Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration

Yaw Adubofour Tuffour; Nana Kwesi Agyepong; Daniel Atuah Obeng

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14

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Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration

Yaw Adubofour Tuffour, Nana Kwesi Agyepong, Daniel Atuah Obeng

Published in American Journal of Civil Engineering (Volume 4, Issue 3)

Received: 13 April 2016 Accepted: 25 April 2016 Published: 11 May 2016

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Abstract

This study investigated premature and continual failure of the Apedwa-Bunsu Junction section of Route N6 in Ghana despite an earlier maintenance intervention which included geotextile installation and placement of a new wearing course. It involved a condition survey, density, asphalt content, gradation, stiffness modulus and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests on the section. The condition survey revealed cracking (alligator, transverse and longitudinal), ravelling, potholes, rutting and shoving as the predominant defects on the road. The density tests on the bituminous layers revealed relative compaction levels which, in most cases, did not meet the minimum required by the technical specifications despite the additional densification by traffic. The poor compaction was corroborated by high pavement deflections from the FWD device. Asphalt cores revealed a friable dense bituminous macadam (DBM) layer although bitumen extraction tests indicated all design asphalt contents were met. Lack of inter-particle cohesion within the DBM layer was suggestive of stripping damage to the asphalt concrete. Some samples of the crushed rock base contained plastic fines and fines content that exceeded specification limits. High stiffness modulus values of the bituminous layers suggested possible premature aging of the asphalt binder which probably accelerated crack development. An earlier intervention in the form of placement of geotextile in the wearing course failed to arrest cracking because the material had been placed at a shallow depth rendering it ineffective. It was concluded that inadequate compaction of the bituminous layers and the use of crushed rock and other pavement materials that did not wholly meet the technical specifications were the root causes of the premature failure of the section.

Published in	American Journal of Civil Engineering (Volume 4, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14
Page(s)	84-91
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Premature Failure, Compaction, Cracking, Relative Density, Rutting, Shoving

References

[1]	Himeno, K., and Watnabe, T. (1987). Design of Asphalt Pavements. Sixth Int. Conf. on Structural Design of Asphalt Pavements. Ann-Abor, Michigan.
[2]	Button, J. and Lytton, R. (2003). Guidelines for using geosnythetics with HMA overlays to reduce reflective cracking; Transportation Research Institute, Report No. 1777-P2, Texas A&M University. Available at http://www.utexas.edu/research/tppc/pubs/button_geosynthetics.pdf
[3]	Si, W., Ma, B., Li, N., Ren. J. and Wang, H. (2014). Reliability-based assessment of deteriorating performance to asphalt pavement under freeze-thaw cycles in cold regions. Construction and Building Materials, 68(2014): 572-579.
[4]	Chen, D., Bilyeu, J., Scullion, T., Lin, D. and Zhou, F. (2003). "Forensic Evaluation of Premature Failures of Texas Specific Pavement Study–1 Sections." J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3828(2003)17: 2(67), 67-74.
[5]	Horak, E. and Emery, S. J. (2010). Forensic Investigation to determine the reasons for premature failure in asphalt surface layer. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 11(3): 511-527.
[6]	Muench, S. and Willoughby, K. (2006). Preventing pavement failure caused by hot-mix asphalt pavement temperature differentials: Washington State’s systematic approach. TR News 246, September-October 2006, pp 26-28.
[7]	Gubler, R., Partl, M. N., Canestrari, F. and Grilli, A. (2005). Influence of water and temperature on mechanical properties of selected asphalt pavements. Materials and Structures, 38(5): 523-532.
[8]	Anochie-Boateng, J. K, Mataka, M. O., Malisa, J. T. and Komba, J. J. (2015). Forensic study into the causes of premature failures in asphalt pavements in Tanzania. Road pavements of the XXVth World Road Congress in Seoul, Seoul, South Korea, November 2015.
[9]	Vrtis, M. and Timm, D. (2015). Case Study on Premature Pavement Failure and Successful Reconstruction of a High RAP Section at the NCAT Test Track. Airfield and Highway Pavements 2015: pp. 260-271. doi: 10.1061/9780784479216.024
[10]	Mohammad, L. N., Elseifi, M. A., Bae, A., Patel, N., Button, J. N. and Scherocman, J. A. (2012). Optimization of tack coat for HMA placement. National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Report No. 712. Available at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchro_rpt_712.pdf
[11]	BS DD213 (1993). Method for determination of the indirect tensile stiffness modulus of bituminous mixtures. British Standard Institutions, London.
[12]	Chen, D. (2009). “Investigation of a Pavement Premature Failure on a Weak and Moisture Susceptible Base.” Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 23(5): 309-313
[13]	MRH (2007). Specifications for Road Works and Bridges, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Accra, Ghana.

