PROJECT PROPOSAL CIVIL ENGINEERING

Project Topic:

The proposed Project Topic is “CAUSES OF FOUNDATION DAMAGE DUE TO

BLACK COTTON SOIL AND ITS BACKFITTING”.

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UYAIOBONG UDUEHE ITIM ENG14B00415Y
PROJECT PROPOSAL CIVIL ENGINEERING

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Foundation of a structure is more like the load bearer of a structure. Without the

load bearer, the structure cannot stand and therefore, the construction of any

structure must start with the laying of a foundation. There are different types of

foundation that can be adopted for foundation laying and the nature of soil is a

determinate of the type of foundation that can be adopted. Foundations are made

with different materials and this depends on the weight of the structure to be

constructed.

Black Cotton soils are expansive clays with potential of shrinking or swelling under

changing moisture conditions. The black color in black cotton soil is due to the

presence of titanium oxide in small concentration. Black cotton soil causes huge

damages to civil engineering structures. According to (Osinub, Oyelaki, & Eberem,

2011) These soils cause more damage to structures, particularly light buildings and

pavements, than any other natural hazard, including earthquakes and floods.

Without the soil it is almost impossible to think about life on this earth. The term soil

in defined as an unconsolidated (Loose) material, composed of solid particles

produced by disintegration of rocks. Normally soils do not expand in the presence of

moisture unless it contains some clay minerals which are expansive according to

changes in temperature. The expansive behavior of the soil will depend on the

amount of clay minerals it contains and therefore, when they absorb water they

increase in volume. The more water they absorb the more their volume increases.

This changes in volume can exert enough force on a structure which can cause

serious damages like cracked foundations, floors and basement walls.

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UYAIOBONG UDUEHE ITIM ENG14B00415Y
PROJECT PROPOSAL CIVIL ENGINEERING

Black Cotton soils will also shrink when they dry, causing fissures in the soil and this

shrinking can remove support from buildings or other structures hence resulting in

damage. Also, fissure can encourage deep penetration of water thereby encouraging

damage on structures.

There are many factors that govern the expansion behavior of soil. The primary

factors are a change in water content and the amount and type of clay size particles

in the soil. Other important factors affecting the expansion behavior include the type

of soil (natural or fill), condition of the soil in terms of dry density and moisture

content, magnitude of the surcharge pressure, and amount of non-expansive

material such as gravel or cobble size particles.

1.1 Objectives of the Project

To help achieve the aim of the project, the following objectives were set;

 To provide an idea about elimination of damage in foundation and retrofitting

techniques

 To provide useful guidance for laying foundations in areas that are prone to

soil volume changes.

 To analyze the effect of Black Cotton soil on civil engineering structures and

the environment.

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UYAIOBONG UDUEHE ITIM ENG14B00415Y
PROJECT PROPOSAL CIVIL ENGINEERING

1.2 Scope of the Project

The study is limited to structural damages to foundations on Black Cotton soil due to

variation of moisture in soil in various seasons.

1.3 Methodology

The methodology which will be used for this study is a combination of field work and

survey methodologies. For easy understanding and interpretation of data from the

study, data collected from the field and checklist of warning signs will be presented.

1.4 Organizations of the Project

The first chapter will present an overview of the projects and reasons for conducting

the project.

Chapter two will provide a background and the context for understanding the

problem at stake.

Chapter three will outlines the research methods used to generate information to

answer the research objectives and research questions.

Chapter four will be concerned with the data analysis and discussion. Chapter five

will draw the curtains by providing a summary and conclusions.

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UYAIOBONG UDUEHE ITIM ENG14B00415Y
PROJECT PROPOSAL CIVIL ENGINEERING

1.5 Chart

November December January February March

Week Week Week Week Week

Research activities 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Proposal

Approval of Proposal

Assign Supervisor

completed Part 1 and Part II

Submission of 2 comb binded hard copies of

Part I with your signed supervisors contact

sessions

Submission of 2 comb binded hard copies of

Part I with your signed supervisors contact

sessions

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UYAIOBONG UDUEHE ITIM ENG14B00415Y
PROJECT PROPOSAL CIVIL ENGINEERING

2.0 Conclusion

Without a proper analysis of the soil type, a structure is prone to damage. When it

comes to the Black cotton soil, there’s been a lot of structure failure. Foundations

and walls of buildings, highways, canal and reservoir linings, retaining walls and

pavements are prone to damages like this because this structures depend heavily on

their foundation in order to stand. Black Cotton soils are present in various parts of

Nigeria and has cost huge lost to construction projects. This project is focused on

variations caused by soil due to change in moisture or temperature. These

foundation materials that exhibit this properties are known as expansive or swelling

clay soils.

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UYAIOBONG UDUEHE ITIM ENG14B00415Y
PROJECT PROPOSAL CIVIL ENGINEERING

References

 Osinub, K. J., Oyelaki, M. A., & Eberem, A. O. (2011). Improvement of Black

Cotton Soil with Ordinary Portland Cement - Locust Bean Waste Ash Blend.

Edge, 16, 619.

 ”Foundation In Expansive Soils” by Latton R.L. McGraw Hill

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UYAIOBONG UDUEHE ITIM ENG14B00415Y