ABSTRACT

Soil is the ultimate foundation material which supports the structure. The proper functioning of the structure will, therefore, depend on the engineering properties of the underlying soil. The objectives of this research are to investigate the engineering properties of soils found in the site by conduction different types of laboratory tests. This research work is useful in providing necessary data or information that can be used in designing Civil Engineering structures in the site. Laboratory tests carried out on disturbed and undisturbed samples revealed that the natural moisture content ranges from 34.98% of the second layer to 38.11% of the first layer. Specific gravity of the soil were 2.64 of the first layer and 2.32 of the second layer. The grain size analysis indicates that samples of both layers were uniformly graded. The coefficient of permeability was 2.94 x 10-3 cm/sec for the first layer and 4.996 x 10-3 cm/sec for the second layer. The plasticity index was 10.78 for the first layer sample and 0.90 for that of the second layer sample. The bulk density of the soil was the same for both layers with a value of 1.66g/cm3 and unit weight was 16.28KN/m3 for both layers. The cohesion and angle of internal friction were 20KN/m2 and 400 respectively for the first layer and 80KN/m2 and 25.50for the second layer. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - -i

Declaration page - - - - - - - -ii

Approval Page - - - - - - - - iii

Dedication - - - - - - - - -iv

Acknowledgement - - - - - - - -v

Table of Content - - - - - - - -iv

List of Tables - - - - - - - - x

Abstract - - - - - - - - -xi

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction - - - - - - - -1

1.1 Background of the Study- - - - - -2

1.2 Statement of the Problem- - - - - -3

1.3 Purpose of the Research- - - - - - -3

1.4 Significance of the Research- - - - - -3

1.5 Scope of the Research - - - - - -4

1.6 Definitions of Terms- - - - - - -4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review - - - - - - -7

2.1 Soil Formation and Soil Deposits- - - - -7

2.1.1 Parent Materials - - - - - -8

2.1.2 Topography and Drainage - - - - -8

2.1.3 Climate - - - - - - - - 9

2.1.4 Biological Influence - - - - - - 9

2.2 General Types of the Soil - - - - - 10

2.3 Soil Particle Size and Shape -   - - - -11

2.4 Soil Texture - - - - - - - 11

2.5 Mineralogy of Clay - - - - - - 12

2.5.1 Kaolinite - - - - - - - - 12

2.5.2 Illite - - - - - - - - - 13

2.5.3 Montmorillonite - - - - - - - 14

2.6 Review of Previous Research - - - - - 15

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Research Methodology- - - - - - - 18

3.1 The Study Area - - - - - - - 18

3.2 The Mineral Understudy - - - - - - 18

3.3 The Sampling Procedure and Sample Size - - - 19

3.4 Quality Assessments - - - - - - 19

3.4.1 Moisture Content Determination - - - - 20

3.4.2 Bulk Density - - - - - - - 21

3.4.3 Triaxial Test - - - - - - - - 22

3.4.4 Sieve Analysis - - - - - - - 23

3.4.5 Specific Gravity - - - - - - - 26

3.4.6 Permeability Test - - - - - - - 28

3.4.7 Consistency Limit - - - - - - - 30

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Result and Analysis - - - - - - 34

4.1 Moisture Content Determination - - - - 34

4.2 Bulk Density and Unit Weight - - - - - 35

4.3 Triaxial Test - - - - - - - - 36

4.4 Grain Size Analysis - - - - - - 38

4.5 Specific Gravity - - - - - - - 41

4.6 Permeability - - - - - - - 42

4.7 Consistency Limit Test Result - - - - - 44

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendation- - - - - 47

5.1 Conclusion - - - - - - - - 47

5.2 Recommendations- - - - - - - 48

References - - - - - - - - - 49

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1 Particle Size Range - - - - - 10

Table 3.1 Sieve Sizes and their Numbers - - - - 24

Table 4.1 Moisture Content Determination - - - 35

Table 4.2 Bulk Density Test Result - - - - 36

Table 4.3(a) Triaxial Test (First Layer) - - - - 38

Table 4.3(b) Triaxial Test (Second Layer) - - - - 39

Table 4.4(a) Grain Size Analysis (First Layer) - - - 39

Table 4.4(b) Grain Size Analysis (Second La