Application of UK DCP 3.1 Software on Evaluation of Structural Capacity and Design of Existing Gravel Roads in Sudan Case Study ALDAMAZEEN -ALKOURMUK Road

Abstract

Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) is an instrument designed for the rapid in-situ measurement of the structural properties of existing pavements with unbound granular materials. Correlations to CBR, structural Capacity (SN), resilient modulus, and its use in performance evaluation of pavement layers make it an attractive alternative to more expensive and time consuming instruments. Other possible applications of DCP such as its use in the quality control of compaction of fill. The main objectives of the study is to analyze the DCP test data using UK DCP 3.1 software to predict in-situ soil strength in terms of CBR value, and to obtain the structural number (SN) in order to estimate the structural Capacity to upgrade Existing low volume Gravel Roads. In this study a 20 km road section from DAMAZEN ALKORMOOK Road (total length 90 KM) DCP test data had been analyzed (as a case study) using UK DCP 3.1 software to evaluate unbound layers strength, and to determine their thicknesses. The study results shows that the road section(20 km) should be upgraded by adding 20 cm sub base layer with 30% CBR value, 20 cm base layer with 80% CBR value, double surface treatment for the carriage way, and single surface treatment for shoulder. It is also recommended to complete the old width road to become 7.0m, with 2.5m shoulders, and to rehabilitate the drainage facilities. We recommend introducing DCP instrument as rapid in situ measurement of the structural properties of existing pavements with unbound granular materials.