Evaluation of structural adequacy of pavements in Kuwait: A case study of major arterial sections

This paper shows the results of a study comparing the structural designs of hot-mix asphalt pavements in Kuwait. The pavement design suggested by the locally-developed Kuwait Pavement Design Manual and that by the AASHTO 93 Flexible Pavement Design Guide are compared against typical pavement thicknesses actually used in Kuwait. Four sections of main arterial roads in Kuwait were studied. Their functional classes as well as other functional classes of roads in Kuwait are briefly described. Traffic volumes on the considered roadway sections were obtained from a traffic volume and speed study. Traffic loads were determined using FHWA s typical ESALs-per-vehicle values, since no information on traffic loads is readily available in Kuwait. Using these values showed that the actual existing thickness of pavements of some major roads in Kuwait are less than the required thickness suggested by the AASHTO 93 Guide with as much as 42%. Moreover, truck weights are not monitored and weight limits are not enforced in the country yet. This adds to the problem of traffic loads carried by major routes which are expected to be the major cause of the frequently occurring pavement distresses and failures. The paper concludes with remarks that must be considered to improve the practice of pavement design and control of traffic loads in Kuwait.