GEOTECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF LATERITE AS A SUSTAINABLE AND ADEQUATE SUB-BASE AND BASE MATERIAL FOR HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Chigozie Okafor, Clinton Aigbavboa

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

The wrong application of laterite is one of the major causes of road failure in Nigeria, some road infrastructures in Nigeria are not sustainable and durable owing to the fact that the lateritic materials used as backfill material were not adequate enough to sustain the road over a considerable period of time, this, therefore, affects the durability of the road. In this study, the author has analyzed lateritic soil obtained from Awgu local government area in Enugu state, South East Nigeria, using basic prominent geotechnical laboratory tests. According to the results obtained, the sample in consideration had less than 35% by weight of sample passing through sieve 85,120,150,170 and 240. The sample had a liquid limit of 60%, plastic limit of 44.15%, plasticity index of 15.85%, a specific gravity of 2.49 and average moisture content of 12%. The California bearing ratio ranged from 29% to 77%. All the results above were analyzed according to the Federal Ministry of works specifications. This study has shown that the soil in consideration here is a good backfill material for sub-base and base material for highway construction, however, it is recommended that little improvement should be made on the soil in other to upgrade its ability to remain sustainable and durable over a considerable period of time.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEnergy Proceedings
Volume3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Event11th International Conference on Applied Energy, ICAE 2019 - Västerås, Sweden
Duration: 12 Aug 201915 Aug 2019

Keywords

  • advanced geo-energy technologies
  • environment and climate change
  • geotechnical engineering
  • highway construction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Fuel Technology
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy (miscellaneous)

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