The scope of the study was to determine the geotechnical properties of the materials used in construction of the subgrade, sub-base and base of Kakamega- Kaburengu road. The geotechnical properties aid in analyzing the suitability of the materials used in construction of the road.
To achieve the objective of the study, field and laboratory tests were conducted on the representative samples of alignment soils and borrow materials used in the construction. The tests are vital in assessment of suitability of the materials.
A detailed literature review elaborated the characteristics of an adequate pavement and the required geotechnical properties of the materials used to construct the subgrade, sub-base and the road base.
From the relevant data and the test results obtained, analysis was done by comparing the test results with RDM III properties of pavement layers. The relationships of some of the parameters were graphically represented and the conclusion drawn from the data is the materials used for pavement construction conformed to the standard specifications in RDM III.
The recommendations were drawn from the conclusions made. It is significant for a national survey to carried out so as to develop a database of soil alignments of different parts of Kenya