Geotechnical Properties of Termite Mound Soil as Construction Material
Hammed A. Olayiwola *
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria.
K. A. Apanpa
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Anjorin, Ademola
Industrial and Liaison and Placement Office, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study investigates variation of termite mounds in relation to the control soils around our environment that are not hindered by the termites at various locations at The Polytechnic; Ibadan, Oyo State, southwest Nigeria. From the study area, five termitaria were selected at random. At the core of termitaria, soil samples were taken at a distance of 7.5m and 15m to the both side of termitaria. Twenty five (25 soil samples were collected in all and were subjected to geotechnical properties such as natural moisture content, grain size analysis, california bearing ratio (CBR) test, Atterberg’s limits, and unconfined compressive strength test. The results proved that termite mound soil have better geotechnical properties compared to surrounding control soil. The betterment was attributed to the activities of termites in termitaria thus increasing the strength parameters present in the soil.
Keywords: Termitaria, California bearing ratio, geotechnical properties, Atterberg’s limits