Ameh Peter^1,, Igwe Ogbonnaya², Abdullateef Lawal^{1, 3}, Mustapha Aliyu¹, Isa Abdulmajid¹, Zakariyau K. Kazeem⁴

This study evaluates the index and engineering properties of soils in Otukpa Area of Benue State towards ascertaining their suitability for use as fill and embankment, sub-base and base course material. Otukpa in Benue state Nigeria has vast reserve of sand and other aggregate materials that are presently been mined for various construction purposes. The area holds good potential for human population explosion in the near future. When massive infrastructural development commences, localized sourcing of materials would be necessary. Unfortunately, not much is known of the geotechnical properties of the sands in this area. Index and engineering test was conducted to achieve the aim. Gravel size particles are completely absent. Permeability of soil ranged from 7.8×10^-6 to 3.36×10^-4m/sec with moisture content of 11.38 to 14.16%. Specific gravity was between 2.63 to 2.67g/cm³. UCS range from 31-45Kpa while LL and PL ranged between 27-35% and 10-18% respectively. MDD peak value was 1.85(g/cm³) at an OMC of 12.11% and lowest at 1.67(g/cm³) at an OMC of 11.99. The geotechnical implication of the observed properties range from susceptibility to marginal volume change, differential settlement to low shearing resistance. These materials are quality reserves for fill, embankment and sub-base construction but not for bases.

base, embankment, fill, otukpa, sands, sub-base