Manual of Practice for the ME Pavement Design Guide May 31, 2007

Final Draft

Problem Soil Identified from the Field or Site

Investigation (refer to subsection 9.3 & Table 10)
1. Remove & replace with non-frost
susceptible material.
2. Place additional non-frost susceptible
Prevent Frost Penetration into material to increase depth to frost
Soils with Frost Heave susceptible soil.
FROST Potential 3. Use insulating material above frost
SUSCEPTIBLE susceptible soil; not commonly used.
SOIL
Soils without Frost Heave
Potential; only Strength 1. Place non-frost susceptible material.
Reduction during Thaw 2. Increase thickness of HMA and/or
unbound aggregate base layer.

1. Remove & replace with select, non-expansive material.

2. Place thick layer of select, non-expansive material.
At Grade Condition 3. Stabilize subgrade with lime or other stabilizers.
4. Saturate area to facilitate swell prior to construction, not
EXPANSIVE commonly used – if selected, use with caution.
SOIL
1. Pre-cut area & allow soils to expand prior to
construction.
Large Cuts into Soil 2. Stabilize subgrade with lime or other stabilizers.
3. Place thick layer of select, non-expansive material.
4. Saturate area to facilitate swell prior to construction, not
commonly used – if selected, use with caution.

1. Remove & replace weak soil.

Relatively Thin Layer 2. Use Geo-grid or other materials to strengthen
unbound layers and/or embankment.
COLLAPSIBLE
OR WEAK SOIL
1. Place sand-wicks to de-water soil layers.
2. Place thick embankment to facilitate settlement prior
to construction.
3. Use Geo-grid or other materials to strengthen
Thick, Deep Layer unbound layers and/or embankment.
4. Use dynamic compaction techniques to increase
density of soil, not commonly used.
5. Use light-weight fill material for areas with deep fill,
not commonly used – if selected, use with caution.

Seasonal Water Table 1. Place subsurface drains to intercept water flow.

Depth; Seams with 2. Use Geo-grid or other materials to strengthen
Lateral Flow unbound layers and/or embankment.
HIGH WATER
TABLE
1. Place subsurface drains to lower water table.
2. Place thick embankment of select material.
Year Round Depth to 3. Use Geo-grid or other materials to strengthen
Water Table unbound layers and/or embankment.
4. Place separator layer with high voids to prevent water
from saturating the unbound base layers.
5. Increase thickness of HMA or aggregate base layers.
1
2 Figure 28. Flow Chart for Selecting Some Options to Minimize the Effect of
3 Problem Soils on Pavement Performance
4
5

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