Abstract:
This study is a survey to assess the flexible pavement conditions to identify and specify the
different pavement failure types for the selected road segment. Most of the roads constructed
in Ethiopia fail before serving the design lifetime due to various causes. One of those roads
that failed before serving the design lifetime is the Checheho-Damot Road segment.
Assessment of causes of road pavement failure carried out along Checheho-Damot Road
segment covers 45 km length. Road defect type, Severity level, and causes of failure are
investigated. The most common types of road distress observed on the road are
potholes/patches, rutting, raveling, and sliding. Sliding is the most distressing type in the study
area. laboratory tests were conducted in the Bahir Dar University laboratory. Based on the
geotechnical evaluation the laboratory test results of the particle size distribution for the base
course and sub-base, gravel, and sand (49.24-61.26%), (34.14-53.77%), and clay/silt (3.22-7.65%) similarly, the subgrade has gravel and sand (0-8.59%), (22.10-43.64% and fine (54.98-69.31%) respectively. The average specific gravity results for sub-base and subgrades are 2.66
and 2.75 respectively. The liquid limit result ranges from 42.25% to 59.24% and the
Plasticity index result ranges from 22.69 to 45.24 %. The linear shrinkage limit is 12.32% to
16.57% and the Free swell value is 45 to 65%. The maximum dry density result is from 1.46
g/cm
3
to 2.19 g/cm
3
and the Optimum moisture content result is 19.59 to 21.46%.CBR value
is 2.12 to 6.8% and Aggregate tests (ACV and LAA) satisfies the ERA,2013 manual
requirement. The soil Classified as A-7-6 and A-7-5 are based on AASHTO and CH, CL, and
MH are based on USCS. The overall visual condition survey and laboratory test results showed
that there is a wide variation between the geotechnical characteristics of the soil and ERA,2013
standards. Based on the result of the laboratory test the road segment needs treatment. After
visual observation and laboratory tests, the study recommends using proper drainage design,
suitable construction material, re-alignment of the road, widening of the road, and it needs also
protection work.
Keywords: Pavement failure, Road defect type, Severity level