Abstract
The geotechnical properties of Daki Biyu district in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria was investigated to ascertain the suitability of the sub-surface soil to support massive infrastructure such as high rise building and industries that might be carried out in the future. The particle size distribution shows that the soil is predominantly sandy-clay to sandy-gravels. The plasticity indices suggest low to medium compressibility while the co-efficient of volume change (Mv) and the coefficient of consolidation (Cv) are generally low for most of the pressure ranges. The average allowable bearing capacity values of 150 kN/m2 -240 kN/m2 and an average of 460 kN/m2 -700 kN/m2 for the ultimate bearing capacity agrees with the national building code (1983) for safe bearing capacity for cohesionless soils. The sub-surface soils were found to possess good geotechnical properties that are capable of supporting infrastructural development. Key words: Geotechnical investigation, bearing capacity, compressibility, consolidation, borehole log.
Highlights
Sequel to the relocation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from Lagos to Abuja on the 12th day of December, 1991, the city has experienced rapid population growth (Dikedi, 2012). This has resulted to the need for land for infrastructural developments such as high and low rise buildings for offices and residential purposes, water supply pipelines to all parts of city, sewage treatment and purification plants as well as construction of fly-over bridges etc
A good understanding of the geology and geotechnical characteristics of the rocks and soils in the Capital Territory is essential for planning and construction of all engineering structures because of the heterogeneous nature of rocks and soils which these structures are constructed on
The complexity of a site investigation depends upon the nature of the ground conditions and the type of engineering structure (Bell, 2011)
Summary
Sequel to the relocation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from Lagos to Abuja on the 12th day of December, 1991, the city has experienced rapid population growth (Dikedi, 2012) This has resulted to the need for land for infrastructural developments such as high and low rise buildings for offices and residential purposes, water supply pipelines to all parts of city, sewage treatment and purification plants as well as construction of fly-over bridges etc. Worthy of note and investigation are areas that were previously used for mine workings as they may pose as potential areas of subsidence (National Building Code, 1983) This information when carefully recorded and interpreted with accompanying geological sections and where possible a 3D picture of the subsurface strata can be of great assistance in the design and subsequent construction of the super structure
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