MILITARY ROADS

GySgt Hill. 1
 OVERVIEW
• The purpose of this period of instruction
is to provide you the knowledge to
identify basic requirements, design, plan,
and supervise military road construction
to meet specifications for vehicle type
and traffic quantity.

2
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Terminal Learning Objective

• Enabling Learning Objective

3
 METHOD/MEDIA
• Lecture method
• Power point
• Demonstration
• Practical application
• Dry erase board

4
 EVALUATION
• Written exam

5
SAFETY/CEASE TRAINING
• Inclement weather procedures
• Fire procedures

6
 MILITARY ROADS

• Questions:
– What is taught?
– How it will be taught?
– How you will be evaluated?

7
 SITE RECONNAISSANCE
• Checking feasibility
• Checking for alternate route(s)
Who should conduct it?
• Project Officer
• Engineer Chief
• Engineer Assistant

8
 SITE CONSIDERATIONS
• Terrain Restrictions
• Existing Roads
• Existing Bridges
• Natural and Manmade Obstacles
• Vegetation and Undergrowth
• Engineering effort required

9
 SITE CONSIDERATIONS
• Existing soil Conditions
• Possible barrow pit locations

10
 PRELIMINARY ROAD LOCATION
FACTORS

Soil Characteristics: Locate roads on terrain having the best
sub grade soil conditions to decrease construction efforts
and make a more stable road.


Drainage: Locate roads in areas that drain well, and
where the construction of drainage structures is minimized.


Topography: Avoid excessive grades and steep hills. Locate
roads on the side of a hill instead of going directly over it.

11
 PRELIMINARY ROAD LOCATION
FACTORS

Earthwork: Earthwork operations are the single
largest work item during the construction of a
road. Balancing cut and fill volumes will
decrease hauling distances, and the work
required to handle the material.


Alignments: Keep the number of curves and
grades to a minimum. Avoid excessive grades
which cause mobility problems.
12
 FINAL ROAD LOCATION
 Co-locate with existing roads
 Locate on stable soil mass
 Avoid high water tables
 Locate along natural contours
 Avoid rockwork and excessive Clearing
Grubbing & Stripping
 Avoid sharp curves, grades and gaps

13
RECORDING OBSERVATIONS

Make your notes as detailed as possible
when performing the site reconnaissance.


Use a rough checklist to help you with
your site observations. (student handout)


Make a rough sketch of the project area.

14
QUESTIONS?

15
DRAINAGE

16
 PROPER DRAINAGE
• Inadequate drainage is the #1 killer of a
road system
• Proper drainage is a must before, during
and after construction
• Proper drainage ensures that surface
water is carried away from the road
surface

17
EFFECTS OF IMPROPER DRAINAGE
• Washouts
– Culverts
– Bridges/abutments
– Road Bed
– Weakens sub grade and base course of
the road

18
 CULVERTS
• It is a waterway enclosure used to pass
water from one point to another
– Embankments
– Under a road section
– Cross Drainage
– Ditch Relief

19
 CULVERT CLASSIFICATIONS
• There are two culvert classifications

– Permanent

– Expediant

20
 PERMANENT CULVERT
• Corrugated metal pipe (CMP)

21
 PERMANENT CULVERT
• Concrete pipe (CP)

22
 PERMANENT CULVERT
• Vitrified clay pipe (VC)

23
 PERMANENT CULVERT
• Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe (PVC)

24
 EXPEDIENT CULVERTS
• Logs and Lumber (wooden)

25
 EXPEDIENT CULVERTS
• Oil Drums

26
 EXPEDIENT CULVERTS
• Landing Mat and Sand bags

27
 CULVERT ALIGNMENT
• To maintain an existing drainage path, place the
culvert directly in the channel bottom. If no change is
made to the original path of the existing channel, the
drainage will not change its direction.

28
 CULVERT ALIGNMENT
• Sometimes the road must be constructed on a
section where the channel meanders. In this case it is
a good idea to cut a new path that will direct the
existing channel away from the road.

