Microstructural investigation on laterite soils

Geochemical, Index, and Strength Appraisals of Granite-derived Residual Soils

“…This is attributed to more of ferric oxide up the soil profile (Table 4). This suggests better crystallization of accumulated sesquioxides in the pore spaces and the formation of concretionary structure [6] in upper the horizons. Table 4 and Fig.…”

“…The result revealed Iron oxide as the most depleted oxide among the three dominant and the principal oxide in the profile. Meanwhile, iron oxide present in the soils binds individual soil grains into coarser aggregates of concretionary structure [6]. Therefore, down the soil profile, engineering properties such as unconfined compressive and shear strength reduces due to reduction in the constituent iron oxide content.…”

“…4 show a decrease in the MDD and increase in the OMC values down the soil profile across horizons except for slight variation between horizon C and D. The observed trend in MDD vs OMC may be attributed to the percentage of fines and coarse particles occurrence in the soil samples along the profile (Table 1) in addition to degree of laterization (Table 4). This indicates better densification and compatibility properties resulting from the filling of available voids in the soil with silica grains and concretionary structure [6,20]. Horizon A had the best engineering properties according to [21].…”

“…[5] reported that reduction in ratio of silica (SiO 2 ) to sesquioxides (Fe 2 O 3 , Al 2 O 3 ) results into reduction in engineering property of soil materials. Furthermore, [6] claimed that the Iron oxide present in the soils binds individual soil grains into coarser aggregates of concretionary structure and thereby enhanced the soil mechanical stability . The variability of geochemical compositions within the lateritic soil profile account for the formation of distinct horizons and consequence geotechnical properties.…”

Predictive Shear Strength Models for Tropical Lateritic Soils

“…Lateritic soils can be described broadly as all products of tropical weathering with red, reddish brown, or dark brown colour, with or without nodules or concretions, and that generally (but not exclusively) found below hardened ferruginous crusts or hard pan [1]. Numerous studies have been made on the engineering properties and behaviour of laterite soils [2][3][4][5][6]. Several previous studies on laterite soils by Gidigasu [7] for Ghanaian soils, Malomo [8] for Brazilian soils, and Madu [9], Ola [10][11][12], and Ogunsanwo [13,14], Malomo [15], Mesida [16] for Nigerian soils have demonstrated the susceptibility of laterite soils to degradation under load.…”