GEOTECHNICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF RECLAIMED WETLAND SOILS FOR BUILDING BEARING CAPACITY IN OBIOAKPOR, RIVERS STATE

This study geotechnically characterized reclaimed wetlands soils for
building bearing capacity in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area,
Rivers State. The study adopted a true experimental research design.
Twelve soil samples were collected from six reclaimed wetlands in the
study area. The laboratory results obtained from the soil samples
were analyzed using mean and charts to answer the research
questions, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to test
the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The study found
spatial variability in soil properties range: temperature (28.90-
30.53°C), pH (7.60-8.42), EC (1,428.67-1,760.50 µS/cm), and organic
carbon (1.46-2.17%). Bulk density ranged from 0.96-1.79 g/cm³, with
Rukpokwu lowest and Rumuola highest, indicating variations that
may affect foundation stability, bearing capacity, and drainage, and
performance. Also, the significant differences (p= .026) in soil
parameters, and highly significant (p= .001) bulk-density variation,
suggests spatial heterogeneity that may affect soil stability and
bearing capacity in the study area. The study concludes that spatial
variability in soil properties and bulk density may influence
foundation stability, and building performance, necessitating sitespecific geotechnical assessment in Obio-Akpor reclaimed wetlands.
The study recommended that the development-control authorities in
Rivers State and Obio-Akpor local government, should require sitespecific bulk-density assessment and professional foundation
recommendations from qualified geotechnical engineers,
civil/structural engineers, and certified soil-testing laboratories before
approving low-, medium-, high-rise, and specialized structures on
reclaimed wetlands. Alongside, relevant planning authorities should
mandate physicochemical soil testing before construction in
Rukpokwu, Eligbolo, Eliozu, Minikpeti, Rumunduru, and Rumuola,
variations in soil softness, texture, pH, electrical conductivity, and
organic-carbon content may affect foundation performance.