29
 CULVERT ALIGNMENT
• The road may also cut across a bend in the channel.
Place the culvert at a 90 degree angle to the road,
and fill and compact the bend of the channel. Place a
dam at the inlet and outlet to redirect the flow of
water through the culvert.

30
QUESTIONS ?

31
CONSTRUCTION SURVEY
• Is to support the construction activities
for the road
• Broken down into three distinct phases
– Preliminary
– Final Location
– Construction Layout

32
 ALIGNMENT STAKES
• Indicate:
– Horizontal alignment
– Establish sub grade
– Establish finish grade
– Cut and Fill
– Side Slope ratios

33
 CENTERLINE STAKES

These stakes establish the location of the road
centerline (CL).


They are normally set at 100 foot station intervals
starting at the beginning of the project (BOP), and
proceeding to the end of project (EOP).


They are marked with station values on the front of
the stake which faces in the direction of the BOP.

34
 CENTERLINE STAKES
CENTERLINE STAKES
FACES BOP

CL BO P PI

3 + 4 53 2
7+ 50

0+ 00
GROUND
LEVEL

35
CENTERLINE STAKES

36
 GRADE STAKES

These stakes guide grading operations during the
establishment of the vertical alignment (sub-grade and
finish grade) for a road.


They will indicate the amount of earth that must be cut
or filled at each station along the road centerline.


The back of the centerline stake will be marked with the
cut or fill amounts, and will be shown to the nearest half
of a foot.

37
 GRADE STAKES

GRADE STAKES
BACK OF CENTERLINE STAKE FACING EOP
C 4 .5

G RD
F 4 .0
GROUND
LEVEL

38
GRADE STAKES

39
 SLOPE STAKES

These stakes establish the earth moving limits, left and right
of the centerline.


Slope stakes are placed at the left and right limits of the
roadway facing the centerline at a 45 degree angle.


They identify the top of cut on the back slope of a ditch, or
the toe of fill on an embankment.


They are marked with the slope ratio and station value on the
back of the stake, and are marked with the cut or fill value
and distance from the centerline on the front of the stake.
40
 SLOPE STAKES

SLOPE STAKES
FACES C L FACES AWAY

2/1
C 4 .3 /2 4 .6
FROM C
L

7 + 50
GROUND
LEVEL

41
 SLOPE STAKES

SLOPE STAKE PLACEMENT

CUT

FILL
CUT & FILL

42
 OFFSET STAKES

Offset stakes are placed as references out beyond the slope
stakes at key stations.


They are used as a backup reference for the surveyors to
reestablish critical alignment stakes that may have been
disturbed during earth moving operations.


Reference the BOP station.


Reference the EOP station.


Reference curve stations and culvert locations.
43
 OFFSET STAKES

OFF SET STAKE

FACES C
L FACES AWAY

C 4 .3 / 2 4 .6

2/ 1 7 + 50
FROM C
L

GROUND
LEVEL

15’

44
OFFSET STAKES

45
QUESTIONS?

46
 CONSTRUCTION PLANS

Finished drawings are used in the development of all
military roads.


Construction plans provide layout information to the
Engineer Assistants.


These plans are critical to the Engineer Equipment
Chief as a tool to supervise construction surveys and
earth moving operations.

47
 SITE PLAN

A site plan shows all existing manmade and natural
features on the existing project site before
construction begins.


This drawing is created after the preliminary survey
has been conducted.


Terrain relief is shown by contour lines placed at two
or five foot contour intervals to show to clearly show
the topographic relief of the intended road route
48
SITE PLAN

49
 PLAN AND PROFILE DRAWING

The plan view is a "Top View" looking down on the road.


This is the primary drawing used for the location and
layout of the road, showing all horizontal alignment
information for staking the centerline of the road, and
culvert locations.


