Investigation of geotechnical properties of gravel materials for improved quality of unpaved roads

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.