6.62"
6.78"
6.39"
6.53"

547
548
549
547
546
547

Close to rock

00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'

6.90"
7.23"
7.55"
7.25"
7.94"

544
543
545
548
548

TP97
TP98
TP99
TP100
TP101

10
10
10
10
10

TP102
TP103
TP104

10 24' 0.63"
10 24' 1.45"
10 24' 2.20"

00955' 8.04"
00955' 8.77"
00955' 8.78"

547
546
543

TP105
TP106
TP107
TP108
TP109
TP110
TP111
TP112
TP113
TP114
TP115
TP116
TP117
TP118
TP119
TP120

10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10

00955'
00955'
00955'
00956'
00955'
00956'
00955'
00956'
00956'
00956'
00956'
00956'
00956'
00956'
00955'
00955'

542
541
542
544
544
544
545
545
546
547
549
550
549
551
548
549

24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'
24'

1.07"
1.12"
1.02"
0.39"
0.37"

00955'
00955'
00955'
00955'

2.57"
2.67"
9.36"
2.19"
1.93"
0.09"
1.27"
0.84"
0.46"
0.04"
9.74"
1.33"
9.76"
9.24"
9.19"
9.04"

8.92"
9.36"
9.77"
0.02"
0.39"
0.09"
9.71"
0.07"
0.45"
0.85"
1.08"
1.33"
1.87"
0.25"
9.31"
8.93"

stream and rock

Close to rock
Close to rock

Close to track
road

Close to track
road

BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY

TP
NOS

NORTHINGS

EASTINGS
Page 15

ELEVATIO
N (m)

REMARKS

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

POINT
1
POINT
2
POINT
3
POINT
4
POINT
5
POINT
6
POINT
7
POINT
8
POINT
9
POINT
10
POINT
11
POINT
12
POINT
13
POINT
14
POINT
15
POINT
16
POINT
17
POINT
18
POINT
19
POINT
20

10 23' 2.69"

009 55' 7.34"

562

10 23' 3.89"

00955' 7.09"

562

10 23' 3.79"

00955' 6.36"

563

10 23' 3.39

00955' 6.19"

563

10 23' 4.06"

00955' 5.86"

562

10 23' 3.97

00955' 4.43"

556

10 23' 4.29"

00955' 3.86"

554

10 23' 4.71"

00955' 3.53"

553

10 23' 5.51"

00955' 3.34"

550

10 23' 6.12"

00955' 4.05 "

550

10 23' 6.49"

00955' 4.58"

549

10 23' 6.56"

00955' 5.31"

541

10 23' 6.46"

00955' 6.12"

553

10 23' 6.16"

00955' 6.61"

560

10 23' 6.68"

00955' 6.99"

551

10 23' 5.40"

00955' 7.13"

560

10 23' 5.17"

00955' 77.6"

559

10 23' 4.67"

00955' 8.38"

558

close to gully

10 23' 4.09"

00955' 9.01"

558

close to gully

10 23' 3.00"

00955' 7.95"

560

Page 16

Close to footpath

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

Field team
digging for
test pit
samples.

Page 17

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

Hand auger
used to
extract
samples .

Plate I PICTURES Showing Exploratory Activities on the Site

In-situ
bearing
capacity
determination
test in
progress.

Page 18

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

Engineer
taking notes
of number of
blows
recorded.

Plate 2 PICTURES Showing Field tests in progress on the Site

2.3 Laboratory Testings

The following tests were conducted on the collected samples for the
purpose of soil classification and design:

Natural moisture content

Particle size analysis
Atterberg limits (Liquid limit, plastic limit)
Direct shear test
Page 19

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

Consolidation

2.3.1 Natural moisture content

Water is present in most naturally occurring soils. The amount of water

expressed as a proportion by mass of dry solid particles known as the
moisture content has a profound effect on soil behaviour. Moisture
content is regarded as a guide to classification of natural soils and is
measured for most samples used for most field and laboratory tests.
2.3.2 Particle size analysis

