International Journal of Scientific Research in Knowledge, 2(2), pp. 83-91, 2014 Available online at http://www.ijsrpub.

com/ijsrk ISSN: 2322-4541; 2014 IJSRPUB http://dx.doi.org/10.12983/ijsrk-2014-p0083-0091

Full Length Research Paper Investigation of a Proposed Four Storey Building Sites Using Geophysical and Laboratory Engineering Testing Methods in Lagos, Nigeria
Oyedele Kayode Festus*, Adeoti, Lukman, Oladele Sunday and Kamil Akintunde
Department of Geosciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: Email: kayode.oyedele@gmail.com
Received 06 December 2013; Accepted 11 January 2014

Abstract. The spate of engineering structures collapse in Lagos metropolis with its attendant loss of lives and properties has assumed an alarming proportion in recent times. Efforts to mitigate such incidence has necessitated an integrated geophysical and geotechnical investigation of a proposed four storey building sites with a view to determine the suitability of the site for the proposed project. Resistivity investigation, un-drained multi-stage triaxial compression and oedometer consolidation tests were carried out to determine the engineering properties of the subsurface. The results revealed peaty clay to silty sand materials characterized by 35kN/m2 - 75kN/m2 cohesion values, (5-13) internal friction, 29.3% - 64.5% natural water content and 1.652 1.972 Mg/m3 bulk density. The allowable bearing capacity of 50 kN/m2, volume compressibility from 0.115 m2/MN to 0.666 m2/MN, initial void ratio and consolidation coefficient of 0.779 - 1.381 and 2.7 m2/year - 8.3 m2/year respectively on the pressure range of 0 to 400 kN/m2 and estimated settlement values of 114 to 273 mm were obtained for the site materials. These results are indicative of soft to stiff clays and presence of sands and silts in the essentially clayey deposit. The study area is thus underlain by extensive zone of ductile and low strength founding materials having medium to high compressibility and settlement value that exceeds the tolerable limit suitable for founding a four storey building and should therefore be avoided. These characteristics preclude the use of conventional shallow foundations, piles or vibro-replacement up to a depth of 30 m. Keywords: Resistivity, vibro-replacement, multi-stage triaxial, geotechnical, uncomformably

1. INTRODUCTION The incessant incidence of building failures is becoming alarming in Nigeria and Lagos metropolis in particular and has led to loss of life and properties worth millions of dollars. These failures have been attributed to factors such as inadequate information about the subsurface geological material, poor foundation design and poor building materials. Prior to the commencement of design of a construction project, investigations are traditionally carried out in line with existing guides and codes regarding the property and quality of the proposed site. Such investigation is carried out in order to avert structural failures, as these failures could lead to disasters which pose serious threats to public safety. The ultimate goal of site investigation is to have appreciable understanding of the behaviour of the soils that will bear load to be transmitted by the proposed structure. More often than not, site investigation in Nigeria is achieved by use of traditional geotechnical methods such as boring and cone penetration testing while undermining the growing importance of the

geophysical methods (Soupios et al., 2007) for the geotechnical site chatacterization. Geotechnical tests usually reveal discreet information about the subsurface. However, to obtain a clearer picture, geophysical methods are essential to establishing lateral and vertical variations between the points under investigation. The need to address the lateral variations informed the integration of geophysical and geotechnical methods in this study. In the last decade, the involvement of geophysics and geotechnical methods in civil engineering has become a promising approach (Adepelumi et al., 2009; Al Omosh et al., 2008; Schoor, 2002; Adepelumi and Olorunfemi, 2000). However, it should be noted that the use of geophysical methods in site investigation is intended to supplement geotechnical methods and not to serve as substitutes for the drilling, sampling, test pitting and in-situ laboratory testing (Rowe, 2001). For economic reasons, boreholes cannot be placed close enough to one another to give an accurate picture of subsoil conditions. The role of geophysics is usually to describe the properties and geometry of the subsurface (Sheriff, 2002) and to provide data

