This paper presents the first laboratory study of four materials (three lateritic soils and one sandy soil) mainly used in road construction in French Guiana. The analysis of macroscopic behaviour by physical tests, following French standards, made it possible to classify and group the samples with respect to the rules specified in the Guide des Terrassements Routiers (GTR). According to the GTR, these raw materials could only be used as backfill materials and under very specific hydric conditions. Chemical and mineralogical characterisation by the X-ray fluorescence analysis, scanning electron microscopy observation supplemented by the X-ray microanalysis, and the infrared analysis revealed differences in the main minerals. Indeed, the presence of mineral species such as kaolinite and gibbsite and oxides such as goethite and hematite was detected. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the four soils made it possible to establish a relationship between their geotechnical and mineralogical properties. Finally, the results of this study led to the conclusion that the mineralogical composition and geotechnical properties of lateritic soils must be known simultaneously to allow correct identification for their application in road construction.
RESUMO: Os solos tropicais representam uma boa parte dos terrenos presentes no globo terrestre entre os trópicos do Câncer e Capricórnio. Entre estes, pode-se citar os solos lateríticos que se encontram na Guiana Francesa. Este país, com um clima equatorial marcado por duas estações climáticas, seca e úmida, situa-se na América do Sul, entre o Brasil e o Suriname. Este artigo apresenta a descrição e as características de 4 materiais empregados majoritariamente na construção rodoviária na Guiana Francesa. Trata-se de dois solos arenosos, de um solo pedregulho e um solo siltoso. Estes solos são geralmente utilizados em bases de vias não revestidas, ou em camada de sub-bases de pavimentos. O objetivo deste artigo é realizar a caracterização desses materiais e verificar sua aplicabilidade em obras rodoviárias segundo a metodologia MCT (Miniatura Compactada Tropical), desenvolvida no Brasil. Desta forma, recomendações quanto à utilização destes materiais em geotecnia rodoviária poderão ser formuladas para solos que não se enquadrem no regulamento Francês.
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