International Journal of Physical Sciences Vol. 4 (8), pp.

443-454, August, 2009

Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/IJPS
ISSN 1992 - 1950 © 2009 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Application of geophysical and geotechnical

investigations in engineering site evaluation
O. J. Akintorinwa* and J. I. Adesoji
Department of Applied Geophysics, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure. Nigeria.
Accepted 08 July, 2009

Geophysical and geotechnical studies were conducted at a proposed Switch station facility for
Telecommunication at a site in the south-eastern part of Nigeria. The aim of the study is to evaluate the
sub-soil conditions and electrical properties of the soil which may have effect on the proposed mast
and switch facilities system. The geophysical investigation involved the Vertical Electrical Sounding
(VES) technique using the Schlumberger configuration and a geotechnical investigation. A total of
sixteen (16) VES stations were occupied within the study site. The geotechnical study involved
Boreholes drilling as well as Cone Penetration Tests (CPT). A total of six (6) CPTs and three (3)
Boreholes drilling were utilised within the study area. This was done to provide controls on the
geophysical interpretation. Four subsurface layers were delineated within the study area which include:
the topsoil (mixture of sand, silt and clay), coarse sand, clayey sand and sand. This correlated with the
sub-soil investigation. The study area is underlain by a stratum of medium stiff to stiff lateritic
clayey/silty sand to the depth of about 20 m as explored by the Borehole. The choice of foundation
construction for the proposed structure must take care of the settlement characteristics of the clayey
material. The subsurface layers up to a depth of 5 m is of moderate to high resistivity values (> 180
ohm-m) and it may not serve as a good electric earthing material, therefore there is a need to improve
the subsurface conductivity of this layer most especially within the area where the electrode for the
earthling system will be buried.

Key words: Vertical electrical sounding, conductivity, cone penetration test, earthing, settlement characteristic.

INTRODUCTION

With the growing demand for space utilization, there are i) The use of Geophysical Techniques, such as electrical
also an increasing number of incidences of structural resistivity method (VES) or seismic method.
damages which can be accompanied by collateral losses. ii) Direct probing using static or dynamic penetration
Uncertainties associated with the design and planning of techniques and or boreholes.
structures play a role in such failures. Design uncertain-
ties related to unknown soil properties are among the The success in the applicability of geophysical techni-
most important (Bremmer, 1999). The non linear ques depends on so many factors. The most important is
behaviour of soil under stress, the difficulty in estimating the existence of a significant and detectable contrast
soil properties in undisturbed or in-situ conditions, and between the physical properties of the different units in
high spatial variability, all make it impossible to predict the subsurface, such as velocity, electrical resistivity,
the exact behaviour of soil in time and space. These conductivity, density, acoustic properties, subsurface
difficulties call for safety factor to ensure an adequate geology and the environmental conditions. Penetration
margin against unexpected deviations in the predicted devices produce little overall disturbance in the soil. The
situation. most widely used static and dynamic penetration test are
Different approaches are commonly used in other to the Cone Penetration Test CPT (for soft soils) and the
ascertain the in-situ geo-mechanical properties of the soil; Standard Penetration Test SPT (for relatively hard soils)
(Baldi et al., 1995).
For CPT, a cone at the end of a series of rods is
pushed into the ground at a constant rate, and measure-
*Corresponding author. E-mail: orllyola@yahoo.com. ments are made of the resistance to the penetration of
444 Int. J. Phys. Sci.

