Standard sand for geotechnical engineering and geoenvironmental research in Nigeria: Igbokoda sand

Abstract

This study entails establishing reference standard sand in Nigeria for engineering and geoenvironmental research work. Sands from four geographical locations in southwestern Nigeria were examined for baseline geotechnical and mineralogical properties. A total of sixteen sand samples were collected. The samples were air dried and subjected to tests in accordance with standard specifications. The tests carried out were: specific gravity, grain size analysis, moisture content, bulk density, porosity, void ratio, chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and Differential Thermal Analysis. The properties of the samples were compared with a standard (Ottawa sand in Illinois of the United States) in order to find out which of the four samples selected from southwestern Nigeria could serve as standard baseline sand. The results show that Igbokoda sand has geotechnical and mineralogical characteristics closest to Ottawa sand. It was therefore concluded that Igbokoda sand could be used as a standard baseline sand for research work in southwestern Nigeria and other parts of Nigeria since it needs little processing to bring it to the same level as standard baseline sand, like the Ottawa sand.