Seismic Waves Response Characteristics of Niger Delta Soils

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the dynamic soil properties of States in Niger Delta region of Nigeria as a function of seismic activities. The down-hole seismic test was used to determine the response of the soils. The results of soil samples collected up to 30m depth, showed that the average young modulus increases with increase in depth, which ranged from 115.77±1.74 to 3231.17±1.01 kPa across the States. Also, shear wave velocity generally increases with increase in depth. The average shear wave velocity across the States ranged from 126.00±1.86 to 288.00±2.63m/s. Also, the average P-wave velocity increases with depth, with values across the States ranging from 310.60±3.51 to 656.00±3.69m/s. On the other hand, the void ratio was observed to be constant at certain range of depth, and in most with values across the States ranging from 0.651±.093 to 0.860±.067. Unlike void ratio, Poisson’s ratio fluctuates with depth, with values across the States ranging from 0.23±2.27 to 0.36±1.18. Based on the results, the Niger Delta region may be resistant to earthquake, but as an oil hub of Nigeria, it is also susceptible to earthquake that could be triggered by stress due to heavy load and seismic activities.

Keywords: Seismic activities, Soil dynamic response, Niger Delta region

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