Influence of Subgrade/Subbase Non-Uniformity on PCC Pavement Performance
Publication: Geotechnical Engineering for Transportation Projects
Abstract
Several reconstructed Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavement projects in Iowa were recently studied to evaluate the influence of subgrade/subbase non-uniformity on pavement performance. Crack surveys and field tests to evaluate the subgrade/subbase were conducted. Dynamic cone penetrometer, nuclear density gauge, GeoGauge vibration, and Clegg Impact Hammer tests were performed in a grid pattern (2.5 m x 2.5 m over an area of about 7.5 m wide by 30 m long) to develop a database of the subgrade/subbase engineering property values. Results of stiffness, moisture and density, strength, and soil classification were used to produce plots indicating spatial variability of a given property. Natural subgrade soils, fly ash stabilized subgrade, reclaimed hydrated fly ash subbase, and aggregate subbase were studied. The influence of spatial variability of subgrade/subbase was evaluated by modeling elastic properties of the pavement and subgrade using the ISLAB2000 finite element analysis program. Results show that non-uniform subgrade/subbase stiffness increases localized deflections and causes stress concentrations in the pavement, which lead to fatigue cracking and other types of pavement distresses.
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Copyright
© 2004 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Apr 26, 2012
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Concrete pavements
- Continuum mechanics
- Cracking
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Field tests
- Fracture mechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Geotechnical investigation
- Gravels
- Infrastructure
- Pavement condition
- Pavement deflection
- Pavements
- Penetration tests
- Solid mechanics
- Stiffening
- Structural behavior
- Structural engineering
- Subgrades
- Tests (by type)
- Transportation engineering
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