GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EARTH SUBSURFACE FORMATION FOR ITS SUITABILITY FOR HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN SOUTHERN PART OF PAIKO NIGER STATE, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

Vertical electric sounding (VES) was carried out in southern paiko, north central Nigeria, using Abem Terameter model SAS 4000. The study was carried out with a view of determining the subsurface layer parameters (resistivity, depth and thickness) which were employed in delineating the sites for building construction. A total of six transverses with ten VES stations along each traverse, having separation of 50 m apart were investigated. It has a maximum current electrode separation (AB/2) of 100 m. Three to four distinct geoelectric layers were observed namely; top layer, weathered/fractured layer, and fresh basement. The observed frequencies in curve types include 21.6% of H, 0.6% of HA, 2.4% of K, 0.6% of A, 3.6 of KH, 6% of QA and 1.2% of HK. Eight VES stations were delineated for building site construction, having depths to bedrock varying between 0.63 m and 3.99 m.