In June 1994, a 150-m-long secondary road pavement section was built as part of the realignment of route 616 and 757 in Bedford County, Virginia to evaluate the performance of geosynthetically stabilized flexible pavements. The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of the subgrade after construction was approximately 8%. The pavement section is was divided into nine individual sections, each approximately 15 m long. Sections one through three have a 100-mm-thick limestone base course (VDOT 21-B), sections four through six have a 150-mm-thick base course, and sections seven through nine have a 200-mm-thick base course. Three sections were stabilized with geotextiles and three with geogrids at the base course-subgrade interface. The remaining three sections were kept as control sections. One of each stabilization category was included in each base course thickness group. The hot-mix asphalt (HMA), SM-2A, wearing surface thickness was 78-90 mm. The outside wheel path of the inner lane was instrumented with strain gages, pressure cells, piezoelectric sensors, thermocouples, and moisture sensors. Section performances based on the instrumentation response to control and normal vehicular loading indicated that geosynthetic stabilization provided significant improvement in pavement performance. Generally, the measured pressure at the base course-subgrade interface for the geotextile-stabilized sections was lower than the geogrid-stabilized and control sections, within a specific base course thickness group. This finding agreed with other measurements, such as rut depth, ground penetration radar survey, and falling weight deflectometer survey. The control section (100-mm-thick base course) exhibited rutting that was more severe than the geosynthetically stabilized sections. Falling weight deflectometer back-calculation revealed consistently weaker subgrade strength for the geogrid-stabilized and control sections than for the geotextile-stabilized sections over the three year evaluation period. To quantitatively assess the extent of contamination, excavation of the first three sections in October 1997 revealed that fines present in the base course were significantly greater in the control and geogrid-stabilized section than in the geotextile-stabilized section. These findings led to the conclusion that the subgrade fine movement into the base layer when a separator is absent jeopardizes its strength. Further analysis of the field data showed that geotextile-stabilization may increase the service life of flexible secondary road pavements by 1.5 to 2 times. Finally, a new mechanistic-empirical flexible pavement design method for pavements with and without geosynthetics has been developed. Elasto-viscoelastic material characterization is used to characterize the HMA layer. The field results from Bedford County, Virginia project have been used to calibrate and validate the final developed design procedure. The concept of transition layer formed at the interface of base course and subgrade is also incorporated into the design approach. Powerful axisymmetric linear elastic analysis is used to solve the system of equations for mechanical and thermal loading on the pavement structure. Elasto-viscoelastic correspondence principle (EVCP) and Boltzman superposition integral (BSI) are used to convert the elastic solution to its viscoelastic counterpart and also to introduce the dynamic nature of vehicular loading. Pseudo-elastoplasticity is introduced into the problem by determining the extent of plastic strain using laboratory experimentation results and estimating the failure mechanisms, based on accumulated strains as opposed to the total strain (recoverable and non-recoverable). The pavement design approach presented in this dissertation is a hybrid of already existing techniques, as well as new techniques developed to address the visco-plastic nature of HMA. / Ph. D.

