Geotechnical Properties of Soils in Ikole

– Ekiti Area, Southwestern Nigeria

Joseph Babalola Adeyeri
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University, Oye Ekiti,
Ekiti State, Nigeria.
[email protected]

Ademola Bolarinwa
Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University, Oye Ekiti,
Ekiti State, Nigeria.
[email protected]

Tochuckwu Caleb Okeke

Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University, Oye Ekiti,
Ekiti State, Nigeria.
[email protected]

ABSTRACT
The geotechnical properties and litho-stratigraphic soil profile of soils in Ikole area of Ekiti State were
investigated from the analysis of results of laboratory tests on disturbed and undisturbed soil and water
samples obtained from 3 borings. The investigation revealed a subsurface stratification made up of
reddish brown granitic clayey sand from existing ground level to a depth of 9m to 12.0m. This is
underlain by a layer of mottled, brown, decomposed micaceous sand to a depth of 16.5m - 18m
immediately after which are layers of mottled grey, decomposing quartzite sand to about 18.0m to
19.0m depth. This is further underlain by fragments of freshly weathered granitic rock to the
termination depth of 19.5m. The consistency limits indicate LL of 44 – 58% and PL of 18 – 26% while
the quick undrained triaxial tests indicate undrained cohesion within the range (128.4 - 157)kN/m2 and
undrained angle of internal friction (15.0 - 20.0)0. Groundwater was encountered between 6.5m to
7.5m below the existing ground level during the course of soil exploration. The water in the area has
pH values of 5.79 to 7.05, the chloride content values range between 12.0mg/l and 16.0mg/l while
sulphate content varies from 6.12mg/l to 7.10mg/l.
KEYWORDS: Geotechnical Properties, Classification Characteristics, Strength Characteristics,
Soil Profile, Southwestern Nigeria.

I NTRODUCTI ON
A good knowledge about a site including its subsurface conditions is very important in its safe
and economic development. It is therefore an essential preliminary to the construction of any civil
engineering work such as roads, buildings, dams, bridges, foundations, etc, Adeyeri (2015).
Unfortunately in developing countries like Nigeria only few investors in the construction industry
take time to execute subsoil investigation prior to commencement of construction activities on their
projects. The result is the disastrous consequences such as failure or collapse of buildings and other
massive engineering structures which often cause untold hardship and damage and sometimes even

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 Vol.22 [ 2017] , Bund. 01 22

loss of lives and properties. Many attempts have been made of recent to study the geotechnical
properties of soils around Ekiti State in Southwestern Nigeria (Bayowa et al., 2014, Okunade, 2007;
Oladapo and Ayeni, 2013; Owolabi and Aderinola, 2014; Talabi et al, 2013; etc). However, no
previous attempt has been made to investigate the soil geotechnical properties and soil litho-
stratigraphic sequence in Ikole Ekiti area of Ekiti State, Nigeria. Therefore, it is the aim of this
research to evaluate the profile and geotechnical properties of soils in Ikole Ekiti Area of Ekiti State,
Nigeria. (This will subsequently consolidate the data requirement for a web-based geotechnical
database management system for Nigerian soils as proposed by Okunade (2010).)

STUDY AREA AND I TS GEOLOGY

The study area is situated at Holy Apostolic Nursery/Primary School, Ootunja, Ikole Local
Government Area (L.G.A.) of Ekiti State in Southwestern Nigeria. It can be accessed through a
network of roads most especially Oye-Ilupeju-Itapa-Osi-Ikole, Ado-Ijan-Iluomoba-IjeshaIsu-Ikole
and Omuo-Ikole roads. Ootunja is one of the twenty four towns and villages constituting Ikole
L.G.A., (www.ekitistate.gov.ng). Ikole is located between latitude 7.47’00N 5.31’00E and 7.783330N
5.516670E. The general geology of Ekiti State is well researched e.g. (Rahaman,1989; Ademilua,
1997; Ayodele, 2011, 2013; Bayowa et al, 2014; Okunlola et al., 2011; Oyinloye, 2011; Okwoli et al,
2014; Talabi et al., 2013; etc.). The state is underlain by the Precambrian rocks of the Basement
Complex of Southwestern Nigeria which covers about 50% of the land surface of Nigeria. The
general geological map of Ekiti State digitized after Ademilua (1997) is shown in Figure 1. The major
lithological units include the granite gneiss, migmatites gneiss and charnockite, (Oladapo and Ayeni,
2013). The Basement rocks show great variations in grain size and in mineral composition. The rocks
are predominantly quartz gneisses and schists consisting essentially of quartz with small amounts of
white micaceous minerals. In grain size and structure, they vary from very coarse grained pegmatite
to medium grained gneisses. The site layout showing all the test points and features is shown in
Figure 2 while Table 1 shows the positions of the borings.

