Geotechnical Characterization of Lateritic Soils in Road Construction
Summary
Lateritic soils, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, present both opportunities and challenges for road engineering. Their high iron and aluminium oxide content often leads to variable clay fractions, moisture sensitivity and low natural bearing capacity. Geotechnical characterisation combines index tests (Atterberg limits, particle size distribution), compaction trials (determination of maximum dry density and optimum moisture content) and strength assessments (California Bearing Ratio, unconfined compressive strength) with mineralogical and chemical analyses. Such investigations guide the selection and treatment of lateritic materials for subgrade, sub-base and base layers. Recent advances emphasise parent-rock influences, cyclic loading effects and sustainable stabilisation using industrial by-products or waste additives. A deeper understanding of these factors enables more resilient pavement designs, cost savings through local material use and reduced environmental impact.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have investigated the impact of cyclic loading through multiple-compaction on lateritic soils derived from various parent rocks. In a comprehensive experimental programme, dynamic compaction cycles were applied to laterite profiles overlying porphyritic granite, granite gneiss and charnockite. Changes in particle size distribution, Atterberg limits and moisture–density relationships were tracked, revealing grain disintegration rates and stability under repeated loading. Porphyritic granite and granite gneiss–derived soils maintained consistent maximum dry density and optimum moisture content after successive compactions, indicating superior suitability for highway sub-base. In contrast, charnockite-derived soils exhibited greater fines production and moisture sensitivity. These findings inform the selection of lateritic materials based on parent lithology and compaction history, advancing resilient pavement design.
Geotechnical Characterization of Lateritic Soils in Road Construction publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in geotechnical characterization of lateritic soils in road construction across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Lateritic soil: Highly weathered tropical soil rich in iron and aluminium oxides, often with variable clay content and strength.
Atterberg limits: Numerical thresholds (liquid and plastic limits) defining soil consistency and plasticity.
California Bearing Ratio (CBR): Empirical index comparing load-deformation resistance of a soil to a standard crushed rock.
Maximum dry density (MDD): Highest soil density achievable by compaction at optimum moisture content.
Optimum moisture content (OMC): Water content at which soil attains MDD during compaction.
Unconfined compressive strength (UCS): Maximum axial compressive stress a soil sample sustains without lateral confinement.
Multiple-compaction: Cyclic dynamic loading procedure to simulate repeated traffic loading and assess stability.
References
- Modification of Lateritic Soil Using Waste Plastics for Sustainable Road Construction. Polymers (2024).
- Effect of multiple-compaction on laterite soil: geotechnical and geo-statistical analysis. Scientific Reports (2024).
- Stabilized High Clay Content Lateritic Soil Using Cement-FGD Gypsum Mixtures for Road Subbase Applications. Materials (2021).
- Geotechnical and Mechanical Characterization of Lateritic Soil Improved with Crushed Granite. Civil Engineering Journal (2022).
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