Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction

Louis Ahouet; Sylvain Ndinga Okina; Adolphe Ekouya

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12

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Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction

Louis Ahouet, Sylvain Ndinga Okina, Adolphe Ekouya

Published in International Journal of Materials Science and Applications (Volume 12, Issue 4)

Received: 30 August 2023 Accepted: 15 September 2023 Published: 27 September 2023

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Abstract

The geotechnical properties (grain size, Atterberg limits, compressive strength, CBR, linear swelling, static modulus, hydraulic conductivity, SSA, CEC, activity) of the cubitermes sp termite mound soil were determined. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry were used. The results show that the soil is composed of kaolinite, illite, chlorite and intermediate layers of rutile-quartz-hematite. Although the sand content of the soil is less than the minimum of 30% and the compressive strength is CS (3.89 MPa), termite mound soil can be used to make adobe bricks or compressed earth bricks. Termite mound soil is very consistent and impermeable, making it ideal for earthworks. Despite its CBR (33%), the soil contains 7.2% organic matter, well above the 2.5% standard for use as a pavement sub base layer. The soil has an Ac activity (0.603) and a 75% fines content, so lime would be better suited to this soil than cement in the process of improving mechanical properties. X-ray fluorescence analysis shows that the major elements are alumina and silica, which make up the soil's skeleton. The presence of alumina in the soil causes it to swell, which may limit its use in road construction. The presence of Al, Mg and Fe proves the respective existence of aluminum, magnesium and iron oxides in the soil. Titanium present in the soil in oxide form (TiO₂).

Published in	International Journal of Materials Science and Applications (Volume 12, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12
Page(s)	52-58
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Road Construction, Geotechnical Properties of Soil, Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil, Soil Activity

References

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[23]	Louis Ahouet1, Mondésire Odilon Ngoulou, Sylvain Ndinga Okina. Evaluation of the Geotechnical Properties of Cubitermes sp and Macrotermes sp Termite Mound Soils for the Manufacture of Earth Bricks. Saudi J Civ Eng, 7(7): 146-157. DOI: 10.36348/sjce.2023.v07i07.001.

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APA Style

Louis Ahouet, Sylvain Ndinga Okina, Adolphe Ekouya. (2023). Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction. International Journal of Materials Science and Applications, 12(4), 52-58. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12

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ACS Style

Louis Ahouet; Sylvain Ndinga Okina; Adolphe Ekouya. Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction. Int. J. Mater. Sci. Appl. 2023, 12(4), 52-58. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12

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AMA Style

Louis Ahouet, Sylvain Ndinga Okina, Adolphe Ekouya. Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction. Int J Mater Sci Appl. 2023;12(4):52-58. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12,
  author = {Louis Ahouet and Sylvain Ndinga Okina and Adolphe Ekouya},
  title = {Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction},
  journal = {International Journal of Materials Science and Applications},
  volume = {12},
  number = {4},
  pages = {52-58},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmsa.20231204.12},
  abstract = {The geotechnical properties (grain size, Atterberg limits, compressive strength, CBR, linear swelling, static modulus, hydraulic conductivity, SSA, CEC, activity) of the cubitermes sp termite mound soil were determined. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry were used. The results show that the soil is composed of kaolinite, illite, chlorite and intermediate layers of rutile-quartz-hematite. Although the sand content of the soil is less than the minimum of 30% and the compressive strength is CS (3.89 MPa), termite mound soil can be used to make adobe bricks or compressed earth bricks. Termite mound soil is very consistent and impermeable, making it ideal for earthworks. Despite its CBR (33%), the soil contains 7.2% organic matter, well above the 2.5% standard for use as a pavement sub base layer. The soil has an Ac activity (0.603) and a 75% fines content, so lime would be better suited to this soil than cement in the process of improving mechanical properties. X-ray fluorescence analysis shows that the major elements are alumina and silica, which make up the soil's skeleton. The presence of alumina in the soil causes it to swell, which may limit its use in road construction. The presence of Al, Mg and Fe proves the respective existence of aluminum, magnesium and iron oxides in the soil. Titanium present in the soil in oxide form (TiO2).},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction
AU - Louis Ahouet
AU - Sylvain Ndinga Okina
AU - Adolphe Ekouya
Y1 - 2023/09/27
PY - 2023
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12
DO - 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12
T2 - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
JF - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
JO - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
SP - 52
EP - 58
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2327-2643
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12
AB - The geotechnical properties (grain size, Atterberg limits, compressive strength, CBR, linear swelling, static modulus, hydraulic conductivity, SSA, CEC, activity) of the cubitermes sp termite mound soil were determined. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry were used. The results show that the soil is composed of kaolinite, illite, chlorite and intermediate layers of rutile-quartz-hematite. Although the sand content of the soil is less than the minimum of 30% and the compressive strength is CS (3.89 MPa), termite mound soil can be used to make adobe bricks or compressed earth bricks. Termite mound soil is very consistent and impermeable, making it ideal for earthworks. Despite its CBR (33%), the soil contains 7.2% organic matter, well above the 2.5% standard for use as a pavement sub base layer. The soil has an Ac activity (0.603) and a 75% fines content, so lime would be better suited to this soil than cement in the process of improving mechanical properties. X-ray fluorescence analysis shows that the major elements are alumina and silica, which make up the soil's skeleton. The presence of alumina in the soil causes it to swell, which may limit its use in road construction. The presence of Al, Mg and Fe proves the respective existence of aluminum, magnesium and iron oxides in the soil. Titanium present in the soil in oxide form (TiO2).
VL - 12
IS - 4
ER -

