Author(s)

Yvette Tankpinou Kiki^1*, Koffi Judicaël Agbelele², Fernando Kpomahou², Georgette Monleme³

¹Processes and Technological Innovation Laboratory (LaPIT), National University of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM), Lokossa, Benin.
²Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory for Technical Education (LARPET), National University of Technological Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics, Lokossa, Benin.
³Civil Engineering Test and Study Laboratory (L2EGC), National University of Technological Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics, Abomey, Benin.

Road construction in Africa is faced with a shortage of quality materials, leading to delays and increased costs. Traditional materials, such as clay soils of the bar soil type, have inadequate properties for pavement sub-base layers, particularly in terms of bearing capacity. This study explores a composite material combining bar soil and bamboo fibers to improve the mechanical performance of bar soil, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution. The Tori-Bossito bar soil was characterised by particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, Proctor compaction tests and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR). The results show that this material is a class A2 sandy-clay soil with a CBR of 18, which is insufficient for foundation layers requiring a CBR of over 30. To improve its performance, Sèmè-Kpodji bamboo fibers, 30 to 100 microns in diameter and 3 to 5 cm long, were incorporated at rates of 0.9% to 2.7%. The optimum mix, with 2.4% fiber, has a CBR of 35, a dry density of 1.92 t/m³ and a moisture content of 12.4%. This reinforced material is suitable as a base course for low-traffic roadways.

Bamboo Fibers, Bar Soil, Sub-Base, Low Traffic, Mechanical Properties

Kiki, Y. , Agbelele, K. , Kpomahou, F. and Monleme, G. (2025) Physico-Mechanical Characterisation of an Earth Bar and Bamboo Fiber Composite Material for Road Construction. Open Journal of Composite Materials, 15, 31-43. doi: 10.4236/ojcm.2025.151002.