Maintenance of roads
Maintenance is the process of preserving and keeping the structure as normal as possible
Road maintenance is the process of preserving and keeping the road structure as normal as possible and
practicable.
Road maintenance
The process of maintaining and keeping roadway, shoulder, laneway, structures as much as possible in its
existing condition as constructed is called road maintenance
Neglecting maintenance may lead to the complete failure of a structure or may require re-construction
which costs three or more times the cost of maintenance.
Hence, to protect and preserve road and road furniture and road maintenance is important Types
of road maintenance
There are four types of road maintenance
1. Routine maintenance
2. Recurrent maintenance
3. Periodic maintenance
4. Emergency maintenance
Routine maintenance
Small scale maintenance work conducted regularly is called routine maintenance it includes
a) Sweeping of road
b) Cutting of grass
c) Minor reshaping of the ditches
d) Cleaning the road furniture
Recurrent maintenance
Maintenance operation of the localized nature of a limited extent carried out at an interval of several
months of year is called recurrent maintenance it includes
a) Edges repair
b) Local re-construction
c) Pothole patching
Periodic maintenance
Maintenance operation of large extent conducted at the interval of several years is called periodic
maintenance .it includes
a) Re-surfacing of road
Maintenance of roads Kiprotich 2021
, b) Repair of the railing of bridge and culverts
c) Repairing of earth retaining wall
d) Repair of parapet well
Emergency maintenance
Maintenance operation conducted after 10 years of construction or in an emergency is called emergency
maintenance
It is carried out at following urgent conditions
a) Road washout
b) Collapse of culvert
c) Road blocked by the landslide
d) Settlement of road to a high extent
Factors affecting road maintenance
Usually, the following factors affect the maintenance of pavements
Increasing in the intensity of traffic
since we know that there is an increase in road transport per year about 8% . hence this is the most major
factor, which influences the maintenance of roads.
Inadequate thickness of pavement
if the adequate thickness is not provided, it will result in frequent pavement failure, unevenness and heavy
patches
Possible precaution of road maintenance
An adequate drainage system should be provided that has a design flow that could last for the lifetime of
the project. On the ring road, there is no such provision because the water table to rise and affect the
pavement foundations.
Proper sloping should be kept on the road surface to remove the rainwater smoothly
Purpose of road maintenance
Road maintenance is essential in order to
(1) preserve the road in its originally constructed condition,
(2) protect adjacent resources and user safety, and
Maintenance of roads Kiprotich 2021
,(3) provide efficient, convenient travel along the route.
Unfortunately, maintenance is often neglected or improperly performed resulting in rapid
deterioration of the road and eventual failure from both climatic and vehicle use impacts. It
follows that it is impossible to build and use a road that requires no maintenance.
In order to plan for road maintenance needs, it is important to keep a complete set of "as built"
plans and records of all maintenance operations and observations. The as built plan should
contain the following:
1. Complete job index
2. Complete history of project from planning stage to construction
3. Photographic records
4. Exact location and observations of any unstable conditions in relation to the road location
5. Exact location of culverts and other drainage features
6. Wet areas that may have required additional excavation and replacement with more
suitable ballast backfield materials
7. All major changes made to the original plan
Probably the most valuable tool for any maintenance program is the knowledge and experience
gained by individuals performing the maintenance. Every effort should be made to retain
competent, knowledgeable, and experienced individuals in these positions not only from the
standpoint of instituting and executing a good maintenance program, but for future road planning
needs as well.
In deciding on an appropriate level of maintenance for a particular road or road segment,
consideration must be given to the amount and type of vehicle use and physiographic and climatic
variables which may impact drainage structures.