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Author Information

Louis Ahouet

Higher Institute of Architecture, Urbanism, Building and Public Works, Denis Sassou Nguesso University, Brazzaville, Congo
Sylvain Ndinga Okina

Higher Institute of Architecture, Urbanism, Building and Public Works, Denis Sassou Nguesso University, Brazzaville, Congo
Adolphe Ekouya

Higher Institute of Architecture, Urbanism, Building and Public Works, Denis Sassou Nguesso University, Brazzaville, Congo

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Louis Ahouet, Sylvain Ndinga Okina, Adolphe Ekouya. (2023). Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction. International Journal of Materials Science and Applications, 12(4), 52-58. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12

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ACS Style

Louis Ahouet; Sylvain Ndinga Okina; Adolphe Ekouya. Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction. Int. J. Mater. Sci. Appl. 2023, 12(4), 52-58. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12

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AMA Style

Louis Ahouet, Sylvain Ndinga Okina, Adolphe Ekouya. Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction. Int J Mater Sci Appl. 2023;12(4):52-58. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12,
  author = {Louis Ahouet and Sylvain Ndinga Okina and Adolphe Ekouya},
  title = {Geochemical, Geotechnical, Mineralogical and Microstructural Properties of the Cubitermes Sp Termite Mound Soil for Its Use in Construction},
  journal = {International Journal of Materials Science and Applications},
  volume = {12},
  number = {4},
  pages = {52-58},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20231204.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmsa.20231204.12},
  abstract = {The geotechnical properties (grain size, Atterberg limits, compressive strength, CBR, linear swelling, static modulus, hydraulic conductivity, SSA, CEC, activity) of the cubitermes sp termite mound soil were determined. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry were used. The results show that the soil is composed of kaolinite, illite, chlorite and intermediate layers of rutile-quartz-hematite. Although the sand content of the soil is less than the minimum of 30% and the compressive strength is CS (3.89 MPa), termite mound soil can be used to make adobe bricks or compressed earth bricks. Termite mound soil is very consistent and impermeable, making it ideal for earthworks. Despite its CBR (33%), the soil contains 7.2% organic matter, well above the 2.5% standard for use as a pavement sub base layer. The soil has an Ac activity (0.603) and a 75% fines content, so lime would be better suited to this soil than cement in the process of improving mechanical properties. X-ray fluorescence analysis shows that the major elements are alumina and silica, which make up the soil's skeleton. The presence of alumina in the soil causes it to swell, which may limit its use in road construction. The presence of Al, Mg and Fe proves the respective existence of aluminum, magnesium and iron oxides in the soil. Titanium present in the soil in oxide form (TiO2).},
 year = {2023}
}

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