INVESTIGATION OF THE CAUSE OF FAILURE OF BUILDINGS STRUCTURES IN JEGA TOWN USING ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHOD

ABSTRACT Failed buildings are common in Jega area and they are also easily seen in the other parts of Jega metropolis. Most of the affected buildings had cracks and deformations on their walls even down to their foundations.The general geology of Jega Local Government is characterized by sedimentary rocks and basement complex formations. The area is underlain by a sequence of semiconsolidated sedimentary rocks, including schists, granite gneisses, phyllites, and quartzite in the basement complex.The sedimentary rocks in the region were deposited during different geological periods, with formations like the Chad Formation and the Rima Group being prominent aquifers.The aim of this research project is to investigate the cause of failure of buildings structures in Jega town using electrical resistivity method and the specific objectives are to determine the geologic parameters,to be able to generate overbording thickness map.The main purpose of electrical surveys is to determine the subsurface resistivity distribution by making measurements on the ground surface.In electrical resistivity surveying our goal is to measure the potential difference between two points just as we often make this measurement in electrical circuits. Two potential electrodes, P1and P2that are located on the surface with the current electrodes C1 and C2. The results of the vertical electrical sounding of 5 sounding points was carried out and the results of the sounding curves reveals the nature in several curves with geoelectric units and its thickness. The total of the 5 VES stations only were occupied, and this cannot be said to be sufficiently representative of the study area for a detailed result.This can be said to be a limitation of this research project as more than this number will give an enhanced and more reliable results.Qualitative Interpretation of Vertical Electrical sounding are at VES 1 The result of the vertical electrical sounding of the first profile is shown in the Table 4.1.The result of the sounding curves reveals the nature of the curve to be KQ type curve with four geoelectric units. Vertical electrical sounding for VES 2 The result of the second sounding curve reveals the nature of the curve to be KQ type curve with 5 geoelectric units and the thickness and depth of each geoelectric layer was identified.Vertical electrical sounding for VES 3 The result of the sounding curves reveals the nature of the curve to be H type curve with 4 geoelectric units and the thickness and depth of each geoelectric layer was identified. Vertical electrical sounding for VES 4The result of the sounding curves reveals the nature of the curve to be H type curve with 5 geoelectric units and the thickness and depth of each geoelectric layer was identified.Vertical electrical sounding for VES 5 The result of the sounding curves reveals the nature of the curve to be KQ type curve with 4 geoelectric units and the thickness and depth of each geoelectric layer was identified.The Geological structures responsible for the collapsing of buildings are presence of faults and joints at the show depth around 1 to 3 meters beneath the ground surface. Jega local government has a coordinate 12⁰13´19.88´´N and 4⁰22´46.67´´E and an area of 891km2. The Study area lies along the intersection of roads from Argugu, Birnin Kebbi, and Bunza. The geography of Kebbi state, where Jega is situated, is characterized by extensive flood plains and the Niger and Rima rivers, which flow through the region.