An investigation of the interlayer adhesion strength between the granular base and lightly cemented subbase and its influence on the pavement performance

Date
2015-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Long term performance of a road pavement structure is significantly influenced by its potential to distribute traffic loading from the surface to the natural subgrade. The interlayer adhesion conditions play a substantial role in the induced stress-strain distribution across all layers of the entire structure. For layers constructed in stages like a granular base (GB) and a cement treated subbase (CTSB), the state of adhesion is questionable. Therefore a detailed investigation on the achievable adhesion and its influence on pavement performance is essential. In this study, the direct shear test was used to assess the interlayer adhesion strength in terms of resistance of the GB layer to slide on top of the CTSB. To evaluate the level of achieved shear strength, the interlayer shear results were compared to the inlayer strength for a granular base and cemented subbase. The shear test results were presented in terms of relationships between shear stress and displacement, shear stress and normal pressure and vertical and horizontal displacements. Based on frictional and dilatant approaches, shear test results demonstrated that the interlayer adhesion strength between the GB and CTSB is significantly influenced by the roughness conditions of the CTSB before placing the GB. Compacting materials of the base layer on top of the scarified CTSB produces a unified compound structure due to intimate interaction between the two layers. Moreover, the achievable adhesion depends on the maximum grain size available in the CTSB layer, confining pressure and moisture condition. The increase in maximum aggregate size deepens the interaction zone between the GB and scarified CTSB which results in high shear resistance. Ingress of water induces lubricant behaviour and weakens the shear resistance. In the design example, it was shown that the assumption of full adhesion between pavement layers, currently used in many design methods, over-estimates the pavement life. The routine construction process of placing the GB on top of quasi-smooth CTSB induces poor adhesion between the layers which therefore affects stress-strain distribution behaviour across all layers of the pavement structure and then reduces the life of every single layer. According to the design example, the granular base layer is the most susceptible to early failure due to its stress-dependent behaviour. The significant difference between pavement life when full adhesion is considered and when partial adhesion is allowed indicates that the achievable adhesion should be considered during the design of the structure rather than assuming full adhesion. Furthermore, the development of practical specifications and technical guidelines for improving the anticipated conditions in the field is recommended.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die langtermyngedrag van 'n plaveiselstruktuur word tot 'n groot mate beïnvloed deur die vemoë daarvan om om verkeerslaste vanaf af die oppervlakte na die natuurlike grondlaag te verprei. Die adhesie tussen die plaveisellae speel 'n belangrike rol in die verspreiding van spannings en vervormings deur al die lae van die struktuur. In lae wat in fases gebou word, soos 'n grofkorrelrige kroonlaag (GB) en 'n sementgestabiliseerde stutlaag (CTSB), is die adhesie onder verdenking. 'n Detailondersoek van die adhesie wat behaal kan word, en die invloed daarvan op plaveiselgedrag, is daarom noodsaaklik. In hierdie ondersoek is die direkte skuiftoets gebruik om die tussenlaag-adhesie vas te stel in terme van die weerstand van die GB-laag om oor die CTSB-laag te skuif. Om die vlak van skuifsterkte wat behaal kan word, te bepaal, is die tussenvlakskuifsterkte vergelyk met die interne skuifweerstand van die grofkorrelrige laag en van die gestabiliseerde laag. Die skuiftoetsresultate is uitgedruk in terme van die verbande tussen skuifspanning en skuifverplasing, tussen skuifspanning en normaalspanning en ook tussen vertikale en horisontale verplasings. Gebaseer op skuifweerstand en dilatansie het skuitoetsresultate gedemonstreer dat adhesie tussen die GB- en CTSB-lae baie beïnvloed word deur die ruheid van die CTSB voordat die GB gebou word. Indien die GB-laag bo-op 'n grofgemaakte CTSB-laag geplaas word, word 'n baie goeie verband en interaksie tussen die twee lae verkry. Die beskikbare adhesie hang ook af van die maksimum korrelgrootte in die CTSB-laag, die inperkspanning en die waterinhoud. Die toename in maksimum aggregaatgrootte maak die interaksiesone tussen die GB en die grofgemaakte CTSB dieper en dit lei tot hoër skuifweerstand. Infiltrasie van water dien as smeermiddel wat die weerstand verlaag. In die ontwerp-voorbeeld is gedemonstreer dat die aanname van volle adhesie tussen plaveisellae, soos wat tans in baie ontwerpmetodes gedoen word, tot oorskatting van die leeftyd van die plaveisel lei. Die normale konstruksiemetode waarin die GB-laag bo-op 'n semi-gladde CTSB-laag geplaas word, lei tot swak adhesie tussen die lae wat verspreiding van spannings en vervormings deur die plaveisel minder gunstig maak en die leeftyd van alle lae in die plaveisel verlaag. Volgens die ontwerp-voorbeeld is die grofkorrelrige kroonlaag die vatbaarste vir voortydige faling as gevolg van die sy spannings-vervormingsgedrag. Die beduidende verskil tussen plaveiselleeftyd wanneer volle adhesie aanvaar of slegs gedeeltelike adhesie toegelaat word, illustreer dat die werklike haalbare adhesie gebruik moet word eerder as om volle adhesie te aanvaar. Verder word die onwikkeling van praktiese spesifikasies en tegniese riglyne om die verwagte toestande in die plaveisel beter in ag te neem, voorgestel.
Description
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
Keywords
Road pavements structure, Pavements -- Interlayer adhesion conditions, Pavements -- Defects, UCTD
Citation