Basic Soil Test On Sub-Grade Soil Material & Flexible Pavement Design On Road Linking
(A Case Study Of Ugwuaji Campus M, Imt; Enugu)
A fundamental soil test on sub-grade soil material is indispensable in flexible pavement design for roads linking various destinations. The examination involves assessing the soil’s properties like density, moisture content, grain size distribution, and shear strength to ascertain its suitability as a foundation for the pavement structure. Additionally, tests such as California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and Plate Load Test (PLT) are conducted to gauge the sub-grade’s load-bearing capacity under traffic loads. Incorporating these findings into the pavement design ensures the construction of a robust road network, enhancing durability and minimizing maintenance costs while facilitating safe and efficient transportation between connected areas.
Title Page
Approval Page
Certification
Dedication
Preface
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Collection of Sample and Laboratory Testing Program
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Mechanical Analysis
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Compacting Test
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Atterberg Limit Test
4.1 Liquid Limit
4.2 Plastic Limit
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Califorms Bearing Ration (CBR) Test
CHAPTER SIX
6.0 Analysis Conclusion and Recommendation
6.1 Flexible Pavement Design
6.2 Bibliography
COLLECTION OF SAMPLES AND LABORATORY TESTING PROGRAM
The test carried out in this project was on distributed soil sample.
This implies collecting soil samples that are disfigured their natural shape.
Soil samples were collected on three (3) trial pit along Ugwuaji and Campus 111 IMT Enugu. A total of three (3) samples were collected from the trial pits (one from each pit) using pick are and spade. The samples were taken at 1.0m depth in each pit. The samples were put in polythene bags and labelled A, B, C. The samples were spread on the floor of the soil laboratory and stones removed for seven (7) days to allow for air drying.
The laboratory testing program comprises mechanical analysis, compaction test and atterberg limit tests, and the California bearing ratio (CBR) test.
The objectives of the laboratory testing program were
1. To obtain a general information regarding the nature of the soil and their variation with depth throughout the length of the road under consideration.
2. To obtain information regarding the strength characteristics of the soil.
3. To obtain information which will enable engineers to group soils according to their appearances of the purposes of complying different soils.
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Basic Soil Test On Sub-Grade Soil Material & Flexible Pavement Design On Road Linking:
Performing basic soil tests on sub-grade soil material is an essential step in the design and construction of flexible pavements for roads. These tests help engineers assess the properties of the soil and determine its suitability for supporting the pavement structure. Here are the basic soil tests and the steps involved in flexible pavement design for a road linking:
1. Soil Sampling:
Obtain soil samples from various depths at the proposed road site using appropriate sampling equipment (e.g., augers or soil tubes).
Ensure that samples are representative of the sub-grade soil.
2. Laboratory Testing:
Transport the soil samples to a laboratory for testing. Standard laboratory tests include:
a. Particle Size Analysis: Determine the distribution of soil particles into different sizes (sand, silt, clay) using methods like sieve analysis and hydrometer analysis.
b. Atterberg Limits: Determine the liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index to assess the soil’s plasticity and shrink-swell potential.
c. Proctor Compaction Test: Determine the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content to understand how the soil compacts.
d. California Bearing Ratio (CBR): Assess the soil’s strength by conducting CBR tests, which involve penetration of a plunger into the soil sample under specified conditions.
e. Triaxial Shear Test: Conduct triaxial tests to evaluate the soil’s shear strength parameters under different stress conditions.
3. Soil Classification:
Classify the soil based on its properties according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) or AASHTO classification system.
4. Sub-grade Evaluation:
Evaluate the sub-grade soil properties, including its strength, compaction characteristics, and soil classification, to determine its suitability for pavement support.
5. Pavement Design:
Perform pavement design using appropriate methods like the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design method or the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG).
6. Pavement Thickness Design:
Determine the required thickness of each pavement layer (sub-grade, sub-base, base, and surface course) based on traffic loads, soil properties, climate, and other factors.
7. Material Selection:
Select suitable materials for each pavement layer based on their properties and availability.
8. Construction Specifications:
Develop construction specifications that include guidelines for material placement, compaction, and quality control.
9. Quality Control and Testing During Construction:
Implement quality control measures during construction to ensure that materials are placed and compacted as per design specifications.
Conduct field tests to monitor and verify the quality of construction.
10. Maintenance and Monitoring:
– Establish a maintenance plan to monitor the pavement’s condition and address any issues that arise during its service life.
It’s crucial to engage experienced geotechnical engineers and pavement designers to perform these tests and design the pavement properly. The quality of the sub-grade soil and the pavement design are critical factors in ensuring the long-term durability and performance of the road linking project.