TITLE:
Influence of Physical Properties on the Mechanical Behavior of Foundation Soils: Case of Soils from Fokoué-Centre
AUTHORS:
Eric Donald Teikeu Ngueveu, Jean Victor Kenfack, Théophile Njanko, Thiery Blondel Suffeu Talla, Bertol Victor Franclin Nouwa Ngouateu, Stéphane Tchomtchoua Tagne
KEYWORDS:
Physical Properties, Mechanical Behavior, Foundation Soils, Fokoué
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.13 No.7,
July
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: Soil investigation prior to construction is a crucial step to ensure the stability and durability of foundations. This study aims to analyze the influence of physical properties on the mechanical behavior of foundation-bearing soils in the Fokoué-Centre area, Western Cameroon. To achieve this objective, soil samples were collected at depths between 50 and 80 cm, followed by dynamic penetrometer testing up to approximately 640 cm to determine dynamic resistance. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was then conducted to explore the various physico-mechanical parameters obtained, including ω, ρs, % fines, ωL, ωP, IP, n, and σall. The GTR classification system categorizes the studied soils into three subgroups: i) A3 – low-density clayey-silty soils with high moisture content and abundant fine fraction; ii) A2 – silty-sandy fine soils with moderate water and fine content; and iii) B6 – denser silty gravelly soils with low water and fine content. Mechanically, the soils present allowable bearing pressures ranging from 0.12 to 1.07 bars in clayey soils, 0.77 to 2.3 bars in fine sandy soils, 2.5 to 5.2 bars in lateritic gravelly soils, and over 5.84 bars in cuirass layers. Correlation analysis reveals a significant influence of water content (ω), specific gravity (ρs), fine fraction percentage (% fines), and porosity (n) on the allowable bearing pressure (σall), whereas consistency parameters such as ωL, ωP, and IP appear to have minimal effect. This finding indicates that the mechanical behavior alone should not be the sole criterion for ensuring the stability and durability of structures, particularly those built on Fokoué soils.