Geotechnical Evaluation of Anthill Soils From Parts of Edo State, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

With the increasing rate of infrastructural development within developing Africa and the increase in failure of construction materials, there is need to seek solutions to further improve on the quality of materials used. Soils from anthills have been studied to possess some improved geotechnical properties that may improve the quality of materials used for construction, especially road construction. Soils from anthills were collected from different parts of Edo State, southwest Nigeria and was subjected to some geotechnical tests -Atterberg, compaction, CBR and particle size teststo ascertain the properties of the soils. The uniformity coefficient and coefficient curvature of the soils indicated that they are good subgrade materials for road construction. This can also be confirmed by the percentage fines of above 28% for all samples, plasticity index of above 10, optimum moisture content of above 12% and maximum dry density of 1.65 and above. Values from the soaked and unsoaked CBR tests also conforms with that of a good subgrade material when compared with the USCS and AASHTO classification