Identification of Collapsible Soils within Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, North-Eastern Nigeria

This work dwells on the identification of collapsible soils within Maiduguri Metropolis latitude 11̊ 41̍ 30 ̎ to 12̊ 00̍ 00 ̎ N and Longitude 13̊ 00̍ 00 ̎ to 13̊ 44̎ E. Soil samples were collected from five designated locations (A1- A5) at 20m intervals between points and average depth of 1.2m within the study area (i.e. Dikwa, Damboa, Baga, Jos and Bama roads). The plasticity characteristics revealed that the soils are non-plastic with liquid limits of 15-20%. The percentage passing B.S No 200 sieve (0.75µm) ranging from 0.18-2.9%, thus the soil was classified as A-3 in accordance with the American Association of States Highway and Transportation officials (AASHTO) and SP according to Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). The applications of qualitative method in ascertaining collapse potential using some index properties showed that the entire area was highly collapsible, prone to collapse, some small collapse settlements. The identification of this occurrence will no doubt necessitate some proactive to structural failures.