Geotechnical Properties of Soils in Parts of Eleme, South-Southern Nigeria and its Suitability for Building Foundation


Authors : Nnurum, Ekaette Uzoma; Olaka, Veronica; Oghonyon, Rorome

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 5 - May


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4yms5azd

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may2065

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : At Eteo Eleme, a geotechnical assessment was conducted to see if the soils were suitable for use as foundations. In compliance with applicable ASTM standards, laboratory tests such as bulk density, moisture content, particle size distribution, triaxial, and Atterberg limit were performed on 15 soil samples that were gathered between 0 and 2 meters below the surface. The soil profile and the parameters of the soil classification test were acquired by means of a thorough field and laboratory examination. The soil types at the three places were found to be Dark Brown silty clayey sand at the first location, Brown/Reddish silty clayey sand at the second location, and Dark/Gray clayey silty sand at the third location. This research was conducted in several areas of Eteo, Eleme. In all three (3) locations, the average natural moisture content of the soil is 10.72%, 14.62%, and 12.22%. The low moisture content measurements show that the soils have a high carrying capacity due to their strong shear strength. Locations 1, 2, and 3 have average bulk densities of 1278.00 kg/cm3, 1278.00 kg/cm3, and 1673.93 kg/m3, respectively. The bulk density value and the level of compaction increase with depth. To improve the soil's in-situ (natural state) stiffness and bearing capability, compaction is required. Compaction adds friction from the particles' interlocking, which raises the soils' shear strength. According to the Atterberg limit finding, Locations 1 and 2 have moderate plasticity with liquid limit average values of 32.05 and 35.85, respectively. Locations 1 and 2 have plastic limit average values of 24.07 and 25.86, respectively, indicating that the soil in these areas is readily distorted. site 1 has a low swelling potential, whereas site 2 has a medium swelling potential, as shown by the average plasticity index values of 10.07 and 17.41, respectively. According to the particle size result, the soils at site 2 (0.5 m) have a coefficient of uniformity of less than 5, which suggests that the soils there are poorly graded. The soil at site 3 (1.5 m and topsoil) has a coefficient of uniformity <5, which suggests that the soils there are not well graded. The soil's bearing capacity, as determined by the triaxial test conducted at position 2 at 1 m, is 30.09 kN/m2. This suggests that putting weights on the foundation that are greater than these values will cause settling.

Keywords : Geotechnical, Index Properties, Bearing Capacity, Settlement, Foundation.

References :

  1. Akpokodje, E. G. 1986. The Engineering Geology Characteristics and Classification of the Major Superficial Soil of the Niger Delta. Engineering Geology Vol. 23, pp. 193-211.
  2. Akpokodje, E. G. 2001. Introduction to Engineering Geology. Pam Unique Publication Co. Ltd. Port Harcourt 272pp.
  3. Nnurum, E. U., Ugwueze, C. U., Tse, A. C., & Udom, G. J. 2021. Soil Gradation Distribution across Port Harcourt, South-eastern Nigeria. IJRES: 9, 11: 25-33
  4. Nwankwoala HO, Youdowei PO (2009) Assessment of Some environment problems associated with Road construction in the Eastern Niger Delta. Afr J Environ Pollut Health 8: 1-7.
  5. Nwankwoala, H. O., Amadi, A. N., Warmate, T., & Jimoh, M. O. (2015). Geotechnical Properties of Sub- Soils in Escravos Estuary, Western Niger Delta, Nigeria. American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 3(1), 8–14. https://doi.org/10.12691/AJCEA-3-1-2
  6. Oghenero, E., Enuvie, G. A., & Akaha, T. (2014). Geotechnical Properties of Subsurface Soils in Warri, Western Niger Delta, Nigeria. http://www.scienpress.com/Upload/GEO/Vol%204_1_8.pdf
  7. Terzaghi, K. and Peck, R.B. 1967. Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice. John Wiley and Sons. New York. 356pp.
  8. Tomlinson, M., & Woodward, J. (2015). Foundation Design and Construction (7th ed.). CRC Press.
  9. Tse, A. C. 2006. Engineering Geology Properties of Foundation Soil in Part of the Mangrove Swamps of the Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria. Unpublished Ph. D Dissertation, Department of Geology, University of Port Harcourt, 300pp.
  10. Udoh, G. C., Udom, G. J., & Nnurum, E. U. (2023). Suitability of soils for Foundation Design, Uruan, South Southern Nigeria. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 4(4):962-972
  1. Udom, G. J., & John, P. N. (2023). Geotechnical Properties of Foundation Subsoils in Parts of Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. British Journal of Earth Sciences Research. https://doi.org/10.37745/bjesr.2013/vol11n4119
  2. Coduto, D. P., Yeung, M. C., & Kitch, W. A. (2011). Geotechnical Engineering: Principles and Practices (2nd ed.). Pearson Education.
  3. Das, B. M. (2016). Principles of Foundation E3gineering (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.

At Eteo Eleme, a geotechnical assessment was conducted to see if the soils were suitable for use as foundations. In compliance with applicable ASTM standards, laboratory tests such as bulk density, moisture content, particle size distribution, triaxial, and Atterberg limit were performed on 15 soil samples that were gathered between 0 and 2 meters below the surface. The soil profile and the parameters of the soil classification test were acquired by means of a thorough field and laboratory examination. The soil types at the three places were found to be Dark Brown silty clayey sand at the first location, Brown/Reddish silty clayey sand at the second location, and Dark/Gray clayey silty sand at the third location. This research was conducted in several areas of Eteo, Eleme. In all three (3) locations, the average natural moisture content of the soil is 10.72%, 14.62%, and 12.22%. The low moisture content measurements show that the soils have a high carrying capacity due to their strong shear strength. Locations 1, 2, and 3 have average bulk densities of 1278.00 kg/cm3, 1278.00 kg/cm3, and 1673.93 kg/m3, respectively. The bulk density value and the level of compaction increase with depth. To improve the soil's in-situ (natural state) stiffness and bearing capability, compaction is required. Compaction adds friction from the particles' interlocking, which raises the soils' shear strength. According to the Atterberg limit finding, Locations 1 and 2 have moderate plasticity with liquid limit average values of 32.05 and 35.85, respectively. Locations 1 and 2 have plastic limit average values of 24.07 and 25.86, respectively, indicating that the soil in these areas is readily distorted. site 1 has a low swelling potential, whereas site 2 has a medium swelling potential, as shown by the average plasticity index values of 10.07 and 17.41, respectively. According to the particle size result, the soils at site 2 (0.5 m) have a coefficient of uniformity of less than 5, which suggests that the soils there are poorly graded. The soil at site 3 (1.5 m and topsoil) has a coefficient of uniformity <5, which suggests that the soils there are not well graded. The soil's bearing capacity, as determined by the triaxial test conducted at position 2 at 1 m, is 30.09 kN/m2. This suggests that putting weights on the foundation that are greater than these values will cause settling.

Keywords : Geotechnical, Index Properties, Bearing Capacity, Settlement, Foundation.

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe