Abstract
In order to minimise the cost of constructing low volume roads (LVRs), it is essential that optimum use is made of locally available, naturally occurring materials. However, conflicts often arise between material acceptability, as defined by conventional test methods and specifications, and material suitability in terms of actual engineering performance as a “fit-for-purpose” road construction material. To avoid such conflicts, it is crucial to adopt appropriate test methods and specifications for selecting construction materials. This paper presents a materials evaluation framework for optimizing the utilisation of materials in LVR pavements based on the use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP). This approach enables materials to be selected on the basis of their “fitness-for-purpose”. It avoids suitable materials from being rejected based on one or other of the traditionally specified parameters not being complied with, even though their strength, as measured by the DCP penetration rate (DN value in mm/blow) of the soil, may be adequate. Investigations of the properties of a wide range of locally available materials that have been used successfully in the construction of LVRs have confirmed the validity of the materials evaluation framework.
Highlights
Occurring soils, gravel soil mixtures, and gravels occur extensively in many tropical and sub-tropical climatic zones
This paper presents a materials evaluation framework for optimizing the utilisation of materials in low volume roads (LVRs) pavements based on the use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP)
The challenge often faced by designers in attempting to use local materials more extensively is that the use of traditional test methods and the application of traditional specifications have often resulted in their rejection even though practice may have shown that they may be “fit-for-purpose” for use and perform successfully within a given LVR environment [1]
Summary
Gravel soil mixtures, and gravels occur extensively in many tropical and sub-tropical climatic zones. In order to minimise construction costs and, life-cycle costs, maximum use must be made of these materials for the affordable upgrading of unpaved roads to paved LVRs. the challenge often faced by designers in attempting to use local materials more extensively is that the use of traditional test methods and the application of traditional specifications have often resulted in their rejection even though practice may have shown that they may be “fit-for-purpose” for use and perform successfully within a given LVR environment [1]. The challenge often faced by designers in attempting to use local materials more extensively is that the use of traditional test methods and the application of traditional specifications have often resulted in their rejection even though practice may have shown that they may be “fit-for-purpose” for use and perform successfully within a given LVR environment [1] This situation highlights the need to find appropriate and reliable test methods that would facilitate the selection and more wide-spread use of local, natural materials to construct LVRs
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