H-YOUNG & CO (EA) LTD

UPGRADING OF ROADS TO AND WITHIN MT KENYA NATIONAL PARK

(ROAD FROM PARK HEADQUARTERS TO MET STATION)

END OF AUGUST 2016 MONTHLY INTERNSHIP REPORT

BY Kipkemoi Bernard Kirui

I.

INTRODUCTION

HYoung & Co (EA) LTD is an East African company which is based in Nairobi Kenya. It
has various projects across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania etc. The upgrading of Mount
Kenya national park roads is one of their projects financed by the European Union. The roads
has various works from bush clearing, earthworks, drainage and culvert works , base
stabilization using cement and two seals of surface dressing comprising 15/20 and 6/10 precoated chippings .
II.

KEY ACTIVITIES

a) CONSTRUCTION OF CULVERTS
Setting out
Culverts were set out in order to clearly define the outline of the excavation and the centre
line, so that construction can be carried out exactly according to the plan. The basic
coordinates and levels of each culvert were set in position in accordance to the given bench
mark. Surveying was carried out by total station and dumpy level through skilled Surveyor.
Excavations
Excavation was the first step of construction of culverts. It refers to the process of removing
soil or rock from its original location. Excavation was carried out to the lines, levels, width,
depth and grades as shown on the drawings, directed by the Engineer or as appropriate to the
works to be placed in the excavation.
Before going into the direct excavation work, the site was organized in a manner that
necessary profiles are put in position. Appropriate site layout was made and all the positions
of the culvert excavation in their exact and right place was located. After the setting out, the
approval of resident engineer staff was sought.
Excavation was carried out by an excavator and manpower respectively according to the
lines, levels, width, depth and grades as shown on the drawings, directed by the Engineer or
as appropriate to the works to be placed in the excavation. Excavation was suitably trimmed
and levelled before subsequent work is placed. The culvert was over excavated by 150 mm in
order to be filled with borrowed material. The fill was compacted to above 100 % MDD
(AASHTO T99).

Compaction is defined as the densification of a fill by mechanical means. This physical

process of getting the soil into a dense state can increase the shear strength, decrease the
compressibility, and decrease the permeability of the soil. There are four basic factors that
affect compaction: soil type, water content, material gradation and compaction energy.
Therefore the main aim of this test on the back fill material is to improve this materials
strength before it exposed to the culvert load.

Fig 1.1: Details of 900 mm dia culvert

Fig 1.2: Excavated culvert

b) FILLING AROUND BOX CULVERT
No filling around box culvert commenced; neither shall a structure was loaded without the
approval of the Engineer.
The filling was done with selected materials from the borrow pit approved by the Engineer,
brought up in horizontal layers not exceeding 150 mm compacted thickness. Each layer was
thoroughly mixed and compacted to a minimum dry density of 100% MDD (AASHTO T99).

Fig 1.3: Compaction of second layer of backfill of box culvert

c) SURFACE DRESSING (SECOND SEAL)

The second seal of 0+776 to 1+022 chainages were done using pre-coated chippings of size
6/10. Straight run bitumen was used at an average spray rate of 1.02 l/m2 .The equipment
used were the bitumen sprayer which heated straight run bitumen mixed with 5% kerosene to
165 oC, chippings spreader which spread chippings at a constant rate of and the pneumatic
tyre roller which could roll on the spread chippings for atleast 6 passes at each section.

Fig 1.4: surface dressing on process (Second Seal- 6/10 chippings)

III.
BENEFITS SO FAR
1. Improving my practical skills
Some of the practical skills I have gained so far are
a) Different construction equipment (machines) and their use in construction site.
Many of great structures before are a product of numerous human power and
countless days inspired by great powers. Machines are capable of handling tough
work which may be beyond the scope of human labour to be performed. They can
be expected to work with fair degree of effectiveness even under adverse weather,
climate or topographical conditions. I generally know how equipments are used
in the site including their specific purpose.
b) Casting and pouring of reinforced concrete structure and equipment used for
casting
c) Use of surveying equipment, total station for running short traverse and dumpy
level.
2. Understanding different classes of Bitumen and their differences. I got to learn how to
differentiate among tack coat, prime coat and seal coat