the cone. This is known as “cone resistance” or qc, which which is a major geomorphic feature in the Nigeria
is the total force (Qc) acting on the cone divided by the coastal zone. The evolution of the modern Niger Delta
projected area (Ac) of the cone. The cone resistance qc is started in the Early Tertiary with sediments being sup-
a direct indicator of the strength of the soil at a given plied by the Niger – Benue river system which over the
depth. Cost, efficiency, speed, simplicity, reliability, and years have built-up a large Delta. The Niger Delta com-
the ability to provide near continuous information on the plex consists of sedimentary formations deposited in a
soil properties with depth are the important reasons for high-energy deltaic environment. Sediment built up was
the increasing popularity of CPT. The primary signify- accompanied by growth faulting normal to the direction of
cance of CPT comes from the fact that it represents a propagation of the progradation which resulted in a series
miniature driven pile or foundation in soil; hence, the pile of near parallel faults bounded by the depositional belt.
bearing capacity (pressure between a foundation and the These depobelts are successively younger from north to
soil which will produce shear failure in the soil) can be south. Overlying these depobelts is the stratigraphic
directly estimated from qc. Thus, CPT provides valuable sequence that consists of three sedimentary units (Benin
constraints for all settlement and stability calculations. Formation, Agbada Formation and Akata Formation).
CPT qc responds to soil changes within five to ten times The Benin Formation is described as “Coastal plain
the cone diameter (standard = 35.6 mm) above and sands”. It consists mainly of sand and gravels with thick-
below the cone. Although CPT provides valuable infor- nesses that can reach 2,100 m (Avbovbo, 1978). The
mation as to the strength of the soil, the information is sands and sandstones are coarse to fine granular in
restricted to the CPT location (Eslaamizaad et al., 1998). texture and can be unconsolidated. The Agbada Forma-
CPTs are commonly performed tens or hundreds of tion consists mainly of sands, sandstones and siltstones.
meters apart. Soil models based on lateral interpolation The sandstones or sands are very coarse to fine grained.
of CPT data collected at a few locations at a given site They are often poorly sorted except where sand grades
obviously contain large uncertainties, increasing the risk into shale. The Akata Formation is the major basal unit in
in engineering design. The aims and objectives of the the Niger Delta Complex. This is a marine pro-delta
study are: megafacies, comprising mainly of shales with occasional
turbidite sandstones and siltstones.
1. To delineate the subsurface geological sequence and
determine the geoelectric parameter.
2. To identify existing subsurface geologic features such METHODOLOGY
as faults, sinkholes and cavities in an area prone to
Geophysical survey
subsidence and geologic instabilities.
3. To determine from soil resistivity measurements, the Sixteen (16) vertical electrical soundings were conducted within the
nature of the soil and its suitability as an electrical system study area (Figure 1) using an ABEM-SAS 300C Terrameter.
earthing medium. Schlumberger array was employed with electrode separations (AB)
4. To determine the geotechnical and nature of the study ranging from 2 to 1000 m. The location of each sounding station
area. was recorded in Universal Traverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates
with the aid of a GARMIN 12 channel personal navigator (GPS) unit.
5. To evaluate from the above the suitability of the The soundings were performed parallel to the traverse lines and the
subsurface soil within the study area for the proposed apparent resistivity values were calculated.
communication mast system. The apparent resistivity measurements at each station were
plotted against electrode spacing (AB/2) on bi-logarithmic graph
sheets. The curves were inspected to determine the number and
Geomorphology/Climate/Vegetation/Geology of the nature of the layering. Partial curve matching was carried out for the
study area quantitative interpretation of the curves. The results of the curve
matching (layer resistivities and thicknesses) were fed into the
computer as a starting model in an iterative forward modeling
The area is in the coastal region of Nigeria and the technique using RESIST version 1.0 (Vander Velper, 1988). From
elevation is of low lying with elevation of not more than 3 the interpretation results (layer resistivities and thicknesses),
m above the sea level. The Nigeria coastal zone is within geoelectric sections along directions (N-S and E-W) were produced,
the tropical climate areas. The rainy season is April to and results were also used to generate maps and layer parameter
November and dry season is in December to march. The histograms.
area has an annual rainfall varies between 1,500 and
4,000mm (Ibe, 1988). During the rainy season, wind
speed increases to about 10 m/s especially during heavy Geotechnical survey
rainfalls and thunderstorms. Temperature in the coastal
area is modulated by the cloud cover and by the damp air. Cone Penetration tests were performed at a total of six (6) locations
within the study area (Figure 1). The tests were carried out to a
However, the mean monthly temperature vary between
o depth of 20 m. The Dutch static penetration measures the
24 and 32 C. Mangrove and rain forests characterize the resistance of penetration into soils using a 60o steel cone with an
vegetation of the study area. area of 10.2 cm2. The cone penetrometer test is a means of
The study area is located within the Niger Delta basin ascertaining the resistance of the soil. The layer sequences are
 Akintorinwa and Adesoji 445

Figure 1. Data Acquisition Map of the Study Area showing the Vertical Electrical Sounding
(VES) Stations and the Geotechnical Sampling Points.

