Bobo-dioulasso: Abdel Aziz Tinto presented a major innovation in the field of road construction: an alternative, ecological, and economical binder, composed of tuff and dolomitic lime, intended to improve road layers, in particular the base layer, during the defense of his unique doctoral thesis in civil engineering at the Nazi Boni University of Bobo-Dioulasso.

According to Burkina Information Agency, named L4T20, this mixture combines 4% dolomitic lime and 20% tuff with lateritic soil. According to its developer, it gives the pavement flexibility, strength, durability, and the ability to adapt to tropical climates. “The tuff and dolomitic lime mixture produces a durable pavement capable of supporting more than 3,000 vehicles per day for 15 to 20 years,” he said.

Mr. Tinto emphasizes that this solution relies on local materials available in sufficient quantities in Burkina Faso, thus reducing dependence on expensive imports, particularly those related to Portland cement. He sees it as a lever for national sovereignty and a way to make road construction more financially accessible.

Based on the 2015 report of the West African Development Bank (BOAD), he points out that only 30% of the West African road network is paved, a low figure mainly due to the high cost of creating the structural layers of the roads, in particular, the foundation and the base. Furthermore, cement production, which is heavily dependent on imported clinker, emits significant amounts of CO2, he says. Conversely, he insists, the tuff-lime duo has a significantly reduced carbon footprint, thus contributing to the fight against pollution and global warming.

Based on these results, Mr. Tinto plans to expand the application of his alternative binder to the construction sector, in order to offer endogenous and sustainable construction solutions for public works and infrastructure. The theme of his thesis is entitled: ‘Improvement of the geotechnical and mechanical characteristics of road layers by mixing tuff and lime’.

The jury, chaired by Professor Raguilignaba Sam, unanimously praised the relevance and timeliness of this research, emphasizing that it is fully in line with the Burkinabe government’s priorities in terms of improving the road network, the driving force of economic development. Thesis director, Professor Younoussa Millogo, explained that the objective of this work was to enhance local resources, often considered to be of low quality, by optimizing them using an ecological binder, in order to make them suitable for use as base layers in road construction. He also welcomed the presence of military engineers, which he considered a strong sign of commitment to the development of national infrastructure and, more broadly, to the progress of Burkina Faso.

This thesis was awarded a Very Honorable Mention with congratulations from the jury.