Citation

Orazulike DM. Nat. Hazards 1993; 7(2): 109-119.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/BF00680425

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Field and chemical data show that soils in some parts of Bauchi State, Nigeria, are rich in illite (20-35%), montmorillonite (60-75%), and kaolinite (45-73%). These expansive clays cause the soils to shrink and swell alternatively in response to the seasonal supply of moisture; resulting in observed damaging cracks. Plasticity index (PI) determinations on these soils are high (7-13.4%) suggesting that they are potentially hazardous. The attendant hazards and huge losses to the State are blamed on the expansive nature of these soils. The hazardous conditions can be mitigated by adopting proper construction precautions as well as by using chemical additives such as lime and phosphates, to lower the PI and help to increase the strength of the soils.

Language: en