Stress responses of geosynthetic-reinforcement pavement foundation

Abstract

This study investigates the stress distribution of geosynthetic-reinforced pavement foundation using a rolling wheel large-scale accelerated pavement test. Pressure cells embedded in different vertical locations under a wheel path are used to indicate the variations of vertical stress in both subgrade material and base course material. Large-scale test specimens enclosed in a 6ft (1.8m) L x 6ft (1.8m) W x 2ft (0.6m) D metal box is prepared both with and without a geosynthetic. The pressure cells display pressure variations over the course of testing in different locations which help evaluate the effects of using a geosynthetic between the base and subgrade layers of a pavement compared to control specimens built with no geosynthetic. Pressure measurements give a good indication of the pressure experienced at given locations for each traffic loading cycle. These measurements allow for an evaluation of the geosynthetic for the reduction of vertical pressure at the top of the subgrade. Copyright © 11th Inter. Conf. on Geos. 2018, ICG 2018. All rights reserved.