Pavement Evaluation of Mbagathi Road, Kenya
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Date
2012Author
Adoyo, Felix Otieno
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Mbagathi Road has been open to traffic for six years and yet various distress features
have been observed despite the fact that most concrete roads are expected to operate
for over twenty (20) years without any major maintenance and without exhibiting any
distresses. The objectives of this research was to determine the relationship in the
observed pattern of deterioration of Mbagathi Road with the performance of concrete
slabs forming part of Mbagathi Way, to conduct a pavement condition survey and to
determine magnitude and pattern of deflection of pavement slabs.
This thesis describes a literature review, studies on concrete road deflections, pavement
condition survey, traffic loading on Mbagathi Road and analysis of results that provides
baseline information on the performance of Mbagathi Road.
The assumption by Westergaard of infinite or semi-infinite slab was in tandem with this
research and hence the applicability of these equations is not in doubt. This research
concurred with other researchers who observed that as a/I increase, finite element
stresses and deflections become progressively higher than Westergaard's. In addition,
the pattern of observed deflections were similar the progression of Westergaard's
deflections.
It was found that Mbagathi Road is weaker than the ideal Westergaard assumption.
However, despite the fact that high noise levels were observed on Mbagathi Road, the
determination of homogenous section through pavement condition surveys and
measurement of pavement deflections yielded correlated results. Pavement deflections
were directly proportional to the overall pavement condition and drainage conditions
influenced, to a large extent, the overall pavement condition in terms of the occurrence
of distresses. Homogeneity of concrete influences the degree pavement deflections while
the performance of Joints indicated.performance of concrete pavements.
Despite the observed weaknesses, Mbagathi Road is expected to survive its intended life
without major deterioration. special attention must be paid to drainage conditions which
were found to indicate eminent failure of the pavement. Resealing of observed cracks
will reduce percolation of water into the pavement layers and hence prolong the life of
the pavement.
Citation
Master of Science in Civil EngineeringPublisher
University of Nairobi Department of Civil and Construction Engineering