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DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN METHODS FOR GEOSYNTHETIC REINFORCED FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

Base reinforcement in pavement systems using geosynthetics has been found under certain conditions to provide improved performance. Current design methods for flexible pavements reinforced with a geosynthetic in the unbound aggregate base layer are largely empirical methods based on a limited set of design conditions over which test sections have been constructed. These design methods have been limited in use due to the fact that the methods are not part of a nationally recognized pavement design procedure, the methods are limited to the design conditions in the test sections from which the method was calibrated, and the design methods are often times proprietary and pertain to a single geosynthetic product. The first U.S. nationally recognized mechanistic-empirical design guide for flexible pavements is currently under development and review (NCHRP Project 1-37A, NCHRP 2003). The purpose of this project was to develop design methods for geosynthetic reinforced flexible pavements that are compatible with the methods being developed in NCHRP Project 1-37A. The methods developed in this project, while compatible with the NCHRP 1-37A Design Guide, are sufficiently general so as to allow the incorporation of these methods into other mechanistic-empirical design methods. The design components addressed in this project include material and damage models for the different layers of the pavement cross section, incorporation of reinforcement into a finite element response model, and the development of response model modules that account for fundamental mechanisms of reinforcement. Mechanistic material models are required for all components of the pavement cross section included in the finite element response model. Material models from the NCHRP 1-37A Design Guide for the asphalt concrete, and the unbound aggregate and subgrade layers are used in this study. Additional material models for the unbound aggregate layer are also examined. Material models for components associated with the reinforcement are developed in this project. These include a material model for the reinforcement itself, and an interface shear interaction model for the reinforcement-aggregate and reinforcement-subgrade interaction surfaces. Along with these material models, testing methods providing parameters for use in the material models have been examined and preliminarily evaluated. These testing methods include tension tests for evaluating non linear direction dependent elastic constants for the reinforcement and cyclic pullout tests for evaluating a stress dependent interface shear resilient modulus. These tests have been devised to provide parameters pertinent to small strain and displacement conditions present in pavement applications.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 284 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00988075
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: MSU G&C #426202, Final Report
  • Contract Numbers: DTFH61-01-X-00068
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Mar 17 2005 12:00AM