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between borings and at the same time reduce the number of boreholes. Thus, combination of geophysical data and geotechnical measurements may greatly improve the quality of construction in civil engineering as it will focus on the behaviour and performance of soils and rocks in the design and construction of civil engineering structures (Oyedele et al., 2009). In this study, geophysical and field/ laboratory geotechnical methods were integrated with a view to determining the suitability of subsoil at a proposed four storey building development sites in Ebute Metta (near Iponri), Lagos Nigeria, which will serve as a guide for the design of the foundation for the proposed structure. 2. GEOLOGIC SETTING The Dahomey Basin is a combination of inland/coastal/offshore sedimentary basin in the Gulf of Guinea (Obaje, 2009). The lithology based stratigraphic classification of Dahomey basin by Jones and Hockey (Brownfield and Charpentier, 2006) is suitable for this study in that lithology is a key parameter in determining suitability of materials for engineering purposes. The Ewekoro Formation, which conformably overlies the Abeokuta formation is Palaeocene in age and consists of limestone, shale and clay members. The Ilaro formation overlies the Ewekoro Formation and is of Eocene age. It is composed of poorly sorted sandstone with clay fractions and subordinate shale. The Coastal Plains Sands unconformably overlies the Ilaro Formation and is Pleistocene to Oligocene in age. The lithology consists essentially of sands, silts and clay deposits with traces of peat in parts. It directly underlies the study area and is composed of deposits which can be divided into the littoral and lagoonal sediments of the coastal belt and the alluvial sediments of the major rivers. They essentially of consist of unconsolidated sands, clays and mud with a varying proportion of vegetative matter. 3. METHODOLOGY 3.1. Geophysical Survey A multi - electrode 2- D resistivity survey was carried along four 200m traverses spaced approximately 30 m from each other (Figure 1) with sixty-four electrode SAS 4000 Terameter. A 5 m inter-electrode spacing Wenner array was utilized owing to its high sensitivity to lateral in homogeneities to provide a good idea of variation of materials in a continuum around the site. The acquired 2D data was inverted using the software package RES2DINV (Loke, 1997).

3.2. Borehole Drilling Eleven bore holes, distributed along the four traverses were drilled on the site to a maximum depth of 30 m. The drilling was carried out employing the shell and auger drilling method with a fully equipped motorized Pilcon Wayfarer drilling rig. Samples were collected for inspection, description and laboratory analysis. Sampling and in situ tests were carried out progressively with the advancement of the drilling activity through the sediments from which a number of geotechnical samples intended for triaxial compression and oedometer testings were collected. 3.3. Undrained Multi-Stage Triaxial Compression Testing Triaxial Compression Test is a test in which a cylindrical specimen of soil or rock encased in an impervious membrane is subjected to a confining pressure and then loaded axially to failure in compression. The triaxial apparatus has been described in great detail by Bishop and Henkel (1962). To prepare a triaxial specimen, field samples were removed from its plastic sleeve and trimmed to a length of about 200 mm. The multistage triaxial test (Kovari and Tisa, 1975), as specified in BS1377: part 8:1990 and described in Head (1992), was carried out to measure the shear strength parameters of soils namely cohesion and internal friction angle. In this multi-stage element, a single specimen was compressed at three effective stress stages, rather than using the more familiar three individual specimens. The reason for using the multistage approach is that fewer samples require less time in the field, and that issues of non-uniformity between samples were removed. 3.4. Oedometer Consolidation Test The specimens were loaded and unloaded in several steps. At each loading stage the change of the height was recorded at suitable intervals while consolidation takes place. At the end of the test, the final dial gauge readings were taken. After removing the dial gauge and the top plate, the measurements of the final height of the specimen were determined by the calipers. Immediately after that, the free water was removed from the soil surface and specimen weighed. The water content and void ratio were then determined. The compressibility and cohesive values were compared with the guidelines proposed by Bell (2007).

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4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 4.1. 2D Resistivity and borehole logs Results from the resistivity surveys show that much of the subsurface beneath the site is underlain by a simple nearly horizontal stratification which is constituted essentially of clayey deposits. The resistivity sections AA' to DD' (Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8) generally shows alternation of Peaty Clay (<10 m), Silty Clay (approx 10 - 40 m ) and Silty Sand (>40

m) that completely submerged in water. These materials are viewed as incompetent engineering materials. Similar lithologies were delineated by Oyedele et al. (2012), Adepelumi et al. (2009) and Adepelumi and Olorunfemi (2000) using resistivity measurements around the Lagos metropolis. Considering the borehole lithology logs, two sets of logs were observed. The first set having predominantly clayey materials from ground surface to the terminal depths of the boreholes at 30 m, while the second set have more sandy contents within the uppermost 10 m (Figures 3, 5, 7 and 9).

Fig. 1: Base Map of the Study Area.

