Field Trial for Asphalt Pavements Reinforced with Geosynthetics and Behavior of Glass-Fiber Grids
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 21, Issue 5
Abstract
This paper presents details of a large field trial and some observations conducted to evaluate the practical efficiencies of geosynthetically reinforced asphalt pavements in Shanxi Province, China. Three glass-fiber grids (LB2000 II, TGG-8080, GGA 2021), one plastic grid (Tensar AR1), two geotextiles (nonwoven needle-punched and nonwoven heat-bonded), and one geocomposite (Tensar AR-G) application were selected for evaluation. These geosynthetics were installed in the interface between new asphalt pavement layers (APL) and new cement-stabilized gravel–sand base courses coated by emulsified asphalt or within new APL in the reconstruction of asphalt pavement sections (Program I), or in the interface between old APL and new overlay layers in the asphalt overlay pavement sections (Program II). In each program, reinforced sections with different geosynthetics were compared with each other and with nonreinforced sections to determine relative performance. Inspections after construction showed that the integrated damage ratio and deflection in the pavement sections reinforced with glass–fiber grids were less than other pavement sections. Furthermore, after about of service, glass-fiber grids were dug out and no breaking and node movement were discovered. Nevertheless, observations indicated that geosynthetics may not be effective, if bearing capacity of the base course/subgrade is inadequate, or if the overlay thickness is too thin, or if preconstruction repair of distressed old pavement is incomplete.
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Acknowledgments
This material is based on work supported by the Jinzhong Branch of Shanxi Highway Bureau under the Jinzhong Branch Project No. 01-22. The writers wish to thank T. Wang, S. X. Wang, and X. Y. You for their assistance in laboratory test, field trial, and data analyses.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 21 • Issue 5 • October 2007
Pages: 361 - 367
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 25, 2006
Accepted: Mar 1, 2007
Published online: Oct 1, 2007
Published in print: Oct 2007
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