Integration of Geophysical and Geotechnical Investigations

Journal of Applied Sciences 2(3), 2009
Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(3), 2009

ISSN 1943-2429
2009 Ozean Publication
Integration of Geophysical and Geotechnical Investigations for a Proposed Lecture

Room Complex at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, SW, Nigeria
Akintorinwa, O. J. and Adeusi F. A.
Department of Applied Geophysics,
Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure. Nigeria
E-mail address for correspondence: orllyola@yahoo.com
______________________________________________________________________________________
Abstract : A foundation studies has been undertaken at the newly proposed School of Earth and Mineral
Sciences lecture complex, Federal University of Technology, Akure. The study is aimed at evaluating the
competence of the near surface Formation as foundation materials. Geophysical and geotechnical methods
of investigation were adopted. The Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES), using schlumberger configuration
and soil analysis techniques were adopted. A total of 24 Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and five soil
samples from different location within the study area were used for the study.
The geophysical results revealed three distinct geoelectric sequences which comprises of topsoil, weathered
layer and bedrock. The topsoils composed of sandy clay/ clayey sand/ laterites while the weathered layer
composed of clay/sandy clay. The geoelectric section across the study area shows the undulation nature of
the bedrock topography with depth of rock head between 2 and 21 m. There is no evident of geological
feature such as fracture/fault within the bedrock which can aid subsidence in the area. The geotechnical
results show that the soil has relatively high clay content. Based on the consistency limits of the soils within
the area, the soil generally indicate low to medium plasticity, hence, the soils are expected to exhibit low to
medium swelling potential. It can however be concluded that the subsoils on or within which engineering
structures will be founded within the study area are competent.
______________________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
The statistics of failures of structures such as road, buildings, dam and bridges throughout the nation has
increased geometrically. The need for pre-foundation studies has therefore become very imperative so as to
prevent loss of valuable lives and properties that always accompany such failure. Foundation study usually
provides subsurface information that normally assists civil engineers in the design of foundation of civil
engineering structures.
Geophysical methods such as the Electrical Resistivity (ER), Seismic Refraction, Electromagnetic (EM),
Magnetic and Ground Penetrating Radar are used singly or in combinations for engineering site
investigation. The applications of such geophysical investigation were determination of depth to bedrock,
structural mapping and evaluation of subsoil competence.
The management of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, recently allocated a site for a proposed
lecture room complex for the School of Earth and Mineral Sciences (SEMS). The site is located within a
basement complex area with variable overburden. The need to provide information in the subsurface
sequence and structure disposition necessary for foundation design necessitated an integrated geophysical
and geotechnical investigations of the site whose results are presented in this paper.
241
Description of the Environment of the Investigated Site

