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

1.0Introduction--------1

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER TWO

2.0Literature Review-------7

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

2.1.1Parent Materials------8

2.1.2Topography and Drainage-----8

2.1.3Climate-------- 9

2.1.4Biological Influence------ 9

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

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

2.4Soil Texture ------- 11

2.5Mineralogy of Clay------ 12

2.5.1Kaolinite-------- 12

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

2.5.3Montmorillonite------- 14

2.6Review of Previous Research----- 15

CHAPTER THREE

3.0Research Methodology------- 18

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

3.2The Mineral Understudy------ 18

3.3The Sampling Procedure and Sample Size--- 19

3.4Quality Assessments------ 19

3.4.1Moisture Content Determination---- 20

3.4.2Bulk Density------- 21

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

3.4.4Sieve Analysis------- 23

3.4.5Specific Gravity------- 26

3.4.6Permeability Test------- 28

3.4.7Consistency Limit------- 30

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0Result and Analysis------ 34

4.1Moisture Content Determination---- 34

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

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

4.4Grain Size Analysis------ 38

4.5Specific Gravity------- 41

4.6Permeability ------- 42

4.7Consistency Limit Test Result----- 44

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0Conclusion and Recommendation----- 47

5.1Conclusion-------- 47

5.2Recommendations------- 48

References --------- 49

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1Particle Size Range----- 10

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

Table 4.1Moisture Content Determination--- 35

Table 4.2Bulk 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