DENIS SASSOU N’GUESSO UNIVERSITY

Academic year 2023-2024

(Academic yea(Academic year 2023-2024)r 2023-2024)AAAAAAAAAaa

EXPOSED:
Municipal engineering
(with focus on pavement
design techniques)

Proposed by Pr. Alphonse MAKOSSO

Member:
IKYE Rabbi
OSPI NGAMBOU Charles
DALLA Ruben
OSSEBI Dipaul
ELENGA DZANA
NGALEKO RUBEN

GROUPE 3
 CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................2
II. DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................................................................3
1. Traffic assessment ..............................................................................................................3
2. Functional classification .....................................................................................................4
3. Geotechnical study ..............................................................................................................5
4. Pavement thickness.............................................................................................................6
5. Materials selection ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
6. Drainage ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
7. Road safety ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
8. Landscaping ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
9. Maintenance ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
III. CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 10

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 I. INTRODUCTION :

Municipal engineering plays a vital role in creating and managing urban infrastructures that facilitate
the daily lives of citizens. At the core of this discipline are roadway design techniques, a specialized
field aimed at designing and constructing sustainable, safe, and efficient roads that meet the growing
needs of urban traffic. Roadways, as essential elements of the municipal road network, must be
carefully designed to withstand the stresses imposed by the varied traffic of urban areas. Roadway
design techniques integrate a diverse range of considerations, including road geometry, soil
characteristics, drainage, road safety and material durability. In this introduction, we will explore in
depth the various facets of municipal engineering, with a particular focus on roadway design
techniques.

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 II. DEVELOPMENT:

Municipal engineering focuses on the design, construction and management of urban infrastructure,
including roadways. Roadway design techniques involve planning the thickness, materials and surface
characteristics to ensure durability, safety and efficiency of the municipal road network. This includes
considering traffic, weather conditions and the local environment.

Roadway design techniques encompass several aspects, such as:

1. Traffic assessment:

Traffic assessment involves analyzing the volume, composition, and behavior of traffic on roads to
understand how vehicles move within a given road network. This assessment allows engineers to
effectively plan, design and manage road infrastructures to meet the travel needs of road users.

Several methods are used to assess traffic, including:

❖ Vehicle counts: Engineers install vehicle counters along roads to record the number of vehicles
passing a given point during a specified period. These data provide information on traffic volume on
a given road;

❖ Speed studies: Engineers measure vehicle speed on different road sections to assess traffic flow and
identify areas where congestion or safety issues may occur;

❖ Peak hour analysis: Peak hours are identified by analyzing vehicle movement patterns throughout
the day. This helps determine the periods when traffic is heaviest and where improvement measures
may be necessary;
❖ Modal split studies: These studies examine the distribution of trips among different modes of
transportation, such as driving, public transit, walking and biking. This helps understand road users’
preferences and plan infrastructures that meet their needs;

❖ Traffic modeling: Engineers use modeling software to simulate traffic behavior within a given road
network. This allows for predicting the effects of infrastructure or traffic changes on traffic flow and
optimizing road design.

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2. Functional classification:
The functional classification of sidewalks involves dividing sidewalks into categories based on
their intended use and their location within the transportation network. This classification helps
better plan and design sidewalks to meet pedestrians’ needs and the specific urban configuration
of each area.
Here are the main categories of functional classification of sidewalks:

❖ Primary sidewalks: These are the sidewalks located along main roads or major thoroughfares;

❖ Secondary sidewalks: These sidewalks are located along secondary roads or less busy streets.
They are usually narrower than primary sidewalks and may be less well-maintained;

❖ Residential sidewalks: These sidewalks are located in residential neighborhoods and primarily
serve to provide safe pedestrian access to homes;

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❖ Special-purpose sidewalks: These are sidewalks located in special areas such as commercial
districts, parks or hospitals.