The study area is located within Federal University of Technology, Akure. It lies between latitudes
7o1803N - 7o1806N and Longitudes 5o0802E - 5o0805E. The topography is low lying. The site is
located within the sub-equatorial climatic belt with tropical rain-forest vegetation. The mean annual
temperature is 240C-270C, while the annual rainfall, varies between 1500mm and 3500mm (Adeleke and
Goh Cheng Leong, 1978). The Federal University of Technology, Akure is underlain by rocks of the
Precambrian Basement Complex of Southwestern Nigeria (Rahaman, 1989). The crystalline rocks are
porphyritic granite, biotite granite, charnockite, quartzite and gneiss migmatite (Fig 1). Gneiss migmatite
and biotite granite are the major outcrop that occur within the study area, while charnockite occurs as a
discrete body in other part of the area. The proposed site for the lecture rooms is underlain by biotite
granite (see Fig. 1).
METHODOLOGY
Four traverses were established across the study area (Fig. 2). Six (6) Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES)
stations were occupied along each of the traverses. A total of 24 sounding were carried out using the
Schlumberger configuration. The electrode spacing (AB/2) was varied from 1-65 m. The co-ordinate of
each of the sounding stations in Universal Traversal Mercaton (UTM) co-ordinate was recorded with the
aid of the GARMIN 12 channel personnel navigation geographic position system (GPS) unit.
The apparent resistivity values were plotted against electrode spacing (AB/2) on a bi-logarithmic graph
sheet to generate depth sounding curves. The field curves were then inspected visually for identification of
the curve type. Partial curve matching was carried out on the field curves. The interpretation results (layer
resistivity and thicknesses) were fed into computer for 1-D computer assisted interpretation involving
Resist version 1.0 software (Varder Velper, 1988). The final interpreted results were used for the
preparation of geoelectric sections, histograms and maps.
Five disturbed soil samples were collected at different locations at a depth not exceeding 1m within the site
as shown in Figure 2. These samples were preserved in polythene bags and transported to the laboratory.
The natural moisture content of the samples collected from the field was determined in the laboratory
within a period of 24 hours after collection. This was followed by air drying of the samples by spreading
them out on trays in a fairly warm room for four days. Large soil particles (clods) in the samples were
broken with a wooden mallet. Care was taken not to crush the individual particles. Methods of testing soils
for engineering parameters were conducted in accordance with B.S. 1377 for all the soil samples collected.
The tests include natural moisture content, grain size analysis, liquid limit, plastic limit, linear shrinkage,
and compaction test.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Geophysical Results
Five curve types were identified within the study area. These include A, H, QH, HA and KH type with the
H as the predominant curve type (Fig. 3). The typical curve types are as shown in Figures 4. Table 1 gives
the summary of the VES interpretation. The number of layers varies between three layers and four layers.
Geoelectric Parameters
The VES interpretation results were used to prepare 2-D geoelectric sections displayed in Figure 5. The
geoelectric sections delineate maximum of four geoelectric/geologic subsurface layers comprising the top
soil, weathered layer, partly weathered/fractured basement and fresh bedrock. The top soil is composed of
sandy clay/clayey sand/laterite with resistivity values varying from 172-698 m and thickness of between