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APA Style

Yaw Adubofour Tuffour, Nana Kwesi Agyepong, Daniel Atuah Obeng. (2016). Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 4(3), 84-91. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14

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ACS Style

Yaw Adubofour Tuffour; Nana Kwesi Agyepong; Daniel Atuah Obeng. Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration. Am. J. Civ. Eng. 2016, 4(3), 84-91. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14

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AMA Style

Yaw Adubofour Tuffour, Nana Kwesi Agyepong, Daniel Atuah Obeng. Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration. Am J Civ Eng. 2016;4(3):84-91. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14,
  author = {Yaw Adubofour Tuffour and Nana Kwesi Agyepong and Daniel Atuah Obeng},
  title = {Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration},
  journal = {American Journal of Civil Engineering},
  volume = {4},
  number = {3},
  pages = {84-91},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajce.20160403.14},
  abstract = {This study investigated premature and continual failure of the Apedwa-Bunsu Junction section of Route N6 in Ghana despite an earlier maintenance intervention which included geotextile installation and placement of a new wearing course. It involved a condition survey, density, asphalt content, gradation, stiffness modulus and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests on the section. The condition survey revealed cracking (alligator, transverse and longitudinal), ravelling, potholes, rutting and shoving as the predominant defects on the road. The density tests on the bituminous layers revealed relative compaction levels which, in most cases, did not meet the minimum required by the technical specifications despite the additional densification by traffic. The poor compaction was corroborated by high pavement deflections from the FWD device. Asphalt cores revealed a friable dense bituminous macadam (DBM) layer although bitumen extraction tests indicated all design asphalt contents were met. Lack of inter-particle cohesion within the DBM layer was suggestive of stripping damage to the asphalt concrete. Some samples of the crushed rock base contained plastic fines and fines content that exceeded specification limits. High stiffness modulus values of the bituminous layers suggested possible premature aging of the asphalt binder which probably accelerated crack development. An earlier intervention in the form of placement of geotextile in the wearing course failed to arrest cracking because the material had been placed at a shallow depth rendering it ineffective. It was concluded that inadequate compaction of the bituminous layers and the use of crushed rock and other pavement materials that did not wholly meet the technical specifications were the root causes of the premature failure of the section.},
 year = {2016}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration
AU  - Yaw Adubofour Tuffour
AU  - Nana Kwesi Agyepong
AU  - Daniel Atuah Obeng
Y1  - 2016/05/11
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14
T2  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
SP  - 84
EP  - 91
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8737
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14
AB  - This study investigated premature and continual failure of the Apedwa-Bunsu Junction section of Route N6 in Ghana despite an earlier maintenance intervention which included geotextile installation and placement of a new wearing course. It involved a condition survey, density, asphalt content, gradation, stiffness modulus and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests on the section. The condition survey revealed cracking (alligator, transverse and longitudinal), ravelling, potholes, rutting and shoving as the predominant defects on the road. The density tests on the bituminous layers revealed relative compaction levels which, in most cases, did not meet the minimum required by the technical specifications despite the additional densification by traffic. The poor compaction was corroborated by high pavement deflections from the FWD device. Asphalt cores revealed a friable dense bituminous macadam (DBM) layer although bitumen extraction tests indicated all design asphalt contents were met. Lack of inter-particle cohesion within the DBM layer was suggestive of stripping damage to the asphalt concrete. Some samples of the crushed rock base contained plastic fines and fines content that exceeded specification limits. High stiffness modulus values of the bituminous layers suggested possible premature aging of the asphalt binder which probably accelerated crack development. An earlier intervention in the form of placement of geotextile in the wearing course failed to arrest cracking because the material had been placed at a shallow depth rendering it ineffective. It was concluded that inadequate compaction of the bituminous layers and the use of crushed rock and other pavement materials that did not wholly meet the technical specifications were the root causes of the premature failure of the section.
VL  - 4
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Yaw Adubofour Tuffour