Drainages of highway
Damages to Highways Due to Faulty Drainage
• If the water on the pavement surface is not quickly drained away, it finds its way into the
pavement layers through cracks, voids and joints (in concrete pavement). The water entrapped in
the structural layer ends up in ‘bathtub’ condition, which may cause uplift pressures and result in
reduced supporting power
• Pumping of fines, usually from a sub grade into the base of sub base
• The surface runoff reaches the sub-grade soil, softens it and reduces its supporting power
• In high embankments, the stability of slopes is endangered
• Landslides and subsidences
• Frost action
Function of Highway Drainage:
Maintenance of roads Kiprotich 2021
, • Remove water from the road surface
• Prevent ingress of water into the pavement
• Pass water across the road, either under or over
• Prevent scour and/ or washout of the pavement, shoulder, batter slopes, water courses and
drainage structures
Drainage problems in a highway
Blockages
Blockages in drains are an issue that affects every property owner at one time or another. Blocked drains
can come on slowly, often taking years to be noticeable. The most common causes include fat, hair and
coffee grinds. But having done this for a number of years now nothing surprises the Drain 247 team when
it comes to blockages.
Displaced/Open Joints
Ground movement, usually caused by ground instability, subsistence and increasing traffic levels, can
cause a displaced or open joint in your pipes. These gaps can cause wastewater to leak into the
surrounding areas, potentially resulting in structural damage. The pipe may also break as it loses support,
resulting in whole new levels of headaches
Fractures and Cracks
Fractures occur due to the excessive ‘wear and tear’ that drain pipes go through. They are often found
near the pipe joints but it’s not uncommon to see further down the pipework. Fractures and cracks in the
pipework can allow wastewater to leak into the surrounding areas, weakening the ground structure.
Root Intrusions
Sometimes tree and plant roots will burrow deep into the ground until they hit the drainage pipework.
Roots are always searching for water, oxygen, and nutrients. Pipes – especially sewer systems – contain
plenty of these, so roots will often penetrate any opening they find to get through. They usually go
through the joints of the drainage pipework but sometimes they can ‘punch’ a hole through the pipe
material and create a hole within the pipework.
collapsed or Broken Sections of Pipe
Having a collapsed pipe is a major issue as this means the wastewater isn’t leaving the property. Instead,
it is seeping out into the surrounding areas. This in itself is a major problem as it can cause a host of other
problems.
Water may start to flow into the terrain around the pipe which can lead to damp and mold appearing on
the floor or walls of your property. Water spreading on the area around the property can cause subsidence
or create a sinkhole due to the weakened ground structure. As this water collects it can also attract pests
and rodents like flies and rats.
Maintenance of roads Kiprotich 2021
Maintenance is the process of preserving and keeping the structure as normal as possible
Road maintenance is the process of preserving and keeping the road structure as normal as possible and
practicable.
Road maintenance
The process of maintaining and keeping roadway, shoulder, laneway, structures as much as possible in its
existing condition as constructed is called road maintenance
Neglecting maintenance may lead to the complete failure of a structure or may require re-construction
which costs three or more times the cost of maintenance.
Hence, to protect and preserve road and road furniture and road maintenance is important Types
of road maintenance
There are four types of road maintenance
1. Routine maintenance
2. Recurrent maintenance
3. Periodic maintenance
4. Emergency maintenance
Routine maintenance
Small scale maintenance work conducted regularly is called routine maintenance it includes
a) Sweeping of road
b) Cutting of grass
c) Minor reshaping of the ditches
d) Cleaning the road furniture
Recurrent maintenance
Maintenance operation of the localized nature of a limited extent carried out at an interval of several
months of year is called recurrent maintenance it includes
a) Edges repair
b) Local re-construction
c) Pothole patching
Periodic maintenance
Maintenance operation of large extent conducted at the interval of several years is called periodic
maintenance .it includes
a) Re-surfacing of road
Maintenance of roads Kiprotich 2021
, b) Repair of the railing of bridge and culverts
c) Repairing of earth retaining wall
d) Repair of parapet well
Emergency maintenance
Maintenance operation conducted after 10 years of construction or in an emergency is called emergency
maintenance
It is carried out at following urgent conditions
a) Road washout
b) Collapse of culvert
c) Road blocked by the landslide
d) Settlement of road to a high extent
Factors affecting road maintenance
Usually, the following factors affect the maintenance of pavements
Increasing in the intensity of traffic
since we know that there is an increase in road transport per year about 8% . hence this is the most major
factor, which influences the maintenance of roads.
Inadequate thickness of pavement
if the adequate thickness is not provided, it will result in frequent pavement failure, unevenness and heavy
patches
Possible precaution of road maintenance
An adequate drainage system should be provided that has a design flow that could last for the lifetime of
the project. On the ring road, there is no such provision because the water table to rise and affect the
pavement foundations.