interpreted from the variation of the values of the cone resistance consists of driving a thick walled 50 mm diameter steel tube into the
with depth. The test is carried out by securing the winch frame to sand at the bottom of each borehole by means of a 63.5 kg
the ground by means of anchors. These anchors provided the hammer dropping 75cm. The number of blows required to drive the
necessary power to push the cone into the ground. The cone and tube 30 cm after an initial penetration of 15 cm is recorded as the
the tube are pushed together into the ground for 20 to 25 cm; the SPT number. The SPT number can be used as an empirical
cone is pushed ahead of the tube for 3.5 cm at a uniform rate of measure of the compactness of the sand.
about 2 cm/sec. The resistance to the penetration of the cone
registered on the pressure gauge connected to the pressure
capsule is recorded. The tube is then pushed down and the RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
procedure described above repeated. From the series of recorded
gauge readings, cone resistance and sleeve friction are plotted
against depth. Three boreholes were drilled within the study area
The results of the study were presented as Sounding
(Figure 1) undisturbed samples at various locations were taken at Curves, Histograms, Geoelectric sections, Maps, and
appropriate intervals using a specially designed 60.5 mm internal Logs.
diameter U – Type sampler. The sampler is fitted with a cutter at the
open end and a waste barrel at the other end. A round steel ball in
the driving head of the sampler permits the escape of air and water
as the sample enters the tube. The diameter of the sample tube is Characteristic of the VES curves
25 mm and lined with 60.5 mm plastic tube. The samples are
trimmed to the desired length and usually 15 cm covered in a Curves types identified ranges from A, KH and KHK
plastic tube. An identification label is attached. The numbers of varying between three to five geoelectric layers. The KH
blows required to drive the sample 15 cm into the ground is
curve type dominates (Figure 2), constituting 62.5% of
recorded. Sometimes, the regular U4 sampler is used to recover the
undisturbed samples. the totals while the A and KHK types constitute 25 and
The in situ Standard Penetration Test (SPT) was carried out, 12.5% respectively. Typical curve types in the area are
usually in the non-cohesive strata. The standard penetration test as shown in Figure 3a-c.
446 Int. J. Phys. Sci.

70 values ranging from 1000 to 5500 Ω-m (Figure 8). The

thickness range from 2 to 19 m (Figure 9), as shown on
60 the Isoresistivity map. The highest resistivity values were
identified towards the south eastern flank of the study
50 area (up to 5500 -m) and the lowest resistivity values
Frequency (%)

were identified at the western flank( 1000 -m). The

40 Isopach map shows the largest thickness at the western
flank of the study area with a thickness up to 19 m. The
30 second layer can be considered as a possible candidate
for the burial of the earthing material as a result of its
20 appreciable thickness (up to19 m in western parts). The
higher resistivity value of the second layer (sand layer) is
10
not suitable to
0 Figures 8 and 9 show the Isoresistivity and Isopach
map of the second layer respectively. The second layer
A KH KHK comprises of laterite and clayey coarse sand with resis-
Curve Type tivity values ranging from 1000 to 5500 Ω-m (Figure 8).
The thickness range from 2 to 19 m (Figure 9), as shown
Figure 2. Histogram of the VES curve types in the on the Isoresistivity map. The highest resistivity values
study area. effectively serve as a medium for an earthing sys-tem.
Therefore, there is need to increase the subsurface
Geoelectric and lithological characteristic conductivity of this layer, especially within the area where
the earthing electrode will be buried, preferably in the
The VES interpretation results were used to prepare 2-D western parts of the area.
geoelectric sections displayed in Figures 4 and 5. The
geoelectric sections identified four geoelectric/geologic
subsurface layers comprising the clay/sandy clay topsoil Geotechnical results
(resistivity varies from 92 to 736 -m and thickness
The borehole log (Figure 10) as well as the Cone
ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 m); clayey coarse sand/laterite
penetration test plots (Figure 11), indicate that, the sub-
(resistivity varies from 925 to 3613 -m and thickness
soils are a consolidated reddish brown lateritic clayey and
ranges from 1.2 to 19.5 m); clayey sand (resistivity varies
silty sand mixture with varying silt content. Based on the
from 576 to 1601 -m and thickness ranges from 5.4 to
soil properties (identified from the collected soil samples)
24 m) and coarse sand with resistivity varies from 3818 to
a 3-layered generalized profile was compiled (Table 1).
25839 -m.
The top layer, which is about 0.5 m thick, consists of
consolidated reddish brown lateritic clayey and silty sand
Isoresistivity and isopach map of the topsoil with vegetation roots. This top layer is underlain by a 29
m thick layer of reddish brown lateritic clay, silt and fine to
Figures 6 and 7 show the isoresistivity and Isopach map medium grained sand mixtures, which are characterized
of the topsoil respectively. The topsoil consists of clay by high plasticity. Due to the observed variations in the
and sandy clay. The south eastern parts of the area have soil parameters, the subsurface can then be sub-divide
the highest resistivity value reaching 850 Ω-m. The south into two layers. The thickness of the top layer varies
western and north western areas shows relatively low between 0.5 to 8.5 m, and the silt content increases with
resistivity values (< 150 Ω-m) indicating that, the western depth, while the clay content decreases slightly. The
parts have larger clay content than the eastern parts of values of the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) increases
the area. Figure 7 shows the Isopach map of the topsoil. from 5 to 14 with a CPT of between 1 and 4 MPa (Table
The thickness of the topsoil ranges from 0.5 – 1.5 m. 1). The thicknesses of the lower layer vary from 8.5 to 20
Towards the south eastern parts of the area we have a m, and silt content decrease with depth as well as the
closure of highest thickness up to 2 m. The thickness of clay content. The SPT-N values increases from 16 to 25
the topsoil is not important for the earthling electrode and CPT from 4 to 10 MPa with an average of about 5
system since the burial of the electrode is meant to be MPa (Table 1).
within 5 - 8 m.
Sub-soil engineering evaluation of the study area
Isoresitivity and isopach map of the second layer
Soil corrosion that can lead to severe corrosion failure is
Figures 8 and 9 show the Isoresistivity and Isopach map known to be associated with low resistivity. Low resis-
of the second layer respectively. The second layer com- tivities (<100 -m) are indicative of good electrical con-
prises of laterite and clayey coarse sand with resistivity ductivity paths arising from reduced aeration, increased
 Akintorinwa and Adesoji 447

