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Integrating geotechnical and geophysical techniques in assessing frequent building collapse in Akpugo, Nkanu West L.G.A., Enugu State, Nigeria

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Abstract

Over the years, the people of Akpugo community in Nkanu West L.G.A., Enugu State, South-East Nigeria have suffered from frequent building collapse without knowing the cause. This study integrates geotechnical and geophysical techniques to evaluate possible factors responsible for this anomaly. Areas with cracked and non-cracked buildings were studied to assess the geotechnical properties of the soils. Samples were taken at different locations and subjected to x-ray diffraction analysis, grain size analysis, specific gravity, Atterberg limits, permeability, compaction, and triaxial tests. Electrical resistivity method was also used to delineate the geo-electrical layers and to image the lateral variations of the subsurface. Results revealed that problematic zone (areas with cracked buildings) has lower permeability (4.018–7.016 × 10−7 m/s), lower angle of shearing resistance (10–14°), and medium to high plasticity index (25.1–38.33), while the non-problematic zone (areas without cracked buildings) has higher permeability (1.55–1.925 × 10−6 m/s), higher angle of shearing resistance (15–18°), and low plasticity index (18.1–19.4). The x-ray diffraction results of the problematic zone revealed a significant amount of smectite which has a very high swelling and shrinkage potential. The presence of substantial quantity of smectite in the soils of the problematic zone may be a strong factor in the structural problems. The electrical resistivity profiling delineated the boundary between the problematic zone and non-problematic zone and showed that the problematic zone has lower resistivity values (2–25 Ωm) while the non-problematic zone has higher resistivity values (20–170 Ωm).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

    C. O. Una, O. Igwe, R. Maduka, A. Brooks, R. Ajodo & E. J. Adepehin

  2. Department of Physics, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria

    E. Okwoli

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  1. C. O. Una
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  2. O. Igwe
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  3. R. Maduka
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  4. A. Brooks
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  5. R. Ajodo
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  6. E. J. Adepehin
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  7. E. Okwoli
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Correspondence to C. O. Una.

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Una, C.O., Igwe, O., Maduka, R. et al. Integrating geotechnical and geophysical techniques in assessing frequent building collapse in Akpugo, Nkanu West L.G.A., Enugu State, Nigeria. Arab J Geosci 8, 10951–10960 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-1946-9

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