GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION OF SOME FAILED SECTIONS OF UMUAHIA-UZUAKOLI AND UZUAKOLI-OZUITEM ROADS IN BENDE AREA, SOUTHEASTERN
Abstract
Durability of a highway is influenced by the engineering properties of subgrade soils and pavement materials. Roads fail when their pavement is built on an active zone of expansive soil subgrade, which experiences seasonal volume changes, leading to shrink and swell behavior that results to pavement distress. This study focuses on the geotechnical investigation of the km 16 Umuahia – Uzuakoli (Ubani) and km 8 Uzuakoli – Ozuitem (Isiegbu) highways in Umuahia Bende Area, southeastern Nigeria to identify the causes of indiscriminate road failures. The engineering properties of disturbed expansive subgrade soils from the Ameki formation were assessed through field, physical, geological and laboratory tests focusing on grain size distribution, specific gravity, natural moisture content, Atterberg limits, compaction and California bearing ratio (CBR). The study revealed natural moisture content values ranging from 23.7% to 35.6% (29.7%), liquid limit values between 50.60% and 51.90% (51.25%), plasticity index values between 17.50% and 24.60% (21.05%). Linear shrinkage values between 10% and 14% (12%). Maximum dry densities were 1.48 Mg/m³ to 1.56Mg/m³ (1.52 Mg/m³) and CBR values ranged from 10% to 11% (11% unsoaked) and 5% (5% soaked) for both locations. Grain size results showed that none of the soils have particles coarser than 2.36mm, having up to 60% passing sieve 200 (75microns) and as such are classified as fine grained soil. Casagrande plasticity chart classified them as CH and MH soils, recognized to be inorganic fat clay and elastic silt respectively. Failed sections of the road were due to high values of liquid limit (LL), plasticity index (PI) and linear shrinkage which are indicators of the expansive nature of subgrade soils derived from Ameki Formation in the study area. The study recommends appropriate drainage systems and chemical stabilization with lime and cement.
Keywords: Subgrade, Geotechnical test, Road pavement, Road failure, Expansive
Soil, Ameki Formation
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