Assessment of Factors Necessitating the Preference in the Use of Reinforced Concrete Pavement to Asphalt Pavement on Road Construction in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Design and construction standards for streets and roadways should provide for pavements with both long service life and low maintenance. As a guide in achieving this goal, thus, this research work title “Assessment of factors necessitating the preference in the use of reinforced concrete pavement to asphalt pavement on road construction in Ebonyi State, Nigeria’. The largest advantage for using rigid pavement is its durability and ability to hold its shape against traffic and difficult environmental conditions. . This study therefore aim to bridge the current knowledge gap by assessing the factors that necessitates the preference in the use of reinforced concrete pavement to asphalt pavement of road construction in Ebonyi State among the already established factors identified based on literature review. The study utilized a census method of  the 57 reinforced concrete pavements road networks of 17 Local government of Ebonyi state and use of questionnaire to collect data from 100 respondents among clients, consultants’ quantity surveyors, contractors, civil engineers and residents project engineers of Ebonyi state ministry of works and housing. To test validity, the instruments were forwarded to the supervisors at works department of Ebonyi state ministry of works and housing for validation. The appropriate modification based on the experts’ advice was made on the pre-tested instruments in reorder capture the relevant information related to the study objectives. To subject its results to a statistical test, a null hypothesis ‘H_o; There is no factors that necessitating the preference in the use of reinforced concrete pavement to asphalt pavement on road construction in Ebonyi State, Nigeria’ was postulated. The statistical analysis adopted was correlation. Reliability test was carried out through a pilot test and computation of Cronbach’s Alpha at 0.7. Data analysis was through descriptive and inferential techniques. Analysis of data was obtained effectively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS programme version 23). Analysis method as ranking of the factors that necessitating the preference in the use of reinforced concrete pavement to asphalt pavement in road construction in Ebonyi state tool model were used . The research findings show that the reinforced concrete pavement appear to increase effectiveness but reduce instability, available coarse aggregate and available reinforced concrete rigid construction technology in Ebonyi state . Thus, the study recommended that there should be total enforcement of soil, water capillary and concrete tests should be conducted before subbase formation is carried out. Moreover, apposite punitive move must be made by professional authorities once road construction project is awarded to make that specification is followed.