DIFFERENTIAL MATURITY ACROSS LATERITIC PROFILES FROM ILORIN, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

This study characterizes the three distinct horizons of the lateritic profiles within the study location with the view to determining their relative degrees of laterization. The three distinct horizons (the upper crustal, middle gravelly and basal less/non gravelly) were subjected to series of geotechnical tests to determine parameters such as Grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, Specific gravity, California bearing ratio, Compaction and Shear strength. The results of the tests elucidated a useful connection between the parameters determined and the degree of laterization. The middle horizon, which is the gravelly horizon, has the highest specific gravity out of the three horizons and a lower clay content than the basal less/non gravelly horizon, both of which are indicative of a higher degree of laterization.It also shows relatively improved and enhanced values for the other parameters such as California bearing ratio, Shear strength and Atterberg limits, which further indicates that the gravelly horizon has attained a higher degree of maturity compared to the others. It is thus expected to have the best engineering performance