7-4 Grading and

Maintenance of
Untreated Surface
The cross slope of untreated
surface gravel road must be
sufficient enough to drain water to
prevent potholes and softening
the roadway.
Cross Slope or Camber
• Pavement cross slope is
an important cross-
sectional design
element. The cross
slope drains water from
the roadway laterally
and helps minimize
ponding of water on the
pavement.
1. If the road materials are sufficiently stable and
water tight, one inch per slope is considered
satisfactory although 3/8 to ½” peer foot slope is
preferred.
2. If the road is steep grade, substantial cross slope is
needed to direct the water into the roadside.

Untreated surface road is seldom constructed in less

than 20 centimeters loose depth. When compacted
will be compressed to about 15 centimeters thick
Road development sometimes adopted the
stage construction methods. The sequence
of improvement could be as follows:
• First: It might be an earth road surface.
• Second: Untreated gravel road.
• Third: Application of asphalt over the gravel.
• Fourth: The use of stone type pavement with gravel
as part of the base course.
Maintenance of gravel road surface is a
routine activity specially in maintaining the
smoothness of the surface under the
following procedures:
• Cutting off a thin layer of the road surface using
road grader distributing the scraped layer uniformly
over the roadway surface. The cut is deep enough
to remove the corrugations of the road surface.
• The blading sequence is once or twice a year or
sometimes monthly, depending upon the
finances, traffic and equipment availability. After
blading, the road is compacted by road roller to
maintain the cross section slope and the crown of
the roadway.

• The most effective routine maintenance is done

immediately after rainfall where the surface is
soft for the blade to drag.
• Losses of materials caused by grading and traffic
wear generally ranges from 1/2" to 1 inch of the
thickness per year although it varies due to traffic
volume, rainfall, wind intensity, frequency and
maintenance practice or habit.

• Compaction is effectively done by using

pneumatic tired or steel wheeled rollers. Where
surface is tight and non-variable, sealing may be
omitted.