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 3. Typical sounding curves in the study area (a) KH Type, (b) A Type and (c) KHK Type.
448 Int. J. Phys. Sci.

BH 1 VES 11 VES10 VES 1 BH 2

N S
0 92 103 224
3613
925

5334

1093
10 1299
DEPTH (m)

20
7539

990

16257

30
BH Borehole
0 Scale
25 m
Clay
Coarse sand

Clayey Sand

Sand

10 m

Figure 4. Geoelectric Section along North – South.

VES 4 VES 3 VES 2 VES 1

VES 5

633 736
E 223 571 224
W
0 3613
2769
2905 2170
2635

576 1542 1601 1556

10 1093

3818
DEPTH (m)

6879 7539

25839
20

8253

30

Scale BH Borehole
0 25 m
Clay
Coarse sand

Clayey Sand

Sand
10 m

Figure 5. Geoelectric Section along East – West.

 Akintorinwa and Adesoji 449

711260

800 ohm-m
711240
750 ohm-m

700 ohm-m

650 ohm-m
711220
600 ohm-m

550 ohm-m

500 ohm-m
711200
450 ohm-m

400 ohm-m

711180 350 ohm-m

300 ohm-m

250 ohm-m

711160 200 ohm-m

150 ohm-m

100 ohm-m
711140 50 ohm-m

711120
0m 25 m 50 m

787460 787480 787500 787520 787540 787560 787580 787600 787620

VES Stations
150 Contour line with value

Figure 6. Iso-resistivity Map of the Topsoil (First Layer).

711260

1.6 m

1.5 m
711240
1.4 m

1.3 m
711220
1.2 m

1.1 m
711200
1.0 m

0.9 m

711180 0.8 m

0.7 m

0.6 m
711160
0.5 m

0.4 m
711140
0.3 m

711120
0m 25 m 50 m

787460 787480 787500 787520 787540 787560 787580 787600 787620

VES Stations 1.0 Contour line with value

Figure 7. Iso-pach Map of the Topsoil (First Layer).

450 Int. J. Phys. Sci.

711260

711240 6000 Ohm-m

5500 Ohm-m

5000 Ohm-m
711220
4500 Ohm-m

4000 Ohm-m
711200
3500 Ohm-m

3000 Ohm-m
711180
2500 Ohm-m

2000 Ohm-m
711160
1500 Ohm-m

1000 Ohm-m

711140
500 Ohm-m

711120

787460 787480 787500 787520 787540 787560 787580 787600 787620

VES Stations 1500 Contour line with value

Figure 8. Iso-resistivity Map of the Second Layer.

