Water erosion on unpaved roads is directly related with poor drainage. The knowledge of the soil erodibility and critical shear stress is essential for correct design of drainage systems. In this paper equipment was developed which allows to simulate the surface runoff in the road channels and to determine, consequently, the soil erodibility and the critical shear stress for the soil. The equipment consists of a water reservoir, a box to control water level, a channel where the surface runoff simulation is made and a system to store the water and the sediments which are detached by surface runoff. The equipment had a good performance to determine the soil erodibility and the critical shear stress for the soil; however it has inconvenience with respect to labor and the amount of water necessary.
road erosion; surface runoff; erosion test