Department of Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Nana Kwesi Agyepong

Materials Division, Ghana Highway Authority, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Accra, Ghana
Daniel Atuah Obeng

Department of Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

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APA Style

Yaw Adubofour Tuffour, Nana Kwesi Agyepong, Daniel Atuah Obeng. (2016). Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 4(3), 84-91. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14

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ACS Style

Yaw Adubofour Tuffour; Nana Kwesi Agyepong; Daniel Atuah Obeng. Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration. Am. J. Civ. Eng. 2016, 4(3), 84-91. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14

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AMA Style

Yaw Adubofour Tuffour, Nana Kwesi Agyepong, Daniel Atuah Obeng. Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration. Am J Civ Eng. 2016;4(3):84-91. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14,
  author = {Yaw Adubofour Tuffour and Nana Kwesi Agyepong and Daniel Atuah Obeng},
  title = {Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration},
  journal = {American Journal of Civil Engineering},
  volume = {4},
  number = {3},
  pages = {84-91},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajce.20160403.14},
  abstract = {This study investigated premature and continual failure of the Apedwa-Bunsu Junction section of Route N6 in Ghana despite an earlier maintenance intervention which included geotextile installation and placement of a new wearing course. It involved a condition survey, density, asphalt content, gradation, stiffness modulus and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests on the section. The condition survey revealed cracking (alligator, transverse and longitudinal), ravelling, potholes, rutting and shoving as the predominant defects on the road. The density tests on the bituminous layers revealed relative compaction levels which, in most cases, did not meet the minimum required by the technical specifications despite the additional densification by traffic. The poor compaction was corroborated by high pavement deflections from the FWD device. Asphalt cores revealed a friable dense bituminous macadam (DBM) layer although bitumen extraction tests indicated all design asphalt contents were met. Lack of inter-particle cohesion within the DBM layer was suggestive of stripping damage to the asphalt concrete. Some samples of the crushed rock base contained plastic fines and fines content that exceeded specification limits. High stiffness modulus values of the bituminous layers suggested possible premature aging of the asphalt binder which probably accelerated crack development. An earlier intervention in the form of placement of geotextile in the wearing course failed to arrest cracking because the material had been placed at a shallow depth rendering it ineffective. It was concluded that inadequate compaction of the bituminous layers and the use of crushed rock and other pavement materials that did not wholly meet the technical specifications were the root causes of the premature failure of the section.},
 year = {2016}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Premature Failure of Apedwa-Bunsu Junction Section of N6 in Ghana: Some Notes for Consideration
AU  - Yaw Adubofour Tuffour
AU  - Nana Kwesi Agyepong
AU  - Daniel Atuah Obeng
Y1  - 2016/05/11
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14
T2  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
SP  - 84
EP  - 91
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8737
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160403.14
AB  - This study investigated premature and continual failure of the Apedwa-Bunsu Junction section of Route N6 in Ghana despite an earlier maintenance intervention which included geotextile installation and placement of a new wearing course. It involved a condition survey, density, asphalt content, gradation, stiffness modulus and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests on the section. The condition survey revealed cracking (alligator, transverse and longitudinal), ravelling, potholes, rutting and shoving as the predominant defects on the road. The density tests on the bituminous layers revealed relative compaction levels which, in most cases, did not meet the minimum required by the technical specifications despite the additional densification by traffic. The poor compaction was corroborated by high pavement deflections from the FWD device. Asphalt cores revealed a friable dense bituminous macadam (DBM) layer although bitumen extraction tests indicated all design asphalt contents were met. Lack of inter-particle cohesion within the DBM layer was suggestive of stripping damage to the asphalt concrete. Some samples of the crushed rock base contained plastic fines and fines content that exceeded specification limits. High stiffness modulus values of the bituminous layers suggested possible premature aging of the asphalt binder which probably accelerated crack development. An earlier intervention in the form of placement of geotextile in the wearing course failed to arrest cracking because the material had been placed at a shallow depth rendering it ineffective. It was concluded that inadequate compaction of the bituminous layers and the use of crushed rock and other pavement materials that did not wholly meet the technical specifications were the root causes of the premature failure of the section.
VL  - 4
IS  - 3
ER  -

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