Elastic Analysis of Thin Pavements and Subgrade Soil Based on Field and Laboratory Tests

Abstract

This paper analyses the elastic behaviour of thin pavements built with densely graded sound rock and weathered basalts (alternative materials) dry-bound macadam. Four surface treated test sections were built on lateritic soil subgrade and loaded by a linear traffic simulator. More than 1,300,000 equivalent single axle loads were applied and more than 2,000 deflections measured during traffic. Pavement and subgrade moduli were back calculated, and cyclic triaxial tests were carried out on the subgrade soil. The investigation results make clear that thin surfaced unbound granular pavements, built on lateritic clay subgrades, may present a quite high bearing capacity. The contribution of lateritic subgrades to the bearing capacity of thin pavements and the influence of permeability on the elastic response of unbound aggregate bases are also evidenced. For the covering abstract see ITRD E118503.