Title: Basic geotechnical criteria to increase pavement structural life
Abstract: The behavior of most engineering works (e.g., a pavement) is highly dependent on the soundness of their foundations. This is indeed the case of the sub-base course constructed with RCC (rolled compacted concrete). It may be thought of as a continuous footing capable of carrying the traffic loads and transmit them uniformly to the underlying material layers. In order to avoid upward propagation of cracks associated with RCC shrinkage, sound gravel (railroad-ballast type) should be used to build the base course. Furthermore, the granular material would reduce traffic noise and inhibit the upward movement of capillary water that, consequently, would increase the structural capacity. This structural setup results in a significant increase in economic life. The base course (gravel layer) must be overlaid by an asphalt concrete layer (surface course), in order to provide comfort and safety to all vehicles. In Mexico, there are several cases of pavements built with these basic geotechnical criteria. In all of them, a FWD (Falling Weight Deflectometer) has been used for nondestructive structural evaluation. Some examples of this type are described in this paper. This particular type of structural cross section was named pavement inverted section” (PIS) by Romo and Orozco, so as to reflect the fact that its structural capacity increases with depth, as opposed to traditional structures (PTS). A sketch of the PIS-type of section is shown in the paper.
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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