Rural roads – pavement applications

simplified
Iromi Ranasoma, Deputy Director, Research &
Development Division, Road Development Authority
 Presentation outline
1. Introduction
2. Objective
3. Design concepts
4. Typical Pavement Types for low volume Rural roads
5. Pavement Investigations for Low volume Rural roads
6. Analysis of Data
7. Thickness Design Proposals
8. Conclusion & Recommendation
 1 Introduction
– What are Rural roads?
• They represent the Roads that belong to the rural regimes and characterized by
– Limited or low volume of traffic
– More or less homogeneous sections having a single to intermediate lane
capacity
– Similar geometrical and pavement construction types in respect of the
existing roads
• They are catering to remote & far off locations of habitats, places of interest,
farms etc. across the island.
• In the local scenario they are more or less C&D class roads (managed by
Provincial authorities, Pradeshiya sabhas, etc..) and some of B class roads
(National roads) managed by RDA.
 Introduction - Typical B class Low volume roads
Rural Streets in NCP & NWP

Minneriya – Galoya B617 NCP

Ratameda Rd NWP

Manampitiya – Dalukane -
Maduruoya
Mahakeliya – Katupotha B258
 Introduction - Types of B class Low volume roads
Country roads in Uva

Welimada – Boralanda – Ohiya – Hortan plains

Poonagala – Koslanda 9km UVA
Poonagala – Koslanda 4.2km

Rendapola – Ambewala 3.6km

Rendapola – Ambewala 1km & 3km

 Introduction continue

Why do you need simplified designs for the pavement?

• The roads belong to a sector with similar characteristics
• exhibit a similarity in existing pavement construction, traffic levels & geometric
conditions.
• Majority pavements are of traditional metalling & tarring type
• require upgrading for present day requirement of traffic, comfortable riding surface,
and low frequent maintenance
• Hence upgrading/Improvement options in terms of resurfacing & making corrections
for edges lead towards a solution which is common
• Hence a common simplified methodology of pavement design (overlaying) with
typical sections can be adopted.
• The significance is that the engineer is able to make quicker and easy decisions and
minimize time, cost & resources spent on detail pavement investigations, lab testing &
designing.
 2 Objective
• To propose simplified methodology for pavement overlay with typical
thickness designs for road pavement construction of rural roads having
low volume of traffic.
 3 Design concepts
• Why are Road pavements needed ?
• Disperse the loads created by vehicle tyres & reduce the stresses on the subgrade to such a
level that the subgrade does not deform.
• How is this achieved?
• Thickness Designing of the road pavement while at the same time ensuring that the pavement
layers themselves are strong enough to accommodate the stresses & strains to which each
layer is exposed.
• What are the Design parameters?
• The subgrade strength - is assessed for the design and normally indicated by the CBR
• Volume of heavy vehicular traffic during the design life of pavement in terms of Cumulative
number of Standard Axles (80KN ESAL applications).
 Design concepts
The structure of Road pavement
• consists typically of one or more layers of
material with different strength
characteristics.
• each layer serving the purpose of
distributing the load it receives at the top
over a wider area at the bottom.
• The layers in the upper part of the
structure are subjected to higher stress
levels than those lower down and
therefore need to be constructed from
stronger material.
 4 Typical Pavement Types for Low volume roads

– Asphalt concrete surfaced

– Cement concrete surfaced
– Inter locking concrete block paved
 Pavement Types of Low volume roads – Flexible bituminous
pavements
Asphalt concrete surfaced Flexible pavements
consists of
– Capping layer: for sufficient cover over weak
subgrades
– Sub base: This is the layer of selected materials on
top of the prepared subgrade and should have the
ability to support construction traffic without
excessive deformation and as a filter and separating
layer.
– Base: Graded crushed rock aggregate layer on
prepared Sub base.
– Surfacing: Should have highest quality of materials,
high resistance to deformation, and withstand high
stresses.
 Pavement Types of Low volume roads – Cement
Concrete pavements
• A Cement concrete pavement
comprises the following
elements:
– Sub-base: a low plasticity soil sub-
base or a dense graded aggregate sub-
base;

