Djidoula TAKO^{1, 2,}, Fatoumata Yarie SYLLA², Fode Bangaly KEITA¹, Mamadou KOULEMOU², Maimouna BARRY²

Lateritic gravels offer a valuable local resource for road construction in Guinea. This study evaluates the pavement potential of Kouria gravel through complementary physical and mechanical indicators. The programme combined eight field sampling locations, laboratory identification, compaction, bearing-capacity and particle-resistance tests, with complementary direct-shear and oedometer investigations. Cross-analysis quantified moisture windows, effort-normalised bearing gains and wet-abrasion variability while retaining separate test batches. The material exhibited a plasticity index of 5.7 percentage points. The complementary compaction series reached a maximum dry density of 1.82 Mg/m³. Interpolated moisture intervals were 18.8–25.6% and 21.1–24.5% at 95% and 98% of that reference density, respectively, corresponding to a 51% contraction in window width. Between 10 and 56 blows per layer, the two recorded bearing-ratio columns increased by factors of 4.89 and 6.71, with diminishing incremental gains. Mean Micro-Deval loss was 11.49%, with a coefficient of variation of 3.7%. Direct shear yielded apparent parameters of 54.8 kPa and 32.8°, while compression increased with applied stress. Kouria gravel presents favourable characteristics for pavement subbase development and promising base-course potential. The combined evidence identifies coordinated moisture, compaction and drainage control as practical priorities for mobilising this resource, with application-specific qualification defining its final use.

lateritic gravel, pavement materials, compaction, bearing capacity, Guinea