CHAPTER THREE

3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY

Visual Inspection of the study area was conducted and visual assessment of existing features like
adjoining roads and buildings, shopping complexes, mini market, etc. that are located around the
area and are liable to have encroached the “right of way” for the new design. Relevant
information about the traffic volume are also put into consideration in order to appropriately
estimate the value of surcharge load. Also, appropriate tests were carried out on the soil to
establish its maximum bearing capacity as well as identify and determine it physical and
chemical properties that can interfere with the design process. The topography survey of the area
was also conducted to establish the nature of the earth’s topography in the area using relevant
surveying instruments like total station and reflector, dumpy level and levelling staff. The survey
data was made possible to be generated by taking reference to existing Benchmarks previously
established.

3.2 DESK STUDY

The study includes transferring collected survey data from site to the consulting firm in order to
generate a profile section of the area that helps to properly visualize the engineering needs of the
area under study (Geri Alimi). It also considered Geri Alimi roundabout at all its four axis i.e,
Airport Axis, Sawmill Axis, Asadam Axis and Yebumot Axis.

Geri Alimi Roundabout is one of the major roundabouts in Ilorin, it connects several places
within Ilorin together and it also serves as a major road link between Ilorin and other neighboring
towns like Ogbomoso, Ibadan, Oyo, Lagos etc. Apart from this, It equally serves as a rendezvous
point for people and a strategic point for sales and advertisement of goods and services.

Right on the roundabout were some recharge card vendors, newspaper vendors, and other petty
traders alike.
3.3 DATA COLLECTION

The geographical map of the area was gotten from google earth maps online as shown in Fig. 3.
Below.

FIG. 3. A GEOGRAPHICAL MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF EXISTING

ROUNDABOUT

The map shows the location of the existing round about and its adjoining features.

3.4 SOIL DATA

The existing soil parameter was extracted from the consultant’s file and the parameters obtained
therein are shown in Table 1.0 below:
 Table 1.0: Soil Data/Parameters

Parameter Notation Value

ϒso
The Density (Unit Weight) of the soil 18KN/m3
il

The angle of internal friction of back fill soil φ 300

The bearing capacity of soil under the wall qa 120 KN/m2

The angle of internal friction of soil β 150

The cohesion of foundation soil C 10 KN/m2

3.5 MODELLING OF THE RETAINING WALL

A Computer Aided Design (CAD) Software; AutoCAD 2016 will be used to generate a model of
the structure where all primary dimensions will be used and drawn to scale. The approved model
will then be transferred used to design the retaining wall.

3.6 Design of Retaining Wall

After acquiring necessary data sufficient to commence with the design, the design then
commenced following the standard design specifications of BS 8002: Code of practice for earth
retaining structures.

3.7 Analysis of the Design

During the design stage, some assumptions will be made which may or may not pass the design
standards, until a detailed analysis is done on the design to ensure all design specifications are
met and all design successfully pass all checks and tests.

3.8 Expected Outcome

The expected outcome of the analysis result will show the behavior of the retaining wall to
various loads and forces like lateral forces, sliding forces, overturning forces and so on. And all
the outcome of the analysis would be done manually and will be duly checked and approved by
the supervisor.
3.9 Time Plan

The Time plan shown below is the estimated timeframe to carry out the design and analysis of
the cantilever retaining wall under normal, acceptable standard conditions and in conformity
with stated standard in the design code manual being used.

S/N ACTIVITY DURATION

1. RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY 2 WEEKS
2. DESK STUDY 2 WEEKS
3. DATA COLLECTION 1 WEEK
4. SOIL PARAMETERS ACQUISITION FROM CONSULTANTS 1 WEEK
5. MODELLING OF RETAINING WALL (USING AUTOCAD 2016 1 WEEK
SOFTWARE)
6. DESIGN OF RETAINING WALL (USING BS8002) 2 WEEKS
7. ANALYSIS OF THE DESIGN 2 WEEKS
8. VALIDATION AND APPROVAL OF DESIGN BY SUPERVISOR AS REQUIRED
TOTAL 11 WEEKS
PLUS

3.10 Budget

The proposed project is a budget friendly and feasible one that can be carried out by me and can
be completed in good time without much constrains. The budget below is an estimate of the total
cost of successful completion of the project from inception to conclusion. As there would be no
physical modelling or construction, the major costs will cover transportation fares, welfare,
research, and printing and production of paper materials including the proposal and the actual
project work.

S/N ACTIVITY COST

1. TRANSPORTATION FARES 5,000
2. RESEARCH (INTERNET AND PHYSICAL) 5,000
3. PRINTING AND BINDING OF PROPOSAL AND MAIN PROJECT 10,000
4. WELFARE 5,000
5. MODELLING OF RETAINING WALL (USING AUTOCAD 2016 5,000
SOFTWARE)
 TOTAL 30,000

REFERENCES

 Yung-Show F, Jiung-Ming C, Cheng-Yu C (2014) “Earth Pressures with Sloping

Backfill”, National Chiao Tung University.
 Tamadher A, Hatem E.Y, Faeza R.E “Design of Cantilever Retaining Wall with 4m
Height”, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Civil Engineering Department –AL- Quba-
Libya.
 www.wikipedia.com
 Braja M.D (2008) “Advanced Soil Mechanics”.