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ABSTRACT
Investigation into the causes of road failure was carried out along the Benin – Sapele highway. The experiment involves extensive road travel in other to record high way pavement failure and bulk disturbed soil samples were collected from the failed section of the road. Pedological, physical and chemical and geo-technical analyses were conducted to evaluate the cause of failure along the pavement of the study area. The USDA classification of soils of Jesse, Mosogar and Oghara were Typic hapludult, Fluvaquentic endoaquept and Typic entrudepts respectively. The soils of these areas are coarse grade because the percentages of fines were all below 35%. The liquid limit ranged between 19.11% - 42.48% which showed that soils of Mosogar, Jesse and Oghara were up to the standard as a sub-grade. The plastic limit which ranged between 0 – 19.34% for Mosogar and Jesse are excellent sub-grade materials. The OMC of all the soils which ranged between 10.2% – 15.8% was optimal as a sub-grade and sub-base material. For the MDD which ranged between 1.57% – 1.82%, revealed that all the soils are excellent sub-grade materials. For the unsoaked CBR which ranged between 10.82% – 32.33% are all good subgrade material. For CBR soaked, Mosogar and Jesse soils are not optimum as sub-grade materials but Oghara soils are excellent sub-grade material. The soils of these locations fell within A-2-4, A-6 and A-7-6 classes according to the America Association of Highway and Transportation Officials classification. From the results obtained from this research, the inherent properties such as soil texture of the soils which do not reach the required Federal Ministry of Works and Housing standard is the reason for the road failure along this road transverse. All the soils of the sample areas are poor sub-base materials. It is recommended that proper soil stabilization be done to ensure the longevity of this road pavement. Also, proper drainage systems should be built along this road.