Stochastic analysis provides a rationale for the treatment of uncertainties, founded on the principles of probability theory and statistics, and is concerned with a quantifiable measure of the confidence or the reliability associated with any design process. In this thesis, a stochastic approach is employed in the design of flexible pavement structures, to facilitate the development of safe and reliable pavement structures. The important aspects that have been explored in sufficient detail include the system reliability and global sensitivity analysis, and the spatial and temporal uncertainties that pervade the life of pavements. Chapter 1 of the thesis provides an introduction to the stochastic modelling of flexible pavements and its significance in the present day. Highlighting the need for this study, this chapter also enumerates its objectives and presents an overview of the organization of the thesis. Chapter 2 provides a review of the existing literature of the design of flexible pavements and the approaches adopted to deal with the various sources of uncertainties in a probabilistic setting. The estimation of the uncertainties in fundamental pavement design inputs and their integration into the general performance prediction procedures has become a required component of the modern Mechanistic-Empirical pavement design methodology, which has been described in detail. This chapter also provides the scope of the thesis by identifying the areas of stochastic analysis that have received little attention in the flexible pavement design, which include the effect of spatial variability on the pavement structural responses and the techniques of global sensitivity analysis. Chapter 3 provides a detailed overview of the various methodologies adopted in this thesis to carry out the stochastic modelling of flexible pavements. The fundamental technique adopted for the analysis of reliability is the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS), which relies upon a numerical/analytical model of the physical system, i.e. the pavement model and a probabilistic description of the design parameters represented by random variables or random fields. The high computational expense associated with the MCS, particularly in the case of random fields, is tackled by the use of meta-models based on the stochastic response surface methodology. The chapter outlines the steps followed to develop the meta-models in the form of Polynomial Chaos Equations (PCEs) and its extension to the Sparse PCE that can conveniently represent the spatial variability of the pavement fields. Chapter 4 deals with the probabilistic modelling of flexible pavements, where the design parameter and model uncertainties are quantified based on the available literature studies. The global sensitivity analysis, which aims to study the impact of the input uncertainty on the variation of a model output (critical pavement responses) through uncertainty propagation, is achieved by the construction of the Polynomial Chaos Equations (PCEs). To implement the global sensitivity analysis in a system reliability framework, a generalized approach based on Bayes’ theorem and the concept of entropy as a sensitivity measure, has been proposed in this chapter. Chapter 5 deals with the characterization of the spatial variability inherent in the pavement layer by employing random fields and analyzing the effect on the pavement responses. The discretization of the random field into a vector of random variables is achieved through the simple Midpoint Discretization and the efficient Expansion Optimal Linear Estimation method. Since the computational effort in stochastic problems is proportional to the number of random variables involved, it is desirable to use a small number of random variables to represent the random field. To achieve this, the principle of transformation of the original random variables into a set of uncorrelated random variables through an eigenvalue orthogonalization procedure is adopted. To further increase the computational efficiency of generating random fields for Monte Carlo Simulation, the variance reduction technique of Latin Hypercube Sampling and the meta-modelling technique using Sparse Polynomial Chaos Equations (SPCEs) are implemented. The primary focus of this chapter is to analyze the influence of the spatial variability of the pavement layer moduli, including its anisotropic characteristics on the pavement structural responses. Chapter 6 focuses on the time-dependent reliability of the pavement structures as they age in service, with due consideration given to degradation of strength with traffic loading. The study is concerned with the fatigue reliability and thereby only the decrease in the asphalt modulus with time is considered as a function of the accumulated damage due to repeated loading, whose uncertainty is determined by the uncertainties of material parameters and the traffic loading. The time-dependent model adopted in this chapter can be quite effortlessly embedded in the Mechanistic-Empirical design framework, and provides a tool to effectively schedule the maintenance of the pavement structure and ensure that the reliability level remains at the desired level for the entire design life of the structure. Chapter 7 summarizes the various studies reported in this thesis and highlights the important conclusions.

