Geotechnical and mineralogical characterization of Oxfordian clays

Our work can be considered as a contribution to the geotechnical and mineralogical study of the Oxfordian clays of the Frenda and Takhemaret regions (wilaya of Tiaret), which form part of north-western Algeria, given the lack of information and the fact that previous studies in this field and in this region are rare. Clays are of great economic importance, and are exploited as a raw material for brickworks (Frenda brickworks), the sectors exploited being those of Kef Lazreg (Frenda) and Oued el Abd (Takhemaret), The present study will focus first on field work, which involves taking samples, and then on laboratory work, where these samples will be subjected to X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analyses (mineralogical) and physico-chemical tests (geotechnical).This study could later be the starting point for other mineralogical and geotechnical characterization studies of the large clay formation of which ours is a part, which will undoubtedly help to classify the clays of this formation with a view to possible economic exploitation.