EFFECTS OF MECHANICALLY STABILIZED GRADED ASSORTED COARSE-GRAINED SOILS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF UNPAVED ROAD: A CASE STUDY IN GOFFA ZONE, SAWLA AREA

Abstract

Road network development in Ethiopia is booming, radiating from Addis Ababa towards North- South directions, and East-West directions, due to the good economic growth of the country. However, there are challenges always facing by the pavement designers, and materials engineers for every road project, specifically the unpaved roads in Goffa Zone. It was because, most parts of the existing unpaved road sections within the study area are heavily damaged, and lack of proper maintenance. The source of good quality of sub-base course materials limited and becoming depleted. It is for this reason that the research study focused on the investigation of the effects of mechanically stabilized graded assorted coarse-grained soils. Disturbed and undisturbed samples from different quarry sites were considered and tested in the laboratory. Laboratory test for each location performed, and the results served as control values of the engineering properties of natural soils. The Disturbed samples tested for Gradation, Atterberg's Liquid Limit Tests, and Compaction, while, the undisturbed sample tested for the CBR strength, using ASTM manual. The results of the assorted materials for the sub-base course was analyzed and compared with the AASHTO and ERA Standard Specifications.