The individual solid particles in a soil can have different sizes and
shapes, and these characteristics also have a significant effect on its
engineering behaviour. Therefore, geotechnical engineers often assess
the distribution of particle sizes in a soil and the shapes of the particles
in the soil.
Particle size analysis expresses quantitatively the proportion by mass of
the various sizes of the particles present in the soil. A distribution
analysis is a necessary index test for soils especially coarse-grained
soils, in that it presents the relative proportions of different sizes of
particles. From this, it is possible to tell whether the soil consists of
predominantly gravel, sand, silt or clay sizes and to a limited extent
which of the sizes range is likely to control the engineering properties.
2.3.3 Atterberg Limits
Liquid limit, plastic limit and shrinkage limit are known as the
Atterberg Limits. These are used to assess the plasticity of a finegrained soils and its consistency at various moisture contents.
The liquid limit is the empirically established moisture content at which
a soil passes from the liquid state to the plastic state. It provides a
means of classifying a soil especially when the plastic limit is also
known.
The plastic limit is the empirically established moisture content at which
a soil becomes too dry to be plastic. It is used together with the liquid
Page 20

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

limit to determine the plasticity index which when plotted against the
liquid limit on the plasticity chart provides means of classifying a
cohesive soil.
Shrinkage due to drying is significant in clays but less so in silts and
sands. These tests enable the shrinkage limit of clays to be determined.
i.e the moisture content below which a clay ceases to shrink. They also
provide ways of quantifying the amount of shrinkage likely to be
experienced by clays in terms of shrinkage ratio, volumetric shrinkage
and linear shrinkage.
2.3.4 Direct Shear Test
The drained shear strength (effective stress analysis) is of most
importance for granular soils. The shear strength of granular soils is
often measured in the direct shear apparatus, where a soil specimen is
subjected to a constant vertical pressure while a horizontal force is
applied to the top of the shear box so that the soil specimen is sheared
in half along a horizontal shear surface. By plotting the vertical pressure
versus shear stress at failure, the effective friction angle as well as
effective cohesion can be obtained.
2.3.5 Consolidation Test
The consolidation test (also known as oedometer test) is the primary
laboratory test used to study the settlement and expansion behaviour of
soils. The consolidation test should only be performed on undisturbed soil
specimens, or in the case of studies behaviour, on specimens compacted
to anticipated field and moisture condition.
In order to evaluate the suitability of a foundation or earth structure, it is
necessary to design against both bearing capacity failure and excessive
settlement. For foundations on cohesive soils, the principal design
criterion is typically the latter - the control of expected settlements
within the limits considered tolerable for the structure. As a result, once
allowable foundation displacements have been established, the estimate
Page 21

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

of total settlement over the service life of the structure is a major factor
in the choice of foundation design.

Page 22

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

Page 23

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

Plate 3: Laboratory Activities at Tectonics Engineering & Consults Ltd,

Abuja.
CHAPTER THREE
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
All the laboratory tests were conducted in the Soil and Material
laboratory of Tectonics Engineering & Consults Ltd, Abuja. The tests
were performed in accordance with relevant BS Codes of practice and
are as presented below:
3.1 Natural Moisture Content
The soil specimens collected from the site were carefully preserved for
the determination of the moisture contents. The test was conducted
following the specifications spelt in BS 1377: Part 2: 1990, where the
oven drying method was used. The range of the values obtained from
the test is of the order of 3.3% - 12.8% for the test pits.
Table 3.1 shows the summary of the results while Appendix A presents
the detail results.
3.2 Particle size analysis

The test was conducted in accordance with BS 1377 part 2: 1990. The
detailed results are presented in Appendix B.
The gradation test results indicated that the bulk of the soils to be
predominantly coarse - grained as evident from the estimate of the
percentage passing sieve #200 even though a few fall in the category
of fine-grained soils. These generally range between 4.4% and 68.4%.
These according to USCS are largely considered coarse grained soils.
Page 24

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

The summary of the gradation test results are presented in Table 3.2;
while the details are shown in the Appendix B.
3.3 Atterberg Limits
These were also performed in line with the specification of BS 1377
part 2: 1990. The results are presented in Appendix C.
The liquid limit test was conducted using the Casagrande liquid limit
apparatus. The majority of the results obtained for the test pit samples
showed non plastic and low to medium plasticity values in consonant
with the sieve results.

