Geotechnical Investigation Requirements for Buildings in Nigeria

Abstract

Geotechnical investigation is an integral component of any civil engineering project. This is because the safety, durability and economic usage of the intended structure depend on the proper analysis and understanding of the foundation subsoil. Investigation of the subsoil conditions at a site is prerequisite to the economical design of the substructure elements. Nigeria, as a developing country, presently lacks a generalized functional document that provides requirements and guidelines for geotechnical investigation. Based on these, some functional documents from other countries with similar geological conditions to Nigeria and coupled with the authors’ experiences in geotechnical investigation in regions with residual soil deposits in Nigeria over the years, a geotechnical investigation requirement for buildings, which could serve as a point of reference and a checklist, is presented.