Engineering Geology, 26 (1989) 261-269 261

Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - - Printed in The Netherlands

Technical Note

SOME GEOTECHNICAL P R O P E R T I E S OF TWO LATERITE SOILS

COMPACTED AT D I F F E R E N T E N E R G I E S

OLUFEMI OGUNSANWO
Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin (Nigeria)
(Received December 29, 1987; revised and accepted July 22, 1988)

ABSTRACT

Ogunsanwo, O., 1989. Some geotechnical properties of two laterite soils compacted at different
energies. Eng. Geol., 26: 261-269.

Two laterite soils, a granite gneiss derived and an amphibolite derived, are compacted at three
different energies and subjected to consolidation and permeability tests. Results obtained together
with existing literature show that the granite gneiss derived laterite soil is suitable for use as fills
for embankments and earth dams construction when compacted at the energy of the Standard
Proctor (0.60 MNm/m3). The amphibolite derived laterite soil will however require at least the
energy of the West African Compaction (1.07 MNm/m 3) to be suitable for similar purposes in view
of its relatively low maximum dry densities and high compressibilities.

INTRODUCTION

Granite gneiss and amphibolite are the two most commonly occurring rocks
in the Ife district of S.W. Nigeria. The depths of weathering of these rocks are
often great and the laterite soils which are the products of this weathering
have been highly utilised since time immemorial. Houses (bricks and mud
walls) and roads (tracks and highways) have been constructed using these
soils. Unfortunately, records of the properties of these soils are not available
generally.
Smyth and Montgomery (1962) pedologically classified the granite gneiss
derived and the amphibolite derived laterite soils into Egbeda and Itagunmodi
soil associations, respectively. Recently however, Malomo et al. (1983) and
Mesida (1987) published the results of some studies on similar soils in and
around the Ife district. Their studies centered on the stability and CBR
characteristics of the soils. Malomo and Ogunsanwo (1983) and Ogunsanwo
(1985a and b, 1986) investigated the geotechnical properties, microstructure
and mineralogy of undisturbed samples of an amphibolite derived laterite soil
from the same district. This paper focuses on the usability of the granite gneiss
derived and amphibolite derived laterite soils as fills in embankments and
earth dams construction through the investigation of their consolidation and
permeability characteristics when compacted at three different energies.

0013-7952/89/$03.50 © 1989 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.

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GEOLOGY AND DERIVED SOILS

The granite gneiss and the amphibolite from which these laterite soils are
derived form part of the Nigerian Basement Complex. The Ife district of
Nigeria falls within the humid tropics. Annual rainfall is about 1200 mm while
the average temperature is well over 25 °. These rainfall-temperature condi-
tions are very suitable for the formation of laterite soils (Persons, 1970).
The granite gneiss derived laterite soil was taken from a roadcut along the
driveway of the Geology Department of the Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife while the amphibolite derived laterite soil was taken from a roadcut
along the Ifewara-Ife Road (Fig.l, Table 1). The soil profiles and the sampling
horizons are shown in Figs.2(a) and 2(b). Samples of the granite gneiss derived
soil were taken from the mottled horizon (the composite colours are shown in
Table 1). The entire profile of the amphibolite derived soil as exposed at the
sampling location has a uniform orange brown colour. The uniformity of the
colour gives the impression that this soil is at a stage of weathering which is
beyond that of the mottled horizon. This is evident in the granite gneiss
derived laterite soil profile where this horizon occurs (even though thinly)
above the mottled horizon.
Ogunsanwo (1988) carried out chemical and mineralogical analyses of these
soils. Some of his results are shown in Tables 2 and 3. The lower (S)/(R) ratio,
i.e. molecular silica: sesquioxides ratio of the amphibolite derived laterite soil
(Table 2) shows that this soil has undergone more lateritisation than the
granite gneiss derived soil. It must however be mentioned that in as much as
lateritisation is related to weathering, the (S)/(R) ratios also reflect the
mineralogical composition of the parent rocks. The presence of bases and
feldspar (Table 3) in the soils shows that the soils are capable of undergoing
further weathering.
The Egbeda and Itagunmodi soil associations to which these laterite soils
belong are said to be well drained (Smyth and Montgomery, 1962). This implies

GRANITE GNEISS
D~RIVED

DERIVED

~ ..IW / I

Fig.1. Sampling locations of the laterite soils.

