Abstract
Geophysical survey involving Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Sounding, 2-D imaging dipole–dipole technique and ground magnetic method were carried out along Ibadan-Ife Highway located in the Precambrian Basement Complex of Southwestern, Nigeria to examine the geological factors responsible for Highway pavement failure. This was with the view to detailing the subsurface geoelectric sequence, mapping the subsurface structural features within the sub-grade soil and delineating the bedrock relief as a means of establishing the cause(s) of the road pavement failure. The geoelectric sections, 2-D resistivity structures and modeled magnetic profiles revealed that the stable segments were founded on a shallow/outcropping basement near homogeneous substratum devoid of major geological features while linear features suspected to be fault/fractured zones, buried stream channels, bedrock depressions and lithological contacts were identified beneath the failed segments of the highway pavement. The geoelectric sections generally identified four geologic layers comprising the topsoil, weathered layer, partly weathered/fractured basement and fresh bedrock. Thus, the failed portions of the road are probably precipitated by very thick and low resistive substratum (clay) beneath the highway pavement and the identified suspected linear features are the major geological factors responsible for the highway pavement failure.
Highlights
Road pavement failure in Nigeria has become a common occurrence especially after construction
Road pavement which is described as a structural materials seated upon sub-soil layers [25], is supposed to be a continuous stretch of asphalt laid for a smooth ride or drive, but discontinuity in the road network resulting in cracks, potholes, bulges and depressions gives rise to road failure [3, 12]
Electrical resistivity interpretation The results of the processed electrical resistivity are presented as sounding curves, geoelectric section and 2-D resistivity structures
Summary
Road pavement failure in Nigeria has become a common occurrence especially after construction. Poor construction materials, bad design, usage factor are some of the factors considered as responsible for these failures. Geological factors are rarely considered as precipitators of road failure even though the highway pavement is seated on geological earth materials This is due to non-appreciation of the fact that proper design of highway requires adequate knowledge of subsurface conditions beneath the highway route. The non-recognition of this fact has led to loss of integrity of many highway routes and other engineering structures across the country [17, 19]. Other previous studies have shown that the reliability of the road pavement can be damaged by the existence of geological features and/or engineering characteristics of the underlying geologic/geoelectric sequences [1, 4, 14, 22]. It is vital for engineers to carry out pre-design investigations of engineering sites
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