TITLE:
Comparative Geotechnical Analysis of the Properties of Sands from the Major Sandpits in the West Region of Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Penka Jules Bertrand, Wetka Tchoupe Ulrich Parfait Lelong, Nkibeu Jean Bertin
KEYWORDS:
Sands, Analysis, Properties, Classification, Applications
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Civil Engineering,
Vol.15 No.4,
November
26,
2025
ABSTRACT: Sandpits produce sands of different properties, based on the nature of the weathered mother rocks and sand quality directly affects the performance, durability and functionality of products and processes in construction. A comparative analysis was done on the sandpits in the Noun, Mifi, Hauts Plateaux and Koung-Khi Divisions of the West region to assess the geotechnical characteristics and potential uses of the various sands in construction for sustainable infrastructural development. This comparative analysis consisted of identifying and locating the major sandpits in the West region of Cameroon, determining the geotechnical properties of the various sands, and classifying the various sands to determine their potential uses in construction. The geotechnical testing of the sands was carried out in accordance with AFNOR, EN, and ISO standards, whereas the classification of the sands was performed according to EN, ISO, and ASTM standards. The Noun, Mifi, Baleng, Batié and Bandjoun sand had natural moisture content of 12.90%, 12.10%, 9.50%, 11.42% and 6.98% respectively. From the grain size analysis, the coefficient of uniformity (Cu) and curvature (Cc) of the sands were 2.43 and 0.93, 2.71 and 0.83, 12.86 and 0.84, 8.28 and 1.74, 12.50 and 1.45 respectively. The fineness moduli (FM) obtained were 2.43, 2.40, 3.27, 3.78 and 2.96 respectively. The sands had sand equivalent (SE) of 93.15%, 86.65%, 53.80%, 78.60% and 94.90% respectively. The specific gravities obtained were 2.586, 2.394, 2.471, 2.474 and 2.557 g/cm3 respectively. The apparent densities were 1.516, 1.456, 1.713, 1.577 and 1.631 g/cm3 respectively. The compressive strengths of the formulated B25 concrete (That is a concrete designed to achieve a characteristic compressive strength of 25 MPa at 28 days) obtained at 28 days for the various sands were 23.19, 22.32, 20.14, 25.23 and 33.62 MPa respectively. The classification of the various sands according to the USCS showed that the Batié and Bandjoun sand are well graded (SW) while the Noun, Mifi, and Baleng sand are poorly graded (SP). The Batié and Bandjoun sand gave the desired resistance at 28 days, therefore, these sands are good for concrete production. The Noun, Mifi and Baleng sand did not give the desired resistance at 28 days due to their poor gradation and can only be used for light structural applications (15 to 20 MPa).