MECHANICAL STABILISATION, CHEAP EFFECTIVE WAY OF IMPROVING THE MARGINAL MATERIALS FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION

This paper presents a cost-effective method of improving the quality of marginal geo-materials through mechanical stabilisation. Two case study of the mechanical stabilisation as used during the construction of two projects in Tanzania, namely Mwika – Kilacha and Songea-Namtumbo, is presented. In both cases, substantial savings to the contract were realised. In this paper, the geotechnical and geo-mechanical properties of the geo-materials from these two cited projects before mechanical modification and after mechanical modification are presented and discussed. From the laboratory results as well as field test results, it can be concluded that mechanical stabilisation is the simplest method of stabilisation yet cost-effective means of improving the geotechnical and geo-mechanical properties of the marginal geo-materials.