3.4 Soil Classification Criteria

The soils underlying the site are classified based on Unified Soil
Classification System (USCS) for the proposed building area. The
former assumes soil having liquid limit greater than 50 and/or
plasticity index in excess of 30 to be of high plasticity. While soil
recording more than 50% of its particle passing sieve #200 is
considered fine grained soil. Based on these criteria, the soils
underlying the site are predominantly coarse - grained . The group
symbol of the soil is SM which is silty sand with gravel.

3.5 Direct Shear test

The direct shear test was conducted in accordance with BS 1377: Part
7: 1990.

The cohesion for the test pits recorded 1.2KN/m2 to 39.2

KN/m2 while angle of repose are between 5.50 and 21.40. Detailed
results of the test are presented in Appendix E. But the summary is as
presented in Table 3.2 below.
3.6 Bearing Capacity
Page 25

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

The estimate of the bearing capacity of the collected soil specimens

became necessary having obtained the requisite parameters from the
analysis conducted so far. In order to avoid the attainment of limit
state of the structures due to foundation failure, efforts are made to
come up with allowable bearing pressures for various trial pits to
ensure that the shear stresses in the soils do not exceed the shear
strength of the soils in question.
To achieve this, the following bearing capacity equations for shallow
foundations for a uniform vertical loading assuming a general shear
failure as developed by Terzaghi (1943) which are the most commonly
used equations are as given below:

qult =

Qult
1
=c N c + D f N q+ B N ...............................for strip footing
BL
2

qult =c N c (1+0.3

B
)+ D f N q +0.4 B N .....for square/rectangular footings
L

qult =1.3 c N c + D f N q +0.3 B N ...................for circular footing

N c =(N q1) cot

N q=tan 2 450 +

( tan )
e
2

N =1.5( N q 1) tan

Where qult = ultimate bearing capacity (kN/m2)

c = cohesion of the soil underlying the footing (kN/m2)
B = width of footing (m)
Page 26

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

L = length of footing (m)

= total unit weight of soil (kN/m3)
Df= vertical distance from ground surface to bottom of footing (m)
Nc, Nq, N =dimensionless bearing capacity factors
qult= Qult/BL
Where Qult= vertical concentric load causing a general shear failure of
the underlying soil (kN/m2)
Allowable bearing capacity is given as:

q all=

qnet
+ Df
F

Where F = factor of safety which is usually taken as 3.

The Bearing Capacity values obtained for all the Test Pits are shown in
the table below:

Table 3.2: Test Pits Allowable Bearing Pressure from Laboratory

Results

TP
NO.

Dept
h
(m)

C'
(KN/m
2
)

'(0)

b
(KN/m
3
)

1.5

21.2

7.4

22.0

Nc

Nq

7.30 1.95 0.1

Page 27

qnet
(KN/m
2
)

FO
S

qall
(KN/
m2)

220

106

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

13

1.5

6.9

21.4

22.0

16.2
7.36
3

15

1.5

39.2

5.5

22.0

6.65 1.64

17

1.5

12.5

24.8

18.6

18

1.5

4.8

25.7

21.0

46

1.5

1.2

21.9

21.0

57

1.5

24.8

11.6

21.0

9.09 2.87

60

1.5

3.8

8.6

19.1

7.76 2.17

68

1.5

6.6

22.6

18.6

76

1.5

14.6

17.7

21.0

81

1.5

25.8

20.2

21.0

93

1.5

18.2

9.6

21.0

8.17 2.38

11
8

1.5

24.4

7.3

19.1

7.27 1.93

20.4 10.4
3
4
21.7 11.4
8
8
16.7
7.74
7

17.5
8.31
7
12.8
5.11
7
15.0
6.53
2

8
3.7
4
0.0
9
6.5
4
7.5
7
4.0
7
0.5
7
0.2
7
4.5
7
1.9
7
3.0
5
0.3
5
0.1
8

395

165

315

138

607

230

545

213

306

133

321

138

93

60

389

158

368

154

624

240

226

107

233

106

3.7 Consolidation

The consolidation test performed was one dimensional consolidation

test and was conducted in accordance with clause 3 of BS 1377: Part
5: 1990. The consolidation test results show the soils to be highly
compressible iin some areas and slightly compressible in other
areas.Attached in this report are results of the oedometer tests.The
values of the ratio of cc/1+e0 are found to range between 0.011 and
0.38. The detailed results of the tests are as outlined in Appendix G.
3.8 Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) Test

