THE DESIGN OF LOW-COST PAVEMENTS IN ARID AREAS

This paper reviews the experience gained by the overseas unit of TRRL and other authorities in the design, construction and performance of low-cost road pavements in arid environments. It covers earth, gravel and surface-dressed roads and discusses the engineering principles of stage construction, ie the subsequent upgrading of pavements to meet the structural requirements for increased traffic loadings. The strength of many subgrade materials is sensitive to moisture changes, and the value at which the strength of the subgrade is estimated for pavement design is therefore very important, particularly in arid environments where subgrades are dry and quite strong. Several methods have been used for determining the relevant moisture content. These are described and the sensitivity of the thickness design to changes in subgrade strength are discussed. In arid areas, there may be insufficient water to enable the formation to be compacted at the optimum moisture content. The compaction of soils at moisture contents lower than the optimum and the resulting properties of the compacted material are described. Types of base such as dry-bound macadam which require no water for construction are particularly useful in arid climates. A reliable construction procedure for dry-bound macadam bases is included. (a). This paper was presented at a conference on low cost roads, Kuwait 25-28 November 1974. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • Bofinger, H E
• Publication Date: 1974

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 16 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggregates; Compaction; Construction management; Crushed rock; Deserts; Dryness; Durability; Moisture content; Pavement base course; Pavement design; Pavement subgrade; Regions; Road construction; Sensitivity; Soil stabilization; Stabilized materials; Strength of materials; Subbase materials; Water
• Uncontrolled Terms: Low cost roads; Modifications; Stage construction
• Old TRIS Terms: Low cost road construction
• ITRD Terms: 4577: Aggregate; 3686: Compaction; 3666: Construction method; 4173: Crushed stone; 2527: Dryness; 5910: Durability; 2986: Low cost road; 9048: Modification; 5920: Moisture content; 3055: Pavement design; 378: Region; 2961: Roadbase; 3688: Roadbase stabilization; 5928: Sensitivity; 3657: Stage construction; 5544: Strength (mater); 2950: Subgrade; 4355: Water
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I51: Earthworks and Soil Drainage; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00131433
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: PA 77/74 Conf Paper
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 14 1976 12:00AM