Development and Operation Model of Plant-derived Soil Additives for Road Disaster Reduction on Problematic Soil
Assistant Prof.
Fitsum Tesfaye Berhe
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Kyoto University / University of Miyazaki
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University(AASTU) / Jinka University(JKU) / Ethiopian Roads Authority(ERA)
FY 2018
5 Years
Developing methods for constructing roads on expansive soil by using soil additives derived from local plants
Many parts of Ethiopia remain hardly accessible due to a lack of well-maintained rural roads. Expansive soil, a typical problematic soil spread across Africa, makes it difficult to construct and maintain rural roads. This project will identify physical mechanisms of the expansive soil and develop soil additives made from local plants to improve the stability of unpaved roads. The goal is to find simple and convenient methods to construct roads without relying on expensive machinery and to develop an operational model in collaboration with local governments and communities.
Improving year-round accessibility in rural areas of sub-Saharan region
The project seeks to identify local plants that can be used for soil additives and apply them to the expansive soil in constructing rural roads. In the future, this road maintenance method can solve problems of the expansive soil found all over Africa. By incorporating different local conditions and improving the method as a comprehensive operational model, this project can increase accessibility to all-weather roads in sub-Saharan Africa.
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
Department of International Affairs
SATREPS Group
TEL : +81-3-5214-8085
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