Evaluation of the Bearing Capacity of Near-Surface Soils Using Integrated Methods: A Case Study of Otukpa, Ogbadibo Lga, Benue State, North-Central Nigeria

Authors

  • Peter Ameh
     Engineering Geology Unit, Department of Geology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
  • Ogbonnaya Igwe
     Engineering Geology Unit, Department of Geology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
  • Bernadette Ukah
     Engineering Geology Unit, Department of Geology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-017-0668-x

Abstract

The load bearing capacity of soils in Otukpa area of Benue state, Nigeria was evaluated by characterizing the geotechnical, geophysical and structural properties of the soil. The evaluation was necessary because aside the area holding good prospect for future increase in human population, sparsely distributed lowweight buildings in the area have cracks and other signs of failure. Remote sensing/GIS, geophysical and geotechnical approaches were integrated to achieve the objective. 2-D tomography and processed remotely sensed data confirmed the presence of areas of strength especially to the north. Stratigraphy of the northern portion consist of four layers; loose top soil (0-0.26m), compact clayey sand (0.26m-3.33m), dry clayey sand (3.33m-74.21m) and saturated clayey sands (74.21m-201.58m) While the stratigraphy in the south is slightly different; compact topsoil (0-1.2m), loose sand (1.2m-10.81m), compact sand (10.82m-19.71m) and compact clay sand (19.71m-56.03m). The plastic limit range from 11-17% with average specific gravity of 2.64g/cm3. Permeability ranges from 7.8í—10-6m/sec to 3.36í—10-4m/sec while volume compressibility under 250kN ranges from 7.27í—10-5m2/kN to 1.3í—10-4m2/kN and the rate of consolidation under 250kN is within 12.43 m2/year to 1.33m2/year. MDD peaks at 1.85g/cm3 at an OMC of 12.11% and is lowest at 1.67g/cm3 at an OMC of 11.99%. UCS ranges from 31-45kN/m2 while shear strength is between 258.81kN/m2 to 338 kN/m2. Due to the variability of engineering properties of soils, the southern part of the area is preferred for locating the buildings. Generally, careful foundation design in the area is necessary.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Issue

Volume 90, Issue 1, July 2017 Pages (1-128)

Section

Research Articles

Downloads

Published

2017-07-01

How to Cite

Ameh, P., Igwe, O., & Ukah, B. (2017). Evaluation of the Bearing Capacity of Near-Surface Soils Using Integrated Methods: A Case Study of Otukpa, Ogbadibo Lga, Benue State, North-Central Nigeria. Journal of Geological Society of India, 90(1), 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-017-0668-x
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

References

Abraham, B., Yirgale, G. and Gebrehiwot, G. (2013) Application of VES and Horizontal Profiling to decipher existing subsurface stratification in Segen Damsite , Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Jour. Environ. Earth Sci., v.3(10), pp.42-54.

Abimbola, O.W. and James, O.R. (2012) Contemporary issues in building collapse and its implication for sustainable development. Jour. Building Construction and Planning Res., v.2, pp.283-299.

Anderson, M.G., Holcombe, E.A. and Renaud, J.P. (2007) Assessing slope stability in unplanned settlements in developing countries. Jour. Environ. Managt.,v.84(1), pp.101-111.

Adejumo, S.A., Oyerinde, A.O. and Aleem, M.O. (2011) Intergrated Geophysical and Geotechnical subsoil evaluation for pre-foundation studies of proposed site of Vocational and Entrepreneuship centre at the polythecnic, Ibadan SW Nigeria. Internat. Jour. Scientific and Engg. Res., v.6(6), pp.910-917.

Akintorinwa, O.J. and Adeusi, F.A. (2009) Intergration of Geophysical and Geotechnical investigation for a proposed Lecture classroom complex at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, SW Nigeria. Ozean Jour. Appld. Sci., v.2(3), pp. 241-254.

Akinrimade, A.O., Ogunsawo, O. and Ige, O.O. (2013) Geophysical and Geotechnical inveestigation of river Ero Ajuba, SW Nigeria for Dam development. Internat. Jour. Sci. Tech., v.2(7), pp. 518-528.

