Abstract
This study evaluates the index and engineering properties of soils in Otukpa Area of Benue State towards ascertaining their suitability for use as fill and embankment, sub-base and base course material. Otukpa in Benue state Nigeria has vast reserve of sand and other aggregate materials that are presently been mined for various construction purposes. The area holds good potential for human population explosion in the near future. When massive infrastructural development commences, localized sourcing of materials would be necessary. Unfortunately, not much is known of the geotechnical properties of the sands in this area. Index and engineering test was conducted to achieve the aim. Gravel size particles are completely absent. Permeability of soil ranged from 7.8×10-6 to 3.36×10-4m/sec with moisture content of 11.38 to 14.16%. Specific gravity was between 2.63 to 2.67g/cm3. UCS range from 31-45Kpa while LL and PL ranged between 27-35% and 10-18% respectively. MDD peak value was 1.85(g/cm3) at an OMC of 12.11% and lowest at 1.67(g/cm3) at an OMC of 11.99. The geotechnical implication of the observed properties range from susceptibility to marginal volume change, differential settlement to low shearing resistance. These materials are quality reserves for fill, embankment and sub-base construction but not for bases.
Highlights
Of building materials is key to construction business all over the world
This study is aimed at evaluating the index and engineering properties of soils in Otukpa Area of Benue State with a view to ascertaining their suitability for construction of engineering facilities such as fill and embankment, sub-base and base course
The results indicate that Abakaliki shale is likely to be satisfactory as a fill and embankment material, the relatively high liquid limit and plasticity index may result in some swelling of the compacted shale
Summary
Of building materials is key to construction business all over the world. The quality of construction material is very important in the development of sustainable infrastructures. Different construction materials sourced from different location presents different engineering and geotechnical properties. These properties could be acquired from the parent materials, it could be a reflection of the diagenetic history of the material, mode of formation, depositional environment as well as the prevailing source environment. These properties determine the suitability of the material for construction purpose. For Instance materials that have high permeability (K) will be best suited for construction of highway sub-bases, drain structures and other similar-purpose infrastructures. An idea of inherent soil properties that determine its suitability or otherwise for construction purpose can be deciphered by carrying out index and engineering tests on the soils
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