Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geotechnical properties of some residual micaceous soils in the Kumasi Metropolitan area (Ghana)

Propriétés géotechniques de quelques sols résiduels micacés dans la zone Urbaine de Kumasi (Ghana)

  • Published:
Bulletin of the International Association of Engineering Geology - Bulletin de l'Association Internationale de Géologie de l'Ingénieur Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Micaceous soils derived from granites, granitic gneisses and phyllites within the Kumasi Metropolitan Area have been used in road construction. The mica flakes are normally silt—and sand-sized but sizes greater than these are not uncommon.

The texture, consistency limits, compaction characteristics and California Bearing Ratio of some of these soils have been examined.

Based on these results appropriate recommendations have been made with a view to raising the standard of these materials to meet highway specifications when in service.

Résumé

Des sols micacés dérivant de granites, de gneiss granitisés et de phyllites ont été utilisés en construction routière dans la zone urbaine de Kumasi, Ghana. Les lamelles de micas sont de la dimension des silts ou des sables et peuvent même être plus grosses.

Les données concernant la texture, la consistance et le C.B.R. ont été réunies.

Des recommandations fondées sur les résultats obtenus ont été faites, visant à améliorer les caractéristiques de ces matériaux afin qu'ils puissent satisfaire aux spécifications routières.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ANDOH M.B., 1977: The use of micaceous soils formed over muscovite granite for pavement construction in Ghana, B.Sc. (Eng.) Degree Thesis Report, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

    Google Scholar 

  • BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, 1975: Methods of Test for Soils for Civil Engineering Purposes. Brit. Std., 1377, 143 pp.

  • BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE (GHANA) AND UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID), 1971: Laterite and lateritic soils and other problem soils of Africa. USAID: Contro AID/CSD-2164. 290 pp.

  • DEER W.A., HOWIE R.A.: An Introduction to the rock-forming minerals ELBS edition, Longman Group Limited, Harlow, Essex, pp. 193–205.

  • DIXON N.H. 1963: A Review of Test Results on Halloysitic Soils and Their Performance in the Field. Proc. 3rd Reg. Conf. for Africa on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. Salisbury, Rhodesia, Vol. 2, pp. 183–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • DUMBLETON M.J., 1963: The Clay Mineralogy of some Soils from Northern Bornea considered in Relation to Their Origin and their Properties as Road Making Materials. British RRL, Lab. Note LN/282, MJD, 18 pp.

  • DUMBLETON M.J. and NEWILL D.A., 1962: A Study of the Properties of 19 Tropical Clay Soils and the Relation of These Properties With the Mineralogical Constitution of the Soils. British RRL. Note LN/44, 14 pp. unpublished.

  • GIDIGASU M.D., 1983: Development of acceptance specifications for Tropical Gravel paving Materials. Eng. Geol. 19: 213–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GIDIGASU M.D. and MATE-KORLEY E.N., 1984: Tropical gravel paving materials specifications in relation to the environment. Proceedings of the Eight Regional Conference for Africa on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Harare, pp. 267–273.

  • GOGO J.O., 1984: Compaction and Strength Characteristics of Decomposed Mica Schist. Proceedings of the 8th Regional Conference for Africa on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Harare, Vol. 1, pp. 275–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • GOGO J.O., 1990: Geological and Geotechnical Evaluation of Latosols from Ghana, and their improvement for Construction. D.Sc. Thesis Report, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, (Unpublished), 209 pp.

  • NASCIMENTO U., DE CASTRO E. and RODRIGUES M., 1964: Swelling and Petrification of Lateritic soils. National civil Eng. Lab., Lisbon, Technical Paper 215, 19 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • TERZAGHI, K., 1958: Design and Performance of Sasuma Dam. Proc. Institution of Civil Engineers, London, Vol. 9, pp. 369–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TUBEY L.W., 1961: A Laboratory Investigation to Determine the Effect of mica on the Properties of Soils and Stabilised Soils. BRRI Note RN/4077/LWT (unpublished).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Building and Road Research Institute (CSIR), UST Box 40, Kumasi, Ghana

    E. M. Frempong

Authors
  1. E. M. Frempong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Frempong, E.M. Geotechnical properties of some residual micaceous soils in the Kumasi Metropolitan area (Ghana). Bulletin of the International Association of Engineering Geology 49, 47–54 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02595000

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02595000

Keywords

Search

Navigation