711260

19.0 m
711240 18.0 m
17.0 m
16.0 m
15.0 m
711220
14.0 m
13.0 m
12.0 m
711200 11.0 m
10.0 m
9.0 m
711180 8.0 m
7.0 m
6.0 m
5.0 m
711160
4.0 m
3.0 m
2.0 m
711140 1.0 m

711120
0m 25 m 50 m

787460 787480 787500 787520 787540 787560 787580 787600 787620

VESStations 1500 Contour line with value

Figure 9. Iso-pach Map of the Second Layer.

 Akintorinwa and Adesoji 451

DRILLING METHOD: SHELL & AUGER BORING NO: 2

DRILLING METHOD: SHELL & AUGER BORING NO: 1
SAMPLING METHOD: U2 & SPT
SAMPLING METHOD: U2 & SPT
BLOW COUNT/ SAMPLE NO/ SURFACE CONDITIONS: COVERED WITH GRASSES & MODERATELY LEVELLED
BLOW COUNT/ SAMPLE NO/ SURFACE CONDITIONS: COVERED WITH GRASSES & MODERATELY LEVELLED 0.3 M DEPTH (M) SOIL
0.3 M DEPTH (M) SOIL GRAPH
GRAPH 0
0 Medium stiff reddish brown
Medium stiff reddish brown
SC/SM ateritic silty clayey fine to
SC/SM lateritic silty clayey fine to medium sand
medium sand 4 1.5
5 1.5 Stiff reddish brown lateritic
Stiff reddish brown lateritic clay, silts, fine to medium
clay, silts, fine to 6 3.0 sand mixture
6 3.0 medium sand mixture CH/SM
CH/SM
7 4.5
6 4.5 5
5
8 6.0
7 6.0

9 7.5
8 7.5

11 9.0
12 9.0
10
10 14 10.5
15 10.5 Grading Very Stiff
Grading Very Stiff

15 12.0
16 12.0

15 13.5
18 13.5
15 17 15.0
15 19 15.0

18 16.5
20 16.5

19 18.0
21 18.0

20 21 20.0
20 21 20.0

Borehole 1 Borehole 2
DRILLING METHOD: SHELL & AUGER BORING NO: 3
SAMPLING METHOD: U2 & SPT
BLOW COUNT/ SAMPLE NO/ SURFACE CONDITIONS: COVERED WITH GRASSES & MODERATELY LEVELLED
0.3 M DEPTH (M) SOIL
GRAPH
0 Medium stiff reddish brown
SC/SM ateritic silty clayey fine to
medium sand
5 1.5
Stiff reddish brown lateritic
clay, silts, fine to medium
8 3.0 sand mixture
CH/ML
9 4.5
5
11 6.0

12 7.5

15 9.0
10
16 10.5 Grading Very Stiff

19 12.0

19 13.5

15 20 15.0

20 16.5

20 18.0 Grading with Coarse Sand

20 25 20.0

Borehole 3
Figure 10. Borehole Lithological Log Boreholes 1, 2 and 3.
452 Int. J. Phys. Sci.

SLEEVE RESISTA NCE IN M P a * 10-1 CONE RESISTA NCE IN M P a SLEEVERESISTANCE IN MPa * 10-1 CONE RESISTANCE IN MPa

0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20
0
0

5
5 cone
sleeve Cone
Sl eeve

10

DEPTH IN METER
10
DEPTH IN METERS

15
15

20
20
CPT1 CPT2
SLEEVE RESISTANCE IN MPa * 10-1 CONE RESISTANCE IN MPa

SLEEVE RESISTANCE IN MPa * 10- 1 CONE RESISTANCE IN MPa

0 5 10 15 20
0 5 10 15 20 0
0

5
5

Cone Co ne
10
10 Sleeve Sleeve

15 15

20
20

CPT3 CPT4
SLEEVE RESISTANCE IN MPa * 10-1 CONE RESISTANCE IN MPa
SLEEVE RESISTANCE IN MPa * 10 -1 CONE RESISTANCE IN MPa

0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20
0 0

5
5

Cone
Sleeve Cone
10
10 Sleeve

15
15

20
20
CPT5 CPT6
Figure 11. Graph of the Cone Resistance Test Points (CPT1-6) within the study area.
 Akintorinwa and Adesoji 453

Table 1. Generalized sub-soil profile.

