Abstract:
Addressing issues of quality in gravel material by
introducing proper testing of material will greatly reduce
poor gravel road performance and the costs of maintenance.
Locally, shortage of land and settlement in rural areas
increases considerably every year and gravel roads are
increasingly becoming important and useful. Nevertheless,
gravel roads are faced by deterioration by different factors,
and because of these factors, corrugation, potholes, ruts,
dust (loose gravel), and loss of gravel, stoniness and
cracking will be the final output on gravel roads.
Researchers have focused on improving performance
through monitoring and improving maintenance procedures
in order to increase the life of unsealed roads worldwide.
This study investigates the geological properties of gravel
materials from borrow pits that are currently being used
within Palapye for improved quality of unpaved roads. This
study involves carrying out full tests on samples collected
from borrow pits including the Lecheng borrow pit and
comparing the results with the set quality standards for
gravel material from Botswana Bureau of Standards which
positively contributes to the economy of Botswana and to
the development goal of achieving good quality gravel
roads.