Comparative Cost Analysis between Asphalt Pavement and Concrete Pavement in Road Construction: A Case study using Concrete grade 35

Abstract

Roads and Highways are vital lifelines. Roads are needed for accessibility and for transporting of people, goods and services.  Roads are therefore needed for socio-economic purposes. This research aims at assessing the suitability of concrete grade 35 as an alternative pavement to as asphalt pavement in road construction.  The objective of the research is to carry out investment appraisal on road project undertaken using concrete pavement and asphalt pavement and to compare their lifecycle costs and their initial cost of construction. The findings were as follows; the initial cost of the asphalt pavement was cheaper than concrete pavement. In terms of lifecycle costs, concrete pavement is cheaper than asphalt pavement. Investment appraisal methods were in favour of the asphalt pavement, however the present worth was in favour of concrete pavement. This was due to the high maintenance costs of asphalt pavement.

Keywords: Road, Highway, Investment Appraisal, Pavement.