UGANDA TECHNICAL COLLEGE- BUSHENYI.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

REAL LIFE REPORT

NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

YEAR II SEMESTER I 2022-2023

A REPORT ON THE LABOUR BASED ROAD WORKS ONGOING AT NKONGORO HILL

PREPARED BY:

GROUP A MEMBERS

NDCE YEAR TWO, SEMESTER ONE

ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR:

LECTURER HABUMUREMYI BERNARD

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DECLARATION
We Group A do declare that the information in this report is my own work and true record
of all the activities at UGANDA TECHNICAL COLLEGE-BUSHENYI that I was involved in the
Road work project. This report has not been submitted to any academic or non-academic
institutions for any other qualifications. Any form of publishing, copying, and so forth is
prohibited.

NAME: GROUP A

Signature………………………………… Date: …. /……. /…

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
First, I would like to thank the principal and College staff for giving me the opportunity to do
my real life in due time enabling me to spark my interest in Civil engineering and to have
new plans, goals and ideas for my future career as a Civil Engineer.
I would like to thank my fellow students and colleagues for the assistance and efforts put up
while doing the real life project. With their patience and openness, they created an enjoyable
working environment.

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 ABSTRACT:

As A Civil engineering training student, l had several queries in my mind regarding the
different technologies used in and what skills are needed in dealing with road works. During
my project several queries are cleared by doing some activities. The objective of this project
is to gather information about the quick services and the major-minor problem that can be
observed in day to day life. I have learnt the rules and safety instruction which helps me in
understanding while working on Road sector. So, this project was a great experience. I gained
new knowledge and skills and met many new challenges including their solutions.
I took part in:
 Site investigation
 Laboratory soil tests for soil sample in the road way
 Site levelling: cut and fill Procedures

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 APPROVAL
This is to certify that Group A , of UTC-BUSHENYI has truthfully and successfully undertaken
real-life project training under supervision. His work done has been satisfactory so as to
fulfill all requirements for successful completion of his course. This document is true
testimony of the work done he undergone during his project.

ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR

NAME: Lecturer Habumuremyi Bernard

SIGNATURE…………………………………DATE……………………………………

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 DEDICATION
I dedicate this real-life project report to our lecturer supervisor, and course mates for their
support, prayers, and advice during my project training period for the betterment of my
academics. May almighty God reward you abundantly

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Introduction

The purpose of this report is to document the labor-based road construction and rehabilitation project
that was undertaken as part of the National Diploma in Civil Engineering. The project involved setting up
and rehabilitating a road, focusing on efficient construction methods and quality road infrastructure.
This report outlines the objectives, activities carried out, soil tests performed, challenges encountered,
recommendations, and the tools used throughout the project.

1.1 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

 To expose students to practical engineering experience and knowledge which is required in the
industry, which are learnt from “hands on” experiences.

 To acquire knowledge for designing of roads

 To train students to become job creators instead of job seekers.

 To train students and equip them with appropriate skills of road design

 To use experience gained during construction in discussions held in lecture rooms

1.2. Objectives

The main objectives of the project were as follows:

1. Construct a durable and well-engineered road infrastructure.

2. Utilize labor-based techniques to promote employment and skill development within the local
community.

3. Implement sustainable road construction practices to minimize environmental impact.

4. Improve connectivity and accessibility within the project area.

5. Conduct thorough soil tests to determine the suitable materials and design for the road.

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 CHAPTER TWO

ACTIVITIES DONE ON THE ROAD

2.1 Road Construction Phase

a) Site Assessment: Conducted a thorough survey of the project area to assess the existing
road conditions, soil quality, and terrain characteristics.

During the site assessment phase, the project team conducted a detailed survey of the project
area to gather essential information about the terrain, existing road conditions, and surrounding
environment. The following steps were taken:

Geotechnical Investigation: Soil samples were collected from various locations along the road alignment
for geotechnical analysis. This involved using tools like hoes to extract samples at specific depths to
understand the soil composition, bearing capacity, and suitability for road construction and then taken
to the laboratory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CROSS-SSECTION OF THE PROPOSED ROAD

Our carriageway was proposed to be 5meters wide and 2.5metres wide from the crown and also slope
towards each end for proper drainage by levelling using hoes and relevant local tools available.

1. Road Design: Developed a road design plan, considering factors such as traffic volume, road
classification, and expected loads.

In this specific section, members were tasked to use labour methods to setout the road using a
tape measure, profile boards, string line, reference pegs and relevant tools to set out the road.

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 Habumugisha , the Team leader set out the road from the centre Line a distance of 2.5metres
using a tape measure to account for the carriage way and embankment slope which was made
gently sloping for the proper drainage of water.

