LOAD ROAD CONSTRUCTION

I. EARTHWORKS
In the construction process, earthwork involves the loosening, removal, and handling of earth
volumes. Earthworks are completed to provide a level terrace or "bench" with an even
longitudinal slope on which drainage and camber can be constructed.

 Clearing & Grubbing

Clearing and grubbing is the process of preparing the road right-of-way or construction
area. Trees are felled during the clearance phase. The clearing and removal of stumps
and organic debris is referred to as grubbing. Trees should be felled and cleared at least
1 to 3 meters from the cut's top or fill's toe. The logs can be slid away or decked beyond
the building zone.

 Excavation
Excavation of the road way will be done in accordance with the designed cross sections,
and this work will include the excavation of soil, hard rock, and soft rock. The entire
strength and performance of a pavement is determined not only by its design, but also by
the sub-grade soil's load-bearing capacity. As a result, anything that can be done to
improve the sub-grade soil's load-bearing capacity (or structural support) will almost
certainly improve pavement load-bearing capacity, and consequently pavement strength
and performance.

 Embankment
An embankment is a type of earthen structure that is used to elevate the height of a
roadway or railway above the surrounding terrain.

a. Spreading
The material is spread in relatively thin layers of 150 mm (6 in) to 200 mm (8 in)
and each layer is compacted by rolling over it with heavy compaction equipment.

b. Compaction
If adequate compaction is not being attained, the thickness of the lift may have to
be reduced or the size of the roller or number of passes may have to be
increased.

c. Benching
When the embankment is constructed on hillside slopes, it is necessary to bench
the surface of the hill slope to add stability to the slope.

 Subgrade Preparation
Preparation of subgrade consists of all operations before the pavement structure could be
placed over it and compacted. The subgrade may be situated on an embankment or
excavation or at the existing ground surface.

a. Sieves Analysis
The sieve analysis determines the gradation (the distribution of aggregate
particles, by size, within a given sample) in order to determine compliance with
design, production control requirements, and verification specifications.

b. FDT (Field Density Test)

The in-situ density of natural soil is needed for the determination of bearing
capacity of soils, for the purpose of stability analysis of slopes, for the
determination of pressures on underlying strata for the calculation of settlement
and the design of underground structures.
 II. SUBBASE
Subbase is a layer of gravel on top of the subgrade. A subbase can also act as a capillary
break, preventing water from wicking up from the groundwater table and into the slab. The
subbase material is usually a reasonably low-cost gravel without a lot of fines.

 Subbase Preparation
A base course on top of the subbase makes it easier to get to the proper grade and to get
it flat. The entire subbase and base system should be at least 4 inches thick—thicker if
the engineer feels it is needed for proper support.

a. California Bearing Ratio Test

The California Bearing Ratio test is penetration test meant for the evaluation of
subgrade strength of roads and pavements. The results obtained by these tests
are used with the empirical curves to determine the thickness of pavement and its
component layers.

 Subbase Materials
 Recycled concrete
 Granular fill
 Manufactured aggregate
 Crushed rock
 Lean concrete
 Recycled materials, such as crushed concrete or brick

a. FDT (Field Density Test)

III. PCCP (Portland Cement Concrete Pavement)

Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) consists of cement, sand, aggregate (rocks)
and water. There are also admixtures – materials often added to the concrete mix to alter its
properties. These admixtures can do a number of things to the concrete mix.

 Materials
 Type 1 Portland Cement
 Fine Aggregates
 Coarse Aggregates
 Water
 Joint Fillers
 Admixtures
 Curing Materials

 Procedure

a. Surveying
Surveyors provide information on their position and track the road building process to
ensure the correct location. Once the soil is levelled and elevated, an inspector must
review the area to ensure that the surface is adequately constructed in compliance with
the plans.

b. Installation of Forms
Shall be of correct shape, free from bends and kinks and sufficiently rigid to maintain its
shape and position under the weight and working conditions of the laying and compacting
equipment, and shall be set to true lines and levels and securely fixed in position to
 prevent any subsequent disturbance

c. Final Verification
The project has achieved all the technical and performance requirements set out in the
construction contract. The contractor has transferred to the owner of the project title to all
materials and equipment used in the construction of the project.

d. Pouring of Concrete
Site-poured concrete is building material that is poured, molded, and cured onsite.
Pouring concrete onsite is a common practice in trenchless construction. Site-poured
concrete is also known as in-situ concrete or cast-in-place concrete.

e. Floating
A concrete float is a tool used to finish a concrete surface by making it smooth. A float is
used after the surface has been made level using a screed.

f. Brooming
After the concrete has been poured and levelled, a stiff broom is used to give it a rough
surface. This process is known as broom finishing the concrete. Also called brushed
concrete, broom finish is one of the several concrete finishing techniques that are used
for getting different results with concrete.

g. Curing
Curing of concrete is defined as providing adequate moisture, temperature, and time to
allow the concrete to achieve the desired properties for its intended use.

h. Contraction of Joints
A contraction joint is a sawed, formed, or tooled groove in a concrete slab that creates a
weakened vertical plane. It regulates the location of the cracking caused by dimensional
changes in the slab.

i. Removal of Forms
The formwork should be removed only after when concrete component achieves its
sufficient strength.

j. Flexural Test
Flexural strength is one measure of the tensile strength of concrete. It is a measure of an un-reinforced
concrete beam or slab to resist failure in bending. It is measured by loading 6 x 6-inch (150 x 150 mm)
concrete beams with a span length of at least three times the depth.