Distress Features Of Flexible Road Pavement In Kenya

Abstract

The direct use of pavement design methods, generally originating from Europe, in tropical countries such as Africa has in several cases led to premature pavement failure so causing unplanned expenditure in the repair of the failed pavements. To facilitate the planning of road maintenance and reconstruction measures it is necessary to carry out road condition surveys to determine the appropriate strengthening measures. The paper describes the common distress features for flexible roads in Kenya and describes field studies carried out to establish long-term structural behaviour of two typical high standard roads in Kenya. Data from the studies have been comprehensively documented for a period of over 11yrs at test points along each of two 60M test sections and indicates various distress features found on roads in Kenya. The paper concludes by recommending that there is need to monitor road conditions regularly so as to achieve a well-coordinated maintenance and pavement strengthening policy. (TRRL)