CE 353

Transportation Engineering II

Md. Rabiul Islam

Lecturer
Department of Civil Engineering
Dhaka International University
+8801515671483
Pavement
□ Pavement:
A road pavement is a structure of superimposed layers of selected and
processed materials that is placed on the basement soil or subgrade.

□ Characteristics of pavement:
i. It should be structurally sound enough to withstand the stresses imposed on it.
ii. It should be sufficiently thick to distribute the loads and stresses to a safe value
on the subgrade soil.
iii. It should be provided with a reasonably hard wearing surface so that it does not
damage due to abrasion.
iv. Its riding quality should be good. It should be smooth enough to provide
comfort to the road users at high speeds.
v. The surface of the pavement should develop as low friction with tires as possible
due to energy consumption.
vi. The surface should not produce excessive levels of sound from moving vehicles.
vii. The surface should be impervious so that water does not get into the lower layers
of the pavement.
viii. The pavement should have long life.
ix. Maintenance cost should be low annually.
□ Function of Pavement:
The main function of a pavement is to support the wheel loads applied to the
carriageway and distribute them to the underlying subgrade.

□ Pavement types:
₋Flexible Pavement
₋Rigid Pavement
□ Flexible Pavement:
A flexible pavement is a surface that distributes load to the subgrade and depends
on aggregate interlock, particle friction, and cohesion for stability.

□ Rigid Pavement:
Rigid pavements are made up of Portland cement and load distribution in rigid
pavement by virtue of its rigidity of pavement slab.

□ Elements of thickness design:

→ Traffic loading
→Climate or environment
→Material characteristics
□ Traffic loading:
✓Tire pressure & contact area
✓Magnitude of axle loads
✓Volume & composition of axle loads
□ Climate or environment:
☺ Probably the two climate factors of major significance are temperature
and moisture
☺ High temperature causes the asphaltic concrete to lose stability whereas at
cold temperature the asphaltic concrete becomes very hard & stiff.
☺ Low temperature and temperature fluctuations are also associated with frost
heave and freeze-thaw damage.
☺ The subgrade can exhibit extensive loss in strength if it becomes frozen.
□ Materials characteristics :
✓Asphalt surface: strength or stability
✓Granular base and subbase
□ Choice of pavement type:
✓ Amount and type of traffic
✓ Subgrade soil condition
✓ Cost of materials, construction
✓ Anticipated life of pavement
✓ Available finance
□Comparison between flexible & rigid pavement:
Flexible pavement Rigid pavement
i) It consists of a series of layers with i) It consists of one course Portland
the highest quality materials at or cement concrete slab of relatively
near the surface. high bending resistance.
ii) Have low flexural strength. ii) Have high flexural strength.
iii) Repairing cost is high. iii) Repairing cost is low.
iv) Road can be used for traffic within iv) Road can’t be used until 28 days of
24 hours after completion of curing.
construction.
v) Not impervious. v) Impervious except at joints
vi) Life span is more as compared to
vi) Have low life span.
flexible pavement.
vii) Load distribution through the vii) It distributes load over a wide area
component layers. of subgrade.
viii) Subgrade strength of soil is a major viii) Flexure strength of concrete is major
factor for design. factor for design.
□ Frost heave:
When the ambient temperature falls below the freezing for several days, it is quite likely that
the water in soil pores will freeze & the volume of water increases by about 10% which
may cause significant structural damage to the pavement called frost heave.

□ Effects/Problems due to frost heave:

✓ The first problem is the increase in volume of the soil, which may result in significant
structural damage to the pavement.
✓ The second problem is that the freezing can cause ice crystals. During the spring, resulting
in a considerable increase in the water content of the soil which results to reduce the
strength of the soil.
□ Factors/ Conditions/Causes of frost heave:
✓ The ambient temperature must be lower than freezing temperature for several
days.
✓ The soil must be susceptible for frost action.
✓ Shallow water table that provides capillary water to the frost line must be
available.

□ Suggestions/measures to protect frost heave:

✓ Removing frost susceptible soils & replacing them with gravel material.
✓ Lowering the water table by installing adequate drainage facilities.
✓ Using chemical additives.
✓ Restricting truck traffic on some roads during the spring thaw.