Arindam, D. and Sabyasachi. R. (2014) Effect of expansive soils on foundation and its remedies. Internat. Jour. of innovative research in Science, Engineering and Technology, v.3(6), pp.92-95.

Arora. K.R. (2004) Soil mechanics and foundation Engineering. Standard Publishers Distributors, Delhi, 903p.

Aghamelu, O.P. and OKOGBUE, C.O. (2011) Geotechnical assessment of road failures in Abakaliki area, South-East Nigeria. Internat. Jour. Civil and Environ. Engg., v.11(2), pp.22-24.

Aghamelu, O.P. and Okogbue, C.O. (2013) Some geological consideration and durability analysis on the use of crushed pyroclastics from Abakaliki, South- East Nigeria as concrete aggregate. Jour. Geotech. Geol. Engg., v.31(2), pp.699-711.

Blyth, F.G. and De-Freitas, M.H. (1984) A geology for Engineers (7th Ed). Arnold Publishers, 325p.

Cripps, J.C., Bell, F.G. and Culshaw, M.G. (1985) Groundwater and Engineering Geology: Proceedings of the 21st Annual conference of Engineering group of Geological Society held at the University of Sheffield on 15th-19th Sept., 1985. Geol. Soc. london, 9p

Fakere, A.A., Fadairo, G. and Fakere, R.A. (2012) Assessment of building collapse in Nigera: A case of Naval Building, Abuja, Nigeria. Internat. Jour. Engg. Tech., v.2(4), pp.584-599.

Fagbenle, O.I. and Oluwunmi, A.O. (2010) Building failure and collapse in Nigeria: The influence of informal sector. Jour. Sustainable Development, v.3(4), pp. 268-276.

Ghazavi, M. and Eghbali, A.H. (2008) A simple limit equilibrium approach for calculation of ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations in two layered granular soils. Jour. Geotech. Geol. Engg., v.26(5), pp.535-542.

Igwe, O. (2014) The compressibility and shear characteristics of soils associated with Landslides in Geologically different localities- Case examples of Nigeria. Arabian Jour. Geosci., v.8(8), pp.6075-6084.

Igwe, O. and Fukuoka, H. (2015) The effect of water saturation on the stability of problematic slopes at the Iva valley Area, Southeast Nigeria. Arabian Jour. Geosci., v.8 (5), pp. 3223-3233.

Igwe. O. (2015) Predisposing factors and the mechanism of rainfall induced slope movements in Ugwueme, Southeast Nigeria. Bull. Engg. Geol. Environ., v.75 (2), pp.623-636.

James, A.N. and Edworthy, K.J. (1985) The effect of water interaction on Engineering structures. Hydrol. Sci. Jour., v.30(3), pp.395-406.

Jegede, O.G. and Olaleye, B.M. (2013) Evaluation of engineering geologic and geotechnical properties of subgrade soils along re-alligned IgbaraIkogosi highway, Soth-west Nigeria. Internat. Jour. Engg. and Sci., v.2(5), pp.18-21.

Jegede, O.G. (2004) Highway pavement failure induced by poor geotechnical properties at a section along the F209 Okitipupa-Igbokoda highway, Southwest Nigeria. Ife Jour. science, v.6(1), pp.41-44

Joseph, O.C. (2015) Integration of Geophysical and Geotechnical methods to site characterization for construction work at the school of management Area, Lagos State polythecnic, Ikorodu, Lagos- Nigeria. Internat. Jour. Energy Science and Engg., v.1(2), pp.40-48.

Kumar, D. and Das, S.K. (2005) An experimantal study of the parameters influencing ultimate bearing strength of weak floor using physical modelling. Geotechnical and Geological engineering, v.23, pp.1. doi:10,1007/s10706-003-3158-4.

Kumar, A., Ohri, M.L. and Bansal, R.K. (2007) Bearing capacity test of strip footings in reinforced layered soils. Geotechnical and Geological Engg., v.25(2), pp.139-150.