– Cement concrete slab: This consist

of construction of un-reinforced, dowel
jointed, plain cement concrete
pavement.
•
 Pavement Types of Low volume roads – Interlocking
block pavements
• A concrete Interlocking block pavement comprises
the following elements:
– Sub-base: a primed and sand sealed Soil sub-base;
– Laying Course: 25 - 30 mm compacted layer of
sharp sand cushion;
– Surface Course: Interlocking Blocks nominal
225mm x 100mm x 80mm;
– Edge Restraint: a firm edge to prevent the blocks
from migrating outwards
– These pavements have an aesthetic appeal and are
recognized as serviceable load-carrying pavements
with satisfactory riding quality.
– The interlocking blocks can be restored after
disturbance without a 'patched' appearance, and can
be trafficked immediately afterwards.
 5 Pavement Investigations for low volume Rural roads
• Engineer should make a Visual Inspection of
the road giving due considerations to;
• Subgrade conditions
– for example low lying flood prone areas, paddy
field areas, high ground & soft ground sections,
townships etc
• and pavement condition in respect of the
extent of deterioration
– Deterioration usually includes cracks visible on
the surface, deformation in the wheel-tracks (ruts),
potholes, erosion, loss of surface material, and
general surface deformation.
• Based on the outcome, road can be divided
into sections with similar condition levels,
treatment options etc
 Pavement Investigations for low volume Rural roads conti….
• For identified homogeneous
sections, subgrade strength
assessment is carried out by
cutting test pits;
– Identify existing pavement
composition.
– conducting Dynamic Cone
Penetration Test (DCP), field
density & moisture content
– Hand Auguring where necessary
– and collection of a few
representative sampling for
laboratory analysis.
 6 Analysis of Data
Test Pit data
• The selected roads for the
analysis were from Uva,
Sabaragamuwa, NCP, Eastern,
& North Western provinces
which were identified under
LBFP.
• According to test pit details
the pavement structure mostly
consist of 14mm to 37.5mm
aggregate layers sprayed with
bitumen.

•
 Analysis of test pit data
TP C’way thickne
layer1 layer 2 thickness
Chainage width ss
Horambawa- Paduwasnuwara
Agg with
3+700 4.00 40.00
bitumen(37.5mm)
Agg with Agg with
0+300 4.00 20.00 80
bitumen(14mm) soil(50mm)
Agg with
1+600 4.00 50.00
bitumen(37.5mm)
Agg with
2+800 4.00
bitumen(37.5mm)
50.00
Agg with
4+500 3.40 70.00
bitumen(50mm)
Agg with Aggregate(110x
5+900 4.00 70.00 110
bitumen(50mm) 50mm)
Agg with
6+500 3.80 70.00
bitumen(50mm)
 6.1 Determination of equivalent pavement thickness
Structural Layer Coefficients
A common equivalent pavement thickness (converted to Structural Layer structural coef

Number ,SN) for the existing pavement of rural roads was derived based 1. Single surface dressing
2. Sand seal, hot bitumen application
0.10
0.05-0.
on this study of 28 number of road sections with test pit data of existing 3. Double surface dressing
4. Asphalt Concrete (high stability)
0.20
0.40
0.35 –
pavement 5. Hot rolled asphalt (surfacing)
6. Flexible bituminous surfacing 0.30
7. Bitumen macadam road base 0.30
8. Bitumen bound base, asphalt treated base 0.30
9. Penetration macadam 0.20(*)
10. Dense graded crushed stone base (CBR 110) 0.14
• For the 11. Water bound and dry bound macadam
12. Single sized aggregate base
0.14
0.125(*
assessment of 13. Granular base (CBR 80)
14. Cem. or Lime Stab. Base (3.0 – 6.0 MPa)
0.12
0.18 –
15. Cem. or Lime Stab. Base (1.5 – 3.0 MPa) 0.13 –
equivalent 16. Cem. or Lime Stab. Base (CBR 80)
17. Cem. or Lime Stab. subbase (0.75 – 1.5 MPa)
0.12(*)
0.11
pavement 18. Granular subbase (CBR 30)
19. Granular subbase (CBR 20)
0.11
0.095

thickness ,layer 20. Capping layer (CBR 15)

