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Study of Correlations between Particle Size Analysis and Intrinsic Properties of Termite Mound Soils Cubitermes sp

Louis Ahouet1, 2, 3, 4, Sylvain Ndinga Okina2, Mondésire Odilon Ngoulou4, Bockou Ekockaut Joseph Arsène1, 2

1Higher Institute of Architecture, Urbanism, Building and Public Works, Denis Sassou, Nguesso University, Congo

2Higher Polytechnic National School (ENSP), Marien Ngouabi University –Brazzaville, Congo

3Building and Publics Works Control Office (BCBTP) – Brazzaville, BP 752

4Materials and Energy Laboratory (LME), Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Marien, Ngouabi University Brazzaville, Brazzaville, Congo

American Journal of Materials Science and Engineering. 2022, 10(1), 8-15. DOI: 10.12691/ajmse-10-1-2
Received October 05, 2022; Revised November 13, 2022; Accepted November 22, 2022

Abstract

Inappropriate use of termite mounds soils Cubitermes sp can have negative effects on ecological processes. The objective of this study is to find correlations between intrinsic soil properties. The correlation selected is the one with the highest coefficient of determination and the smallest chi-sqr. The correlations obtained can help testing laboratories to reduce the amount of material to be transported and the number of tests to be performed when identifying materials in the preliminary study phase. The soils studied are clays (inactive and normal) of low to medium plasticity, containing minerals (kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite). The swelling potential of the soils varies from low, medium and high. The correlation between the blue value of the soil and the plasticity index is linear fit for all soils. The relationships between intrinsic soil properties are linear fits and Hyperbl and InvsPoly models with coefficients of determination of R2(0.703 - 1) and Chi-sqr X2 (0.00599 - 0.08941). From the analysis of particle size in relation to activity and clay fraction, ten parameters (LL, LP, PI, BVS, Ac, CEC, SSA, RA, Sc, CECA) can be predicted by the developed relationships.

Keywords:

intrinsic properties, particle size analysis, prediction, termite mound soils Cubitermes Spp
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