A STUDY ON IMPROVING PAVEMENT DRAINAGE USING PLASTIC PIPE SUBDRAINS

The following report outlines the implementation of an experimental project on Highway 401 in District 1, Chatham. The intent is to see if improved drainage of the pavement structure will help retard faulting and deterioration at transverse joints and cracks in concrete pavement. The experiment consisted of installing subdrains along both edges of the westbound lanes in two adjacent 1/2 mile (0.8 km) test sections. The drains, consisting of fabric wrapped plastic pipe, were placed at subgrade level using ploughing and trenching techniques. A feature of the former method was utilization of equipment designed to install subdrains for agricultural purposes. Performance of this equipment was extremely satisfactory. The report covers design considerations and construction aspects of the project. Recommendations contain suggested modifications to the above methods of installation on future contracts. Performance of the pavement will be monitored over several years before conclusions are made as to the effectiveness of the subdrains. Should the above measures prove to be successful, a substantial reduction in future overlay costs, through reduced quantitites of hot mix and deferred resurfacing could be realized. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Ontario Ministry of Transportation & Communic, Can

  1201 Wilson Avenue
  Downsview, Ontario M3M 1J8,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • MacMaster, J B
• Publication Date: 1978-2

Media Info

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

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Building; Concrete pavements; Fabrics; Facilities; Installation; Pipe; Plastics; Subdrains; Surface drainage; Transverse cracking; Transverse joints; Tubing
• Old TRIS Terms: Highway drainage; Plastic tubing
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00335504
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Rpt. EM-10
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 16 1981 12:00AM