Abstract:
This work focuses mainly on identifying Index properties of soil in Shashemene Town.
Shashamane is the capital of West Arsi, which is developing rapidly both in horizontal and
vertical construction. Rapid urbanization in the city area has led to an increased interest in
the basic properties of soils which are present within the city area. Geotechnical information
of the subsoil in an urban area is important for various civil engineering development
purposes. Non-availability of the proper geotechnical information of the subsoil makes
foundation and engineering works expensive, difficult and sometimes hazardous. Index
properties of soil are thus properties, which are used to characterize soils and determine
their basic properties.
In this study a total of 20 bulk samples were taken from ten test pits, then stored in labeled
plastic bags and transported by truck to Hawasa University for testing. Samples from each
test pit were collected at 1.5 m and, 3 m depth and investigated for their Index properties
with a view to classifying and identifying the soil of the study area. All tests were carried out
using ASTM and BS standard procedure of testing.
According to the study, Moisture content ranges in the area from 26 – 36%, liquid limit
ranges from 39 – 50%, plastic limit ranges from 27 – 36%, plasticity Index ranges from 8 –
16%, linear shrinkage limit ranges from 4 – 6%, free swell ranges from 21 – 35% and
specific gravity ranges from 2.43 - 2.60.
Based on visual observation and the test results obtained from the laboratory, comparison
were made with some standard specifications and it was revealed that soil samples of the
areas are reddish brown, clayey silt soils. Though this research work is limited in its time and
budget, it is believed that the finding would serve as a good starting point for further study in
the future.
