Mapping and Geotechnical Characterization of Some Local Construction Materials for the Adamawa Region of Cameroon

Abstract

In the Adamawa Region of the Republic of Cameroon, there exist many raw materials for building structures. Various methods of investigation were used to map these raw materials, including knowledge of the spatial distribution, inventory and the estimation of resources and the development of a database which is compatible with georeferenced maps. Geotechnical tests were made on some raw materials including granulometric analysis, Atterberg limits, CBR and Micro Deval tests. The results obtained allowed inventory of 1499 natural local materials sites: 338 sites of materials of plant origin, 76 sites of clays, 113 of sands deposits, 754 sites of lateritic soils and 218 sites with rocks. The geotechnical characteristics of lateritic soils (ferruginous gravel and lateritic clay) studied vary with their underneath rock basement, respectively of metamorphic and volcanic origins. Based on their Los Angeles values (LA10<20 to LA10>45), the rocks studied were classified as very poor compared to very good quality materials. Some soils are favorable for building bricks or concrete depending on their geotechnical properties.