EXERCISE I: Generalities in roads construction 14mrks

1. List four types of roads based on construction materials 1x4mrks

 Earthen roads
 Gravel roads
 Murrum roads
 Kankar roads
 Bituminous roads
 Concrete roads
2. In your own words do u understand by a road? 2mrks
A road is a way or route on land between two places that are paved or improved to permit travel by
transportation means such as cars, motor vehicles, and horses.
3. How many layers are in in flexible pavement and rigid pavement? 6mrks
Flexible pavement consists of four layers, namely, surface course, base course, subbase course, and subgrade
course.
Rigid pavement consists of three layers; surface course, base course, and subgrade course.

4. What is the best material for road construction? 2mrks

Asphalt is by far the best materials for the construction of roads. It is easy to handle compared with concrete.
Essential constituent materials are aggregated, such as sand, gravel, stone, and petroleum byproducts.

5. draw the transversal section of single carriage way road and name its parts 3mrks

b) Draw the transversal section of double carriage way road and name its parts 3mrks

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 EXERCISE 2: Road signs and road pavement structure
1. State two functions each for the of the subgrade, sub base and surface or wearing course 4mrks
Functions of subgrade coarse
 Serves as the foundation and acts as a uniform support to pavements.
 Sub grades bear the entire load of the payments along with the service load of traffic
Functions of subbase coarse
 The sub-base layer enhances the bearing capacity of the subgrade and improves the load
distribution capacity of the base course and wearing course.

 The sub-base course prevents the entry of finely graded sub-grade soil to the base course layer.

 They prevent the capillary rise of water and enable free drainage of water entering the pavement.

 This layer provides insulation to sub-grades against frost

Function of Surface or Wearing Course

 To provide a smooth and uniform rigid surface.

 To resist the abrasive forces of traffic.

 To prevent dust nuisance.

2. Below are some signs used in road construction state the meaning of each sign

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 EXERCISE 3: Flexible and Rigid Pavement Design
1. Give the meaning of CBR and IRC as use in pavement design 2mrks
IRC (Indian road congress)
CBR (California bearing ratio) value.
2. State two methods use for pavement thickness from CBR 4mrks
 CBR method recommended by California State of highways
 CBR method recommended by IRC (Indian road congress)
3. State four data required for flexible pavement design according to CBR method recommended by
California State of highways:
a. CBR value of soil subgrade
b. CBR value of sub base course
c. CBR value of base course
d. Wheel load in KG or KN
4. Draw the structure of a road and name its parts showing all it layers 2mrks

During pavement design of a road the cbr(%) value was found to be 9 using the chart in the appendix
determine the following given that the maximum load of the wheel is 40.82kN
a. State the nature of traffic
The nature of the traffic is Medium traffic since the load is 40.82kN
b. The total thickness of the road pavement (T)

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 From the chart the total thickness of pavement is 300mm
c. The sub base course thickness (tsb) given that the thickness of pavement above the sub base is 150mm
The thickness of sub base course tsb =T – Tsb = 300- 150mm = 150mm
Hence tsb = 150mm

d. Calculate the base course thickness (tb) given that the surface thickness will be 50mm
Calculation of base course thickness (tb) tb = Tsb – ts hence we will have 150mm - 50mm =

100mm Hence tb = 100mm

e. State the main difference between flexible pavement and rigid pavement intern of material for
construction
Regid pavements are Made of Cement Concrete either plan, reinforced or prestressed concrete while
flexible pavements are made of Granular material

EXERCISE 4: Highway Geometric Design

The point of intersection (P.I.) of two tangent lines is station 15+20. The radius of curvature is 275 m, and
the angle of deflection is 52o.
1. Find the length of the curve, 3mrks

2. Length of the long chord 2mrks

3. Length of the tangent 2mrks

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4. Length of the external distance 2mrks

5. Length of the middle ordinate 2mrks

6. The station for the P.C. and P.T. 4mrks

7. State two advantages transition curves 3mrks

 A natural, easy to follow path for drivers such that the centrifugal force increases and decreases
gradually as a vehicle enters and leaves a circular curve
 Flexibility in the widening of sharp curves
 Enhancement in the appearance of the highway
8. Name three types of vertical curves:
 Uphill or downhill slopes
 Crest vertical curves the entry tangent grade is greater than the exit tangent grade.
 Sag vertical curves -the entry tangent grade is lower than the exit tangent grade.

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