Rational Approach for Base Type Selection
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 10
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate how base materials should be properly selected for specific types of pavement, considering not only the performance of individual layers but also how they interact in the completed pavement structure. Base types considered included: granular (GB), lean concrete (LCB), asphalt treated (ATB), cement treated (CTB), and permeable asphalt treated (PATB) bases, constructed under both hot mix asphalt (HMA) and Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements. The Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) Seasonal Monitoring Program (SMP) sites investigated included four SMP sections in the North Carolina SPS-2 experiment on US52 (wet-no-freeze zone) and 13 SMP sections in the SPS-1 and SPS-2 experiments on the Ohio SHRP Test Road (wet-freeze zone). The NC site contained two GB and two LCB sections, and the OH site contained eight GB, one ATB, two PATB, and two LCB sections. Environmental data were collected via seasonal monitors and time domain reflectometry. Pavement performance was monitored by obtaining periodic condition surveys and falling weight deflectometer measurements. Major findings of the study included the fact that base type had little impact on subgrade moisture and that the choice of base depends chiefly on three requirements: (1) appropriate stiffness; (2) sufficient permeability; and (3) good constructability. Guidelines for the selection of bases under flexible and rigid pavements are given.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). (1993). Guide for design of pavement structures, Washington, D.C.
Khazanovich, L., Darter, M., Bartlett, R., and McPeak, T. (1996). “Common characteristics of good and poorly performing PCC pavement.” FHWA-RD-97-131, Federal Highway Administration, McLean, Va.
Sargand, S. M., Wu, S., and Figueroa, J. L. (2005). “Influence of drainage on selection of base.” Preliminary Final Rep. prepared for the Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment (ORITE), Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
Wu, S. S. (1998). “Load and environment induced stresses on concrete pavement.” Proc., 3rd Intl. Conf. on Pavement Technology, Beijing, China.
Wu, S. S., and Hearne, T. M. (1989). “Performance of concrete pavement with econocrete base.” Proc., 4th Intl. Conf. on Concrete Pavement Design and Rehabilitation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., 683–695.
Yoder, E. J., and Witczak, M. W. (1975). Principles of pavement design, 2nd Ed., Wiley, New York.
Yu, H. T., Smith, K. D., Darter, M. I., Jiang, J., and Khazanovich, L. (1998). “Performance of concrete pavements. Volume III: Improving concrete pavement performance.” FHWA-RD-95-111, Federal Highway Administration, McLean, Va.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 10 • October 2006
Pages: 753 - 762
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Oct 6, 2005
Accepted: Feb 28, 2006
Published online: Oct 1, 2006
Published in print: Oct 2006
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.