0.6-4.1 m. The weathered layer ranges in composition from clay and sandy clay with resistivity values that
vary between 42 and 230 m.
242
Iso-resistivity and Isopach Map of the Topsoil

Figures 6 and 7 show the iso-resistivity and isopach map of the topsoil respectively. As revealed by the
map, the topsoil is composed of sandy clay/ clayey sand with exception of a portion at the northwestern
parts of the area which is lateritic. The predominant resistivity value of this layer ranges from 200-400 m
(Fig. 8a). The Isopach map of the topsoil (Fig. 7) shows that the topsoils are generally thin with the highest
thickness up to 2.9 m in the Northeastern parts of the area. The predominant thickness of the topsoil is
generally < 2 m (Fig. 8b).
Isopach Map of the Overburden
The Isopach map of the overburden is as shown in Figure 9. From the map, the thickness of the overburden
ranges from 2 to 21 m with predominant thickness in the range of 5-10 m (Fig. 10). The overburden is
appreciably thick to house the proposed structure foundation.
Geotechnical Results
Table 2 shows the summary of the geotechnical results. The natural moisture content of tested soil samples
ranges from 7.63 - 12.03%. |This shows that the natural moisture content of the soil in the area is relatively
low at its natural state. Moisture variation is generally determined by intensity of rain, depth of collection
of sample and texture of the soil (Jegede, 2000). From the grading curves (Figure 11) the soils can be
classified as well graded soil. The tested soils have percentage finer (percentage passing 0.075 mm) ranges
from 32-45%. Generally the tested soils have percentage passing 0.075 mm of more than 35% with average
of 38% which is not far from the maximum of 35% recommended by Federal Ministry of Works and
Housing (FMWH) (1972) for a foundation material, hence; the soils can be generally rated as fair to good
sub-grade foundation material. The soils that are largely made up of fine particle are likely to have poor
geotechnical properties as foundation materials than soils that are largely made up of coarse particle.
As shown in Table 2, the Liquid Limit of the soil samples ranges from 26-33%. The Plastic Limit ranges
from 14-21%, and the Plasticity Index of soils ranges from 5-12%. The tested soil samples are of medium
consistency limits indicating low percentage of clay content in the soil. Generally, soils having high values
of liquid and plastic limits are considered poor as foundation materials. The plastic index of all the soil
sample are lower than 20% maximum Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMWH) (1972), hence it
shows a good engineering property since the higher the plastic index of a soil, the less the competency of
the soil as a foundation material.
The linear shrinkage value of the tested soils ranges from 9-11% (Table 2). Brink et al (1992) suggested
that soils with linear shrinkage below 8% would be inactive, inexpensive and are good as foundation
material. The linear shrinkage of all tested soils are greater than 8%, hence the soils are likely to be
subjective to swelling and shrinkage during alternate dry and wet seasons of the humid tropical climatic
condition of the south western Nigeria. This must be taken into cognizance in the design of the foundation.
The maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content OMC) of the soils ranges between 15531868kg/m3 and 14-23% respectively. These values show that, the soils respond gradually to compaction.
The importance of compaction is to improve the desirable load bearing properties of soil as a foundation
material.
243
Subsurface Engineering Evaluation of the Study Area

