Abstract
Using dynamic cone penetrometer tester (DCPT) to determine the CBR and bearing pressure of subsurface soils in parts of Owerri, southeastern Nigeria were investigated in this study. Six (6) DCPT were measured to the depth of 6 m. The data obtained from field DCP test was plotted on the graph of penetration resistance (mm/blow) versus penetration depth (m); which revealed the soil profile of three layers with different penetration consistencies and resistances. The highest PR (mm/blow) recorded was 11.4 mm/blow and the lowest is 55.5 mm/blow. The layers encountered during the measurement ranges from loose, medium and dense soils, where the average thicknesses of loose layers ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 m, medium layers 0.5 to 3.0 m and dense layers 3.0 to 6 m. The average CBR values recorded at interval of 1m to 6 m depths are as follows: 5%, 8%, 12%, 15%, 16% and 16%. Accordingly, the averages bearing pressures calculated were 104.8 KN/m2, 165.5 KN/m2, 231.9 KN/m2, 283.3 KN/m2, 291.5 KN/m2 and 301.1 KN/m2. It shows significant increase in strength with depths.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONUrbanization and infrastructural development is rapidly taking place in Owerri (study area) ranging from road construction and erection of high-rise buildings/edifices at strategic locations in the municipality, knowledge of soil strength characteristics in the study area has become important
Urbanization and infrastructural development is rapidly taking place in Owerri ranging from road construction and erection of high-rise buildings/edifices at strategic locations in the municipality, knowledge of soil strength characteristics in the study area has become important.The dynamic penetrometer consists of a metal rod with a conical tip at one end, an anvil or strike plate around the rod and a sliding hammer with a fixed mass at the other end
The results indicated that the dynamic penetrometer gave more consistent, reproducible results when compared to the pocket penetrometer
Summary
Urbanization and infrastructural development is rapidly taking place in Owerri (study area) ranging from road construction and erection of high-rise buildings/edifices at strategic locations in the municipality, knowledge of soil strength characteristics in the study area has become important. In response to the need for simple and rapid device for characterization of subgrade soils, Kleyn [20] contributed to DCP development in the area of its application to determine insitu properties of road pavement layers in South Africa. He further considered the use of DCP in pavement evaluation and monitoring in terms of structural evaluation of pavement, comparing in-situ CBR and structural monitoring. This study had provided information of the stratigraphic properties, CBR and bearing pressure of undisturbed subsurface soils in the study area through field Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Test (DCPT)
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