CPT (MPa) SPT

Layer No. Layer Thickness (m) Description of soil type and symbol
N-values
Topsoil; medium reddish brown lateritic clayey and
1 0.5
silty sand with vegetation roots (SC/SM)
Stiff reddish brown lateritic clay, silt and fine to 5 to 12 (1 to 4 MPa)
2 8.0
medium sand mixture (CH/SM)
Stiff reddish brown lateritic clay, silt and fine to 16 to 25 (4 to 10 MPa)
3 11.5
medium sand mixture (CH/SM)

Table 2. Classification of Soil Resistivity in terms of the Corrosivity (Baeckmann and

Schweak, 1975; Agunloye, 1984).

Soil resistivity (ohm-m) Soil corrosivity

UP to 10 Very Strongly Corrosive (VSC)
10 – 60 Moderate Corrosive (MC)
60 – 180 Slightly Corrosive (SC)
180 and Above Practically Non- Corrosive (PNC)

electrolyte saturating or high concentration of dissolved support of the proposed structure.

salts in soil. Soil resistivity can therefore be classified in
terms of the degree of soil corrosivity as shown in Table 2.
The topsoil in the study area varies from slightly Conclusions
corrosive to practically Non-corrosive (100 to 850 -m)
(Figure 6), while the second layer is practically non- An integrated geophysical and geotechnical investigation
corrosive (1000 to 5500 -m) (Figure 8). Any metal or was carried out at the proposed switch station for a
steel structures within the area are practically not telecommunication mast at a site in the south eastern
exposed due to chemical corrosion. The earth medium parts of Nigeria. The geophysical survey employed the
(usually clayey) must have high electrical conductivity or vertical electrical sounding technique using schlumberger
low electrical resistivity. Clays are characterized by configuration. A total of sixteen (16) sounding were
resistivity values in the 1 to 100 -m range. The conducted. The geotechnical aspect involved the drilling
subsurface (at depths of 1 to 5 m) within which the of three (3) Boreholes at locations strategically distributed
electrical materials could be earthed have resistivity within the survey site. Six (6) Cone Penetration Test
values varying from 1000 to 5500 Ω-m (Figure 8). These points were occupied within the area to investigate the in-
sandy soils are a poor medium to act as an earth. A situ strength properties of the soil. Although CPT pro-
conductive earth medium will have to be created by using vides valuable information, this information is restricted to
clay or salt (brine) chambers within the survey site. the location of the measurement. The results of the
The result of the sub-soil geotechnical investigation geotechnical survey were used to control the geophysical
indicates that, the site is underlain by a layer of medium interpretations.
stiff-to-stiff lateritic clay and silty sand to a depth of 20 m. The geophysical results show four layers within the
The choice of foundation must take into account the study area. These include the topsoil (Mixture of sand, silt
collapsible characteristics of the clay material. Apart from and clay), lateritic clayey with coarse sand, lateritic clayey
0.5 m of the topsoil, the overburden soil consists primarily and sand. The second layer is supposed to accommodate
of reddish brown lateritic clay, silt and fine to medium the earthing electrode is resistive; hence, there is a
sand mixtures. The soil classification results indicate need to enhance the conductivity of this medium. Any
thatthe upper 8 m of the overburden soil contains more earthing materials buried in a resistive medium may not
clay with an average cone resistance of about 2 MPa protect the instrumentation when there is a lighting or
(Table 1). The lower layer consists of reddish brown thunder-storm. The results of the geophysical investiga-
lateritic soil to the depth of 20 m, but with less clay and tion also show that, the study area are generally of mode-
more silt. The cone resistance of the lower layer varies rate resistivity value (>180 -m), hence any protected
between 4 to 10 MPa (Table 1). The foundation of the steel or metal structure buried within this area may not be
proposed structure can be established in this layer for the affected by chemical corrosion.
454 Int. J. Phys. Sci.

The results of the geotechnical investigation show that Bremmer CN (1999). Developments in geomechanical research for
infrastructural projects, in 12th European Conference on Soil
the site is underlain by layers of medium stiff-to-stiff late-
Mechanic and Geotechnical Engineering: Geotechniek, Special Issue,
ritic clay and silty sand to the depth of 20 m. The choice pp. 52–55.
of foundation material must take into account the charac- Eslaamizaad S, Robertson PK (1998). Cone penetration resistance of
teristics of the clayey material. sand from seismic tests, in Robertson PK, Mayne PW, Eds.,
Geotechnical site characterization: Balkema, pp. 1027–1032.
Ibe AC (1988). Coastaline erosion in Nigeria. Ibadan university press,
Ibadan, Nigeria.
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The theory and practice of electrochemical corrosion protection
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