Characterization of Geotechnical Properties of Soil in the Flood-Prone Town of Okpe, Isoko North Local Government, Delta State

Abstract

This research work focused on assessing the geotechnical properties of soil in Okpe Community. Soil samples were collected from five different locations within the community, and at each location three sampling depths (0.3 m, 4 m and 8m) were adopted. Four geotechnical analyses (consistency limits, specific gravity, optimal moisture content “OMC” and maximum dry density “MDD”) were carried out on the 15 soil samples, in accordance with ASTM approved guidelines. The consistency limits test results indicated that the topsoil (0.3 m), 4 m and 8 m soils liquid limit values varied from 52.38% -63.42%, 29.07% - 69.69% and 19.83% -28.50%, respectively. Also, the plastic limits values for the topsoil, 4 m and 8 m soils ranged from 20.70% - 26.08%, 16.60% - 32.34%, and 5.74% - 19.73%, respectively. The topsoil, 4 m and 8 m soil samples specific gravity values varied from 2.66 – 2.69, 2.64 – 2.67, and 2.62-2.64n respectively. Likewise, MDD results depicted that its values for the soil samples collected at the topsoil, 4 m and 8 m soil depths ranged from 1.53 g/cm³-1.59 g/cm³, 1.59 g/cm³ -1.65 g/cm³ and 1.68 g/cm³-1.75 g/cm³, respectively. Similarly, the results revealed that the OMC of the soil samples collected at the topsoil, 4 m and 8 m depths varied from 15.3% to 16.3%, 14.8% -17.9%, and 13.2% -14.2%, respectively. The findings will contribute to informed decision-making for infrastructure development in flood-prone areas.