The profile is a sectional view taken along the centerline
of the road, and shows the existing ground elevations
and proposed grade line elevations.

50
 PLAN DRAWING

3+9200
PI

N
4+00
3+00 5+00

2+00

PT
6+00
2+

4 56
45

1+00 5+ 1
78

7+00
8+0984
PC

CURVE DATA EOP

I = 56 °00’00” 8+00
D = 28 °00’00”
T = 146.22 TECHNICAL ENGINEER COURSE
USAEC, FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO
L = 268.78 CLASS 501-95
DRAWN BY:
PLOT #1
SCALE:

R = 275.00 S. ENSIGN 1” = 20’

CHECKED BY: DATE:
W. HARRIS 31 OCT 95

51
 STA
GDE

GND
1130.00
1140.00
1150.00
0+00 1144.6 1144.00

0+50 1141.6 1141.50

PVC
1+00 1138.9 1143.90

1+4849 1134.9 1137.70

1+75 1134.0 1137.20

-5.00
%

2+00 1133.4 1136.60 2+00

PVI ELEV 1134.60’
VC 300’

2+25 1134.2
+2.00%

2+50 1135.3 1136.20

2+75 1136.0

2+9384 1136.9 1136.30

PROFILE DRAWING

DRAWN BY:

CHECKED BY:

3+50 1137.7 1137.00

PVT

S. ENSIGN

W. HARRIS
DATE:
SCALE:
PROFILE AND GRADELINE

4+00 1138.2 1130.00

31 OCT 95
HORIZ 1” = 4’
VERT 1” = 40’

52
PLAN AND PROFILE DRAWING

53
CROSS SECTION DRAWING

The cross section is a section view of the road, cut perpendicular
to the centerline, looking in the direction of travel. There are
two types of cross section drawings:


Earthwork Cross Sections: These drawings show the existing
ground line and proposed road grade line. These are the
primary drawings that are used to generate earthwork
volume estimations.


Typical Cross Section: This drawing will show the road
dimensions, slope ratios, and types of materials to be used
to construct the proposed road.

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EARTH CROSS SECTION

EARTHWORK SECTIONS
ALL CUT

ALL FILL

CUT

FILL
CUT & FILL

55
EARTH CROSS SECTION

56
TYPICAL CROSS SECTION

TYPICAL SECTION
FOR MILITARY ROADS

31’

4’ 11.5’ 11.5’ 4’
1”:1’
2
1 3
1

57
 TYPICAL CROSS SECTION
Width of clearing (roadway + min of 6 ft)
On each side
Roadbed
Roadway
Interceptor
ditch
Traveled way
Original
ground
Traffic lane

Crown

Cut
Cut slope Ditch
Fill Shoulder

Ditch slope Base

course

Road cross section and normenclature

58
QUESTIONS?

59
ROAD DESIGN

60
 ROAD DESIGN
• Road design will be dependant upon several
factors
– Subgrade
– Anticipated Traffic
– Drainage conditions
– Construction time available
– Materials and Equipment available
– Personnel and Expertise available

61
 ROAD COMPONENTS
(FYI)
Width of Cleared Area

Roadway

Roadbed

Traveled Way
Traffic
Lane Shoulder
Crown
Cut

Fill
Cut Slope
Ditch Slope
Fill Slope

62
 SUB GRADE
• The roads foundation
• Distributes the load to the earth below
• Most usually constructed with existing
(Indigenous) material

63
 ROAD COURSES
(FYI)

SURFACE COURSE

CUT FILL

BASE COURSE
SUBGRADE

64
 BASE COURSE
• Distributes the loads (traffic) to the subgrade
• Must be strong enough so that the transferred
load will not exceed the subgrade

65
 GEOMETRIC DESIGN
• Based on road class
• Ensures safety and good traffic flow
• Begins with a good topo survey
– Identify centerline
– Calculate grades and vertical curves
• Refer to table 9-1
– Calculate degree and length of horizontal curves
• Refer to table 9-1

