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Undrained saturated expansive soil: A case study of Awgu shale in Oji-Agu Akpugo southeastern Nigeria

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

Buildings constructed on the expansive soil of Oji-Agu Akpugo area exposed to natural factors such as water, temperature and surface run off. Effect caused by these factors on the soil has a negative impact on the built structures in the area.

Geotechnical results of the expansive soil of the area show that the average bearing capacity, specific gravity, maximum dry density and optimum moisture content are 101KNM-2, 2.52, 1.79 kgm-3 and 11% respectively. Maximum values for the liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index of the soil were found to be 55%, 16.67% and 38.33% respectively. Vertical electrical sounding technique was employed to determine depth of the expansive soil in the area and electric profiling to determine boundary of the clay deposit. Hydro-geochemical results of water samples collected from a well in the soil were analyzed to determine the impact of chemistry of the soil on ground water. The analytical results obtained together with field observations showed how far an undrained and saturated soil can impact on the engineering structures. Thus, the objective of this paper is to provide technical awareness to practitioners on the negative impact caused by the expansive soil of Oji-Agu Akpugo area due to pore water.

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Correspondence to Nnamani Chidiebere Henry.

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Henry, N.C., Igwe, O. Undrained saturated expansive soil: A case study of Awgu shale in Oji-Agu Akpugo southeastern Nigeria. J Geol Soc India 87, 222–226 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-016-0390-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-016-0390-0

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