Developing a Maintenance Model for Pavements Vulnerable to Climate Change in South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The South East region of Nigeria faces widespread flood during rainy seasons as a result of inadequate drainage channels, poor drainage management and most often the absence of drainage. The increase in rainfall can be attributed to climate change. Climate change has become one of the most common sources of road pavement failure in the region which leads to rapid need of maintenance as a result of flooding and this problem is becoming worse yearly. Most roads in the region suffer submergence because of flooding. In this research work, a predictive model will be developed to control maintenance of road infrastructural systems in the South-East in terms of fatigue. This work is limited to pavement behavior with respect only to fatigue life using the mechanical/elastic properties as the input parameter using additives in the established failure conditions considering Federal roads in the South East as case studies. It is also important to note that the research has a well-defined assumption within the scope to expectancy is 20 years. The loads causing pavement failure are ≥80 KN single axle. Passenger cars will not be included in the passenger. The performance of flexible pavement in real life is synonymous with performance of hot mix asphalt concrete (HMA) in the laboratory. The fatigue life of a pavement is the number of load repetitions ≥80 KN single axle load and finally, traffic loads and moisture are the only contributors to pavement damage.