Page 28

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

The trends of the Bearing Capacity obtained from the DCP generally
fluctuate with depth in most cases.A value of 60kN/m2 is determined
for the site.This in line with standard practice may be considered for
design purpose which may prove adequate to safely support the
anticipated load from the building .

Table 3.2: Bearing Capacity Determination from DCP

Depth (m)
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
P6
P7
P8
P9
P10
P11
P12
P13
P14
P15
P16
P17
P18
P19
P20

0.5
21
92
46
108
27
68
65
70
92
78
21
158
58
87
40
65
68
183
250
98

1.0
127
56
75
268
105
74
119
164
150
94
161
173
172
151
105
98
170
358
464
214

Page 29

1.5
198
66
145
355
112
255

2.0

2.5

102

137

159

219
190
231
287
206
183
190
269
419

303

369

411

285

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

CHAPTER FOUR
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
4.0 General Conclusions
The geotechnical investigation for the site of Bauchi State University
along Bauchi karri road was successfully completed by Tectonics
Engineering and consults and the results are detailed in this report.
The soils underlying the site are classified based on Unified Soil
Classification System (USCS) for the proposed building area; this
assumes soil having liquid limit greater than 50 and/or plasticity index in
excess of 30 to be of high plasticity. While soil recording more than 50%
of its particle passing sieve #200 is considered fine grained soil. Based
on these criteria, the soils underlying the site are predominantly coarse
grained because they generally fall in the latter category. The group
symbol of the soil is SM which is silty sand With gravel .The
compressibility assessment of the soil suggests highly compressible
property therefore all structures are expected to be designed to
structural adequacy in line with standard engineering practices and
procedures. Also, primary consolidation settlement is anticipated.
4.1 RecommendationsBased on the results of our findings, the following

are hereby recommended:

A bearing capacity

established for the site.

A dry unit weight of 18.6kN/m3 may be used for design purpose.

value of 60kN/m2 at 1.5m depth was

Page 30

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

The foundation types to be used depend on the complexity of the

intended structures and anticipated loadings.The engineering
judgement of a registered structural engineer is of importance
since the strenght values and their corresponding compressibilities
vary due to the size of the site.Isolated pad foundations would
suffice for the areas with low compressibilities while foundation
beams and raft foundation would be recquired in places with low
bearing capacities and high compressiblities.Tables showing
locations and their values are included in this report.

4.2 Limitations

Finally, it should be noted that the results and recommendations of

this report are solely the based on the in situ tests conducted and
the collected

soil samples within the days of the site visit and

assuming that the subsurface conditions do not significantly

deviate

from

those

encountered.

Geotechnical

investigation

involves gathering and assimilation of limited facts about the

nature of subsoil in order to understand and predict their nature in
a particular site and under certain conditions. Hence, results
obtained are only directly relevant to the subsoil conditions at the
time

the

investigation

was

conducted.

As

result,

any

interpretation or recommendation given in this report is based on

judgment and experience and not on the greater knowledge of the
entire site conditions.

Page 31

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

REFERENCES:
1. D. P. Donald, M. R. Yeung and W. A. Kitch; (2011): Geotechnical
Engineering, Principles and Practices
Publisher: Pearson, Second Edition. California.
2. C. A. Kogbe; (1989): Geology of Nigeria
Publisher: Rock View (Nigeria) Limited, Second Revised Edition.
Jos, Nigeria.
3. BS 1377: Parts 2,3,4,5 & 7 of 1990
4. BS 8004 of 1986 and BS 5930 of 1992.

Page 32

GEOTECHINICAL REPORT FOR BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY ALONG BAUCHI-KARRI

ROAD,BAUCHI.

APPENDICES

Page 33