A photograph showing Group A members setting out the road using Tools like tape measure

2. Earthworks: Executed excavation and earthmoving activities to prepare the roadbed and
achieve the desired road alignment.

This was done by use of local tools available like slashers and pangas, with hoes to remove the
top layer of soil along the Shoulders of the roadside

This was a tiresome process due to the hot sunshine and hard terrain at Nkongoro Hill.

Photograph showing removal of Top soil and vegetation from the path way

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2.2 Road Rehabilitation Phase

1. Road Assessment: Assessed the current road conditions to identify areas in need of
rehabilitation and repairs.

2. Structural Repairs: Conducted necessary repairs on the existing road, including fixing potholes,
cracks, and other surface defects.

TABLE SHOWING THE VARIOUS TOOLS USED IN THE REAL LIFE PROJECT

ITEM ILLUSTRATION PURPOSE

Hammer To fix profile boards into the

ground

Tape Measure To measure objects and surfaces

accurately

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 CHAPTER THREE

SOIL TESTS

3.0 Soil Tests

The following soil tests were performed during the project:

1. Sieve Analysis: Determined the particle size distribution of the soil to classify it and identify the
percentage of different particle sizes.

2. Proctor Compaction Test: Measured the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content
of the soil to determine the compaction characteristics.

3. California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Test: Assessed the soil's bearing capacity to determine its
suitability as a road subgrade material.

Unfortunately, We could not access the laboratory to perform our soil tests.But in summary this
is how a CBR Test is done.

3.1 Description Of A Sieve Analysis Test.

1. Sample Collection: Collect a representative soil sample from the site of interest. Ensure that the
sample is free from large debris or organic matter.

2. Sample Preparation: Air-dry the soil sample to remove excess moisture. If the soil contains
cohesive or sticky particles, add water and break up aggregates before proceeding.

3. Sieves Selection: Choose a set of standard sieves with different mesh sizes. The sieves are
stacked in descending order from the coarsest at the top to the finest at the bottom.

4. Weighing: Weigh each sieve before starting the test. Also, weigh the empty catch pan placed at
the bottom of the sieve stack.

5. Sieving Process: Place the air-dried soil sample on the top sieve of the stack. Cover it with a lid
and start shaking or agitating the stack in a mechanical sieve shaker for a specific duration.

6. Mass Retained: After sieving, remove each sieve from the stack and weigh the soil particles
retained on each sieve. Record the mass retained for each sieve.

7. Mass Passing: Weigh the soil particles that pass through the finest sieve (#200 or #75 μm) and
collect them in the catch pan.

8. Calculation: Calculate the percentage of soil retained on each sieve and the percentage passing
through each sieve. Also, determine the cumulative percentage passing for each sieve.

9. Particle Size Distribution: Plot a particle size distribution curve using the data obtained from the
analysis. This curve shows the percentage passing versus the corresponding sieve size.

10. Interpretation: Analyze the particle size distribution to understand the soil's engineering
properties, such as its permeability, compaction behavior, and potential for different
applications.

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 CHAPTER 4

CHALLENGES, RECOMMENDATIONS, CONCLUSION

4.0 Challenges

1. Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions, such as hot sunshine posed challenges during
construction and affected the quality of the road and made us the laborers to quickly tire out.

2. Community Involvement: Ensuring active community involvement and participation in labor-

based construction required continuous effort and coordination.

3. Technical Expertise: The need for skilled labor and technical expertise presented challenges,
especially in road design and complex construction tasks.

4.1 Recommendations

1. Maintenance Plan: Develop a comprehensive maintenance plan to ensure the road's longevity
and performance over time.

2. Community Training: Provide training and skill development programs to improve the
community's capacity for future labor-based projects.

3. Local Material Exploration: Conduct further research to identify and explore local sources of
quality road construction materials.

4. Improved Drainage: Implement effective drainage systems to mitigate the impact of adverse
weather conditions on the road.

5. Regular Inspections: Schedule regular inspections and assessments to identify early signs of
road deterioration and address issues promptly.

4.2 Conclusion

The labor-based road construction and rehabilitation project successfully achieved its objectives,
providing a durable road infrastructure while empowering the local community through employment
opportunities and skill development. The challenges faced during the project highlighted the need for
continuous improvement and adaptation to ensure the success of similar initiatives in the future. The
recommendations provided will contribute to the sustainable maintenance and longevity of the
constructed road.

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References:

1. "Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice" by Karl Terzaghi, Ralph B. Peck, and Gholamreza Mesri:
2. "Soil Mechanics: Concepts and Applications" by William Powrie

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Appendix

A photograph showing Group A members setting out

the Road from the Centreline

A photograph showing Exavier, Group A member fixing a

profile board into the ground to mark out the established
route.

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