66
 GEOMETRIC DESIGN
• Adjust horizontal and vertical curves and
grades
• Draw typical cross sections
• Design drainage

67
 ROAD TYPE
• Structural characteristics should
accommodate traffic volumes.
• FM 5-430-00-1, table 9-1, show four
possible road types (classes).
• Classes A and B are considered permanent.
• Classes C and D are temporary.
– As Marine Engineers we will only construct
types C and D Roads.
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TABLE 9-1

69
 CRITERIA
• Average Daily Traffic (ADT) or Designed
Hourly Volume (DHV)
– Rule of thumb: number of vehicles per
unit that will be using road multiplied
by 2
• Refer to FM 5-430-00-1 Figure 9-3

70
TABLE 9-3

71
 ADT & DHV
FORMULAS:
Example: A road is to be constructed for an estimated 250 vehicles.

Step #1: Compute Average Daily Traffic (ADT).


ADT = No# of vehicles x 2 (round trip)

250 x 2 = 500 vehicles per day.

Step #2: Compute Design Hourly Volume (DHV).


#DHV = No# vehicles per day x 0.15 (rush hour constant).

500 x 0.15 = 75 vehicles per hour.

DHV = No# vehicles per day / 24 (hours in 1 day).

500 / 24 = 21 vehicles per hour.

Step #3: Compare computed values to design controls to

determine which class of road is required.

72
GRADE AND ALIGNMENT
• Usability of the route is directly related
to the degree of curvature for both
horizontal and vertical curves
– As a general rule--- the fewer the
curves the better

73
 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT AND
CURVES
• Make curves as gentle as possible
– Lengthening the curves will shorten
the tangents.
• Tangents should intersect existing roads
(and railroads) at right angles
• The most common types are the; simple,
compound, reverse and spiral

74
 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT AND
CURVES
• The spiral is used only on class A & B routes
therefore they will not be used.

75
 DEGREE OF CURVE
The Degree of Curve (D) is defined by the
angle subtended by 100 feet of circular arc.

100’

76
 VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
• Excessive grades have tremendous
impact on traffic
– Maintain within values found on table
9-1, FM 5-430-00-1
• Care must be taken during design to
ensure best grades are achieved and
earthwork is kept at a minimum

77
 VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
• Points of fixed elevation:
– Existing roads (and railroads), Bridges and streams
• Criteria for grades:
– Minimum gradients
– Max allowable change in grade at Intersection
points
– Permissible depth of cut/fill
– Max approach gradients (to bridges or
intersections)

78
QUESTIONS?

79
 STRUCTURAL DESIGN
• Military roads will most commonly be
surfaced with natural, indigenous
materials
• Expedient surfacing methods used when
required

80
 EARTHEN ROADS
• Native soils hastily formed to satisfy immediate
traffic needs.
• Can be used as a sub-grade for more deliberate
surface
• Generally limited to dry weather and light traffic
• Maintenance is required by graders and/or drags
• Dust control must be considered in dry climates
• Earthen road surfaces can be treated with
admixtures to provide strength during wet weather

81
 STABILIZED SOILS
• Surface and subsequent layers stabilized
with bituminous materials or other
admixtures (cement)
• Bearing surface should have
– Maximum Sized Aggregate (MSA) of 1” –
1.5” (preferred)
– 10% - 25% fines

82
 SAND/CLAY
• Mechanically stabilized soil surface
– Addition of fine gravel will add stability
• Works well for light traffic (usually)
• Maintenance is required
– dust abatement, blading and dragging
• Sand/Clay roads are generally
unacceptable as base courses
83
 GRAVEL
• Constructed of a compacted layer
material consisting of 30% gravel with a
MSA of 1” to 1.5”
• Angular materials are best
• Rounded materials may be used but will
usually require additives to act as
binding agents
• Requires maintenance
84
QUESTIONS

