Use of Locally Available Soils on Subbase and Base Layers of Flexible Pavements

2003 ◽  
Vol 1819 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian Ribeiro de Rezende ◽  
José Camapum de Carvalho

Lateritic soils are very abundant in the region of the Federal District of Brazil. If this material could be used in low-volume roads, it would be possible to avoid some environmental problems. Alternative techniques were developed for the use of nonconventional materials as subbase and base layers of flexible pavements. To analyze the technical and economical viability of using local soils, two experimental highways were constructed. Each highway was divided into three sections with different materials in the subbase and base layers, such as fine lateritic soil, fine lateritic soil stabilized with lime, and a mixture of fine lateritic soil and crushed rock. The compaction characteristics were evaluated in laboratory tests. From the time the segments were constructed (in 1998 and 2000) until 2001, the stress–strain behavior of the paving structures was evaluated by in situ tests, such as the plate-bearing, Benkelman beam, and falling weight deflectometer tests. From the results, conclusions were drawn about which of the chosen materials showed the best performance in mechanical behavior.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-57
Author(s):  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Pavana Vennapusa ◽  
David Joshua White

There are plenty of in situ tests available to examine pavement foundation performance regarding stiffness and support conditions. This study evaluates several in situ tests of the stiffness and support conditions of concrete pavement foundation layers. The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the outputs from Dynamic Cone Penetrometer tests and Falling Weight Deflectometer tests. The California Bearing Ratio from Dynamic Cone Penetrometer tests and the deflection data from Falling Weight Deflectometer tests were correlated to the design parameter – modulus of subgrade reaction k through correlations employed in pavement design manuals. Three methods for obtaining the k values were conducted, with the intent to evaluate which method provides the results most similar to the target value and whether the studied correlations are reliable. The back-calculated k values from Falling Weight Deflectometer deflections and the weak layer California Bearing Ratio correlated k values based on the Portland Cement Association method were close to the target value, while the California Bearing Ratio empirically correlated k based on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials method presented values significantly higher than the target value. Those previously reported correlations were likely to overestimate the k values based on subgrade California Bearing Ratio values.


1997 ◽  
Vol 1570 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Livneh

The portable falling weight deflectometer (FWD) was introduced some time ago. The use of this measuring device in Israel was stimulated by the contradictory results of various studies described in the technical literature. These studies indicated that significant deviations may exist between the in situ FWD-backcalculated asphalt-layer moduli and the expected true moduli values from laboratory testing. In addition to these deviations, it is known that uncertainties associated with the backcalculation procedure do not allow the backcalculation of moduli for thin asphalt layers less than 75 to 100 mm thick. Therefore, the need for an additional in situ testing device that would produce reasonable results for the in situ asphalt-layer moduli became obvious. In Israel, the portable FWD was considered to be a promising testing device to serve this need. In situ tests showed that the new device required additional testing on the asphalt surface after coring the asphalt layers to their bottom. This type of double-testing enabled the derivation of the in situ asphalt-layer modulus using a straightforward backcalculating technique. It was also thought, however, that the double-testing procedure may be sometimes too clumsy and costly. Therefore, it was decided to examine the possibility of conducting a single measurement to obtain a good estimate of the asphalt-layer modulus. The current study led to a proposed procedure for estimating the in situ asphalt-layer modulus after only one run.


Author(s):  
Marcin Grygierek ◽  
Krzysztof J. Sternik

Abstract Determination of the parameters of the pavement model in the linear discontinuous surface deformation (LDSD) area is presented in the article. The values are based on back calculations which involve results obtained from the elastic half-space model and the elastic—perfectly plastic model implemented in the finite element code compared with the results of the pavement deflection measured with Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD). Based on the results of the calculations which have been matched to the results of the in situ measurements, the obtained values of the parameters of the pavement model within LDSD zone and outside it, were analysed. The results of pavement tests indicate at least a threefold increase in pavement deflections in the discontinuous deformation zone compared to deflections in the sections not affected by LDSD. The results of in situ tests and computational analysis presented in the paper allow their use in pavement reinforcement design in the area of anticipated LDSD.


