Research Journal of Applied Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6079ISSN: Print 1815-932x
Abstract
Causes of failures on three roadways located in the Precambrian Crystalline Basement Complex area of Southwestern Nigeria have been investigated in this study. The electrical resistivity method involving dipole-dipole and Wenner Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) techniques were utilized. The failed segments of the roadways are characterized by relatively low resistivity (mostly < 200 -m) with the stable zones typically resistive (>> 400 -m). Forms of road failures identified from the study are failures arising from differential settlement on road cut sections that intercept clayey saprolite with high moisture content as observed on Igbaraoke-Igbaraodo roadway; failures precipitated by differential settlements associated with significantly thick, low resistivity clay topsoil as observed on Itaogbolu portion of the Akure-Ado Ekiti roadway and failures initiated and sustained by geological features such as lithological contacts/faults, inclined interfaces between basement rocks and or collapse subsurface strata (e.g., cavity or sinkhole structure) as observed on study segment of Igbaraodo-Ikere Ekiti roadway. Pre-construction geophysical studies of roadways could effectively compliment routine geotechnical studies.
How to cite this article:
Michael Ilesanmi Oladapo , Martins Olusola Olorunfemi and John Sunday Ojo . Geophysical Investigation of Road Failures in the Basement Complex Areas of Southwestern Nigeria.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/rjasci.2008.103.112
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-932x/rjasci.2008.103.112