Road Construction Techniques
Road Construction Techniques
Gravel Road
Asphalt Concrete
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Figure: The effect of improperly starting the cut as marked by the slope
stake. Starting the cut too high results in excess excavation and side
cast. Starting the cut too low leaves an overstepped cut bank.
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1.2 Clearing and Grubbing
>0.3m
Cut Section
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In fill section the roots and stamps should be removed
minimum of 0.3m below ground surface
<1.5m
Fill Section
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1.3 Demolition of Structures
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Clearing and Grubbing and Demolishing of structure
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1.4 Earth Work
1.4.1 Excavation
The process of loosening and removing earth or
rock from it original position in a cut and
transporting it to a fill or to a waste deposit.
Specification usually classify excavations based on
the type and ease of excavation:
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Rock excavation: materials that can not be
excavated without blasting or the use of
rippers and all boulders or other detachedstones,
each having a volume of 1 cub. Meter or more.
Common Excavation : excavation and disposal of
all materials of whatever encountered in the
work not otherwise classified
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Unsuitable Excavation: the removal and disposal of
deposit of not saturated or unsaturated mixture of soil
and organic matter unsuitable for embankment material.
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Clay material having a Liquid Limit (LL) > 60%; or a
Plasticity Index (PI) > 30%;or CBR value < 3% at
95% of modified AASHTO compaction (AASHTO
method T-180) after 4 days soaking;
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All excavated materials that are suitable are used in
constructing the elements of the roadway structure,
including embankments, shoulder, subgrade, slopes,
and backfill for structures. Unsuitable or surplus
materials are disposed.
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When rock is encountered in cut sections, it is generally
required that it be excavated to a depth of at least 150 mm
below the grade line and that suitable backfill material then be
used in bringing the cut section up to the proposed grade.
Equipment
Common Excavation Hard Rock Excavation
Excavator Excavator
Dozer Dozer
Air compressor
Wagon Drill
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Earthwork (Excavation in all Materials to Spoil & Sub grade Finishing)
process
P1: Get
approved slope
stake data.
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NO
P4: Material to be
spoiled?
Yes
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Figure: Trench-excavation to minimize side hill loss of excavation
material. Debris and material falls into trench in front of the
dozer blade. Felled trees and stumps are left to act as temporary
retaining walls until removed during final excavation.
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1.4.2 Embankments
to 1 is preferred.
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ERA’ s Recommendation
Back Slope
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4) Selection of Materials
Material Requirements for the Construction of Embankments
1. Particle size Well Graded
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Construction of Embankments
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1.4.2.2 Benching
Where the slope of the existing ground, in any direction is
greater than 20%, the existing ground shall be excavated
to form horizontal benches which shall be a minimum
of 1m wide or otherwise, as described in the Contract.
Each bench shall be excavated as the fill material is
compacted and the embankment is raised.
This requirement shall also apply to embankments
constructed on rock with slopes greater than 20%.
Suitable material excavated from the benches shall be
incorporated into the embankment.
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Natural Ground
Embankment Section
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The field compaction is controlled by making frequent
checks of the density and moisture content using suitable
techniques.
Principal factors involved in the selection of compaction
equipment for use on a given project include the specifications
under which the work is to be carried out based on the type
material to be compacted and the choice of equipment available
to the contractor.
Compactors include tamping, sheeps foot, grid, pneumatic-
tired, and smooth steel-wheeled rollers; segmented plate
compactors; vibratory compactors; and others. They are available
in various weights.
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1.4.2.3 Embankment Construction in Problem Areas
If problem soils be found (and especially expansive soils with
PI >30%, and swell > 2.0%), the problem soil shall be
excavated to the required depth in line with the ERA’s
Site Investigation Manual and replaced by a non-expansive
material with CBR of 5-7% to the satisfaction of the Engineer.
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Where the finished road level is designed to be
greater than 2m above ground level, remove the
problem soil to a depth of 600mm below the
ground level under the unsurfaced area of the
road structure;
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1.4.2.3Methods of embankment construction on marshy area
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Removal and Replacement beneath the embankment
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because of high costs associated with excavating and disposing
of unsuitable soils and the difficulty of excavating below the
water table, removal and replacement is only justified under
certain conditions. Some of these conditions include the
following:
The area requiring over-excavation is not wide;
The unsuitable soils are near the ground surface and do not extend
very deeply (removal of unsuitable material beyond the depth of 3
m is not normally economically feasible);
Temporary dewatering is not required to support or facilitate the
excavation;
Suitable fill materials are readily available to replace the volume of
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2. Displacement method: this is a method by which the
unsuitable muck is displaced by the weight of the fill
and possibly a surcharge or by this weight supplemented by
explosives or water jetting. The blast serve to displace the
material by the force of the explosions and by liquefying the
remaining unsuitable material so that it is displaced more
readily by the weight. The process of jetting involves the
pumping of water into the underlying soil layer in order to
liquefy and ease the displacement of the layer by the weight
of the embankment. The surcharge is uncompacted fill
added over the compacted fill to accelerate the displacement.