Krynine, D.P. and Williams, R.J. (2005) Principles of Engineering Geology and Geotechnics.CBS publishers, Cochin, India, 730p.

Loke, M.H. (1999) Electrical imaging surveys for Environmental and Engineering studies. Minden heights,11700 Penang, Malaysia, 57p.

Laws, S., Ebarhardt, E., Loew, S. and Descoeudres, F. (2003) Geomechanical properties of shear zones in the Eastern Aar Massif, Switzerland and their imlpication in Tunnelling work. Jour. Rock mechanics, Rock Engg., v.36(4), pp.271-303.

Lawal, A.I. and Anikoh, G.A. (2014) Investigation of Geotechnical paramters of sandstone in Banda, Kogi State, Nigeria using Regression model. Jour. Mining World Express, v.3, pp.39-45.

Lawal, A., Yero, U.Y. and Ameh, D.P. (2015) Application of 2D resistivity imaging/GIS in dam foundation studies : A case study of Otobi Area of Oturkpo LGA, NC Nigeria. Internat. Jour. Scientific and Engg. Res., v.6(9), pp.792-789.

Martins, O.I., Calistuis, A. and Sambaba, O. (2012) Erodibility of soils of the southwest of Benue State, Nigeria. The Pacific Jour. Sci. Tech., v.13(2), pp.437-447.

Niazi, F.S. and Mayne, P.W. (2013) Cone penetration test based direct method for evaluating static axial capacity of single pile. Geotech. Geol. Engg., v.31(4), doi:10.1007/s10706-013-9662-2.

Oyedele, K.F. and Okoh, C. (2011) Subsoil investigation using intergrated methods at Lagos, Nigera. Jour. Geol. Min. Res., v.3(7), pp. 169-177.

Oluwafemi, O. and Ogunribido, T.H. (2014) Intergrated Geophysical and Geotechnical Assessment of the permanent site of AAU Akungba-Akoko, SW Nigeria. Pelagic Research Library, v.5(2), pp.199-209.

Oyedele, K.F., Oladele, S. and Adedoyin, O. (2011) Application of Geophysical and Geotecgnical methods to site characterization for construction purposes at Ikoyi, Lagos Nigeria. Jour. Earth Sci. and Geotech. Engg., v.1(1), pp.87-100.

Savelev, V.S. (1972) Effect of Groundwater on stability of slopes and structures erected on them on thawing of frozen soil. Cold region and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire, 10p.

Salami, B.M., Falebita, D.E., Fatoba, O.J. and Ajala, M.O. (2012) Intergrated Geophysical and Geotechnical investigation of a Bridge site- Acase study of swamp/creek Environment in SE lagos Nigeria. Ife Jour. Sci., v.14(1), pp.75-82.

Semih, S.T., Zuhal, O., Ali, K. and Aykut, E. (2007) A rapid technique to determine allowable bearing pressure. International earthquake symposium, Kocaeli (22nd-26th Oct., 2007), pp.234-241.

Udoh, B.I., Egboka B.C.E. and Aghamelu, P.O. (2012) The status of the soil at the permanent site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, SE Nigeria. Canadian Jour. Pure Appld. Sci, v.6 (1), pp.1837-1845.

Una, C.O., Igwe, O., Maduka, R., Brooks A., Ajodo, R., Adepehin, E.J. and Okwoli, E. (2015) Integrating Geotechnical and Geophysical techniques in assessing frequent building collapse in Akpugo, Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State Nigeria. Arabian Jour. Geosciences, v.8(12), pp.1095110960.

Varghese, V.K., Babu, S.S., Bijukumar, R., Cyrus, S. and Abraham, B.M. (2013) Artificial neutral network:A solution to ambiguity in prediction of engineering properties of fine grained soil. Geotech. Geol. Engg., v.31(4), pp.1187-1205.

Xu, Y.G. (2004) Bearing capacity of unsaturated expansive soil. Geotech. Geol. Engg., v.22(4), pp.611-625.