| dc.description.abstract | Unpaved roads are a critical transportation infrastructure in Uganda, particularly in rural areas where they provide access to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities. However, these roads are susceptible to various distresses, including gravel loss, which affects their durability and maintenance. Material loss is a way of deterioration of unpaved roads by which the thickness of gravel wearing course reduces due to various factors through time which can significantly affect their durability and functionality. The study recognized that gravel loss is more evident along circular curves on gravel roads due to the additional effect of vehicle tires during turning maneuvers therefore it investigates the effect of horizontal curvature on gravel loss of unpaved roads in Uganda Wakiso district being the case study on which 13 curved sections were selected at a stretch of 1.8 km. The main factor in this study was the horizontal curvature and other factors that were used in the HDM-4 model to determine the material loss included, the AADT, mean monthly precipitation of the area, plasticity index of surfacing material and the average rise and fall of the road. The monthly rainfall data was used as secondary data and all other data was collected from the field. along Musoke Road. The research methodology involved identifying circular sections on the road and conducting laboratory tests on the gravel material of the selected sections. The horizontal curvature and gravel loss of the sections were determined, and the relationship between horizontal curvature and gravel loss established. The road was found to have an average horizontal curvature of 48.55 degrees and an average material loss of 23.08 mm with a 2 mm material loss for every 10 degrees increase in the curvature. These findings revealed that horizontal curvature had a significant effect on gravel loss, with higher rates of material loss observed on curved road sections compared to straight sections. These findings provide valuable insights for road engineers, policymakers, and road users in Uganda to understand the impact of horizontal curvature on gravel loss and develop appropriate strategies for material loss control and road maintenance. Further research is recommended to explore the effectiveness of different material loss control measures and their applicability in the context of Ugandan unpaved roads. | en_US |
