Geotechnical and Geochemical Characterization of Lateritic Soil Deposit Derived from Ajali Sandstone in Ihubeokigwe, Southeastern Nigeria for Road Construction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/mce.v2i3.1002Keywords:
lateritic soil, Ajali Sandstone Formation, Anambra Basin, road constructionAbstract
This work was carried out to evaluate the quality of laterite used for road construction in southeastern Nigeria in terms of its geochemical and geotechnical characteristics. The samples used in this study were collected from Ihube-Okigwe, which was formed as a result of chemical weathering of Ajali sandstone, which geologically lies within the Anambra Basin. Two samples were collected 5km apart and subjected to some geotechnical tests which includes Atterberg limits, grain size analysis, compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) as well as geochemical analysis in the laboratory. Results of the study show that the lateritic soils derived from Ajali Sandstone Formation have average liquid limit, plasticity index, maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, unsoaked CBR and soaked CBR values of 23%, 9.4, 1.92mg/m3, 11.6%, 74% and 29% respectively. Comparison of the values of the determined geotechnical properties with standard specifications of materials for road construction by Federal Ministry of Works (1970) (liquid limits <36%, plasticity index <12%, unsoaked CBR >80% and soaked CBR >30%) shows that the studied soils do not meet the requirements for standard CBR values (soaked and unsoaked) but the bearing capacity can be improved by adding Ordinary Portland Cement. The results obtained from the grain size analysis shows that the studied soils are well graded having an average coefficient of uniformity of 17.4. The major oxides measured include: SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, MnO, K2O, Na2O, TiO2 and P2O3. Results obtained from the geochemical analysis shows that the soils have a silica/sesquioxide molar ratio of 1.6 which classifies it as a lateritic soil. Generally, lateritic soils derived from Ajali Sandstone Formation in the Anambra Basin in southeastern Nigeria are suitable for road construction.
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