Investigation in to Some of The Engineering Properties of Lateritic Soils in Southern Part of Ethiopia Case Study of Dilla Town
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Date
2015-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In this thesis work, some of the geotechnical and geo-chemical characteristics have been
investigated on soils collected from Dilla town. From the externally visible physical
characteristics the soil samples under investigation was assumed to be lateritic soil. Moisture
content determination using oven temperature of l05°C and oven temperature of 50°C with
maximum relative humidity 30% were also carried out on the soil samples to investigate
presence of loosely bound water of hydration. It was obtained that the soil samples did not
contain loosely bound molecular water in a significant amount.
The soil specimens were tested at different sample preparation conditions prior to testing. The
engineering properties investigated in the course of the research work include index tests
temperature of l05°C dried, oven temperature of 50°C with maximum relative humidity 30% on
the soil samples. In addition to the above consolidation, unconfined compression test at
undisturbed states and remold samples are conducted.
Atterberg limits were investigated by different testing procedures to see effect of test
manipulation on concretionary bond. The liquid limit tests were carried out on soil specimens
mixed for 5 minutes and 30 minutes durations. It was observed from the test results that the
mixing durations has significant effect on the values of the limits. Accordingly, the soil samples
have been sensitive to test procedures.
An activity test result for soil samples is found to be 0.38-0.65 which is less than 0.75 inactive
soils. Lateritic soils are inactive or normal due to the fact that Sesquioxides suppress the activity
of the clay particles.
From Unconfined Compression Test, unconfined compression strength (qu) values ranges from
110.81-383.48 kpa. The sensitivity test result showed that the soil samples are insensitive and
little sensitive clay under remolding.
The results of consolidation test on the soils indicates that the soils is over consolidated .The
over consolidation phenomena on geo-chemical test result show that the residual soil is oftennot
due to the previous history ,but mainly due to the cementation.
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Geotechnical Engineering