#subsoil

“In a revolution, when the ceaseless slow accumulation of centuries bursts into volcanic eruption, the meteoric flares and flights above are a meaningless chaos and lend themselves to infinite caprice and romanticism unless the observer sees them always as projections of the sub-soil from which they came”

- C.L.R. James, The Black Jacobins

The subsoil conditions of Gbaran North Bank area, parts of the Nigerian wetland were evaluated using both disturbed and undisturbed soils, which were subjected to various laboratory tests adopting the British Standards methods, with the aim of establishing the subsoil conditions of the area as it affects use of the soils for various kinds of construction. The liquid limit recorded values between 37% and 50%, plastic limit range of 11% – 23% and attendant plasticity indices of 20% - 33%. The soils classified as highly plastic on the basis of their plasticity index and showed expansivity range of low – medium, while the swelling type was critical – non-critical. The soils recorded shear strength values of 39 – 42 KN/m2 with coefficient of consolidation Cv values of 0.4 – 30.5 m2/yr. The soils from the results showed tendencies towards expansion and therefore pose a problem to construction except precautionary measures are taken to ensure safety and durability of structures. Improved waste and flood management on the other hand, will facilitate sustained shear strength properties of the soils thereby enhancing their constructional values.

Author(s) Details

P. K. Wokoma Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

N. E. Ekeocha Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

n. The layer or bed of earth beneath the topsoil.