loading page

GEOTECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME BORROW PITS AROUND AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI, SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA.
  • Titilayo Owolabi
Titilayo Owolabi
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile

Abstract

This research work has analyzed the geotechnical characteristics of two borrow pits around Afe babalola university. The research work was carried out by collection of soil samples from borrowpit 1 (beside Federal polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria) and borrowpit 2 (along Afe Babalola farm, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria) and taken to the laboratory for soil test. The particle size analysis shows that the percentages passing number 200 British Standard sieve are 22.18% and 13.02% for borrowpits 1 and 2 respectively. Atterberg limit results show that borrow pit 2 has sandy particle sizes predominating. Hence the soil sample as a result of its particle size composition happens to be a cohesionless soil with no plasticity while pit 1 has liquid limit of 32.5%, plastic limit of 27.77%, plasticity index of 5% and shrinkage limit of 5.8%. The natural moisture content for the soil samples are 5% and 9.7% for borrowpit 1 and borrowpit 2 respectively. The specific gravity for borrowpit 1 and borrowpit 2 are 2.67 and 2.60 respectively. The soaked CBR value for the soil samples are 70% and 66%. The maximum dry density for the soil samples are 1.82Mg/m3 and 2.0Mg/m3 for borrowpit 1 and borrowpit 2 respectively. While that of Optimum moisture content are 16.24% and 13.5% for borrowpit 1 and borrowpit 2 respectively. The unconfined compressive strength (qu) for borrowpit 1 soil sample is 91.5kN/m2. The unconfined compressive strength of borrowpit 2 could not be obtained as it is a sandy material. Hence borrowpit 1 can be classified as A-2-4 material (silty or clayey gravel and sand) while borrowpit 2 can be classified as A-3 material (fine sand).