Quantification of Benefits of Subsurface Drainage on Pavement Performance in Indiana

The objective of this research was to evaluate pavement subsurface drainage performance and its cost benefit in Indiana. This study presents a comprehensive pavement performance evaluation to determine the effectiveness of subsurface drainage in a few aspects: lab testing of subgrade materials due to the moisture variation, pavement distress field survey, outlet spacing and maintenance inspection, and annual monitoring and evaluation of pavement performance. The subgrade materials investigated are A-4, A-6, and A-7-6 soils commonly found in Indiana. It was observed that with an increase of 2% in optimum moisture content (OMC), the resilient modulus decreases as much as four times. The field survey showed that the distress in drained pavement had relative low severity and there was less distress than that of the undrained pavement. However, the benefit of a drainage layer may not be evident for all sites of investigated pavement because of incorrect maintenance and construction. An annual in situ monitoring program was initiated to determine the effects of subsurface drainage on the performance of asphalt and concrete pavements. The in situ pavement structural performance was evaluated using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing and backcalculation. The pavement functional performance was evaluated using a profiler. Based on the annual monitoring data, the researchers found that the drainage layer appears to positively impact the structural and functional performance of pavement. Cost benefit analysis was performed to determine the benefits of subsurface drainage on initial construction costs.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFS60 Subsurface Drainage. Alternate title: Quantification of Benefits of Subsurface Drainage on Pavement Performances in Indiana.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Transportation Research Board

    500 Fifth Street, NW
    Washington, DC  United States  20001
  • Authors:
    • Ji, Richard
    • Nantung, Tommy
  • Conference:
  • Date: 2015

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 22p
  • Monograph Title: TRB 94th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01550208
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: 15-3206
  • Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
  • Created Date: Jan 17 2015 5:28PM