Clay mineralogy, major elements geochemistry and strength characteristics of three highway subgrade soils in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The clay mineralogical assemblage, major elements geochemistry and strength characteristics in terms of the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of three genetically different residual soils in Southwestern Nigeria were investigated. The study revealed a fairly strong negative correlation of-0.58 between the amount of kaolinite and the silica-sesquioxides of iron and aluminium ratio. It also showed a weak positive correlation of 0.004 between the amount of kaolinite and ferric oxide. The amount of ferric oxide and kaolinite showed positive correlation of 0.24 and 0.29 respectively with the strength (measured in term of (CBR) of the studied soils.