Table 1: Boring Coordinates and Elevation

Coordinates
Borehole No. (Northings & Elevation (m)
Eastings)

0862222N;
BH01 559.0
0774975E

0862245N;
BH02 559.5
0774967E

0862174N;
BH03 572.5
0775010E
 Vol.22 [ 2017] , Bund. 01 23

Figure 1: The Geological Map of Ekiti State (digitized form Ademilua, 1997.)

MATERI ALS AND METHODS

Field Work: Basically, the field work involves; exploration of three (3) geotechnical boreholes to
refusal depth (bedrock) by using the shell and auger boring technique. A mobile Dando 150ton
mobile rig complete with tools was mobilized for the exercise. Although, sampling procedure was
dictated by the nature and thickness of subsoil encountered in the course of the investigation, a
summary of sampling and field testing procedure followed in the course of drilling is as follows:
(i) Ordinary disturbed samples were collected within the first 1m of drilling and at every
change of strata. Samples from the cutting shoe in the case of undisturbed sampling and
from the split spoon barrel in respect of SPT were also collected as disturbed samples and
placed in sealed polythene nylons.
(ii) Undisturbed samples were collected at relevant intervals in cohesive soils. This sampling
is designated with a ‘U’ on borehole logs.
(iii) In some cases, taking of undisturbed samples was attempted but futile as some of the
clays were too sandy to stay in the 100mmdiameter sampling tubes.
(iv) Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) were carried out at 1.5m depth intervals particularly in
cohesionless materials on the site. This test involves obtaining the number of blows [N-
values] required to produce the last 300mm of penetration of the 50mm Split Spoon
 Vol.22 [ 2017] , Bund. 01 24

sampler in connection with an overall 450mm penetration test by 63.4kghammer free

falling through 760mm.
The site investigation program was carried out in agreement with the procedure set out in British
Standards 1377 (1990). All the tests were carried out in the “Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory” at
Trevi Foundations Nigeria Ltd., Lagos, Nigeria.

Figure 2: Site Layout of the Study Area

Laboratory Testing: Following the procedure spelt out in B. S. 1377: 1999 – Testing Soils for Civil
Engineering Purposes, the following laboratory tests were carried out on the soil samples:
(a) Physical Properties of Soil {Classification}: (i) Moisture content determination; (ii) Consistency
limit tests [Atterberg]; (iii) Particle size analysis
 Vol.22 [ 2017] , Bund. 01 25

(b) Mechanical Properties of Soils: The following test was undertaken:Quick Undrained Triaxial
Test.
(c) Chemical properties of groundwater: (i) PH-level;(ii) Chlorides; and (iii) Sulphatescontent tests
were carried out.

RESULTS AND DI SCUSSI ON

Particle Size Analysis: The percentage range of the soils passing through No. 200BS sieve is
between 15.4 and 74.2%, Figure 3. According to the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Works general
specifications requirements for roads and bridges (1994), samples BH2S19, BH2S25, BH3S15,
BH3S25, and BH3S27 can be recommended for use as sub-grade, sub-base and base course materials
as the percentage by weight finer than No.200BS test sieve is less than 35%. The percentage range of
the grain sizes of the soils are as follows: gravel; 0.00 – 20.72%, coarse grained sand; 0.00 – 7.19%,
medium grained sand; 5.53 – 33.53%, fine grained sand; 7.02 – 45.51% and fines; 30.7 – 74.25%.
These values indicate that most of the soils are fine-grained (clayey sands and silts). There are
essentially four distinct groups which according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) can
be classified as follows: CL, CL/ML, SM/ML and CL/ML. Table 2 shows some observed physical
properties of the soil samples.

Table 2: Physical Properties

Physical
BH01 BH02 BH03
Property
Specific Gravity 2.70-2.80 2.75-2.86 2.78-2.88
Natural Moisture
13-20 13-18 14-20
Content (%)
Permeability
1.12*10-4 1.35*10-4 2.06*10-4
(cm/s)
Liquid Limit (%) 48-54 44-58 53-58
Plastic Limit (%) 18-20 24-30 24-26
Plasticity Index
(%)
30-34 26-31 29-34
CL or
USCS CL or CL/ML CL/ML or
CL/ML or
Classification or SM/ML SM/ML
SM/ML
 Vol.22 [ 2017] , Bund. 01 26

Figure 3: Particle Size Distribution of Samples (selected)

