Geotechnical Properties of Lateritic Soils Developed Within Federal Polytechnic Offa Permanent Site, North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Lateritic soils at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, North Central Nigeria were examined to determine their geotechnical properties and their suitability as construction materials. The collected nine soil samples occur as superficial deposit over biotite gneiss. All the studied soils classified as well graded silty-clayey sand, with plasticity index (PI) between 15 and 28%, indicating inorganic soils. The clay activity value reveals the presence of inactive clay with value less than 1, suggesting little or no swelling tendency and limited settlement. The cohesion values range from 60.9-70.4 2 2 KN/m with an average of 65.1KN/m , and angle of internal friction ranges between 24- 28.4°, with an average of 26.6°. Consequently, the soil could be used in dam construction, shallow foundation, homogeneous embankments, slope stability and sub-grade materials in road constructions because of its high shear strength and cohesion. The -6 -6 coefficient of permeability; 1.26 x 10 -9.0 x 10 shows that sample RAP-1 to RAP-8 are of pervious ranges while only -7 sample RAP-9 fell within the range termed impervious, which is 5.96 x 10 .The moisture content of the studied soil samples range from 8.6-11.8%and soils with moisture content that fall within the range of 5-15% are described as sandy soil. Hence the studied soils are sandy. The average specific gravity of the soils is 2.66, which make it to be classified as sand and are therefore suitable in road and building construction.

Publication Info:

Author: Ige, O.O. , Richard, R.A. , Olaleye, I.M.

Volume: 61

Issue: September

Published By: Journal of Mining and Geology Vol. 61(1) 2025. pp. 39 - 49, 2025-01-09