Assessment of Geotechnical Properties of Soils derived from Basement and Sedimentary Rocks in Southwestern Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46881/ajsn.v4i0.63Keywords:
Soils, Migmatite Gneiss, Sedimentary Basin, Geotechnical and Silica-sesquioxide.Abstract
Soils that serve as construction and foundation materials in the tropical Southwestern Nigeria have been widely studied. Only few geotechnical properties were considered to assess the influence of different geological locations on the engineering performance of the soils. This study combines more geotechnical properties with geochemical, and clay mineralogical composition to depict engineering performance due soils from two distinct geological locations. Forty (40) disturbed and undisturbed soils were sampled from areas underlain by migmatite gneiss (Mgn) and clayey sand in the Dahomey Sedimentary Basin (Smb). Major elements and clay minerals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and X-Ray Diffractometer (X-RD) respectively. In-situ and laboratory geotechnical tests follow the American Standard for Testing and Materials. Silica-sesquioxide molar ratio (0.94≤SiO2 /Al2O3 + Fe2O3 ≤2.11) and X-RD data reveal true laterite/lateritic soils in the Mgn, and laterite/non-laterite soils in the Smb with lower amount of illite and kaolinite. Mgn-derived soils are well-graded low to slightly high plastic, while Smb-derived soils are skip/gap-graded medium to extremely high plastic. Variation in penetration resistance of Smb-derived soils is more significant compared to Mgn-derived soils. Based on shear strength and consolidation parameters, soils, derived from Smb have lower bearing capacity and greater differential settlement potential than soils derived from Mgn. Compaction characteristics vary insignificantly (10 & 14%) in Mgn-derived soils compared to soils derived from Smb with poor Califinia Bearing Ratio (1.81-3.4%). It is apparent that construction and maintenance of structures would be less problematic in the Mgn area than in the Smb area.
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