Design Strategies Of Variables – Functions

Of Sub-grade, Sub Base – Base Course –

Surface Course – Comparison Between Rigid
And Flexible Pavement
Presented by-
Lalramdinsangi (CVE/19/04)
Isak Laltlanliana (CVE/19/05)
Rebek Lalhriatpuii (CVE/19/06)
1. Design Strategies of Variables in Flexible Pavement.

Climatic
Traffic Loads Subgrade
Factors

Drainage & Material

Environment Properties
1.1 Traffic Loads: Higher magnitude of traffic loads obviously need
thicker pavement.
1.1.1Wheel load and Contact pressure:

 The magnitude of contact pressure

determines the quality and thickness
of wearing and binder course.

 Total thickness of the pavement is

mainly determined by the magnitude
of the load and not the contact pressure.

 From the Fig. it can be seen that tyre

pressure of high magnitudes demand high
quality of materials in upper layers.
1.1.2 Wheel load configuration & Repetition of wheel load

 In flexible pavement design, only the wheels on one side are considered.The design axle load of 2
axle is 10.2 t and design wheel load on each dual wheel assembly is taken as 5.1 t. The legal load
on tandem axles of HCV at present is 19t and thus the legal load on each axle is 9.5 t.

 Higher number of load repetitions during

the design life of the pavement will require
higher thickness of flexible pavement structure.
The deformation of pavement or subgrade due
to a single application of the heavy wheel load
may be small. But due to repeated application
of the heavy wheel loads, there would be
increased magnitude of both plastic and elastic
deformation.
1.2 Subgrade: A subgrade with lower stability requires thicker pavement to
protect it from the traffic loads during the design life. In other words, a
subgrade soil with lower CBR value will require higher thickness.

1.3 Climatic Factors: Roads passing through locations with adverse climatic
conditions will need higher thickness of flexible pavement.

1.4 Drainage & Environment: The local and environmental factors including
the relative level of the subgrade with respect to adjoining land, type of land-
use, height of embankment and its foundation details, etc. affect the drainage
characteristics and performance of the pavement. Presence of cross slope on
certain stretches may require appropriate measure to control seepage flow of
water getting into the pavement component layers and resultant damages.
1.5 Material properties: The stress distribution characteristics through the
granular pavement component layers depend on characteristics of the materials
used in these layers. The type of aggregate used, their shape factors and
gradation play important role in load dispersion characteristics of the granular
base and sub-base courses. The required thickness will also depend upon the
dispersion of load characteristics of pavement layer materials.
The concept of pressure distribution is shown below
2. Design Strategies of Variables in Rigid
Pavement.

Design Load Temperature

& Life Differential

Width of the Supporting

slab Layer
2.1 Design Load & Life: In CC pavement only the heavy wheel
loads are considered as they cause significant flexural stresses
and both sides of the wheel are considered . If the stress ratio due
to the design load is kept lower than 0.44, there is no possibility
of fatigue failure due to repeated loads.

The cumulative distribution table is prepared from the vehicle

classes, growth rate, construction period and design life of CC
pavement and the repetition of loads of each load group during
the design life. From this table, 98th percentile load may be taken
for the design load. The recommended design life is 30 years.
2.2 Temperature Differential: This may cause warping stresses in
the CC pavement so the thickness must be designed
accordingly(thicker CC slab will cause higher temperature
differential between top and bottom‘t’). The IRC recommended
values of temperature differentials is shown below:
2.3 Width of Slab: The width of the CC pavement depends
on the spacing between the longitudinal joints(3.5-3.75m).
The length of the the slab depends on the spacing
between contraction joints. It may be designed considering
the allowable stress in CC during the initial period of curing
and the interface friction factor. It is generally taken as 4.0-
4.5m.
2.4 Modulus, K of Supporting Layer: The modulus (K) of
the sub-base is estimated on the subgrade modulus, type of
sub-base and its thickness. The subgrade modulus may be
estimated from the soaked CBR value of the subgrade soil.
For CBR values of 5,7 and 10%, the estimated values of
subgrade modulus are 4.2, 4.8 and 5.5kg/cm3.
As per IRC recommendations, if the subgrade modulus of
the soil tested is less than 6.0 kg/cm3, a suitable sub-base of
adequate thickness should be laid on the subgrade before
constructing the rigid pavement meant for heavy traffic.
3.1 Functions of Components in Flexible
Pavement:

Subgrade Base-Course Surface

Sub-Base
Course

Supports all Serves as an Sustain wheel Prevents entry of

other pavement effective load stresses and surface water
component drainage layer of disperses and als serves as
layers. the pavement through larger a wearing course
area on to the for the traffic
GSB layer and provides a
below. dust-free surface
3.2 Funtions of Components in Rigid
Pavement:

Base Surface
Subgrade Sub-base
Course Course

Supports all other Serves as an Helps the surface Withstand flexural

component layers effective drainage course to take stresses. M40
and traffic loads. layer of the additional loads cement concrete
pavement. and provides stable mix is
platform to recommended.
construct rigid
pavement.
 4. Comparison between Flexible & Rigid
Pavement.
Flexible Pavement Rigid Pavement
 Have low and negligible flexural strength.  Possess noteworthy flexural strength.
 The bituminous pavement layer gets  CC pavements do not get deteriorated under
deteriorated with time. wet conditions.
 The curing period for bituminous surface is 24  The curing period for rigid pavement is 28
hours. days.
 Poor night visibility.  Good night visibility even under wet weather
 conditions.
Usually designed for a life of 15 years or
more.  Usually designed for a life of 30 years or
more.
Thank you!