Fig. 2: 2-D resistivity section along traverse AA'

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Festus et al. Investigation of a Proposed Four Storey Building Sites Using Geophysical and Laboratory Engineering Testing Methods in Lagos, Nigeria

Fig. 3: Sections of Borehole Logs along traverse AA'

Fig. 4: 2-D resistivity section along traverse BB'

BH3 along traverse AA' (Figure 2) shows the presence of silty sand between 4.5 m to 10 m which was confirmed by the 2-D resistivity section. Though, the 2 D shows that this layer is laterally continuous but the resistivity of the silty sand greatly fluctuates westward suggesting inhomogeneity (e.g at 55 90 m, 120 m) of the sandy material. This inhomogeneity suggests changes in the quality and integrity of the sandy material, implying unsuitability of the sandy material for engineering foundation of a four storey building. Along traverse BB' (Figure 4), a BH6 at 40 m mark encountered sandy materials at depth of about 9 m, indicating the presence of good founding medium at that depth. However, the 2-D resistivity section shows that the sandy medium which dipped steeply easterly was replaced by peaty clay at 9 m so that it was encountered at about 20 m. This is inimical to engineering foundation.

Along traverse CC' (Figure 6), a borehole drilled at lateral distance 90 m from the start of the traverse (BH 8) appears to be underlain by sandy materials from a depth of about 20 m, giving a wrong notion of presence of good founding medium at that depth. However, the 2-D resistivity section shows that the sand medium is localized with much of the subsurface beneath that traverse being constituted essentially of clay materials. Beneath traverse DD' (Figure 8), BH 10 and BH 11 encountered peaty clay and silty sand materials respectively at the shallow depth which are in turn underlain by sandy/silty clay. The 2-D section along this traverse shows that the sandy materials at shallow depth beneath BH 11 is localized and lacks lateral continuity and thus incongruous to bear uniform load. The lateral continuity of silty sand at about 25 m depth cannot be ascertained due to discontinuity of data sets.

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Fig. 5: Sections of Borehole Logs along traverse BB'

Fig. 6: 2-D resistivity section along traverse CC'

Fig. 7: Sections of Borehole Logs along traverse BB'.

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Fig. 8: 2-D resistivity section along traverse DD'

4.2. Laboratory Results Laboratory testing results obtained from multistage triaxial compression and oedometer consolidation tests are shown in tables 1 and 2 respectively. 4.3. Undrained Triaxial Compression Tests Following the triaxial compression tests carried out on retrieved samples from the boreholes, strength parameters were obtained. A range of cohesion values of 35 kN/m2 - 75 kN/m2 was obtained for these samples which are indicative of soft, firm to stiff clays. The values of angles of internal friction (513) is quite high for clayey deposits but can be attributed to the presence of sands and silts in the essentially clayey deposit. These strength parameters

typify low strength founding materials up to 30m which are unsuitable for a four storey building. This is at variance with Oyedele et al (2011) which established the presence of competent materials at 16m depth in the southeastern part of the study area. The natural water content of the samples ranges from 29.3% - 64.5%. These high values are due to submergence of all materials in water because groundwater level was encountered at 0.10 m from the boreholes. This factor will contribute to the weakness of the subsurface materials. Furthermore, considering the essentially clayey nature of the subsurface materials, settlement rate for structures placed on such high water content material is expected to be high. The bulk density result varies from 1.652 1.972 Mg/m3 which pinpoint a slightly compacted clayey material.

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Table 1: Result of Multistage Triaxial Compression Test.

Table 2: Result of Oedometer Consolidation Test

Considering the cohesion and angle of internal friction obtained from triaxial tests, the computed net allowable bearing capacity of the soils within the uppermost 1.2 m was found to be 50 kN/m2 without using a safety factor of 3, this is grossly inadequate for a four-floor building with an estimated load of 50 kN/m2. 4.4. Oedometer Consolidation Test This coefficient of volume compressibility varies between 0.115 m2/MN and 0.666 m2/MN an indicative of medium to high compressibility. Therefore such

materials will be unable to bear a four storey building. The initial void ratio and consolidation coefficient varies between ranges from 0.779 - 1.381 and 2.7 m2/year - 8.3 m2/year on the pressure range of 0 to 400 kN/m2 respectively. Although settlement in clayey materials may be slow because they drain slowly, the settlement (subsidence) in the study area will be eventually be large due to high initial void ratio and consolidation coefficient. The estimated settlement values obtained for the proposed four-floor building using typical single and double wings range from 80 to 192 mm and 114 to 273 mm respectively.

