THE USE OF LOW-GRADE MATERIALS IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Current specifications for roadmaking materials are considered and their relevance to low-grade materials and the conditions in which these materials are most used are assesed. The paper also describes different examples of low-grade materials as well as some of the methods used for improving their performance. In making an assessment of roadmaking materials it is essential that the properties of the materials should be related to performance in the road. Trial road sections, which consider a number of variations, as well as examination of existing roads will be valuable for performance evaluation. Low grade materials include lateritic gravels, soft sandstones and limestones, decomposing rock, the sabkha sands from the Arabian Gulf area and industrial wastes. Such materials are more likely to be suitable when used in roads with low traffic volume. However, there is evidence to suggest that with careful selection and control they can be used in more heavily trafficked roads when climatic conditions are favorable. Ways of improving performance of many of these soils are discussed. Stabilization with lime cement or bitumen are describe, the problems associated with unsound aggregates are discussed, athe criteria for assessing the suitability suitability of stabilization are stated, and the concept of construction is recommended for developing countries.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of the Seminar on Highway Design in Developing Countries held during the PTRC Summer Annual Meeting, 10-11 July 1975 at the University of Warwick, England.
• Corporate Authors:

  Planning and Transport Res and Computation Co Ltd

  167 Oxford Street
  London W1R 1AH,   England 
• Authors:
  • NEWILL, D
  • STEWART, M
• Conference:
  • Planning & Transport Res & Comp, Sum Ann Mtg, Proc
• Publication Date: 1975-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 142-154
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 5

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Building materials; Construction management; Decomposed rock; Developing countries; Industrial wastes; Lateritic gravels; Limestone; Materials; Performance; Road construction; Sand; Sandstones; Soil stabilization; Specifications
• Uncontrolled Terms: Stabilization; Stage construction
• Old TRIS Terms: Low grade; Materials specifications
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00144043
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 22 1976 12:00AM