TABLE 1

Sampling localities and horizons of the laterite soils

Parent Sampling Symbol Depth of Depth of Colour on the Texture Comments

rock locality roadcut sampling RAL 840 HR (1971)
colour c h a r t

Granite Driveway, UNI 3m 2m 8023 Orange brown Sandy Mottled

gneiss Geology Department, 8001 Ochre brown
Ife 1011 brownbeige
1014 ivory

Amphibolite Ifewara Ife road IFW 4.2 m 3.2 m 8023 Orange brown Clayey Uniform
colour
264

y V Y__
__ o0,o

Top so~l
" ~" " L/Umform
Orange brown ¢oloured
salthorizon
I colouredsoilh~lzon
Orange-brown

x x x x x x ~ x ~ > Mottled horizon

x
/
( ~ ) ~ - Sampling horizon

" i' "_).ooo,...,

0 I 2m 0 I 2rn
I I I l I d

Fig.2(a). Soil profile and sampling horizon of the granite gneiss derived laterite soil.

Fig.2(b). Soil profile and sampling horizon of the amphibolite derived laterite soil.

TABLE 2

Chemical analyses (%) of the laterite soils*

Symbol SiO 2 A1203 Fe20 a TiO2 Bases Others Total (S)/(R)

UNI 62.37 23.93 5.30 0.64 1.91 5.73 99.88 4.00

IFW 51.41 25.82 12.52 0.81 4.99 4.23 99.78 2.61

Bases= MgO, CaO, Na20, K20.

S = Molecular SiO 2.
R = Molecular A1203+ Molecular Fe203 (= Molecular sesquioxides).
*After Ogunsanwo (1988).

TABLE 3

Mineralogy (%) of the laterite soils*

Symbol Feldspar Quartz Kaolinite Muscovite Goethite Total

UNI 50 30 10 - 10 100
IFW 30 traces 55 5 10 100

*After Ogunsanwo (1988).

t h a t t h e s o i l s do n o t c o n t a i n m i n e r a l s s u c h a s c l a y s o f t h e s m e c t i t e g r o u p
w h i c h c a n c a u s e s o i l s to h a v e u n d e s i r a b l e p r o p e r t i e s w h e n c o n s i d e r e d for u s e
as e n g i n e e r i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n m a t e r i a l s . M i n e r a l o g i c a l a n a l y s e s c a r r i e d o u t b y
O g u n s a n w o (1988) c o r r o b o r a t e t h i s . T h e o n l y c l a y m i n e r a l f o u n d i n t h e s e
l a t e r i t e s o i l s is k a o l i n i t e w h i c h d o e s n o t c a u s e s o i l s t o h a v e u n d e s i r a b l e
 265

properties as engineering construction materials. Other minerals found in the

soils are feldspars, quartz, muscovite (< 5%) and goethite (Table 3).

METHODS OF TESTING

The classification, Proctor compaction, consolidation and permeability tests

were performed in accordance with the guidelines of BS 1377 (1975). In
addition to the Proctor compaction tests, the West African Compaction tests
were also carried out by utilising a B.S. (Proctor) compaction mould (942 cm 3)
with a 4.5 kg rammer falling 45 cm onto 5 layers, each layer receiving 10 blows
(Ola, 1980). Consolidation and permeability tests were carried out on soils
compacted at their respective optimum moisture contents.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The granite derived laterite soil is a clayey sand and the amphibolite derived
laterite soil is a silty clay (Fig.3, Table 4). The bulk densities and the Atterberg
consistency limits of the soils are shown in Table 4.

[LAY Fine SILl

Medium I
[ C o o r s e Fine S NO
IM~,umlConrse IF,he GRAVELIEoarseI l
IMedium
100 irlll
,oo
IIIrT I[ IIIIIII I LL~I~-l-~11~l
I 1/11 ]1~" Illll~l ~ IIII [Jill
I[1111 /I~L~F]II I I I~H~1i IIII ilHl
1 Y /!~I~I ]Jill iili iilll
z
u_ 50 ILI~'" I~/JIIII iJIli~o
.L~IIII ~lll[lil I IIIII lill lilil
6RANIIE 6NESS DERIVED
------AMPHIBOLITE DERIVED

o II lllllll IJJllll i llill t I ll]llll Illl

o001 0002 0OO6 02 0 06 02 063 20 63 20 63 108
d (ram)
Fig.3. G r a i n size d i s t r i b u t i o n c u r v e s of t h e l a t e r i t e soils.

