Engineering Geophysical Investigation of Road Failure in a Basement Complex Terrain, Southwestern Nigeria

Geoelectrical and geotechnical investigations were conducted to determine factors responsible for pavement failure in some segments of Adebayo Alao-Akala road in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. The geoelectrical investigation employed Schlumberger vertical electrical sounding conducted at fifteen stations occupied along two failed segments and one stable segment of the road, using station spacing of 25 m and maximum electrode spread of 100 m. 2D electrical resistivity survey was also conducted using the dipole-dipole electrode array with electrode spacing, a, of 1 m and expansion factor, n varied from 1 to 5 m. The VES data were interpreted quantitatively by partial curve matching and computer iteration technique and geoelectric sections were generated while 2D resistivity structures of the subsurface were produced from the inverted 2D resistivity data. The geotechnical investigation involved Grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, Compaction and California Bearing Ratio tests conducted on subsoils collected beneath the segment. The failed segments are underlain by low-resistivity clayey subgrade of resistivity mostly less than 100Ωm while the stable segment overlies sandy clay/clayey sand mixture of relatively higher resistivity, ranging from 200Ωm to 530Ωm. The subsoils of the failed segments comprise high-plasticity sandy clay and sandy gravelly clay while those of the stable segment are medium plasticity sandy clayey gravel. The values of maximum dry density are 1.46 Mg/m3-1.73 Mg/m3, 1.71 Mg/m3-1.86 Mg/m3 and 1.75 Mg/m3-1.82 Mg/m3 respectively, with corresponding optimum moisture content of 7%-8%, 11%-20% and 10%-17% and California bearing ratio under soaked condition for 48 hours of 7%-8%, 17%-20% and 11%-17% respectively. The failure of the road pavement is attributable to the clayey nature of the subgrade, and poor drainage. The stable segment is underlain by excellent-to-good subgrade materials. Ingress of surface water into the clayey subgrade occasioned by poor drainage of run-off resulted in deformation of the road pavement in response to vehicular load.