Effect of Salinity on the Compactness and Bearing Capacity of Gravelly Laterite in the Nuimi Hakalang Area in the Gambia

The use of salt water in general earthworks and pavement layers was studied.Six samples (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5 and E6) were prepared and their physical and mechanical characteristics determined.Samples mixed with salt water have d higher than those which are mixed with fresh water ( .). Regarding the plasticity indices, their evolution shows that the PI are inversely proportional to the salt concentration. CBRs have the same behavior as mdds. However, in the presence of cement and salt water, the CBR increases with little variation. With the addition of sand in the presence of salt water, we observed a strong increase in the CBR (the CBR varied from 52 to 92%, or 40 points). In view of these observations, it appears clear that: the use of salt water makes it possible to increase the performance of the material, Salt has more affinity with sand than with cement, hence it is proposed litho stabilization and not stabilization with cement. Due to the reduction in stiffness and brittle behavior of the material in the optimal water content range for sample E6[10], we conclude that salt water is used up to the subbase layer and fresh water for the base layer in nonarid areas.