TABLE 4

F r a c t i o n a l p e r c e n t a g e s , A t t e r b e r g c o n s i s t e n c y limits, b u l k d e n s i t i e s a n d specific g r a v i t i e s

Symbol Gravel Sand Silt Clay WL Wp Iv 3' Gs

(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (°/o) (%) (t/m3)
UNI 12 35 24 29 47.9 19.7 28.2 1.78 2.73
IFW 3 23 36 38 55.5 25.4 30.1 1.72 2.78

W L = liquid limit; W r = p l a s t i c limit; Iv = i n d e x of plasticity; 7 = b u l k density; G s = specific gravity.

 266

Increase in compaction energy causes appreciable increase in the maximum

dry densities (MDD) of the soils : the granite gneiss derived laterite soil having
the higher MDD and the amphibolite derived soil the higher optimum moisture
content (OMC) for each compaction energy (Fig.4, Table 5). The MDD's for the
two range between 1.50 and 1.88 t/m 3 while the OMC's range from 15.5 to 26.5%.
190

~.5RANITE GNEISS DERIVED

"AMPHIBOLITE DERIVED

It/rn 3)

1 7Ol
WA COMPACO
IN
~'~ MODPROCTOR

1 6C
/ I--,,k\
/ \
/ \
/
/
/ \
1 50

/
I k\
e'

1 ~0 I I r I I I I I 1 I I I tLI ~
10 12 % 16 1B 20 22 21,'26 28 30 32 3- _3
W %
Fig.4. M o i s t u r e - d e n s i t y r e l a t i o n s h i p s curves o f the ] a t e r i t e soils.

TABLE5

Maximum dry densities and optimum moisture contents obtained for the various compaction
energies

Energy UNI IFW

(MNm/m 3)
MDD (t/m 3) OMC (%) MDD (t/m 3) OMC (%)

Standard Proctor 0.60 1.71 19.3 1.50 26.5

West African Compaction 1.07 1.80 17.5 1.59 23.7
Modified Proctor 2.69 1.88 15.5 1.70 20.4

MDD = Maximum dry density; OMC = Optimum moisture content.

 267

The coefficient of uniformity (U = D60/DIO) cannot be calculated for these

soils as their grain size distribution curves do not cross the D10 line (Fig.3).
Nevertheless, from the consideration of the fractional % of these soils
(Table 4), it is pertinent to say that the granite gneiss derived laterite soil is
better graded than the amphibolite derived laterite soil. This better grading is
deemed to be responsible for the higher MDD's exhibited by the former soil.
All the compacted soil samples exhibit "critical pressures" (ave) as shown by
the shapes of their e-log dv curves (Fig.5). The critical pressure is the pressure
beyond which the soil becomes more compressible (Wallace, 1973). The critical
pressures may be determined graphically as suggested by Casagrande (1936)
for the determination of the pre-consolidation load. The critical pressures
obtained for both soils fall between 120 and 460 kPa.

09

08

07

0~

cJ
o

c~05
o

04

20 50 100 200 500 1000 2000

CONSOLIDATION PRESSURE,~v {kPa)

Fig.5. e-log av c u r v e s o b t a i n e d for t h e c o m p a c t e d l a t e r i t e soils.

268

From the values of the compression indices (Co) obtained, the granite gneiss
derived laterite soil is less compressible for each compaction energy. C¢ is
( -Ae )
defined as the gradient i.e. A l ~ g~ v of the straight line portion of
the e-log ~v plot. The range for both soils is 0.08 to 0.15 (Table 6). It is pertinent
to say t h a t for nearly all of the e-log fly curves, Cc values have been determined
for ~v between 818 and 1634 kPa.
From the definition of the critical pressure (Wallace, 1973), it follows t hat
for a soil at a particular state, Cc values lower t han t hat recorded (i.e. obtained
by consideration of the straight line portion of the e-log d~ curve) may be
expected for the soil at consolidation pressures lower t han its critical pressure
(provided t h a t the field compaction method is comparable with the compaction
specification mentioned in this study). Lambe and Whitman (1969) have also
recorded t h a t as stress increases, C~ increases. As the C~ values recorded in
this study were calculated between the consolidation pressures of 818 and
1634 kPa, lower C~ values may be expected below 818 kPa eonsolidation
pressure.
The coefficient of permeability (k) values obtained for the two soils are close
for the three compactive energies. Those of the granite gneiss derived laterite
soil range from 6.67 x 10-11 to 1.48 x 10-10 m/s while those of the amphibolite
derived laterite soil range from 4.58 x 10-11 to 1.17 x 10-9 m/s (Table 6). These
k values mean tha t both laterite soils when compacted at any of the energies
are impervious (Tschebotarioff, 1973; Capper and Cassie, 1976).