Chip and scrub seal treatments are common pavement preservation practices that use asphalt emulsions. Their performance has been studied for several years, yet many questions remain. The primary thesis objective was to study near surface behaviors of flexible pavements that are candidates for seal treatments. This study investigated the ability of the bending beam rheometer (BBR) to detect pavement surface changes due to the application of asphalt emulsion. Estimated stiffness and m-value data was recorded for three asphalt concrete mixtures using mixture beams approximately 120 mm long by 12 mm wide by 7.7 mm thick sawn from the surface of asphalt specimens. One mixture was plant mixed and laboratory compacted, while the other two were field-aged mixtures. This study gauges effect of treating specimens with emulsions commonly used in Mississippi in conditioned and unconditioned states.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The use of geosynthetics as reinforcement for the base layer of flexible pavement systems has grown steadily over the past thirty years. In spite of the evidence that geosynthetic reinforcements can lead to improved pavement performance, the specific conditions or mechanisms that enable and govern the reinforcement are unclear, largely remaining unidentified and unmeasured. The appropriate selection of design parameters for geosynthetics is complicated by the difficulty in associating their relevant properties to the improved pavement performance. In addition, pavement structures deteriorate under the combined effects of traffic loading and environmental conditions, such as moisture changes. However, these factors have not been studied together in the evaluation of the overall performance of pavement systems. Consequently, this research focused on the assessment of the effect of geosynthetics on the pavement structural section's ability to support traffic loads and to resist environmental changes. Accordingly, the primary objectives of this research were: (i) to determine the governing mechanisms and relevant properties of geosynthetics that contribute to the enhanced performance of pavement systems; (ii) to develop appropriate analytical, laboratory and field methods that are capable of quantifying the above properties for geosynthetics; and (iii) to enable the prediction of pavement performance depending on the various types of geosynthetics used. To fulfill these three objectives, an evaluative, laboratory and field study was performed. The improved performance of pavements due to addition of geosynthetics was attributed to the ability of geosynthetics to laterally restrain the base course material, thereby providing a confinement effect to the pavement. A parameter to quantify the soil-geosynthetic interaction at low displacement magnitudes based on the solution of an analytical model for geosynthetics confined in pullout box was proposed. The pullout tests were then conducted on various geosynthetics to obtain the proposed parameter for various geosynthetics. The quantitative magnitude of the parameter value from the laboratory tests was compared with the qualitative performance observed in the field test sections. Overall, a good agreement was obtained between the laboratory and field results, thereby providing confidence in the ability of the proposed analytical model to predict the governing mechanism for geosynthetic reinforced pavements. / text

A utilização da tela de aço como reforço de pavimentos asfálticos no combate ao trincamento por reflexão é uma alternativa utilizada desde 1980 em países europeus. Uma revisão da literatura a respeito de sua utilização na reabilitação de pavimentos asfálticos, mostra que, a sua utilização acaba diminuindo o aparecimento de trincas nas camadas de revestimento, agindo como uma barreira contra a sua propagação, oferece resistência ao cisalhamento especialmente sob elevadas tensões e ainda, melhora a resistência à fadiga contribuindo para a longevidade do pavimento. Entretanto, o potencial de sua utilização tem sido pouco investigado em rodovias brasileiras. Neste contexto, insere-se esta pesquisa com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do reforço gerado pela inserção da tela em revestimentos asfálticos para o uso em pavimentos flexíveis, com o propósito de tornar as estruturas rodoviárias menos onerosas com consequente aumento da sua vida útil. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa visando à análise do seu desempenho em um trecho experimental localizado na rodovia SP-354, no Estado de São Paulo entre as cidades de Campo Limpo Paulista e Jarinu, fundamentado nas melhores práticas internacionais, recorrendo à observação em campo e laboratório, análise por meio de ensaios de módulo de resiliência e cálculos por retroanálise para verificação do efeito da inserção da tela, ainda propondo, uma metodologia de dimensionamento estrutural de reforço de pavimentos asfálticos considerando a faixa de valores de módulo de resiliência integrados com a tela e o fator de deflexão (K) para cálculo de espessura de reforço. Conclui-se que esta técnica de reforço tem potencial para prolongar a vida útil de revestimentos asfálticos em pavimentos