Sustainable Infrastructure Choice for Somali Ports: Modeling and Comparative Study of Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavement

The development of port terminals in Somalia, including Mogadishu, Berbera, and Bossaso, is crucial for enhancing the nation’s economic growth and global trade, with capacities ranging from 500,000 to 1.5 million TEUs, including planned expansions. Whereas Berbera has recently been upgraded, other terminals require varying degrees of rehabilitation. Historically, Somali ports have used flexible asphalt concrete (AC) pavements; however, jointed plain concrete and concrete block paving have been introduced in areas undergoing expansion and improvement. Roller compacted concrete (RCC), favored in the United States and Canada for its higher load-bearing capacity, reduced maintenance, fast construction, and cost-effectiveness, has yet to be implemented in Somalia. This study evaluates the performance of existing AC pavements under critical loading conditions and compares it to the performance of RCC pavements. Detailed modeling and analysis of dynamic loading and static container stacking reveal that the AC pavements at Mogadishu Port experience significantly high stress and early deterioration under critical loading conditions, a finding corroborated by field observations and expert consultations. RCC pavements show a reduction in deformation by up to 50% compared to that of AC, resulting in improved performance. Additionally, a life cycle cost analysis demonstrates that RCC offers up to a 23% reduction in long-term costs, even when higher contingency rates are factored in.