Determined depth to the basement rockhead varies from 2- 21 m (Fig. 9) for most parts of the area,
overburden thicknesses are generally less than 10 m. Areas with high thicknesses are found at the northern
parts of the studied area. There are no indications of any major linear structure such as fracture/faults (Fig.
5). However, VES 18 show unconfined fractures. The area can be adjudged seismically stable. The
geologic sequence beneath the study area is composed of the topsoil, weathered layer, partly
weathered/fractured basement and fresh bedrock. The topsoil constitutes the layer within which normal
civil engineering foundation is founded. This layer is composed of sandy clay, clayey sand and laterite.
Engineering competence of the topsoil can be qualitatively evaluated from layer resistivity and the
geotechnical parameter. The higher is the layer resistivity value, the higher the competence of a layer,
hence from the point of view of resistivity value therefore; laterite is the most competent of the delineated
topsoil units, followed by clayey sand and sandy clay being the least competence.
The higher the geotechnical parameters of a soil, the lesser the competence of the soil as a foundation
material. The Federal Ministry Work and Housing (FMWH), 1972 recommend 35%, 50%, 30% and 20%
Maximum for the percentage finer, Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plastic Index respectively and 8%
minimum of Linear Shrinkage for a good foundation material. The geotechnical properties of the topsoil
are relatively good as most of soil samples taken within the topsoil fall within FMWH, 1972
recommendation. It can however be concluded that the subsoils on or within which engineering structures
will be founded within the study area are fairly competent.
CONCLUSIONS
The geophysical results revealed four geoelectric sequences within the study area which comprises of
topsoil, weathered layer, partly weathered /fracture basement and bedrock. The top soils are generally
thin (< 2 m) and majorly composed of sandy clay/ clayey sand/ laterites while the weathered layer is
composed of clay/sandy clay. The geoelectric sections show depth of rock head of between 2 and 21 m.
There is no evident of geological feature such as intensive fracture/fault within the bedrock which can
aid subsidence in the area. The geotechnical results show that the soils are generally of relatively low
natural moisture content. It has relatively low clay content as revealed by the percentage passing
0.075mm which are generally less or equal 35%. This was corroborate by the sandy nature of the Topsoil
as revealed by the geophysical results. Since the Plastic Index of the soils within the area are less than
20%, the soil can be adjudged to be low to medium plasticity, hence, the soils are expected to exhibit low
to medium swelling potential. The linear shrinkage of the soils are greater than 8%, indicating active and
expensive nature of the soil.
The deduction from the above is that, the topsoil Formation may be rated as relatively good as a
foundation material. The foundation of the proposed civil structure can be hosted by this formation. The
uneven nature of this layer has to be considered in the design of the foundation.
REFERENCES
AASHO (1962): Road Test Report 5 (Pavement Research), Highway Research Board, Special Report
6IE Washington D.C.
Adeleke, B. O. and Goh Cheng Leong, (1978): Certificate Physical and Human Geography, West African
Ed. Oxford University Press, Nigeria, Ibadan.
Brink, A. B. A., Parridge, J. C. and Williams, A. A. B (1992): Soil Survey for Engineering, Claredon,
|Oxford.
Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (1972): Highway Manual Part 1 Road Design, Federal Ministry of
Works and Housing, Lagos.
244
Jegede, G. (2000): Effect of soil properties on pavement failure along the F209 highway at Ado-Ekiti,
Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Construction and Building Materials, vol. 14, pp. 311-315,
Kareem, 1997: Geological Map of Federal University of Technology, Akure: Unpublished M.Tech. Thesis,
Dept. of Applied Geology, Federal University of Tech., Akure. 109pp
Rahaman, M.A., (1989): Review of the basement geology of southwestern Nigeria. In: Kogbe, C.A., (ed)
Geology of Nigeria, Rock View (Nig.) Limited, Jos, Nigeria, pp. 39-56.
Table 1: Summary of the VES Interpretation Results.
VES
1 (m)
2 (m)
3 (m)
4 (m)
h 1 (m)
h 2 (m)
H3 (m)
Curve
type
361.9
97.3
3786.6
0.7
2.8
381.8
49.6
181.5
34.1
1.5
1.9
228.3
65.7
1.4
5.3
444.7
440.3
37.2
1.0
202.4
64
1.9
4.4
340
170
3200
0.9
258.9
697.7
86.1
1.2
277.3
71.8
4.8
10
297.3
62.6
843.6
1.4
4.1
11
776.4
305.3
856.2
0.4
13.6
12
230.8
444.9
1151.5
1.4
13.2
13
170.2
1145.8
1745.3
1.9
3.9
14
319.4
229.7
1830.6
0.8
8.8
15
229
96.8
877.8
6.7
16
306.1
58.4
2.9
4.9
17
192.1
95.4
3.0
3.3
18
200.2
82
285.8
0.6
1.1
19
201.6
90.6
671.1
1.3
2.4
20
146
217.2
0.3
17.6
1500
3232.6
3630.9
245
2.8
6.8
QH
KH
HA
18.8
9.6
HA
21
253.8
336.7
41.7
22
185.4
88.6
23
30.9
1967.1
81.7
24
222.8
170.5
3675.3
Sample
No.
1
2
3
4
5
Natural
Moisture
Content
(%)
7.81
10.77
9.56
11.62
15.90
8708.1
3584
0.7
3.8
2.5
18.3
0.4
0.3
11.5
Table 2: Summary of the Geotechnical Results

