Citation

Vorobjovas V, Zilioniene D. Balt. J. Road Bridge Eng. 2008; 3(4): 213-218.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Publisher Technika)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Granular shoulders are an important element of the road system. One frequently notices shoulders rutting, edge breakage, unconformity of cross-section to the norms that could be caused by wind, and water-generated erosion. These problems directly affect the drivers, influences their road behavior and traffic safety. Therefore, a constant maintenance of road shoulders is necessary. Investigation of the Lithuanian gravel road network showed that low volume roads with gravel surfacing do not correspond to current standards and the change in their performance due to climatic conditions, traffic volume, and the materials used for the structures have a large influence not only on traffic safety but also on traffic conditions. It is therefore very important for road shoulders to be able to improve traffic safety, to prevent road carriageway edges from degradation, to serve for emergency parking, and for installation of guardrails, warning, and informatory signs. Since shoulder deformations are caused by deformations in the subgrade and its slopes, a properly prepared and erected subgrade should be provided with the shoulder of corresponding structure where inadmissible deformations would not occur. Defects in low volume road pavement occur when gravel of unsuitable composition is used for shoulder pavement, the structure is of insufficient thickness and strength, the top of the subgrade becomes damp due to the lack of proper drainage or road maintenance is of unsatisfactory level. It is very important for the shoulders of low volume roads to use a proper material for increasing the structural strength of the shoulder and preventing it from defects.