Performance of Vetiver fibre-reinforced wearing courses on rural roads

Rural roads play a crucial role in the economies of developing countries. Substantial efforts are required to keep these roads operative. Maintenance and conservation lead to the highest operating costs for rural roads. This research aims to determine the effect of incorporating natural fibres on the performance and lifespan of the wearing course of a rural road. The impact of fibres on the performance of the wearing course was evaluated using three indices: resilient modulus, rutting and dust particle emission. The tested material complies with the specifications for wearing material according to Peruvian standards (MTC, 2013). Varied concentrations of Vetiver fibre were added to this material, in lengths ranging from 60 to 100 mm. The results indicate that reinforcing the granular wearing course with natural fibres leads to a reduction in the rutting of the wearing course, dust emissions and the resilient modulus.