FACTORS CAUSING STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ALONG TIMBOROA TO MALABA ROAD IN KENYA

Abstract

Transportation infrastructure plays a vital role in the economic and social development of any country and this role cannot be underestimated. The impact of growth and prosperity achieved in the transportation sector extends to include other sectors, and therefore, there is a strong synergy between the growth in transportation sector and the growth in gross domestic product of the country. In Kenya flexible pavements have been adopted for the construction of major highways. A flexible pavement consists of a matrix of sub-base, base course, and surface course positioned on top of the subgrade to support and distribute the traffic load uniformly. Distresses in the form of rutting, cracking and ageing are a common occurrence on HMA pavements. Rutting is one of the habitually observed permanent distresses on major highways in Kenya and consequently instigated this research. This paper addresses the factors and attributes which leads to structural failure of the flexible pavement along the Timboroa - Malaba (A104) road section and goes ahead to point out the major.