Geosynthetics and Geotechnical Properties of Soil in a Developing World: A Lesson For Nigeria (original) (raw)

This research stresses the need for Nigerian Geotechnical Engineers to make use of geosynthetics as it is used in other parts of Asia, Europe and North America. Geosynthetics have become well established constriction materials for geotechnical and environmental applications in most parts of the world. Because they are made up of manufactured materials, new products and applications are developed on a routine basis to provide solutions to routine and critical problems alike. In the southeastern part of Nigeria for example (i.e., Uturu, Umuahia, Nsulu-Isiala Ngwa North in Abia State and Okigwe, Orlu and Okpuala in Imo State) where erosion and slope failures are rampaging the land mass, the employment of geosynthetic materials will totally help the country and specifically the zone in question. Also in the western part of Nigeria (e.g., Lagos) that has recorded the highest number of structural failures over the years is not left out. Geosynthetics is the answer to these failures. This work focuses on Nigeria because we are backwards in the engineering advancement thus "geosynthetics".