21. Granular subbase/capping layer (CBR 8)
0.09
0.07

coefficients were (*) Inferred value

assigned for
existing pavement
layers.
 Determination of equivalent pavement thickness continue
• The equivalent pavement thickness
in terms of converted SN for the Distribution of existing pavement strength
16

161road sections varied from 3.6 to 14

45 with a median value of 15.6. 12

FREQUENCY
10

• It is assumed here that around 10 6

to 15 percent of the existing 4

pavement will require re- 2

construction. 0

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9

22

45
10
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More
SN EXISTING
 6.2 Determination of Traffic Parameters
Traffic predictions were analysed to determine

• A correlation between CNSA ADT,CNSA &%GE HEAVY VEHICLES

Route From Total CNSA/lan Traffic Class
and ADT in order to simplify Year
No
Name of Road
(Km)
To (Km) ADT
CNSA e (x0.7)
%HV's
range
ADT Range

the design traffic B359

Passara - Hingurukaduwa -
2013 Pelwatte 0.00 30.17 440 0.3713 0.260 12.62%
determination (assuming 2016 B 236 Koslande - Poonagala 0.00 8.24 690 0.241618 0.169 15.06% <0.3 up to 700
that the roads will improve to 2017 B163 Old Ingiriya - Halwathura
2014 B 415 Bengamuwa-Heegoda
0.00
0.00
0.50
7.30
1225
1739
0.0800
0.4093
0.056
0.287
11.95%
7.73%
minimum 2-lane single 2016 B507 Rendapola - Ambewela 0.00 8.24 807 0.4890 0.342 32.36%
2011 Iyakachi-Kaddaikadu-Chundikulam 813 0.4906 0.343 31.67%
carriageway standard) 2015 B 328 Norton - Maskeliya 0.00 16.80 1026 0.969374 0.679 26.37%
2013 B075 Chavakachcheri - Puloly 0.00 19.31 1086 0.5846 0.409 10.41%
• To get a representative truck 2013 AB 021 Jaffana-Ponnalai-pointpedro 0.00 55.38 1118 0.7429 0.520 10.28%
traffic (heavy vehicles) 2013 AB021 Jaffna - Ponnalai - Point Pedro 28.50 30.50 1118 0.7689 0.538 10.29%
2014 B264 Mallawapitiya-Rambadagalla-Keppitigala 20.25 37.25 1440 0.9016 0.631 23.42% 0.3-0.7 700 - 1100
percentage. 2012 B114 Elpitiya - Avittawa 2.99 16.76 1479 0.9720 0.680 13.94%
2016 B034 Ayagama - Kukulegama 0.00 14.48 1977 0.4812 0.337 15.66%
2013 B337 Old Kattankudy road 0.00 7.67 2487 0.7368 0.516 2.89%
2017 B482 Yatiyantota - Poonagala - Meenagala 0.00 3.00 3324 0.5700 0.399 10.29%
2017 B482 Yatiyantota Poonagala Meenagala 0.00 3.00 3324 0.5736 0.402 10.29%
B508 Welimade - Borelanda - Ohiya - Horton0.00
Plains 32.47 4271 0.974023 0.682 15.53%
Determination of Traffic Parameters continue

Design Traffic parameters – study based (proposed)

Design CNSA
Traffic Class ADT Range Applicable %ge of
Range (ORN31
(ORN31 Table 2.2) (proposed) HV’s (proposed)
Table2.2) msa

T1 <0.3 Up to 700 9

T2 0.3 – 0.7 700 – 1100 10

T3 0.7 – 1.5 1100 – 1400 12

 7 Thickness Design Proposals

• Guidance for layer thickness designs are obtained from;

