EMPIRICAL DESIGN OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT

(ENVIRONMENT)

Dr. E Fungo
University of Dar es Salaam

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 Environmental factors with greatest
effects on pavement performance

 Moisture regime in the pavement structure

 Pavement temperature

 Unfavourable subgrade condition related

to the environment

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 Climatic Zones

For the purpose of pavement

design, Tanzania is divided
into three climatic zones as:
 A dry zone in the interior
 A large moderate zone
 Several wet zones, mainly at
high altitudes

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 Sources of moisture in the pavement
 Relative permeability
of pavement layers
and subgrade
 Infiltration from the
surface and shoulders
 Seepage from higher
grounds
 Fluctuation in the
water table
 Transfer of moisture
within the structure
due to differences in
moisture content or
temperature
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 Preventing seepage from high ground

Use a subsurface drain to intercept the seepage water flowing

through the permeable layer on the uphill side of the road and:-
 Locate it adjacent to the verge and parallel to the centreline of the road
 Found it in the underlying impermeable layer
 Seal it at the top to prevent the entry of surface water
 Lay it at a slope that will facilitate flow velocity that will not allow much
silting

Note:
The drain has a perforated
pipe at its base that is laid
on a slope to enable the
more effective removal of
the intercepted drainage
water that trickles down
through the free-draining
5 backfill
 Lowering the water table
Lower the water table by installing longitudinal subdrains
in the verges on either side of the carriageway parallel to
the centreline, to a depth that is greater than the desired
minimum level of the lowered water table (1-1.5m) below
the middle of the pavement
Note
Fine-grained soils with high
water tables cannot normally be
drained by installing gravity
sub-drains. Instead of
attempting to lower the water
table in these soils the usual
practice is to construct a higher
embankment so that the
formation is raised the desired
height above the water level

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 Minimizing the effects of water entering
through the pavement surface (1)

If water is likely to percolate into the pavement, construct a

free-draining subbase across the full width of the pavement,
between the road base and subgrade, and arrange for the
collected water to be taken away, usually via carrier pipes

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 Minimizing the effects of water entering
through the pavement surface (2)

Basic requirements for this drainage

course (1)
1. It should be highly permeable, with a
permeability of at least 100 times that of the
upper pavement and shoulder layers
2. Its constituent materials should have a low
capillary rise, be resistant to breakdown under
moist conditions over long periods, and not be
susceptible to loss of, or blockage by, fine
components carried in the surface water

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 Minimizing the effects of water entering
through the pavement surface (3)

Basic requirements for this drainage

course (2)
3. Its thickness should be about twice the assessed
capillary rise (expressed in mm of water)
4. It should be laid with a crossfall to facilitate
drainage to the outer edge of the pavement

Note: The subgrade should be chemically stabilized if it is

likely to be detrimentally affected by water

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 Pavement Temperature

 Bituminous materials
 Cemented materials
 Granular layers - moisture movement

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 Unfavourable subgrade conditions (1)

 Cavities made by burrowing animals (termites,

rodents) - causing lack of support or non
uniform support or uneven settlement
 Excavation and replacement with fill
 Special compaction techniques
 Localized areas with high moisture content
 Raising of the vertical alignment
 Special drainage measures
 Modification with lime or cement
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 Unfavourable subgrade conditions (2)

 Subsurface wells or areas with high water table

or swamps
 Special drainage measures
 Use filter layers
 Raising of the vertical alignment
 Use of geotextiles, geo-grids or special materials or
methods

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 Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA)

 Its inclusion has been made to highlight the importance

of EIA (design and construction)
 The aim of EIA is to make sure that the project is not
achieve its own goals with the expense of loss or
inconvenience to non- beneficiaries or future
generations
 The EIA discovers the unintended consequences of a
project; those are impacts, which may affect cultural
heritage, society, the local economy, natural resources
now or in future.

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