flexíveis, com benefícios também para o desempenho da camada na fase pós-trincamento. Foram obtidos modelos que permitem dimensionar o revestimento asfáltico com o propósito de avaliar o efeito da tela de aço na zona tracionada da camada. Por fim, foi verificada através de um estudo de viabilidade técnica/econômica que a incorporação da tela de aço em pavimentos flexíveis é uma alternativa eficaz e de adequada viabilidade técnica e econômica. / The use of the steel mesh as reinforcement of asphalt pavements to combat reflective cracks by reflection is an alternative used since 1980 in European countries. A review of the literature on the use of the steel mesh in the rehabilitation of asphalt pavements shows that its use prevents the appearance of cracks acting as a barrier against its propagation, offers resistance to shearing especially under high tensions and also improves the resistance to fatigue contributing to the longevity of the pavement. However, the potential if its use has been little investigated in Brazilian highways. In this context this project is to develop a new technology for road construction and rehabilitation. The idea is to use steel mesh reinforcement in asphalt roads in order to make road structures more cost effective by improving the lifetime of new constructed roads and by developing an optimal rehabilitation method for existing roads. For this, a research was performed aiming at the analysis of its performance in an experimental section located on the highway SP-354, in the State of São Paulo between the cities of Campo Limpo Paulista and Jarinu, based on the best international practices, using observation of its behavior in the field and laboratory, analysis by means of resilient modulus tests and calculations by backcalculation to verify the effect of the insertion of the screen, still proposing, a methodology of asphalt pavement design considering the range of integrated resilience module values with the screen and the structural deflection reduction factor (K) admissible for reinforcement projects. It was concluded that this reinforcing technique has potential for improvements crack propagation post-cracking behavior and permanent deformation in the asphalt concrete surfacing layer, with a ten fold increase on fatigue life to be expected. A model was developed that may be employed for pavement design modifying a model based on the use of conventional fatigue laws for the asphalt concrete, if the grid is positioned at the tensile zone of the surfacing layer. Finally, it was verified through a technical / economic study that the incorporation of the steel mesh in flexible pavements is an effective alternative and of adequate technical and economic viability.

Neste trabalho apresenta-se um estudo para a estimativa das deformações permanentes nas camadas de solo em pavimentos flexíveis de baixo custo do Estado de São Paulo. O comportamento dos solos do ponto de vista tensão-deformação foi investigado através do ensaio triaxial com pressão confinante constante e com tensão desvio axial cíclica, para diferentes condições de umidade e densidade desses materiais, submetidos a carregamentos repetidos. As tensões aplicadas nos corpos-de-prova, em laboratório, para estudo de suas deformações foram obtidas através da utilização de dois programas de computador, quais sejam: ELSYM5 e ILLI-PAVE. Através dos resultados dos ensaios de laboratório, foram investigados dois modelos matemáticos para a estimativa das deformações permanentes dos solos em estudo. Um deles relacionando a deformação permanente com o número de aplicação das tensões; o outro, relacionando a deformação permanente com o número e amplitude das tensões aplicadas e, ainda, com a resistência mecânica de cada um deles. Finalmente, através da utilização desses modelos matemáticos, foi estudada a contribuição das deformações permanentes das camadas de solo na formação das trilhas-de-roda, para diferentes níveis de carregamento, em dois segmentos de uma rodovia, cuja estrutura é constituída pelos solos em estudo. / This work shows a study to estimate the permanent deformations of soil layers in low cost flexible pavements of São Paulo State. Under the point of view of stress-strain the soils behaviour was investigated through triaxial test with constant confinant pressure and cyclic axial deviator stress, for different conditions of moisture and density of materiais, undergo repeated loading.The stresses aplied in especimens, in laboratory, to study their deformations, were obtained by utilization of two computer programs: ELSYM5 e ILLI-PAVE. Through results of laboratory tests, two mathematical models were investigated for estimate the permanent deforrnations of soils in study. One of them relating the permanent deformation with the number of stress aplications; the other one, relating the permanent deformation with the number and magnitude of stresses aplied and, also, with the mechanic resistance of each soil. Finally, by using that mathematic models, the contribution of the permanent deformations of soil layers in formation of whell\'s path, for different loading leveis, was obtained for two segments of highway, which structure is compounded by the soils in study.