Percentage
Liquid
Plastic
Plastic
LS (%)
Passing
Limit
Limit
index
0.075mm
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
41.88
32
27.10
4.9
9.60
36.16
25.50
14.45
11.05
10.00
45.32
32
21.40
10.60
8.60
31.88
29.50
17.60
11.90
11.40
34.60
30
20.90
9.10
8.60
7.5
KH
H
2.6
KH
H
MDD
Kg/m3
OMC
(%)
1553
1868
1608
1770
1860
22.95
14.00
20.00
15.29
15.00
5 07' E
7 19' N
5 09'oE
7 19' N
LEGEND
Porphyritic Granite
Biotite Granite
Charnockitic rock
Quartzite bands
Gneiss Migmatite
Stream
Geological Boundary
Study Area
7o 17'oN
5 07' E
250m
7 17' N
5 09' E
o
Fig.1: Geological Map of the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

(After Kareem, 1997)
246
Fig. 2: Data Acquisition Map of the Study Area Showing the Vertical Electrical Sounding Stations and the
Geotechnical Sampling Points
16
Frequency (Unit)
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
H
QH
KH
Curve Type
Fig. 3: Histogram of the Curve Type
247
HA
Fig. 4a: Typical H Type Sounding Curve
Fig. 4b: Typical A Type Sounding Curve
Fig. 4c: Typical QH Type Sounding Curve
248
Fig. 4d: Typical KH Type Sounding Curve
Fig. 4e: Typical HA Type Sounding Curve
(a)
S
VES 4
VES 9
VES 16
VES 21
254
V
Depth (m)
306
277
72
337
58
42
10
LEGEND
20m
Topsoil
Laterite
Weathered Layer
Bedrock
249
10m
228
66
V
V
(b)
VES 14
VES 13
Depth (m)
10
VES 15
VES 17
VES 16
VES 18
200
172
319
229
306
192
82
1146
230
97
58
95
286
1831
878
1745
3631
20m
LEGEND
Topsoil
Weathered Layer
Partly Weathered/
Fractured Basement
10m
Bedrock
(c)
VES 8
SE VES 6
Depth (m)
698
VES 15
259
259
229
202
64
86
97
1500
878
VES 23
31 NW
82
3584
10
20m
LEGEND
Topsoil
Weathered Layer
Bedrock
10m
Fig. 5: Geoelectric Section along (a) S-N, (b) W-E and SE-NW Direction.
807150
2000ohm-m
1900ohm-m
1800ohm-m
1700ohm-m
1600ohm-m
1500ohm-m
1400ohm-m
1300ohm-m
1200ohm-m
1100ohm-m
1000ohm-m
900ohm-m
800ohm-m
700ohm-m
600ohm-m
500ohm-m
400ohm-m
300ohm-m
200ohm-m
100ohm-m
807140
807130
807120
807110
807100
807090
807080
0m
20m
735870 735880 735890 735900 735910 735920 735930 735940 735950 735960 735970
VES Station
300
Contour Line with Value
Fig. 6: Isoresistivity Map of the Topsoil.
250
807150
2.9m
2.7m
807140
2.5m
2.3m
807130
2.1m
1.9m
807120
1.7m
1.5m
807110
1.3m
1.1m
807100
0.9m
0.7m
807090
0.5m
0.3m
807080
735870 735880 735890 735900 735910 735920 735930 735940 735950 735960 735970
VES Station
1.4
Fig. 7: Isopach Map of the Topsoil.
16
14
Frequency (Unit)
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0-200
200-400
400-600
600-800
800-1000
1000-1200 1200-1400 1400-1600 1600-1800 1800-2000
T opsoil Resistivity (ohm-m)
Fig. 8a: Histogram of the Top Soil Resistivity
251
12
Frequency (Unit)
10
8
6
4
2
0
0-1.0
1.0-2.0
2.0-3.0
3.0-4.0
Topsoil Thickness (m)

Fig. 8b: Histogram of the Top Soil Thickness
807150
21.0m
20.0m
19.0m
807140
18.0m
17.0m
16.0m
807130
15.0m
14.0m
13.0m
807120
12.0m
11.0m
10.0m
807110
9.0m
8.0m
7.0m
807100
6.0m
5.0m
4.0m
807090
3.0m
2.0m
1.0m
807080
735870 735880 735890 735900 735910 735920 735930 735940 735950 735960 735970
VES Station
5.0
Fig. 9: Isopach Map of the Overburden
252
14
Resistivity (ohm-m)
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0-5.0
5.0-10.0
10.0-15.0
15.0-20.0
Thickness (m)
Fig. 10: Histogram of the Overburden Thickness
253
Percentage Passing(%)
70
60
50
40
0.002
0.006
0.02
0.06
0.2
0.6
20
60
Particle Size (mm)
CLAY
Fine
Medium Coarse
SILT
Fine
Medium Coarse
SAND
Fine
Medium Coarse
GRAVEL
Fig. 11: Typical Grain Size Distribution Curve (Sample 1)
254
COBBLES
200

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Journal of Applied Sciences 2(3), 2009

Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 2(3), 2009