PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GENESIS ANALYSIS OF LATERITE IN THE MIDDLE AND SOUTHERN SHANXI PROVINCE

Having investigated Pliocene epoch lateritein Yushe, Shilou, Jiexiu and Xiangyuan in the middle and southern Shanxi Province and having observed the laterite distribution, Physical parameters of Pliocene undisturbed laterite samples and overlying the quaternary loess samples were tested. According to similar sedimentary characteristics and similar particle composition distribution characteristics of the Pliocenelaterite and Quaternary loess, the wind power genesis type of the laterite was deduced. According to the measured laterite physical parameter values, Pliocene laterite in the middle and southern Shanxi Province was recognized as clay or silty clay. Water limit has a linear relation to clay content of the laterite in the study areas, plasticity index has an exponent relation to clay content of the laterite in the study areas. The research resultsare the reliable basic data for the engineering characteristics study in the middle and southern Shanxi Province in the future.