MINIMUM BEARING STRENGTH OF SOIL SUBGRADES REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

The efficient and safe construction of highway flexible pavements is dependent on the shear strength of the subgrade and tire contact stresses of construction equipment. To avoid bearing capacity failures of the subgrade and first lift of the granular base, or asphaltic pavement, during early construction stages, a certain minimum shear strength of the subgrade must be available. The overall bearing capacity of early construction stages of flexible pavement is examined using a newly developed, theoretical bearing capacity model based on limit equilibrium. The objectives of this paper are to determine the minimum bearing strength required to avoid bearing capacity failures during construction for any given tire contact stress and to develop guidelines for determining when subgrade modification, or stabilization, may be needed. Knowing when to modify a soil to improve bearing strength is essential to the development of sound and economical plans before construction and to assure the efficient construction of the pavement. To determine a minimum strength for any given average tire contact stress, theoretical bearing capacity analyses were performed. Results of these analyses are compared to published results obtained from field tests.

• Corporate Authors:

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  395 John Ireland Boulevard
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155
• Authors:
  • Hopkins, T
• Conference:
  • 4th International Conference, Bearing Capacity of Roads and Airfields
  • Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Date: 1994-8-17 to 1994-8-21
• Publication Date: 1994

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 605-617
• Serial:
  • Volume: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Bearing capacity; Construction equipment; Economic efficiency; Flexible pavements; Granular bases; Minimization; Paving; Safety; Shear strength; Soil stabilization; Soils; Stresses; Subgrade (Pavements); Theory; Tires
• Uncontrolled Terms: Contact stress; Efficiency; Minimum; Modifications; Stabilization
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I33: Other Materials used in Pavement Layers;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00730078
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 27 1997 12:00AM