Consistency and Other Physical Properties: The Atterberg limit tests on soil samples from the
site revealed that the following variations: liquid limits; 44 – 58, plastic limits; 18 – 26 and plasticity
indices; 29 – 34. Federal Ministry of Works (FMW) general specification requirements for roads and
bridges (1994) recommend liquid limit not greater than 80% for sub-grade and not greater than 35%
for sub-base and base course. Also, plasticity index not greater than 55% for sub-grade and not
greater than 12% for both sub-base and base. From the examined soil samples, the soils fall within
these specifications, thus making them suitable for sub-grade, sub-base and base course materials.
The natural moisture content for all soil samples ranges between 13 and 20%. Specific gravity ranges
from 2.70 to 2.88. Results of permeability test indicate low coefficients of permeability of the soils in
the range of 1.12*10-4 to 2.06*10-4 cm/sec: this is due to the high fines content in the studied soil
samples. The soils can therefore be classified to be of low permeability with relatively poor to fair
drainage characteristics.
Unconsolidated Undrained Triaxial Compression Test: The UU test was carried out on some
soil samples obtained from the superficial layer (i.e. 1.5m to 3.0m). The tests produced undrained
cohesion (128.4 - 157)kN/m2 and undrained angle of internal friction (15.0-20.0)0. This shows that
soils in the area have cohesive and frictional properties, an indication of their residual origin. Table 3
gives a summary of the triaxial test results while the Mohr circle stress plots are shown in Figures 4 –
6. The bearing capacity for shallow foundations can be estimated from these given parameters. The
use of shallow spread footings (pad, strip, and or raft foundation) is quite feasible for loads of the
order of 50kN/m2 – 200kN/m2. Deep foundations like piles are recommended for projects with higher
structural loads. In any case proper subsurface investigation should be carried out before the
commencement of the project.
Vol.22 [ 2017] , Bund. 01 27

Table 3: Summary of Strength Characteristics

Undrained Undrained
Sample Depth
BH No. Cohesion cu Angle of
(m)
(kN/m2) Friction (º)
1 3.0 153.6 15.0
2 1.5 157.7 20.0
3 1.5 128.4 15.1

Figure 4: Stress Envelope for Test on BH 1.

Vol.22 [ 2017] , Bund. 01 28

Figure 5: Stress Envelope for Test on BH 2.

Figure 6: Stress Envelope for Test on BH 3.

 Vol.22 [ 2017] , Bund. 01 29

Groundwater Conditions: Groundwater was encountered between 6.5m to 7.5m below the
existing ground level during the course of soil exploration. pH values range from 5.79 to 7.05,
chloride content values were between 12.0mg/l and 16.0mg/l while sulphates content values varied
from 6.12mg/l to 7.10mg/l. These values indicate that the water is suitable for construction works
because they all fall within the permissible range in the relevant codes (i.e. BS5930 and BS1377).
Soil Profile: The site investigation revealed a subsoil stratification consisting of reddish brown
granitic clayey sand (Laterite) top layer from existing ground level to about 12.0m depth. This is then
underlain by a layer of mottled, brown, decomposed micaceous sand to a depth of 16.5m to 18m.
Immediately after this is the layer of mottled grey, decomposing quartzite sand to 19.0m and this is
further underlain by fragments of granitic rock (freshly weathered) to the exploratory termination
depth of 19.5m. It is summarized in Table 3 while the stratigraphic soil profile is shown in Figure 7.

Table 3: Soil Profile and Stratigraphic Description

From (m) To (m) Thickness (m) Description
Reddish brown,
granitic clayey
0.00 12.0 12.0
SAND (Laterite)

Mottled brown,
decomposed
12.00 18.00 6.0
micaceous SAND

Mottled grey,
decomposing
18.0 19.0 1.0
quartzite SAND

Fragments of
19.0 19.5 0.5 quartzitic ROCK
(freshly weathered)
 Vol.22 [ 2017] , Bund. 01 30

Figure 7: Stratigraphic Description of the Soil Profile.

CONCLUSI ONS
The stratigraphic profile and geotechnical properties of soils in Ikole area of Ekiti State have been
investigated. The soils are mostly lateritic and are suitable as subgrade, subbase and base course
materials in highway construction. The lateritic soils encountered at the site can comfortably support
shallow foundations for loads of the order of 50kN/m2 – 200kN/m2.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The research is supported and funded by “Tertiary Education Fund” (tetfund), Nigeria.

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© 2016 ejge

Editor’s note.
This paper may be referred to, in other articles, as:
Joseph Babalola Adeyeri, Ademola Bolarinwa, and Tochuckwu Caleb Okeke:
“Geotechnical Properties of Soils in Ikole – Ekiti Area, Southwestern Nigeria”
Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2017 (22.01), pp 21-32.
Available at ejge.com.