SUITABILITY OF AVAILABLE LATERITE MATERIAL IN ILORIN EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION

ABSTRACT

Soil failure is a common sight in Nigeria road and structural constructions. The main purpose of this project is to investigate the suitability of the available laterite materials in Ilorin east local Government.

To determine the suitability of the soil in the three selected areas, Various tests were carried out on- the samples and those are classification test which is a test used in determining the type of soil. Also strength evaluation test was also done on the soil samples so as to determine the bearing capacity, density and strength of the soil and such strength evaluation tests, CBR test and moisture content test.

The project was undertaken following various laboratory soil test result to ascertain the type, strength and suitability of soil for any civil Engineering work.

After all these have been performed results are observation were made and final conclusion and recommendation were taken.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

          Soil is the cheapest and the most widely used material in civil engineering projects as foundation material either in its natural or improved form. It is highly heterogenous and an isotropic in nature and existing with different engineering properties which can be influenced to some extent by the presence of copper salt under the influence of water (Kadiyah and Lal, 2006).

          The properties of soil as engineering material depends on its surface electrical charges, chemical composition size and shape e.t.c. The chemical composition influences the exhibition of enormous changes in the engineering properties especially in soil with high content of clay materials (Singh and Singh, 2006).

          The geotechnical characteristics of soil are of great importance. The degree of these properties within certain range has a useful meaning in determining the best and suitability of it, for engineering construction especially for road construction (Ola, 2005).

1.1    Lateritic Soil

          Laterite is well known in Asian countries as a building material for more than 1000 years. It was excavated from the soil and cut in form of large blocks; temples at Angkor are famous, examples for this early use.

          Laterite is one of the most valuable materials for building. It is diffused in immense masses, without any appearance of stratification and is placed over the granite that forms the basis of Malayala. It is full of cavities and pores, and contains a very large quantity of iron in the form of yellow and red ochres. In the mass while excluded from the air, it is so soft, that any iron instrument readily cuts it, and is dug up in square masses with a pick-axe, and immediately cut into the shape wanted with a trowel, or large knife. It very soon after becomes as hard as brick and resists the air and water much better than any brick (Werner Schellmann, 1991).

          The engineering behaviour of laterite material from trial pits is influenced by some factors which includes origin degree of weathering, mineral composition, environmental condition e.t.c. (Umebulues, 2001).

          The result of these properties helps a lot and will serve as a guide in prospective works. This will also provide engineers with quick method of checking which material is best fit on the alternative for road construction (Clarke, 2007).

1.0.1 The importance of laterite as building material has already been mentioned. More relevant as their local use for the construction of simple houses in their application as a road building material. The suitability of lateritic materials above all of lateritic gravel is tested by several methods of engineering geology.

1.1    Statement of the Problem

          Misunderstanding soils and their properties can lead to construction errors. The suitability of a soil for a particular use should be determined based on it engineering characteristics and not on usual inspection or apparent similarity to other soil.

          Some particles of laterite tend to crush easily under impart disintegrating into a soil may be self hardening when exposed to drying or if they are not self hardening, they may contain appreciable amounts of hardened lateritic rock or gravel.

1.2    Aim and Objectives

          The aim and objectives of this project include:

1. To determine how suitable and durable the available laterite material in Ilorin East Local Government is for road construction.
2. To carryout some geotechnical tests required for the strength evaluation of laterite material in order to determine its constructional suitability in road construction.
3. To determine the strength of laterite and its durability.
4. To determine whether these laterite materials meet the American Standard Test Method (ASTM) specification for road construction.