TITLE:
Geotechnical Characterization and Stability Analysis of Excavation Slopes in Road Works: Case of the Works of the Seguela-Touba/Biankouma-Sipilou Road Development and Asphalt Project
AUTHORS:
Djomo Agre Seraphin, Augou Ovo Sandrine Flora, Thieblesson Lydie Marcelle, Seri Douko Joelle
KEYWORDS:
Characterization, Geotechnical Engineering, Stability Analysis, Cut Slope, Road Construction
JOURNAL NAME:
Geomaterials,
Vol.16 No.2,
April
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study analyzes the geotechnical properties of the cut slopes along the Biankouma-Sipilou road project and the Kabakouma and Sokourala spurs in order to identify the causes of embankment instability. The authors performed particle size analyses, Atterberg limit tests, modified Proctor tests, and CBR tests on samples taken at different depths from three specific sites: Pk1 + 760 - PK2 + 020, Pk4 + 500 - PK4 + 960, and PK9 + 460 - PK9 + 800. The results highlight specific soil horizons, including lateritic gravels, clayey sands, and deep clay layers ranging from low to high plasticity. For each study site, the soil horizons exhibit, from top to bottom, high to very low bearing capacity and stability parameters, reaching 7% and 9% respectively, for a dry density at the OPM of approximately 1.5 t/m3 and 1.59 t/m3 for slopes Pk4 + 500 - PK4 + 960 and PK09 + 460 - PK09 + 800. Slopes with unstable depths underwent stabilization techniques.