ASSESSMENT OF THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF THE INTER-LABORATORY TROPICAL SOILS PROGRAM IN BRAZIL

Firstly, this paper aims to introduce the MCT ("Miniature, Compacted, Tropical") geo-technical classification system, which, developed more than twenty years ago, has been used for technological control in the construction or rehabilitation of roads. Especially designed for compacted tropical soils, the MCT system adopts trial procedures for soil based primarily on mechanical and hydraulic properties. Secondly, this paper aims to submit an assessment of the first five years (1998 to 2002) of the inter-laboratory tropical soils program in Brazil, an important tool used for technological control. This program focuses on encouraging laboratories to improve the metrological reliability of their results, revisit and improve their trial methods, and provide information on how equipment, operators and the methodology can influence trial results and produce inaccurate measurements.