A Nigerian pavement geosynthetic engineering expert has developed groundbreaking research that promises to transform road construction across developing nations with problematic soils while addressing environmental challenges. Adesola Habeeb Adegoke’s pioneering work at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, demonstrates how polypropylene fibres derived from plastic waste can significantly enhance pavement road layer quality while reducing construction costs. His research represents a paradigm shift in sustainable infrastructure development, offering hope for nations struggling with both poor road networks and mounting environmental concerns.
Adegoke’s exceptional research journey culminated in him receiving the prestigious postgraduate award for outstanding academic excellence, with special recognition from Prof. Thokozani Shongwe, Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies, Research, and Innovation. He graduated as the second-best student in the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment for 2023, completing his MEng thesis titled “Dynamic Cone Penetration Resistance of Fibre-Reinforced Road Subgrades” through the prestigious Global Excellence Stature, Fourth Industrial Revolution (GES 4IR) scholarship.
The scholarship program, designed to nurture the next generation of African innovators, provided Adegoke with access to cutting-edge research facilities and international collaboration opportunities.
“The study reveals that incorporating specific amounts of these fibres into soil can increase road bearing capacity by 25% at optimal fibre content, while significantly reducing settlement under heavy traffic loads,” explains Adegoke.The research findings demonstrate remarkable improvements across multiple performance metrics, with tensile strength reaching 37.45 kPa, representing a substantial enhancement over conventional construction methods. Laboratory tests showed consistent performance improvements across various soil types commonly found in tropical regions.
This breakthrough comes at a crucial time when poor road conditions cost Nigeria’s economy billions of naira annually through vehicle damage and increased transport costs, particularly in regions with problematic soils such as lateritic and black cotton soils.”This research addresses a critical challenge facing Nigeria and other developing nations: how to build stronger, more durable roads using locally available materials,” Adegoke explained. The traditional approach of importing expensive stabilizing agents is often financially unsustainable for many African countries.
Current road construction practices in Nigeria often rely on imported, costly binding agents, making infrastructure projects expensive and dependent on foreign exchange availability. Adegoke’s research offers an alternative that could reduce these dependencies while improving road quality and longevity.
Beyond its technical merits, this research presents an innovative solution to Nigeria’s dual challenges of infrastructure deficit and waste management. The environmental implications of this breakthrough extend far beyond road construction, offering a comprehensive approach to sustainable development.”Nigeria generates millions of tons of plastic waste annually, much of which ends up polluting our environment, clogging drainage systems, and contributing to flooding in major cities,” Adegoke noted.
“This approach transforms this environmental burden into a valuable resource for infrastructure development.”The technology could create a significant market for plastic waste, incentivizing collection and processing while addressing environmental concerns. Roads constructed using this technology demonstrate enhanced durability, reducing the frequency of maintenance and reconstruction activities.
Infrastructure experts familiar with the research suggest it offers a pathway to build better roads while simultaneously addressing Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis, creating a sustainable solution that benefits both infrastructure development and environmental protection. The technology aligns with Nigeria’s environmental policies and supports the country’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
