Compaction Behaviour and Classification Properties of Soils of Kwang/Shen, Jos-Plateau North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the Classification and compaction behaviour of soils of Kwang/Shen is presented in this article. The grain size distribution curves indicate that the soils are poorly graded soils revealing silty - clayey soils while consistency tests show liquid limits and plasticity indices ranging from 33.8 - 46.8% and 9.0 -17.3% respectively, indicating the soils as low - intermediate plasticity soils with low swelling potentials and low compressibility. The moisture density relationship showed a maximum dry density and optimum moisture content ranging from 1.63 - 2.02 g/cm3 and 7.37 - 22.1 % respectively. The soils would require greater compactive effort to bring it to higher density in order to increase the strength. From engineering point of view, the soils are fair to good construction material and with mechanical stabilization, the soils will be safe and economically fit for construction.