Evaluation on the performance of Unpaved Road a case study from Deleta to Meta Welkite Road

Abstract

Evaluation of unpaved road construction is the assessment and investigation of material properties, distress, and adequacy of drainage. In Ethiopia, unpaved roads were serving the majority of the nations in major rural areas for agricultural, commercial, and other social mobility purposes. The main problem in unpaved road construction is causing major distresses of the pavement. The study area, along Deleta to Meta Welkite road, shows heavily deteriorated sections. Hence, this section of the road should be considered by coming up with a remedial measure if not maintained without evaluation it needs high maintenance cost and maintenance repetition throughout the year. Due to lack of proper distress survey on pavement, movement, and increasing the traffic volume, including seasonal variations over a while, the problem with gravel roads are numerous, the inaccessibility of the road during the rainy season is one. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of unpaved road case study from Deleta to Meta Welkite. An evaluation of unpaved roads was being identified using literature review, condition survey, and field data gathering on the affected portions was undertaken to identify the different types of distresses, drainage data; depth at the center of the ditch, width from road center to center of ditch. Condition survey distresses assessment were analyzed depending on their extent and severity and Samples were extracted from five distressed portions, including samples from one non-distressed portion. Laboratory tests of these samples were performed for Gradation, Compaction, CBR, Atterberg limit, and specific gravity tests. The finding indicates that distresses that were reduce performance pothole, rutting, erosion. The subgrade material is poor material according to AASHTO and USCS, with a high plastic index varies from 20.9% to 31.24%, gravel surfacing did not fulfill the ERA specification, CBR value of all material < 30% (between 3.25% to 11%). And also drainage was rated poor to very poor 100% along Meta Welkite to Deleta. Therefore, the concerned authority should give attention to drainage maintenance, selection of queries site, and select material according to specification.