Lessons learned

Project: 5267 – REHABILITATION AND UPGRADATION OF 2-LANE NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN

THE REPUBLIC OF GABON

LESSON no.2
Difference in Test procedures to determine
Plasticity Index (PI) according to Indian
standards and French Standards

Key learnings: Working in French standard site conditions is always challenging for Indian companies with
Indian staff. The testing procedures and requirements adopted is completely different compared to Indian standard.
The time taken for testing is almost 4 times compared to Indian Procedures. The test results of Plasticity is almost
double compared to Indian procedure.

Prepared By: Raviteja Taduturi (MTE-Planning)

 Lessons learned
Project: 5267 – REHABILITATION AND UPGRADATION OF 2-LANE NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN
THE REPUBLIC OF GABON
2. Difference in Test procedures to determine Plasticity Index (PI)
according to Indian standards and French Standards

Requirements:
As per contract requirement, for executing of capping layer, contractor requires only 2
materials. Laterite or Crushed gravel stone. The plasticity required for capping layer should
be less than 25% at an interval of 1 test/1000m3 and CBR should be greater than 30% at an
interval of 1test/2000 m3.

Challenges faced:
1. Testing procedure different from Indian standard codes to French standard codes.
2. To test plasticity index by Indian procedure which will take only one day whereas
according to the French standard it will take 4 days.
3. Indian staff working in the French standards takes lot of time to understand the
testing procedure.
4. The mindset of Indian staff adopted to Indian procedures.
5. All the code books in French language.
6. Only found one Borrow area respective to project location.
7. The laterite present in the borrow area have more clay content.
8. Wet conditions to execute the earth works almost 9 months rainy season.
9. No gravel present in the laterite.
10. The borrow area is in the remote location where there is no proper transport
availability to shift material.
11. Soil bearing strength is very less.

Impact:

1. Due to the variation in testing procedures the productivity of equipment decreases

due to increase in waiting for test results.
2. Followed Indian procedures in French speaking countries.
3. More rework due to not followed French standards and its mentioned procedures.
 Lessons learned
Project: 5267 – REHABILITATION AND UPGRADATION OF 2-LANE NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN
THE REPUBLIC OF GABON
4. Due to unavailability of codes in English language it takes more time to translate each
and every word in code book.
5. Due to the unavailability of laterite, we depend on that available one borrow area
which having more clay content.
6. As this country is wet country where 9 months is rainy, the laterite is not dried easily
and it retain the water for more time which impacts productivity.

Difference in test procedure:

1. According to Indian standard of testing the plasticity index (IS.2720.16.1987), there

is no particular procedure to dry the soil sample after bringing from sample area.
2. According to French code (NF P94-051), the soil sample which brought from sample
area it must be soaked in water for 24 hours.
3. After soaking the soil sample, the soil should not dried in oven.
4. As per standard, the soil have to be air dried in atmosphere, temperature not greater
than 30 degrees Celsius.
5. So in the wet country like Gabon, the soil sample taking minimum 4 to 5 days to dry
completely.
6. After complete drying of soil, the soil have to be tested.
7. In Indian code, the next day after bringing the soil we can get Plasticity index, but as
per French standard it is taking 4 days to dry and one day for testing total of 5 days.
8. The productivity also decreases due to this waiting time for Plasticity index.
The below pictures shows the difference of soil sample after drying as per Indian standard
and French standard

i. Soil sample after drying as per Indian standard

 Lessons learned
Project: 5267 – REHABILITATION AND UPGRADATION OF 2-LANE NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN
THE REPUBLIC OF GABON

ii. The soil soaked in water completely for 24 hours and kept for air dried in atmosphere
 Lessons learned
Project: 5267 – REHABILITATION AND UPGRADATION OF 2-LANE NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN
THE REPUBLIC OF GABON

iii. Soil after completely dried as per French standard

Difference in the Plasticity index (PI) results according to Soaking method and non-
soaking method:

1. The plasticity results vary almost double the value compared to normal drying
method and soaked method.
2. From the fig.iv, the plasticity index value is 20% as per normal drying method as per
Indian standard code.
3. From fig.v the plasticity index value is value is 38.22% which is almost double as per
soaking method of drying as per French Standard code.

The results shown below fig.iv and fig.v

 Lessons learned
Project: 5267 – REHABILITATION AND UPGRADATION OF 2-LANE NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN
THE REPUBLIC OF GABON

iv. The Plasticity Index value as per normal drying method as per Indian standard code
 Lessons learned
Project: 5267 – REHABILITATION AND UPGRADATION OF 2-LANE NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN
THE REPUBLIC OF GABON

v. The Plasticity Index value as per Soaking method as per French standard codes
 Lessons learned
Project: 5267 – REHABILITATION AND UPGRADATION OF 2-LANE NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN
THE REPUBLIC OF GABON

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS:

1. It is advisable to future projects to go through all the specifications mentioned as

per employer.
2. While working in the French standards, learn the procedures and adopt the
procedures mentioned in the code books.
3. Detail case studies can be made to create the awareness between Indian standards
and French standards.
4. Adopt the situations and procedures as early as possible.
5. While working in the countries as per French standards, every minute detailing of
specifications like gradation, methyl blue test, %of fines is important and
understand the testing procedures according to French codes.

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