The Reduction in the Swelling Potential of the Foundation Ground of Togblécopé in Togo by the Stabilization with Binders and Sands

Abstract

The present study aims at helping to search for preventive solutions to pathologies of constructions in Togblécopé in Togo, by the reduction in the withdrawal and swelling of foundation grounds through their stabilization. Togblécopé’s clay taken from 1 m, 2 m and 3 m deep, and mixed with four binding materials (cement, sea sand, silty sand and lime). Tests of identification and free swelling with odometer are carried out on pure and stabilized materials. What emerges from these tests is that the limits of liquidity and plasticity are rising along with the rate of stabilizers while the index of plasticity is falling. Cement and lime cause a reduction in the index value of plasticity by almost 50%. The more the sand’s grain size, the more the reduction in the plasticity index. The swelling potential is reduced by 60% for cement and lime, 30% for sea sand and 20% for silty sand. The present study is a contribution to the reduction in deflations from 20% to 60% of some parts of constructions in order to limit cracks.