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These settlement values are far higher than the tolerable limit of 50 mm for raft (shallow) foundation. 5. CONCLUSIONS Geophysical method integrated with field and laboratory geotechnical testing have shown that electrical resistivity correlate well with engineering strength parameters of the subsurface soils of a proposed four storey building site. 2-D resistivity sections proved useful in providing information continuity between borings, depth and position of changes in strata over large area and reduced the number of boreholes necessary. The sections revealed incompetent founding materials beneath the study area. Laboratory tests conducted on the materials obtained from boreholes at the site indicated materials of grossly inadequate net allowable bearing capacity and estimated settlement values that are higher than the tolerable limit for the proposed four-floor building. Therefore, the results of the various investigations conducted in the study area prohibit the use of conventional shallow foundation, piles or vibro-replacement up to a depth of 30 m. It is recommended that, for the proposed load, further investigations be carried out by drilling more test boreholes beyond 30 m with a view to establish the strata with adequate bearing capacity. REFERENCES Adepelumi AA, Olorunfemi MO, Falebita DE, Bayowa, OG (2009). Structural mapping of coastal plain sands using engineering geophysical technique: Lagos Nigeria Case Study. Natural Science, 1: 2-9. Adepelumi AA, Olorunfemi MO (2000). Engineering geological and geophysical investigation investigation of the reclaimed Lekki Peninsula, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Bulletin of Engineering, Geology and the Environment, 58: 125-132. Bell FG (2007). Engineering Geology. Second Edition. Elsevier Ltd. Oxford, U.K. 222, 223. Bishop AW, Henkel DJ (1962). The measurements of soil properties in the triaxia test. 2nd edition Edward Arnold (Publishers) LTD., London. Brownfield ME, Charpentier RR (2006). Geology and total petroleum systems of the West Central

Coastal Province (7203), W/Africa: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2207, 52 p. BS1377 (1990) Method of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. British Standards Institution, London. Head KH (1992). Manual of soil laboratory testing. Vol. 3, effective stress tests, Wiley. Kovari K, Tisa A, Einstein H, Franklin JA (1983). Suggested methods for determining the strength materials in triaxial compression. Int. J. of Rock Mech. & Min. Sci. & Geomechs Abs., 20: 283-290. Loke MH (1997). RES2DINV ver. 3.3 for Windows 3.1, 95 and NT Advanced Geosciences Inc. 66 Obaje NG (2009). Geology and Mineral Resources of Nigeria, Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences. 221p, Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York. Oyedele K.F, Ayolabi EA, Adeoti L, Adegbola RB (2009). Geophysical and Hydrogeological Evaluation of Rising Groundwater Level in the Coastal Areas of Lagos, Nigeria. Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. , 68: 137 - 143. Oyedele KF, Oladele S, Adedoyin O (2011). Application of Geophysical and Geotechnical Methods to Site Characterization for Construction Purposes at Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Earth Sciences and Geotechnical Engineering, 1(1): 87-100 Oyedele KF, Oladele S, Okoh C (2012). Geoassement of Subsurface Conditions In Magodo Brook Estate, Lagos Nigeria. International journal of advanced scientific and technical research, 2(4): 731-741 Rowe RK (2001). Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Handbook, Kluwer Academic Publishing, Norwell, Mass., USA. 82. Soupios P, Georgakopoulos P, Papadopoulos N, Saltas V, Vallianatoss F, Sarris A, Makris J (2007). use of engineering geophysics to investigate a site for a building foundation. J. Geophys. Eng, 4: 94-103. Sheriff RE (2002). Encyclopedic Dictionary of Applied Geophysics, Fourth Edition. The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (S.E.G) Tulsa OK USA. 323.

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DR Oyedele Kayode Festus, He is an Associate Professor. He is interested in Groundwater Exploration, Geotechnical Investigation, Environmental Pollution, Petroleum Geophysics researches.

Dr. Lukumon Adeoti, He is a Senior Lecturer. He received his BS degree in Applied PhysicsGeophysics, 1997. He received his MSc degree in Exploration Geophysics, 2000. Also He received PhD degree in Geophysics, 2007. He is interested in Exploration Geophysics / Borehole Geophysics.

Oladele Sunday, He is an Assistant Lecturer. He received MSc degree in Applied Geophysics. He is interested in Petroleum geophysics, forensic geophysics, Earth imaging and modeling.

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