<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Geophysical and geotechnical techniques were used to investigate the sub-surface information of a proposed site for a hostel construction at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Ten vertical electrical sounding (VES) stations were adopted. Typical sounding curves obtained include the HA, KH, AKH and KQH types, of which the AKH-type consists of 40% of the survey points, and a maximum of five geo-electric sub-surface layers were delineated. Laboratory analyses were performed to investigate particle size distribution, Atterberg limit, compaction limit, California bearing ratio (CBR) and specific gravity. The CBR revealed that all soil samples, except L4, are mechanically stable and have high load-bearing capacity. The Atterberg limit test and the geo-electric section showed that the second layer of VES 4 is composed of sandy clay with high plastic index and low liquid limit, which may pose a threat to the foundation of any engineering structure. VES locations 5, 6 and 8 were identified as high groundwater potential zones suitable for optimum groundwater abstraction. The study area is suitable for both shallow and deep foundations, however VES 4 and VES 5 require reinforcement.</p></abstract>

Geophysical and geotechnical techniques were used to investigate the sub-surface information of a proposed site for a hostel construction at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Ten vertical electrical sounding (VES) stations were adopted. Typical sounding curves obtained include the HA, KH, AKH and KQH types, of which the AKH-type consists of 40% of the survey points, and a maximum of five geo-electric sub-surface layers were delineated. Laboratory analyses were performed to investigate particle size distribution, Atterberg limit, compaction limit, California bearing ratio (CBR) and specific gravity. The CBR revealed that all soil samples, except L4, are mechanically stable and have high load-bearing capacity. The Atterberg limit test and the geo-electric section showed that the second layer of VES 4 is composed of sandy clay with high plastic index and low liquid limit, which may pose a threat to the foundation of any engineering structure. VES locations 5, 6 and 8 were identified as high groundwater potential zones suitable for optimum groundwater abstraction. The study area is suitable for both shallow and deep foundations, however VES 4 and VES 5 require reinforcement.

Site Characterization for Construction Purposes at FUNAAB using Geophysical and Geotechnical Methods

Materials and Geoenvironment

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Geophysical and geotechnical techniques were used to investigate the sub-surface information of a proposed site for a hostel construction at Federal University...

Site Characterization for Construction Purposes at FUNAAB using Geophysical and Geotechnical Methods

Published Online: Oct 17, 2018

Page range: 89 - 102

Received: Aug 22, 2017

Accepted: Dec 14, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rmzmag-2018-0007

Keywords
grain size, California bearing ratio, Atterberg limits, compaction

© 2018 A.A. Alabi, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Site Characterization for Construction Purposes at FUNAAB using Geophysical and Geotechnical Methods

Published Online: Oct 17, 2018

Page range: 89 - 102

Received: Aug 22, 2017

Accepted: Dec 14, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rmzmag-2018-0007

Keywordsgrain size, California bearing ratio, Atterberg limits, compaction

© 2018 A.A. Alabi, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
grain size, California bearing ratio, Atterberg limits, compaction