Assessment of the geotechnical properties and suitability of borrow pit soil for construction works in some Niger Delta communities in Nigeria

Abstract Detailed investigation of the geotechnical properties of borrow pits soils, used for road and other construction works in major Niger Delta communities of Nigeria was carried out. The particle size distribution, specific gravity, liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL), plasticity index (PI), maximum dry density (MDD), optimal moisture content (OMC), free swelling index (FSI) and Californian bearing ratio (CBR) of the sampled soil were measured in accordance with the British Standard (BS) code and America Standard Testing Material (ASTM) code. Based on the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), the borrow pits soil can be classified as poorly graded sand with clay. Also, the results depicted that the borrow pits soil Specific gravity, LL, PI values and PL valued ranged from 2.6-2.71, 21.1% -34.08%, 6.29%-13.58% and 15.81% - 20.23%, respectively. OMC, MDD and CBR ranged from 14.53%-15.17%, 1.53 kg/m3 -1.69 kg/m3 and 20.19% -47.15%, respectively. The study affirmed that some of the soils can be useful for the construction of roads and other civil engineering structures, without stabilization.