Geotechnical Characterization Of Soils In Ikole-Ekiti Area Of Ekiti State

ABSTRACT

Not only do soils serves as underfoot" for roads, airfields. train tracks, and houses that sustain our complex society: Engineers, typically geotechnical engineers, classify soils recording to their engineering properties as they relate to its use as foundation support building material. The study of geotechnical characterization of soils in Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State was carried out to determine the index properties and strength properties of the soil. The laboratory test carried out included. Moisture content. Particle size analysis. Compaction test, Atterberg Limits tests, California Bearing Ratio. Direct Shear test and Permeability test. All analyses were carried out in accordance with the British Standard Institution As determined, recorded value ranging from 8.1 - 26.9% (moisture content). The results of particle grain size distribution test show that two of soil samples are lateritic in nature and two or clayey in nature. This means that they will tend to increase in compressibility and decrease in shear strength. Also, as a result of their poorly graded

nature, they will have negative effects such as low elective porosity, small mean pore size, medium density and medium permeability. The compaction results show that the maximum dry density (MDD) and the optimum moisture content (OMC) of the locations range for 169 -2.05kg/m3 and 14,3 - 20.70% respectively, Atterberg Limits of 31.0- 58.50% (liquid limit). 15.10-28,30% plastic limit) and 13.70-33.80% (plasticity index). These results indicate that the soil is poorly graded, well drained, it is of intermediate plasticity, medium swelling potential. The lateritic soils were classified as A3. A24 and A26 and are adjudged suitable for subgrade, good fill and subbase and base materials. This geotechnical information obtained will serve as baseline information for future road Foundation design and construction in the study area. The soils were classified as clayey A7 for two locations, A28 and A27 for the other locations and are adjudged suitable for subgrade, good fill and subbase and base materials. This geotechnical information obtained will serve as baseline information for future road foundation design and construction in the study area.