Geophysical Characterization of Abandoned Dumpsite Soil Properties for Pre- Foundation Delineation at Bowen University Campus, Iwo, Nigeria

Abstract

Geophysical investigation and microstudy of soil properties were carried out within Bowen University, for the characterization of the subsurface pattern in the area using vertical electrical sounding (VES) survey and evaluation of soil properties with a view to mapping subsurface geological features, such as weak and competent zones and to determine the overburden thickness of the area for pre-foundation studies for a proposed high-rise building. Four (4) VES was carried out in the study area employing schlumberger electrode configuration. The data collected were used to curve match and the results used for subsequent interpretation to reveal the depth, thickness and resistivity of the study area. In addition, soil samples were collected from three (3) selected points located at the entrance, centre and the end of the study area at about a depth 0-60 cm. Consequently, the VES results were presented as resist graph, which revealed the range of values for the depth (1.3 -24.5), thickness (1.3 -15.4 m) and resistivity (357.4 -6311.6 ohms), which was later used to generated the geoelectric maps of the study area. It was also observed that the result of the soil properties revealed that all the samples taken from the study area have low bulk density (1.41 g/cm 3 , 1.26 g/cm 3 , 1.36 g/cm 3 ), high particle density (2.81 g/cm 3 , 2.94 g/cm 3 , 3.16 g/cm 3 ), and high porosity (49.64%, 57.22%, 57.03%). In conclusion, it was observed that erection of high-rise building is not advisable within the study area since the results showed that the overburden (depth to basement) is generally thick mostly greater than 15 m. Also revealed from the microstudy of soil properties is that foundation stability should be properly managed, since a porous soil does not accommodate engineering activities except when an artificial basement is put in place.

Empirical Study of the Groundwater Protection Potential and Water Quality Using the Electrical Resistivity Method and a PG990 Spectrometer Around Obafemi Awolowo University Dumpsite Southwestern Nigeria

“…This will reveal whether the subsurface acts as protective potentials against the contaminant that could percolate down to the available groundwater. It has been shown from different research that the geophysical method of subsurface investigation is accurate and reliable when measuring the parameter that is associated with the subsurface structures in groundwater potential and dumpsite assessment as reported in literature [8][9][10]. Telford et al [11] reported that geophysical investigation of the subsurface offers moderately rapid, fast, and costeffective ways to derive enormous area informatio n analysis of subsurface geology.…”