TITLE:
Preventing Rapid Deterioration of Road Pavements: Optimal Use of Lateritic Gravel Soils from Western Senegal
AUTHORS:
Baye Oumar Diop, Ignace Gbaguidi, Papa Goumbo Lo, Seynabou Sène, Aminata Cisse, Makhaly Ba, Khadym Niang, Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Sarr
KEYWORDS:
Optimal Use, Granular Classes, Lateritic Gravel, Pavement, Thiès
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Transportation Technologies,
Vol.16 No.1,
January
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study covers 25 samples of lateritic materials, in the following granular classes (0/20, 0/25, 0/31.5, 0/40 and 0/50 mm). The samples are taken from the borrow pits of Lam-Lam, Mont Rolland, Pout, Ngoundiane and Sindia, all located in the Thiès region of western Senegal. The materials were tested to determine their classes and behaviors. The quality of these materials used in pavements is declining. Pavements constructed using lateritic materials often deteriorate prematurely. The cause is not well understood. Considering their composition and how their granularity influences their geotechnical characteristics would ensure their sustainable and optimal use. This publication aims to prevent the rapid deterioration of pavements. It recommends using lateritic materials with their optimal grain size. The methodology consists of three steps. First, samples with different grain sizes are identified using classification tests. Second, the samples are classified. Finally, their bearing capacity is qualified to determine their suitability for road pavement and to identify the class with the best geotechnical characteristics for resilient use. The results of the analyses reveal that the lateritic gravels studied are classified as G3 and I2 according to GTR 2023. On the one hand, these classes are equivalent to the GM (silty gravel and silty gravel with sand) and GW-GM (well-graded gravel with silt) classes of ASTM 2000. On the other hand, behavioral parameters change more markedly with granular classes than with borrow pits. This led to identifying the 0/31.5 mm granular class as the optimal class within the considered set. Therefore, to obtain lasting pavement layers with optimal bearing capacity, it is necessary to eliminate particles in lateritic gravel greater than 31.5 mm in size. As part of this study, the authors have put forth proposals to enhance the existing definition of lateritic gravel materials and their respective road classes.