Abstract: The relationships among mechanical indexes, swelling-shrinkage properties, pore size distributions and moisture contents of lateritic clay in Guigang of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, are discussed through experimental research on the heavy-pattern compacted samples. The results show that the dry density can reflect the strength rule of compacted lateritic clay as a whole, and the moisture contents of unsaturated compacted samples corresponding to the maximum of strength indexes are comparatively low because of the effect of matrix suction, while those after saturating increase obviously duo to water absorbing, swelling and the loss of matrix suction. For lateritic clay compacted under the condition of optimum moisture content, its strength is not the highest after saturation although a very high compaction degree is obtained. The swelling-shrinkage properties of compacted lateritic clay are mainly controlled by moisture content, and also affected by dry density. The pores of compacted lateritic clay are mainly small sizes in diameters from 0.01μm to 0.05μm, which is useful for the further mastery on the geotechnical properties of lateritic clay.

Key words: laterite, swelling-shrinkage properties, matrix suction, dry density, pore size distribution