This document outlines the module for Highway Engineering as part of a National Diploma for Industrial Technician in Civil Engineering. The 60-hour module aims to develop an understanding of the importance and influence of transportation systems as well as the construction and maintenance of highways. Students will learn about road and highway components, materials used in construction like soil and aggregates, and bituminous binders. Key topics covered include highway planning, alignment, flexible pavement systems, and construction procedures.

1. National Diploma for Industrial Technician
Civil Engineering
Module : Highway Engineering.
Module No : C 2-10
Module Value : 01
60 Hours (02 Hours per Week)
Pre-requisite Units :
Co-requisite Units :
Rational :
Assessment Method : AE
Aim of the Unit :
1. To develop an understanding of the importance and influence of transportation and
highway Engineering on the development of society.
2. To make students aware of construction process and maintenance of highways and
roads.
3. To develop an understanding of the properties, and standards of highway construction
material and their use construction.
4. To provide a basic knowledge office processes and techniques involved in the
construction and maintenance of highway structures such as bridges and culverts.
5. Demonstrate the understanding of types and components of roads/highways
6. Select suitable materials for road construction
7. Supervise the road construction operations
8. Assist in testing of materials
HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Unit No: C 2-10
C

2. Special Notes :
i. Teaching of this subject content, Call be enhanced by taking
students on site visits.
ii. The practical mentioned under construction materials should
be conducted under the unit on laboratory work.
iii. The suggested method of assessment consist of three
assignments and an end test.
The student will be able to
 Demonstrate the understanding of types and components of roads/highways
 Select suitable materials for road construction
 Supervise the road construction operations
 Assist in testing of materials
Learning Content / Topics
 Road system in Sri Lanka, classification of roads
 Highway planning: planning procedure; surveys
 Highway alignment: factors controlling alignment. Stages of the process, final location
and detailing, realignment projects.
 Components of a highway system (pavement, shoulders, marking, drainage, lighting,
guide rails etc), types of road pavements (flexible and rigid)
 Flexible highway systems: Structural elements of a highway pavement, materials used
for the construction of a highway, highway construction procedure, causes of structural
failure in pavements, basic concepts of highway maintenance
 Types of road construction materials, soil as a road construction material, soil survey, soil
classification, effect of moisture on soil properties, Atterberg limits
 Aggregates for road construction: types of road aggregates, aggregate properties -
shape, texture, gradation, strength, resistance to abrasion, resistance to polishing,
soundness, specific gravity etc. , testing of aggregates, blending of aggregates.
 Bituminous road binders: types of binders, forms of bitumen - penetration grade, cutback
bitumen, bitumen emulsions, preparation of cutbacks and emulsions, properties of
bitumen - penetration, softening point, viscosity, ductility, flash and fire, durability etc,
testing of bitumen, bituminous mixes, properties of asphalt concrete mixes, asphalt
concrete mix design
 Highway construction - selecting base and sub base material, sub grade stabilisation and
compaction, testing of sub grade materials, selection and decision on borrow pits, using
mass-haul diagrams, construction and back filling

3.  Road system in Sri Lanka, classification of roads
 Highway planning: planning procedure; surveys
 Highway alignment: factors controlling alignment. Stages of the process, final location and
detailing, realignment projects.
 Components of a highway system (pavement, shoulders, marking, drainage, lighting, guide rails
etc), types of road pavements (flexible and rigid)
 Flexible highway systems: Structural elements of a highway pavement, materials used for the
construction of a highway, highway construction procedure, causes of structural failure in
pavements, basic concepts of highway maintenance
 Types of road construction materials, soil as a road construction material, soil survey, soil
classification, effect of moisture on soil properties, Atterberg limits
 Aggregates for road construction: types of road aggregates, aggregate properties - shape, texture,
gradation, strength, resistance to abrasion, resistance to polishing, soundness, specific gravity
etc. , testing of aggregates, blending of aggregates.
 Bituminous road binders: types of binders, forms of bitumen - penetration grade, cutback bitumen,
bitumen emulsions, preparation of cutbacks and emulsions, properties of bitumen - penetration,
softening point, viscosity, ductility, flash and fire, durability etc, testing of bitumen, bituminous
mixes, properties of asphalt concrete mixes, asphalt concrete mix design
 Highway construction - selecting base and sub base material, sub grade stabilisation and
compaction, testing of sub grade materials, selection and decision on borrow pits, using mass-
haul diagrams, construction and back filling