The adaptation and use of French and UK earthworks methods

Earthworks specifications and techniques in Morocco generally rely on the application of the French Technical Guideline on Embankment and Capping Layer Construction (abbreviated to the French acronym GTR) to the construction process. However, there are additional benefits to be gained by the incorporation of UK techniques and professional judgement in the selection and extraction of source material, mixing and testing of fill materials, and the placement and compaction of conditioned materials to achieve the required structural foundation and highway design parameters. This paper presents a case study from a prestigious 620 ha holiday resort development on the west coast of Morocco. The earthworks specifications employed during construction were based on an adaptation of the French system, which is more suited to arid soil conditions, combined with the practicality of UK earthwork methods. This pragmatic approach, together with engineering judgement based on site observation, site trials and laboratory testing, was used to successfully construct structural platforms and highway embankments in an arid environment using highly variable soils sourced from within the development area.