Prediction of the Strength Behaviour of the Sandy Soil by using Collapse Potential in the Kintele Site-Congo

This work aims to evaluate the water effect on the soils collapse potential. The laboratory tests based on the soils samples preparation determined the soils properties. Parameters such as water content, dry unit weight, degree of saturation, voids ratio and particles size distribution were determined. The collapse potential was analysed indirectly according to various researchers criteria. The results confirmed the high vulnerability of the study area to collapse. The oedometer tests determined the values of the collapse potential showing the conventional relationship between the collapse potential and the water content. It is noted that increasing water content leads to decrease soils strength to collapse, and the increasing progress of collapse poses a risk to constructions on silty sand. The collapse potential decreases with the increase in the relative density keeping the water content constant. This collapse potential caused by soil water content variation can be reduced from compaction.