Proper sloping should be kept on the road surface to remove the rainwater smoothly
Purpose of road maintenance
Road maintenance is essential in order to
(1) preserve the road in its originally constructed condition,
(2) protect adjacent resources and user safety, and
Maintenance of roads Kiprotich 2021
,(3) provide efficient, convenient travel along the route.
Unfortunately, maintenance is often neglected or improperly performed resulting in rapid
deterioration of the road and eventual failure from both climatic and vehicle use impacts. It
follows that it is impossible to build and use a road that requires no maintenance.
In order to plan for road maintenance needs, it is important to keep a complete set of "as built"
plans and records of all maintenance operations and observations. The as built plan should
contain the following:
1. Complete job index
2. Complete history of project from planning stage to construction
3. Photographic records
4. Exact location and observations of any unstable conditions in relation to the road location
5. Exact location of culverts and other drainage features
6. Wet areas that may have required additional excavation and replacement with more
suitable ballast backfield materials
7. All major changes made to the original plan
Probably the most valuable tool for any maintenance program is the knowledge and experience
gained by individuals performing the maintenance. Every effort should be made to retain
competent, knowledgeable, and experienced individuals in these positions not only from the
standpoint of instituting and executing a good maintenance program, but for future road planning
needs as well.
In deciding on an appropriate level of maintenance for a particular road or road segment,
consideration must be given to the amount and type of vehicle use and physiographic and climatic
variables which may impact drainage structures.
Drainages of highway
Damages to Highways Due to Faulty Drainage
• If the water on the pavement surface is not quickly drained away, it finds its way into the
pavement layers through cracks, voids and joints (in concrete pavement). The water entrapped in
the structural layer ends up in ‘bathtub’ condition, which may cause uplift pressures and result in
reduced supporting power
• Pumping of fines, usually from a sub grade into the base of sub base
• The surface runoff reaches the sub-grade soil, softens it and reduces its supporting power
• In high embankments, the stability of slopes is endangered
• Landslides and subsidences
• Frost action
Function of Highway Drainage:
Maintenance of roads Kiprotich 2021
, • Remove water from the road surface
• Prevent ingress of water into the pavement
• Pass water across the road, either under or over
• Prevent scour and/ or washout of the pavement, shoulder, batter slopes, water courses and
drainage structures
Drainage problems in a highway
Blockages
Blockages in drains are an issue that affects every property owner at one time or another. Blocked drains
can come on slowly, often taking years to be noticeable. The most common causes include fat, hair and
coffee grinds. But having done this for a number of years now nothing surprises the Drain 247 team when
it comes to blockages.
Displaced/Open Joints
Ground movement, usually caused by ground instability, subsistence and increasing traffic levels, can
cause a displaced or open joint in your pipes. These gaps can cause wastewater to leak into the
surrounding areas, potentially resulting in structural damage. The pipe may also break as it loses support,
resulting in whole new levels of headaches
Fractures and Cracks
Fractures occur due to the excessive ‘wear and tear’ that drain pipes go through. They are often found
near the pipe joints but it’s not uncommon to see further down the pipework. Fractures and cracks in the
pipework can allow wastewater to leak into the surrounding areas, weakening the ground structure.
Root Intrusions
Sometimes tree and plant roots will burrow deep into the ground until they hit the drainage pipework.
Roots are always searching for water, oxygen, and nutrients. Pipes – especially sewer systems – contain
plenty of these, so roots will often penetrate any opening they find to get through. They usually go
through the joints of the drainage pipework but sometimes they can ‘punch’ a hole through the pipe
material and create a hole within the pipework.
collapsed or Broken Sections of Pipe
Having a collapsed pipe is a major issue as this means the wastewater isn’t leaving the property. Instead,
it is seeping out into the surrounding areas. This in itself is a major problem as it can cause a host of other
problems.
Water may start to flow into the terrain around the pipe which can lead to damp and mold appearing on
the floor or walls of your property. Water spreading on the area around the property can cause subsidence
or create a sinkhole due to the weakened ground structure. As this water collects it can also attract pests
and rodents like flies and rats.
Maintenance of roads Kiprotich 2021
