CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1. General
Myanmar has a roads network of 142,395 kilometers. Myanmar’s roads are a
mix of modern highways and narrow, unpaved roads. As of 2017, 27percent – about
39076 kilometers of Myanmar roads were paved. 20 million of people are without
basic road access. Myanmar is geographically located at the Cross roads between East
and West, North and South of Asia Continent as a natural link between the Asian
countries. It can facilitate as a land-bridge connecting Southeast Asia and South Asia
as well as China. And also, Myanmar is very potential to be a regional hub offering its
geographical advantages to neighbouring countries to make maximum use of it for
their beneficial transport linkages across the region.
Road transport is the dominant mode of transportation in Myanmar. Road also
plays an important role in both urban and rural areas for supporting cargoes and
products from one region to another and enabling people to gain social and
economical benefits. Roads are also the key elements of the basic infrastructure to
support regional and international trade and commerce. Economic growth is
accompanied by rapid traffic growth also in Myanmar. The total number of vehicles
are increasing day by day. In 1990, the there were only 174,970 registered vehicles. In
2010, the total numbers reached 2,292,000 and, in 2017, the total number of registered
vehicles increased upto 6,290,956.
In order to meet the road access and standard with the increasing vehicle
numbers, the Myanmar government is implementing National Transport Master Plan.
This plan is designed to provide guidance for a long-term investment program of
transport sector in general that will help the government to achieve its economic
growth targets by 2030.Transportation is very much important for the development in
all sectors of a country.

1.2. Objectives of the study

The main objectives of the study are;
1. To have better understanding of specifications and practices in rigid pavement.
 2. To study the characteristics of rigid pavement.
3. To provide find out the structural design for the pavement.

1.3. Scope of the Study

The study area, Yangon Dry Port, is located near No.2 main road, Ywar Thar
Gyi, East Dagon Township. The design calculation of slab thickness is carried out by
Portland Cement Association (PCA) method. The designs of dowel and tie bars are
calculated by Bradbury’s Analysis.

Figure 1.1. Marshalling area near Yangon-Mandalay Railroad

at Ywar Thar Gyi

 Figure 1.2. Old road before construction

1.4. Outlines of the Study

This study consists of five chapters. Chapter one is the introduction of thesis.
Chapter two is titled as literature review. Methodology is mentioned in Chapter three.
Chapter four includes design calculation of rigid pavement. Discussions, conclusions
and recommendations are presented in Chapter five.