CONCLUSION

These amphibolite and granite gneiss derived laterite soils when compacted
are impervious and possess medium to low compressibilities despite the r a t h e r
high consolidation pressures over which their compression indices have been
determined. Experiences in the field show t h a t they have fairly good workabili-
ties as construction materials. The Engineering Use Chart for Soils (after
Wagner, 1957) rates these soils as having fair 'shearing strengths in the
compacted state.

TABLE6

Values of consolidation and permeability parameters obtained for the various compaction energies

Symbol Standard West African Modified

Proctor Compaction Proctor

Symbol Cc dw k C¢ dv¢ k C¢ five k

(kPa) (m/s) (kPa) (m/s) (kPa) (m/s)
UNI 0.12 120 1.48× 10- lo 0.09 340 1.27 × 10-10 0.07 460 6.67 × 10-11
IFW 0.15 370 1.17 × 10-9 0.13 400 1.18x 10- lo 0.08 430 4.58 × 10-11

C¢= compression index; ff~c= critical pressure; k = coefficientof permeability.

 269

Both laterite soils will be suitable for use as fills in embankments and earth
dams construction. However, while the granite gneiss derived laterite soil will
be suitable when compacted at the energy of the Standard Proctor
(0.60 MNm/m3), the amphibolite derived laterite soil may need to be compacted
at at least the energy of the West African Compaction (1.07 MNm/m3). This is
in view of its relatively low maximum dry densities and high compression
indices.
The granite gneiss derived laterite soil has been used in the construction of
a homogeneous earth dam (4.5 m high) in the Agricultural Teaching and
Research Farm of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife at least ten years
ago. The amphibolite derived laterite soil has been used in the construction of
several embankments (some up to 5.5 m high) along the Ifewara-Ife Road. The
dam and the road are currently in good condition.

REFERENCES

B.S. 1377, 1975. Methods of testing soils for civil engineering purposes. British Standards
Institution.
Capper, P.L. and Cassie, W.F., 1976. The Mechanics of Engineering Soils. E. and F.N. Spon,
London.
Casagrande, A., 1936. The determination of the preconsolidation load and its practical signifi-
cance. Proc. ICSMFE, 3: 60-64.
Malomo, S., Obademi, M.O., Odedina, P.O. and Adebo, O.A., 1983. An investigation of the peculiar
characteristics of laterites from Southern Nigeria. Bull. I.A.E.G., 28: 197-206.
Malomo, S. and Ogunsanwo, O., 1983. The pre-consolidation pressure of a laterite soil. Bull.
I.A.E.G., 28: 261-265.
Mesida, E.A., 1987. Genetic influences on the compaction and CBR characteristics of three
lateritic soils in Ile-Ife area, S.W. Nigeria. Proc. 9th Reg. Conf. Africa SMFE, 1: 461-465.
Ogunsanwo, O., 1985a. The microfabric and permeability of a laterite clay. Proc. 1st Int. Conf. on
Geomechanics in Tropical Lateritic and Saprolitic Soils, 1: 397-402.
Ogunsanwo, O., 1985b. Variability in the shear strength characteristics of an amphibolite derived
laterite soil. Bull. I.A.E.G., 32: 111-115.
Ogunsanwo, O., 1986. Basic index properties, mineralogy and microstructure of an amphibolite
derived laterite soil. Bull. I.A.E.G., 33: 19-25.
Ogunsanwo, O., 1988. Basic geotechnical properties, chemistry and mineralogy of some laterites
from S.W. Nigeria. Bull. I.A.E.G., 37: 131-135.
Ola, S.A., 1980. Permeability of three compacted tropical soils. O.J. Eng. Geol., 13: 87-96.
Persons, B.S., 1970. Laterite: Genesis, Location, Use. Plenum Press, New York.
RAL, 1971. Farberegister RAL 640 HR. Ausschuss fiir Lieferbedigungen und Giitesicherung beim
DNA, Frankfurt am Main.
Smyth, A.J. and Montgomery, R.F., 1962. Soils and Land Use in Central Western Nigeria. The
Government of Western Nigeria, Ibadan.
Tschebotarioff, G.P., 1973. Foundations, Retaining and Earth Structures. McGraw-Hill Koga-
kusha, Tokyo.
Wagner, A.A., 1957. The use of the unified soil classification system by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Proc. 4th ICSMFE, 1: 125.
Wallace, K.B., 1973. Structural behaviour of residual soils of the continually wet highlands of
Papua New Guinea. G~otechnique, 23 (2): 203-218.