Improving Rutting Resistance of Flexible Pavement Using Geosynthetics

Abstract

Unbound base layers deform under load and contribute to the accumulation of ruts. Therefore, this study was concerned with studying the effect of reinforcement on the behavior of unbound granular material that used in flexible pavement layers as a base course. Two main geothynthetic types were used in this study. These types were woven geotextile and geogrid. Two geogrid opening sizes were used (GR105 and GR420). The experimental work was designed to evaluate plastic and elastic deformation and the modulus of elasticity of reinforced limestone base course. This experimental work carried out utilizing the static plate loading test in a test-model which simulated the subgrade and base course of the flexible pavement. The effect of base thickness, geogrid depth, modulus of elasticity of base course and geogrid edges fixation on the deformation characteristics were studied. Furthermore, the effect of loading time on the accumulated deformation was investigated. Moreover, the effect of reinforcement on base thickness saving (BCR) and deformation reduction ratio (DRR) was studied. A great influence for reinforcement especially with geogrid (GR420) was observed in improving the deformation characteristics of base course.

Geosynthetic Reinforcement: A Strategy for Preventing Deformation of Flexible Pavements on Unstable Ground

“…The finite-element parametric evaluations of [35] show that geogrids placed within the asphalt layers are able to increase the overall bearing capacity of the pavement system, even for cases involving weak subgrades. [36] study the effect of base thickness, geogrid depth, modulus of elasticity of base course and geogrid edges fixation on the deformation characteristics. The phenomenon of shrinkage and swelling of clay soils has aroused the interest of many researchers, who have proposed solutions to deal with this damaging cycle.…”