Authors : Asma’u Kankia Hamdana; Abdulfatai Adinoyi Murana; Jibrin Mohammed Kaura; Joshua Ochepo

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/mr3pscce

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3adr94c3

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jan986

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Abstract : Soil settlement at bridge approach slab causes ride discomfort, cracks, and uneven surface that can cause accidents, and reduces the functionality of a bridge. Therefore, the mathematical modeling and optimization of soil settlement at bridge approach slabs was conducted in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from five (5) study locations, three of which were from a bridge settlement site in Kaduna Metropolis, and two (2) from Zaria, Kaduna state. The soil samples were tested and Plasticity Index (PI), soaked California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), cohesion, internal friction angle, and total settlement of the soil samples were obtained. Design Expert v13 (2021) software was used for the mathematical modeling and optimization. Results from the findings showed that the fifth order model significantly predicts soil settlement with R2 -values, actual-predicted R2 -values all greater than 0.9(90% accuracy). Also, the incorporation of CKD significant improves the geotechnical properties of the soil, and the optimization result showed that CKD content of 9-10% is the optimum dosage required for soil improvement. Validation of the optimized result has Absolute Percentage Error (APE) between the experimental and optimized results ranging from 0.3-3.8%. Hence, the error is minimal, and the validated result is adequate.

Keywords : Approach Slab; Bridge; Modelling; Optimization; Settlement; Soil.

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