RECENT INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE USE OF PLASTIC LATERITES AS BASES FOR BITUMINOUS-SURFACED LOW-VOLUME ROADS

The development of specifications for bases for bituminous-surfaced roads in temperate zones is described in this paper. These specifications were developed in the 1920s and 1930s when compaction plant was light compared with that available today. These specifications have been adopted with limited modifications by developing countries in tropical zones for low-volume roads. The majority of lateritic gravels do not comply with the requirements of these specifications and bases of crushed stone or stabilized materials are normally used. A description is provided of full-scale, trial sections of road in Kenya and Malawi in which plastic lateritic gravel bases were used and the test results of site investigations gathered over a number of years. These trial sections have performed satisfactorily. A 3-year laboratory study of the Kenya laterite has been undertaken at Imperial College London to ascertain the reasons for their satisfactory performance. The construction procedures used and the relative densities found in the subgrade are also described. It is concluded that the satisfactory performance of the plastic laterite bases was a result of their high degree of compaction, the grading that resulted in low permeability and high stiffness, the construction procedures adopted, and the well-drained subgrade.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1987/1106v1/1106v1-012.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=RECENT+INVESTIGATIONS+INTO+THE+USE+OF+PLASTIC+LATERITES+AS+BASES+FOR+BITUMINOUS-SURFACED+LOW-VOLUME+ROADS&author=H.+GRACE&author=D.+TOLL&publication_year=1987
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309044545
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appeared in Transportation Research Record N1106, Fourth International Conference on Low-Volume Roads, Volume 1. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • GRACE, H
  • TOLL, D G
• Conference:
  • International Conference on Low Volume Roads, 4th, 1987, Ithaca, New York, USA
• Publication Date: 1987-8

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 80-88
• Monograph Title: FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LOW-VOLUME ROADS. VOLUME 2
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1106
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Base course (Pavements); Compaction; Construction management; Density; Developing countries; Grading (Earthwork); Laboratory tests; Lateritic gravels; Low volume roads; Performance; Specifications; Subgrade (Pavements); Test sections; Tropics
• Uncontrolled Terms: Grading
• Old TRIS Terms: Test results
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I36: Aggregates;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00473101
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309044545
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Sep 30 1987 12:00AM