• For Flexible bituminous pavements
– ORN 31 which includes design charts (catalogues) as a principal aid for pavement design.
– Thickness design proposals given here are based on the TRL Overseas Road Note 31 Structural
Catalogue Chart 1: Granular Road Base/ Surface Dressing
• For Cement Concrete pavements
– TRL Road Note 29, ORN31, A Guide to the Structural Design of Roads under Sri Lankan
Conditions
• For Interlocking Concrete Block Paving pavements
– TRL Road Note 29, ORN31, A Guide to the Structural Design of Roads under Sri Lankan
Conditions, BS 7533 Part1,& SLS 1425: Part 1.
 Thickness Design Proposals - Flexible bituminous pavements
Design Parameters Proposed Design layer thicknesses (mm)

CNSA Applicable Design CBR% Overlay for Carriageway Edge Widening

ADT (vpd)
(msa) %ge HV’s (subgrade) AC DGAB AC DGAB SSB CBR 30% SC CBR 15%
2 40 175 175 300
N/A
3,4 40 175 150 200
5-7 40 150 40 175 150 0
<0.3 9 UP TO 700
8 - 14 40 150 40 175 150 0
15 - 29 40 150 40 150 150 0
30+ 40 150* 40 150 0 0
2 40 175 225 300
N/A
3,4 40 175 200 200
5-7 40 200 40 200 175 0
0.3 - 0.7 10 700 - 1100
8 - 14 40 150 40 175 150 0
15 - 29 40 150 40 150 150 0
30+ 40 150* 40 150 0 0
2 40 225 200 300
N/A
3,4 40 225 175 200
5-7 40 225 40 225 175 0
0.7 - 1.5 12 1100 - 1400
8 - 14 40 150 40 175 175 0
15 - 29 40 150 40 150 150 0
30+ 40 150* 40 150 0 0

The lower CBR values (2-4 range) if present in existing

carriageway areas will need special attention in respect of the
improvement option (such as re-construction, applying
reinforcement layer etc., depending on the site condition), and
hence not covered in this typical layer design proposals.
 Thickness Design Proposals - Cement Concrete Pavement (Un-Reinforced)
CNSA (msa) 0.1 – 0.3
ADT (vpd) Up to 700 ( 9% HV’s)
Minimum thickness of sub-base Minimum thickness of
(options) Concrete slab.
Design Subgrade CBR ( % )
Min. 28 day crushing
Soil Sub-base CBR >20% Dense Graded Aggregate
strength 28 N/mm2
2 or less 175 150 175
2 – 15 150 150 175
15 or more
(includes undisturbed - - 175
foundations of old roads)
 Thickness Design Proposals - Interlocking Cement Concrete Block
Pavement For Low Volume Roads
CNSA (msa) 0.1 – 0.3
ADT (vpd) Up to 700 ( 9% HV’s)
Soil Capping layer Laying course (mm) Surfacing course
Design Subgrade CBR Soil Sub-base (SSB)
(mm) (Compressive strength
( %) Type1 (mm) CBR 20+
CBR 8+ 30N/mm2)
2 300 250 25 – 30 Interlocking Cement
3,4 200 200 25 – 30 Concrete paving
5–7 - 200 25 – 30 Blocks nominal
8 – 14 - 150 25 – 30 220mm x 110mm x
15 – 19 - 150 25 – 30 80mm
20 - - 25 – 30

• Concrete block paving including

the sand cushion can be laid
directly over a sub-base where it
(the blocks and sand) replaces the
base course and wearing surface of
a normal black topped road.
 8 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION
• Pavement overlaying for low volume rural roads can be made easy with the
introduction of typical layer thicknesses.
• With reasonable visual assessment of the pavement & subgrade conditions,
and few testing the engineer is able to make easy decisions for viable layer
thicknesses knowing the average daily traffic plying the road.
• The proposed sections are a combination of TRL Road Notes, R&D
documents and those which have been adopted in the past.
• Confirmation of performance could be done by assessment survey of
performance of those roads.
• Also more volume of data analysis could provide with more reliable results.
• Further studies shall be made to incorporate stabilized bases/ subbases &
geosynthetic applications.
THANK YOU