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3. Vertical sand drain: it is a method by which vertical columns
of sand from 450 to 600mm in diameter, spaced from 2 to 6
m apart on centers beneath the embankment section carried
completely through the compressible soil to accelerate consolidation.
A sand blanket 1 to1.5 m thick is generally placed at the top of the
drain extending across the entire width of embankment section.
The embankment is then constructed by normal methods on top of
the sand blanket.
4. Fabric reinforcement: this is the use of engineering fabrics
such as geotextiles or geotechnical fabrics placed on weak
foundation (to increase the bearing capacity) and overlaid with the
embankment fill.
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Earthwork (Excavation or Borrow to Embankment in all Materials
& Sub grade Finishing) process
P1: Get
approved slope
stake data.
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P4a: Material No
P4b: identify
to be used in borrow
embankment? location.
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P7: Spread & compact
(place the material)
No
P8-a: Level P8-b:
accepted? Correct it!
Yes
No
P9-a: Densityaccepted? P9-b: Roll to
attain the density!
Yes
P10: Sub grade
accepted & ready for
next activity.
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2. Subbase Course Construction
1. Natural Gravel;
2.Scoria (Cinder Gravel);
3.Weathered Rock;
4. Crushed Gravel;
5. Crushed Rock or crushed Boulders;
6.Recycled Pavement Material.
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2.2.3 Density and Strength
The minimum dry density to which the material shall be
compacted shall be 95% of the MDD obtained in the
AASHTO T-180 method D unless specified otherwise,
Field dry densities shall be determined by the sand
replacement method as specified in AASHTO T 191 or
any other method approved by the Engineer and
calibrated with the sand replacement method.
The minimum soaked Californian Bearing Ratio (CBR)
shall be 30% when determined in accordance with the
requirements of AASHTO T-193.
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2.3 Construction of sub base layer
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2.4 Trial Areas
prior to the commencement of normal working the Contractor
shall construct a trial area of not less than 1000 square meters
using the materials and equipment proposed for the work to
demonstrate compliance with the requirements.
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Compaction of sub base layer
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Natural Sub base Course Production and Placing process
P1: Locate
material sources.
P3: Quality No
accepted?
Yes
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P4: Acquire quarry
land
P6: Completed
& accepted
sub grade
P7: Haul sub base material to
placing location (to
completed & accepted sub
grade)
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Crushed Sub base Course Production and Placing Process
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P4: Acquire quarry
land
Yes
P15b: Roll to
No
P15a: Density attain the
accepted? density.
Yes
P16: Crushed subbase
course accepted &
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ready for next activity.
3. Construction of Gravel Roads
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1
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3.3 Trial Areas
Prior to the commencement of normal working
the Contractor shall construct a trial area of not
less than 1000 square meters for gravel wearing
courses and 250 square meters for gravel shoulder
using the materials and equipment proposed for
the work to demonstrate compliance with the
requirements.
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3.4 Construction of Gravel wearing course
The material shall be transported in such a way, that no
segregation occurs.
The material shall be placed, spread, broken down, watered
if necessary and mixed in layers not exceeding 200 mm and
not less than 100 mm compacted thickness.
Prior to compaction, the moisture content of the spread
material shall be adjusted as necessary either by the uniform
application of water or drying out, to achieve within -1% to
+2% of the optimum moisture content when determined in
accordance with AASHTO T-180.
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The material shall be compacted by the use of approved
rollers progressing gradually from the outside towards the
center of the layer, except on super elevated curves, where
the rolling shall begin at the low side and progress to the
high side. Each succeeding pass shall overlap the previous
pass by at least one third of the roller width.
Rolling shall continue until the entire thickness of each layer
is thoroughly and uniformly compacted to the specified
density.
Any area, which is inaccessible to rolling equipment, shall be
compacted by means of mechanical tampers or other
equipment approved by the Engineer.
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Upon completion of compaction, the surface of the
completed layer shall be tightly bound, free from
movement under the compaction plant, and free
from laminations, ridges, cracks or loose or
segregated material.
The in-situ density of the completed layer shall be 93
or 95% of the maximum dry density, as shown
on the Drawings, when determined in accordance
with the requirements of AASHTO T-180 method D.
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3.5 Testing Frequency
The minimum testing frequency that will be required from
the Contractor in terms of conditions of
contract for the purpose of process control shall be as
shown.