3. Geotechnical study:

A geotechnical study in the context of roadway construction techniques involves assessing the soil
characteristics upon which the roadway will be built. This study is essential to ensure the durability,
stability and long-term performance of the roadway. Here are the main steps and aspects of this study:

❖ Field reconnaissance: Geotechnical engineers conduct on-site observations to visually assess soil
characteristics, such as texture, color, stratification and the presence of water;

❖ Soil sampling: Soil samples are taken at various depths to be analyzed in the laboratory. These
samples help determine soil composition, bearing capacity, permeability, plasticity and other
important properties;

❖ Laboratory testing: Soil samples taken from the site are subjected to a series of laboratory tests to
evaluate their mechanical, hydraulic and geotechnical properties. These tests often include
compression, shear, permeability and expansion tests;

❖ Data analysis: Data collected in the field and in the laboratory are analyzed to assess soil
characteristics and determine its ability to support the roadway load, drainage capacity and other
important aspects for roadway design;

❖ Design recommendations: Based on the results of the geotechnical study, recommendations are
made for roadway design, including the thickness of the base layer, the type of construction
materials to use, and the necessary drainage measures to ensure roadway stability and durability.

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4. Pavement thickness:

The thickness of the pavement refers to the vertical distance between the top surface of the pavement
and the surface of the natural ground or subgrade. This thickness is a crucial element of roadway design
as it determines the pavement’s ability to support traffic loads and withstand deformations caused by
environmental conditions and soil movements.

Several factors influence the determination of pavement thickness, including:

❖ Anticipated traffic load;

❖ Soil type and geotechnical conditions;
❖ Climate and environmental conditions;
❖ Construction materials.

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 5. Material selection: Choosing appropriate materials for the base layer, wearing surface and other
roadway components based on local conditions and traffic requirements.

6. Drainage:

Drainage in the context of roadways refers to the system designed to manage surface and subsurface
water that may accumulate on or around the roadway. A good drainage system is essential to ensure
the long-term durability and performance of the roadway, as it helps prevent issues such as water
accumulation, erosion, settlement and structural damage.

Here are some important aspects of roadway drainage:

❖ Surface drainage: Surface drainage systems include gutters, curbs, channels and roadway slopes that
allow surface water to effectively flow off the roadway and towards appropriate discharge points
such as ditches or storms drains;

❖ Subsurface drainage: Subsurface drainage aims to remove water that may infiltrate into the soil and
accumulate beneath the roadway;

❖ Stormwater management: stormwater management systems collect and direct runoff water from
the roadway to appropriate infrastructure such as retention basins, stormwater treatment ponds or
storm sewers;

❖ Groundwater management: It is also important to monitor and manage groundwater levels to

prevent issues such as water seepage and roadway uplift;

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❖ Regular maintenance: Regular maintenance of the drainage system is essential to ensure its proper
functioning throughout the roadway’s lifespan.

7. Road safety:

Incorporating design elements to enhance safety, such as road markings, signage, safety barriers…

8. Landscaping:

Integrating aesthetic and ecological elements into roadway design, such as trees, green spaces and
wildlife accommodations.

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 9. Maintenance and management:

Planning maintenance and management strategies to ensure long-term durability of roadways,

including crack repair, resurfacing and structural reinforcement over time.

III. Conclusion:

To conclude on roadway design techniques, they are crucial aspect of municipal engineering, aiming to
ensure the durability, safety and efficiency of urban roads. These techniques involve thorough analysis
of traffic, geotechnical conditions, construction materials, drainage and road safety to create robust
and functional road infrastructures. Roadway design must also consider aesthetic and environmental
aspects to harmoniously integrate into the urban environment.

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IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
o Huang, Y. H. (2019). Pavement Analysis and Design (3rd ed.). Pearson.

o Marsac, P. (Ed.). (2018). Pavement Engineering: Principles and Practice (2nd ed.). CRC Press.

o Transportation Research Board. (2016). Guide for Design of Pavement Structures. National
Academies Press.

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