Field and Laboratory Characterization of Subgrade Resilient Modulus for MEPDG

and its Application in Pavement Performance

Principal Investigators: Dr. Sarah Gassman
Research Assistants: Kazi Moinul Islam, Mostaqur Rahaman
1. MOTIVATION 4. PERFORMANCE OF FIELD AND LABORATORY TEST
 The subgrade resilient modulus (MR) represents the
material stiffness under cyclic loading conditions and is Field Test
defined as “the ratio of the cyclic deviator stress to the
Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD)Test
resilient strain”.
 The MR is practically used as the elastic modulus of
pavement materials, and it is the key properties for
determining the performance of pavement layers.
 To develop a practical methodology for estimating
resilient modulus values of subgrades soils for use in (b) Shelby Tube Sample (c) Bulk Soil Collection (d) Cutting Shelby Tube (e) Sample Preparation
the design of pavement structures, and will be
implemented of the pavement design in South Carolina
and elsewhere.
Determination of the subgrade
2. PROJECT OVERVIEW & PROBLEM STATEMENT ▪ 20 pavement test sections
was recommended by resilient modulus (MR )
Baus and Stires (2010).
▪ Pavement sections are through laboratory efforts
primary or interstate routes Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD)Testing Equipment
(a) Asphalt Coring
located in Coastal Plain (f) Specimen Collection
and Piedmont Regions in ▪ Nondestructive test methods are often conducted to predict MR
SC. from correlations between MR and FWD modulus.
▪ Selected sections are not ▪ FWD is used to back calculate the modulus from pavement
overlaid or rehabilitated, deflections, and is widely used to predict pavement stiffness
and are suitable for (Zhou, 2000; and Meshkani et al., 2003).
MEPDG local calibration. ▪ FWD tests were performed al locations near each boring from
▪ SCDOT measures IRI, where the Shelby tube samples were collected.
rutting, fatigue cracking, ▪ To develop correlations between laboratory measured MR on
longitudinal cracking, and undisturbed soil samples and FWD modulus for different soil
transverse cracking for AC types. (j) MR Testing Sample (i) MR Testing (h) Soil Extrusion (g) CBR Testing

pavements; however, the

5. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS FROM FIELD AND LABORATORY TESTING
cracking and rutting data
cannot be implemented into
MEPDG with the highest
confidence level.

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

6. FUTURE RESEARCH TASKS 7. EXPECTED OUTCOMES

▪ The calibration models in the MEPDG will be
▪ To Subdivide the existing pavement sections based on FWD data
assured in the reliable prediction of pavement
analysis. distress.
▪ To reduce design bias and increase precision of the model predictions ▪ Rutting and cracking data will be implemented
used in the MEPDG with full considerations of South Carolina local into MEPDG with highest confidence level.
conditions.
▪ Local input data for traffic, climate, materials, and subgrade resilient 8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
modulus will be evaluated and subsequently arranged, as required by the ▪ This research study is supported by the South Carolina Department of Transportation
MEPDG. (SCDOT).