Evaluation of the Performance of Gravel Road with Base Course Reinforced with Do-Nou

In developing countries, improvement of trafficability of rural roads, which are generally earth or graveled, are crucial for rural development. Under the circumstances with financial constraints of those countries, locally available material-based approach towards improvement of trafficability are regarded as one of the practical measures. Do-nou, which is Japanese term for soilbag, have been utilized for reinforcing base course. Do-nou method is requiring only labor even for compaction of base material and used polyester fiber woven bags for crops, fertilizer, etc. as one of geotextile. In 29 countries of Asia, Africa and the Pacific, about 180 km rural road has been improved using the Do-nou method, by the NGO which one of the authors is belong to. Because of the easiness and effectiveness of Do-nou method, it enables minor and small enterprises, generally operated by the youth, to be involved in road construction implemented by public works. In order to improve trafficability of rural roads while solving social problem, high unemployment rate among the youth in developing countries, the method needs to be adopted by road authorities for further extension. In this study, therefore, the performance of gravel road with base course consist of Do-nou have been evaluated through the series of full-size driving tests. The settlement of road surfaces with conventionally designed base course and with that consist of Do-nou with the same thickness subjected to the traffic load were measured and compared. Dynamic cone penetration index of these base course structure was also compared. Load distribution effects were also examined using earth pressure gages located on subgrade and road surface during driving tests. The mechanism of reducing settlement of road surface with Do-nou base course were verified. The performance of base course with Do-nou are defined in comparison to conventional base course structure, which enable road authorities adopt Do-nou method.