SITE INVESTIGATION ON BAZO RIVER FOR BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION AT GARDA-MARTA AND MALE WOREDAS ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Site investigation for different Infrastructures plays a vital role for examining the suitability of the site for different proposed construction projects. Since, it is the surveys for different factors which can be positive and/or negative influence on required activities during design and construction stages. In addition to this, site investigation is needed in order to have long life, economical and functional of different structures [5], [8]. Bridge is civil engineering structure, which has different function for given community as per social, economic, and political aspects. It is commonly built over a river, a dry valley or any depressed part of land to provide a link between the two opposite sides. Thus, before construction of such projects their site investigation is quit important. Bazo River is found in between two (Garda-Marta and Male) Woredas in Gamo zone, Ethiopia. This river has high discharge capacity of 409.7m3/s at dry season and 854.2m3/s wet season. But it was stayed without any function for the community just starting from peoples settled in the area. Hence, this research was directed to assess the site for bridge and diversion work. The main objective of this research study was Site Investigation on Bazo River for Bridge construction at Garda-Marta and Male Woredas, Ethiopia. Therefore, the study covers the feasibility of the site for bridge construction, hydrological data collection; and geotechnical investigation and analysis on subsoil materials [2], [7]. In addition to bridge foundation soil investigation, road subgrade soil investigation was also conducted to have soil class and load bearing behavior for future pavement design.