GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF TERMITE MOUND SOIL FROM IKA AREA OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: *Momah M, Odokuma-Alonge O, Andre-Obayanju O, Okieimen, F.E
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
The determination of geotechnical properties of habited termitaria (termite mounds) from nine different locations in Ika community, Delta State, Nigeria was carried in this paper. The geotechnical properties investigated were grain size, Atterberg limits, shear strength, California bearing ratio (CBR), and specific gravity. Chemical properties of the termite mound soil were also examined in comparison with the adjacent surrounding soil. Idumuesah sample shows very high plasticity, while the other eight showed medium plasticity. The plasticity index carried out to compare plasticity characteristics showed the soil to be non-cohesive and non-plastic and its value ranged from 10.83% to 28.45% at both areas. The compaction test shows that the optimum moisture content (OMC) ranged from 7.20% to 17.10%, while the maximum dry density (MDD) ranged from 1.74KN/m2 to 2.10KN/m2. The MDD are generally low which indicates the soils are not compact but very loose. The specific gravity ranged between 2.34 to 2.58.
Affiliations: Centre for Biomaterials Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Keywords: Ika Termite Mound, Aterberg’s Limit, Termataria, Ogwashi, Idumuesah
Published date: 2018/06/30
