Influence of the Lithostabilization of A Swelling Clay on its Plasticity and its CBR: the Case of Dabanga Karal Coupled with the Sand of Mayo Kaliao River in the Far North Region of Cameroon

This article aims, from certain geotechnical characteristics of Dabanga Karal, to carry out tests to improve its plasticity and its CBR bearing capacity by litho-stabilizing it with sand taken from the Mayo Kaliao River in Maroua, situated in the Far North Region of Cameroon, following mixtures weights of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% sand. The work done is essentially experimental through tests carried out at the National Civil Engineering Laboratory (LABOGENIE) in Yaoundé, according to the relevant French standards. The results obtained show that after lithostabilization of Dabanga Karal with the sand of Mayo Kaliao River, the plasticity index and the linear swelling drop respectively while the CBR increases significantly. These results are compared with CEBTP specifications ([3] &[4] relating to the dimensioning of low traffic roads in tropical areas. This research work made it possible to show that the Karal, although being a swelling clay with high plasticity, presents after lithostabilization a plasticity and a CBR which can allow its use in platform, in the construction or the maintenance of roads in the northern part of Cameroon, in accordance with CEBTP specifications.