Author(s):  
Mario S. Hoffman

A direct and simple method (YONAPAVE) for evaluating the structural needs of flexible pavements is presented. It is based on interpretation of measured falling-weight deflectometer (FWD) deflection basins using mechanistic and practical approaches. YONAPAVE estimates the effective structural number (SN) and the equivalent subgrade modulus independently of the pavement or layer thicknesses. Thus, there is no need to perform boreholes, which are expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive to traffic. Knowledge of the effective SN and the subgrade modulus together with an estimate of the traffic demand allows the determination of the overlay required to accommodate future needs. YONAPAVE’s simple equations can be solved using a pocket calculator, making it suitable for rapid estimates in the field. The simplicity of the method, and its independence from major computer programs, make YONAPAVE suitable for estimating the structural needs of a road network using FWD data collected on a routine or periodic basis along network roads. YONAPAVE can be used with increased experience and confidence as the basis for nondestructive testing structural evaluation and overlay design at the project level.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 661-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader SOLATIFAR ◽  
Amir KAVUSSI ◽  
Mojtaba ABBASGHORBANI ◽  
Henrikas SIVILEVIČIUS

This paper presents a simple method to determine dynamic modulus master curve of asphalt layers by con­ducting Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) for use in mechanistic-empirical rehabilitation. Ten new and rehabilitated in-service asphalt pavements with different physical characteristics were selected in Khuzestan and Kerman provinces in south of Iran. FWD testing was conducted on these pavements and core samples were taken. Witczak prediction model was used to predict dynamic modulus master curves from mix volumetric properties as well as the bitumen viscosity characteristics. Adjustments were made using FWD results and the in-situ dynamic modulus master curves were ob­tained. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method, the results were compared with those obtained by us­ing the developed procedure of the state-of-the-practice, Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG). Re­sults showed the proposed method has several advantages over MEPDG including: (1) simplicity in directly constructing in-situ dynamic modulus master curve; (2) developing in-situ master curve in the same trend with the main predicted one; (3) covering the large differences between in-situ and predicted master curve in high frequencies; and (4) the value obtained for the in-situ dynamic modulus is the same as the value measured by the FWD for a corresponding frequency.


1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-100
Author(s):  
Der-Wen Chang ◽  
Chia-Ling Chang

AbstractIn this study, a computer program DBFWD is developed for data analysis of Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) test on flexible pavements. To backcalculate the layer moduli of the pavement, a number of iterative backcalculation schemes were employed with the forward analysis of the Green's flexibility influence functions. The temperature and the moisture influences on material moduli of the asphalt surface and the subgrade soils were considered in the analysis. As the result, the iterative scheme based on the peak deflection ratios was selected to backcalculate the layer moduli of local pavements. Owing to the correction procedure used in the program, interpretations with four original deflections were found more accurate than those with equivalent number of modified deflections. Comparisons of program DBFWD with other static backcalculation programs on theoretical and experimental deflections indicated that dynamic interpretation is more effective in providing the layer modulus information. Despite of the requirements of accurate inputs of the layer thickness and the testing load for the analysis, a generalized application of the program needs to be clarified with model road test in demand.


Author(s):  
Thomas C. Kinney ◽  
Danielle Stone ◽  
John Schuler

A model road was constructed in a laboratory. The road consisted of asphalt over a crushed rock base and a silty sand and gravel subbase. The silty sand and gravel were placed in a very loose state to simulate a thaw-weakened, poor-quality subbase. The water table was kept at 152 mm (6 in.) below the bottom of the asphalt. The model road was divided into three sections. A geogrid was installed at the bottom of the base course material in two of the test sections, and the third was left as a control section. A falling weight deflectometer was used to measure the dynamic response of the pavement structure. The traffic benefit ratio is defined as the expected life (equivalent single-axle loads) of one section divided by the expected life of another section. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities asphalt pavement design procedure and the NCHRP pavement design procedure were used to compare the test sections. The results from the two procedures were very similar. By using either procedure, the life of the pavement with respect to reinforcement was on the order of 2 to 4, depending on the type of grid and the depth of base course material.


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