85
 GENERAL ROAD STRUCTURAL
DESIGN
• Unsurfaced or Aggregate systems
• Class (A-G)
• Design Index (1-10)
• Design Category (I-VII)

86
CLASSES

87
 DESIGN INDEX
• Vehicle Groups:
– Group 1- Passenger cars and pickup trucks
– Group 2- Two-axle trucks (excluding pickup
trucks)
– Group 3- Three, four, and five axle trucks

88
TRAFFIC CATEGORIES

89
DESIGN INDEX

90
TRACKED/FORKLIFT CATEGORIES

91
DESIGN INDEX (TRACK/FORKS)

92
 UNSURFACED ROADS
• (1) Estimate the number of passes of each type of
vehicle expected to use a road on a daily basis.
• (2) Select the proper road class based upon the
traffic intensity from Table 9-8. 
• (3) Determine the traffic category based upon the
traffic composition criteria shown in Table 9-9. 
• (4) Determine the design index from Table 9-10 or
Table 9-12. 
• (5) Read the soil-surface strength required to
support the design index from Figure 9-50.
93
UNSURFACED ROADS, CBR
REQUIREMENT

94
 THICKNESS REQUIREMENTS
Thickness in inches

95
 EXAMPLE
Vehicle Average Daily Traffic
M998 HMMWV 180
(two axle)

M929 5-ton Dump 50

(three axle)

96
 EXAMPLE/SOLUTION
• 1. Determine the average daily traffic (given).
• 2. Select road class E from Table 9-8, based upon 230 vehicles per day.
• 3. Select traffic category IVA, based upon the percentage of Group 3
vehicles.
• 4. The design index is 3 from Table 9-10.
• 5. The soil-surface strength requirement for a design index of 3 is 10.8 CBR.
• 6. Check to ensure the design CBR value of the in-place soil exceeds the 10.8
CBR required. If not, consider using either soil stabilization or an aggregate
road.
• 7. Determine the required unsurfaced-soil thickness from Figure 9-51. Given
a design index of 3 and a required CBR of 10.8, the required thickness from
Figure 9-51 is 6 inches.

97
AGGREGATED-SURFACE ROADS
Materials- Refer to Chapter 5 FM 5-4300-00-1
(capable of obtaining CBR or 50 or better, MSA< 3”)

Higher quality to lower quality

Select and sub-base materials

98
 AGGREGATED-SURFACE ROADS
Base Course – Best materials

Design requirements--------

Thickness requirements
Look at enclosure (2)

99
AGGREGATED-SURFACE ROADS

100
DEPTH OF COMPACTION

101
QUESTIONS?

102
 7 STEP MILITARY ROAD
• Depending on time and assets, Military Roads will
either be Deliberate or Hasty
• Deliberate
– Surveyed and staked
– Quarry materials used
– Designed for long-term usage
• Hasty
– Temporary in nature
– Repairing existing roads
– Use indigenous materials

103
Seven Step Military Road
• Always clear, strip, and grub before
employing these procedures if possible.

• These steps are just that “steps” and not

passes; it may take the grader several
passes to achieve each step.

104
 STEP #1 – MARK IT
(MARKS THE DITCH LINE)

105
 STEP #2 – CUT IT
(FORMS THE DITCH)

106
 STEP # 3 – PULL IT
(CREATES THE SHOULDER)

107
 STEP #4 – MARK IT
(MARKS THE DITCH LINE)

108
 STEP #5 – CUT IT
(FORMS THE DITCH)

109
 STEP #6 – PULL IT
(CREATES THE SHOULDER)

110
 STEP #7 – CROWN IT
(CREATES THE CROWN)

111
QUESTIONS

112
EXPEDIENT SURFACE ROADS
• Several types
–Corduroy
–Chespalling
–Landing mats
–Plank tread
–Sand grid
113
CORDUROY

114
CORDUROY

115
CHESPALING

116
LANDING MAT

117
PLANK-TREAD

118
SAND GRID

119
QUESTIONS

120