The Geotechnical Properties Of Clay Occurrences Around Kutigi Central Bida Basin, Nigeria.

Abstract

The aim of this research project is to investigate occurrences of clay around Kutigi with an objective to determine its geotechnical properties. The study area (Kutigi) falls within the Bida Basin of Niger State. The methodology of research includes detailed mapping of the area, collection of clay samples, determination of; natural moisture contents, Atterberg limit, plasticity index, sieve analysis and coefficients of permeability. The results of the geotechnical analysis of the clay samples, suggests an average; moisture content of about 0.9% and 0.72%, liquid limit of about 19.9% and 22.1%, plastic limit of about 14.1% and 16.8%, plasticity index of about 5.8 and 5.3%, and a linear shrinkage limit of about 7.2% and 5.9%, for both locations A and B respectively. Results of the plasticity classification chart suggest that the soils are composed of inorganic clay of low plasticity. While results from the modified plasticity classification chart revealed three clay minerals; these include montmorillonite (35%), illite (35%) and kaolinite (30%). A simple comparison of sieve analysis results suggest soils from location A to be more coarse-grained within the coarser half of the sieves (i.e. between 5mm to 0.3mm), and also more finegrained in the finer half of the sieves (i.e. between 0.01mm to 0.075mm) than soils from location B. The grain-size curves were classified as those of immature residual soil. Their analyses suggest the texture of the soil to be predominantly sandy. Results of the estimated coefficient of permeability, classified about 25% of the soils as coarse sand and about 75% of the soils as fine sand. These suggest the soils to be predominantly sandy and highly permeable. The results of the geotechnical investigation of the Kutigi clay deposits and an earlier mineralogical and geochemical analysis suggest that the clay can be utilized in the manufacturing of ceramics, refractory bricks, paper, fertilizer and paint.