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4. Construction of Drainage Structure
Drainage structures
Culverts(Pipe ,Slab and Box)
Bridges
Ditches
Structural
Excavation Superstructure
Backfill works
• Soft concrete cast
• hard
Footing
• Lean concrete sub structure
• Rebar placing Masonry/Concrete
• Concrete cast
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Summary of Gravel Road Construction
Site Clearance
• Clearing and grubbing
Earthwork
• Removing obstructions like Road bed preparation
existing structures, pavement
• Roadway excavation
• Embankment
Ancillary works
ROAD FURNITURE AND
SIGNAGE
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5. Granular Base Course Construction
5.1 Base Course Material Source
The materials used for the construction of base layers shall be either:
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5.2 Construction Equipment
Material laid either by a self-propelled paving machine or by grader
The in-situ density of the completed layer shall not be less than 98%
of the maximum dry density determined by the specification.
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6. Construction of Stabilized Layers
6.1 Objective of Soil Stabilization
To reduce the permeability and compressibility of the soil mass
in earth structure and increase its shear strength.
For city and sub urban streets to make them more noise
absorbing.
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2 Travelling plant construction: the construction process is not
much different from the road mix method previously described,
but the mixing and spreading operation of soil elements and
water are accomplished by the travelling plant.
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6.2.2 Lime Stabilized Materials
Is done by adding lime to a soil. when lime is react with soil, there is a
exchange of cations in the absorbed water layer and a decrease in
plasticity of the soil occurs.
The amount of lime required for the stabilization varies between 2 to
10% of the soil.
Lime stabilization is not effective for sandy soil.
The following amount used as a rough guide
2 to 5% for clay gravel material having less than 50% of silt-
clay fraction
5 to 10% for soil having more than 50% of silt-clay fraction
About 10% for heavy clays (Expensive Soil) used as base and
sub base
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6.2.2.1 Stabilization and construction operations:
b. Perform mixing
The stabilizing agent shall only be applied to such an area that all
processing, watering, compacting and finishing can be completed
within 10 hours.
Grade the roadbed surface to specified lines, grades, and cross sections.
Scarify/ Pulverize: Scarify the road bed to the specified depth and
width and pulverize the scarified material to 100% passing 75-mm
sieve
Remove all unsuitable soil and organic materials
Mix quick lime thoroughly wit the dry roadbed material before
adding water, add water to the mixture within 6 hours of dry mixing.
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Adding water: add water and thoroughly mix. Limit the
maximum moisture content to 3 percent over the optimum
Mixing pulverized soil and cement with water and compacting the
mix to attain a strong material
Cement-soil mixtures may be processed by:
Road mixing equipment,
Travelling mixing plant, and
Central mixing plant
Requirements of cement content for different soil types
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6.2.3.1 The basic steps in the construction of cement stabilized
layer include:
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Initial preparation of the soil
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Spreading the stabilizer
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Watering and mixing
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Compaction and finishing
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Curing process
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5.6 Bituminous stabilized materials:
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7.1 Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete:
Component of HMA concrete
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7.1.1.a Bituminous Prime Coat
The objective of Bituminous Prime Coat ?
Temporary waterproofing
To coat and bond loose mineral particles on the surface
of the base
to plunge capillary voids
Promotes bond between base and HMA
Hardens the surface
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7.1.1.b Tack Coat
An application of bituminous binder to an existing surface to ensure
bond between new and old surface.
Objective of tack coat
Promotes necessary bond between old surface which is dry and
hungry and new treatment which is thin.
Thin carpets have a tendency to peel of under excessive tangential
stress unless bonded to the old surface
Too much of tack coat-may create plane of slippage between
pavement courses i.e may act as lubricant than as adhesive. It may
create fat Spots or bleeding on the surface of the new pavement. the
rate of application of tack coat shall be 0.2 to 0.6 litre/m2
depending on the surface to be treated with tack coat; or as directed
by the Engineer
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7.1.2 Production of HMA Concrete
Are prepared at an asphalt mixing plant
Operations of batching mixing plant
Cold aggregate storage
Proportioning
Drying/heating
Screening
Hot aggregate storage
Measuring and mixing aggregates with Bituminous
mixing
Discharging in to trucks ,storage silo or surge bin
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7.1.3. Transporting asphaltic mixes
The asphaltic mixes shall be transported from the mixing
plant to the spreader in trucks having cargo trays with
beds and sides, which are clean and smooth, without
gaps, holes or openings.
The bed and sides shall be treated to prevent adhesion of
the mixture to the truck bodies
All trucks used for transporting hot asphalt shall be
equipped with waterproof covers, insulated metal sheets
or other suitable approved covers to minimize
temperature loss from the asphaltic mix.
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Such covers shall be securely fixed over the hot asphaltic
mix from the time of loading at the mixing plant until
immediately prior to the discharge of the asphaltic mix
into the paver.
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Asphalt
Clearance Priming concrete
laying
Earth
work Base course
construction
Ancillary works
Drainage structure
construction Lane mark
Traffic signs and
Retaining wall Sub base posts
,Culverts ,
Bridges and side
drainages
construction Protection works
like gabion, slope
protection