WANTED - INNOVATION IN ROAD AND TRACK DESIGN

In this article, the author suggests some innovatory ideas for road construction and design in three ways: (1) the constitution of roads in the Kalahein desert; (2) multi layer segmental blocks for highly loaded pavements; and (3) maintenance free solutions for the construction of lightly trafficked roads and footpaths. In the Kalahari desert, present construction methods require the importation of substantial quantities of water for compaction and suitable materials for base and surfacing layers, which is uneconomic. The recent development of geocells 'Hysous Cells' provides a method of containing fine sands in adjacent vertical plastic columns. These cells can withstand severe loading. Appropriate surfacing could be provided by segmental concrete blocks whose manufacture could include a proportion of calcrete and Kalahan sands. For lightly trafficked roads and footpaths (tertiary roads), the author suggests a method of surfacing these earth roads, utilizing grass blocks. These are precast reinforced concrete grid units that allow grass to grow through, thus providing relatively inexpensive surfacing, and absorption of rainfall.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00097845
• Corporate Authors:

  South African Institution of Civil Engineers

  P.O. Box 62129
  Marshalltown 2107,   South Africa 
• Authors:
  • Clifford, J M
• Publication Date: 1990-4

Language

• Undetermined

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 141-146
• Serial:
  • CIVIL ENGINEER IN SOUTH AFRICA
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: South African Institution of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0009-7845

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Carbonates; Drainage; Geotextiles; Precast concrete; Reinforced concrete; Road construction; Sand; Soils; Surfacing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Low cost roads
• ITRD Terms: 7312: Carbonate; 2937: Drainage; 4568: Geotextile; 2986: Low cost road; 4792: Precast concrete; 4794: Reinforced concrete; 3665: Road construction; 4105: Sand; 4156: Soil; 2972: Surfacing
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Hydraulics and Hydrology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00606462
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 31 1991 12:00AM