Authors : Kwalar Marcel Nwankong; Bomeni Isaac Yannick; Mofor Nelson Alakeh

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 8 - August

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2s7cftf9

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24AUG616

Abstract : The fast deformation and disintegration of pavements in tropical zones are seemingly becoming permanent phenomenon and these issues are increasing evidenced in most regions of Cameroon. This work focuses on the rehabilitation and widening of the Bamenda-Bambili road, Northwest Region of Cameroon. There was a preliminary field survey through the deflection and penetrometer tests at different sections along this road stretch. It was an experimental and observatory study adopting the quantitative and qualitative methods. Samples were collected and transported to the laboratory, where identification tests were carried out. The data obtained from the field survey and identification tests were used to redesign the road. The result of deflection survey shows that deformation ranges from 5/100 mm to 118/100 mm and belongs to Q2 and Q5 which corresponds to maintenance and rehabilitation respectively. Further results showed that an average resistance of 0.5 MPa was found at a depth of 5 m. The physical analysis of the in-situ material showed an average moisture content of 20%, specific gravity of 2 and plasticity index of 25.1%. The grain size analyses of subgrade soils showed fine lateritic soils (A-2–7, A-6, A-7- 5 and A-7-5) according to the HRB classification. The mechanical analysis showed an average maximum dry density of 1.7 t/m3 and an average bearing capacity of 20.6% which correspond to Class S3. These materials were recommended to be use in sub-base of the pavement for T2. The traffic, T3 was previewed for the widening of this road, thereby necessitating the stabilisation of the base course. The design with Alizé software showed a total thickness of 50 cm subdivided into three layers; wearing course in bituminous concrete (5 cm), base layer ameliorated with 0/31.5 (25 cm) and lateritic sub-base (20 cm). The study found that pavement failure along the Bamenda-Bambili road could be due to ageing and high- water content of the sub grade soils and suggest that holistic and objective survey and planning be done along this road to improve it state

Keywords : Bamenda-Bambili Road, Geotechnical Investigation, Rehabilitation, Redesigns.

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