Geotechnical, mechanical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of a lateritic gravels of Sapouy (Burkina Faso) used in road construction

Abstract

Geotechnical and mechanical tests conducted on lateritic gravels of Burkina Faso showed that this material presents: fines (10.5 wt.%), plasticity index (10.5%), Californian Bearing Ratio (43%), compressive strength (1.26 MPa) and tensile strength (Brazilian test) of 0.09 MPa. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the chemical analysis revealed a quartz amount of 42 wt.%, 26 wt.% of kaolinite, 15 wt.% of goethite, 6 wt.% of rankinite and 3 wt.% of hematite. The results of geotechnical and mechanical tests combined to those of the XRD and the chemical analysis particularly the silica/sesquioxides ratio showed that the lateritic gravels is suitable for the sub-base course in road construction.