Geotechnical Characterization of Termite Mound Soils of Congo

Abstract

This study is to determine the activities and correlations in the fundamental properties of the termite mounds soils Cubitermes spp and Macrotermes sp.The Intrinsic properties depend on the mineralogy, organic composition and texture of soil. Grain size, Atterberg limits and soil blue values are geotechnical properties that were used to characterize the two soils. On the basis of the geotechnical properties, specific surface area, cation exchange capacity, relative activity, surface activity and soil activity were determined. The correlations obtained in the intrinsic soil properties are linear and polynomial fits. Indeed, the relationship between the plasticity index and the blue value of a soil on the one hand and between the specific surface area and the cation exchange capacity on the other hand, is a linear fit for all soils in general. The relationship between plasticity index and specific surface area is a linear fit for the soils (C, M). Correlations in intrinsic soil properties that have a coefficient of determination close to 1 can be used in geotechnical engineering to predict one of the two desired parameters.

Characterization of the Activity, Mineralogy and Correlations between the Properties of Clayey Soils

“…From Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 10 and Table 2, the evolution of the plasticity index as a function of the specific surface area of twelve soils containing all minerals (kaolinite and illite), is a linear fit [6] [7] [19].…”

“…Indeed, the blue value of a soil is closely related to the cation exchange capacity and the specific surface. Indeed, it has been shown that the specific surface as a function of the cation exchange capacity forms a linear fit [6] [19].…”

“…The relative activity is the ratio of the plasticity index to the specific surface area, which defines the role of the specific surface area on the plasticity of soil [19]:…”

Activities and intrinsic properties of the clayey fines four lateritic gravels

“…The soil blue value characterizes the activity of the clay fines in lateritic gravelly soils and reflects surface activity [18]. The specific surface depends on the mineralogy, organic composition and texture of lateritic gravelly soils [14,[24][25][26].…”

“…Ac activity characterizes the mineral contained in the fine clay of lateritic gravels. When the clay content is high enough, grains larger than two micrometers are embedded in the clay and hardly touch each other [24][25][26]. In Figure 7, Ac -are the directing coefficients of the straight lines delimiting the areas of activity of the clay fraction of lateritic gravels (inactive, normal and active).…”