Year: 2026 | Month: September | Volume: 13 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 541-554
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260950
Contribution to the Optimization of Earthwork and Pavement Construction: Geotechnical Study of Quarries in the Thiès Region and Surrounding Areas
Moussa Diegane TINE1, Makhaly BA2, Moustapha Gning TINE3, Cheikh Ibrahima TINE4, Serigne Fallou DIA5
1,2,5Department of Geotechnical Engineering, UFR SI Iba Der THIAM University of Thiès, Thiès, Sénégal
3,4Department of Civil Engineering, UFR SI-Iba Der THIAM University of Thiès, Thiès, Senegal
Corresponding Author: Moussa Diegane TINE
ABSTRACT
This study aims to characterize and optimize the use of lateritic materials extracted from quarries in the Thiès region and surrounding areas for earthworks and pavement construction. Seven lateritic gravel materials from Keur Samba Kane, Ngoundiane, Sindia, Yéba, Tchicky, Kiniabour, and Lam-Lam were investigated through particle-size distribution, Atterberg limits, methylene blue value (VBS), modified Proctor, apparent density, swelling/expansion coefficient, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests. The materials were subsequently assessed according to CEBTP, AGEROUTE Senegal, and GTR 2000 and 2023 requirements. The results reveal significant variability in the geotechnical properties of the studied laterites. The optimum moisture content ranges from 7.25% to 14.80%, while the maximum dry density varies from 1.869 to 2.230 g/cm³. Keur Samba Kane exhibits the highest maximum dry density (2.230 g/cm³) and the highest soaked CBR at 95% compaction, reaching 87%. Lam-Lam also presents a high bearing capacity, with a CBR of 72%. In contrast, Ngoundiane and Tchicky show lower bearing capacities, with CBR values of 39% at 95% compaction. The VBS values range from 1.2 to 2.6, indicating variable clay activity and sensitivity to water. Keur Samba Kane and Lam-Lam present the lowest plasticity indices, 13.7% and 14.15%, respectively, whereas Ngoundiane reaches the highest value of 29.9%. According to the GTR 2023 classification, Keur Samba Kane and Lam-Lam are classified as G3 materials, whereas the materials from Sindia, Ngoundiane, Tchicky, Yéba, and Kiniabour are classified as I2. The results indicate that Keur Samba Kane and Lam-Lam are the most suitable materials for pavement foundation and base layers because of their favorable grading, relatively low plasticity, high dry density, and high bearing capacity. The other materials are generally suitable for subbase or lower pavement layers, although Ngoundiane and Tchicky require improvement or treatment before being considered for heavily loaded base courses. The expansion coefficients, ranging from 1.17 to 1.37, also provide useful information for estimating quarry-to-site material requirements and optimizing earthwork logistics. These findings confirm the strong heterogeneity of lateritic resources within the Thiès region and demonstrate the importance of combining particle-size distribution, plasticity, clay activity, compaction characteristics, and bearing capacity when selecting materials for road construction. The study contributes to the rational management of lateritic resources and provides practical criteria for selecting quarry materials according to their intended pavement layer. It also provides a basis for future quarry mapping and spatial optimization of lateritic material resources in the Thiès region.
Keywords: Lateritic gravel; Geotechnical characterization; Thiès region; Quarry materials; Pavement Construction ; Earthworks ; GTR 2023 ; AGEROUTE ; CEBTP ; Senegal.
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