Jazan University

Civil Engineering Department

Types of Pavement

Name: Mohsen Ibrahem Ahmed Khwaji

ID: 201700646
 Types of Pavement

Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
A pavement is expected to meet the following requirements: ............................................................................ 3
Functions of the Pavement .................................................................................................................................. 4
Flexible Pavements ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Flexible pavements Component .......................................................................................................................... 6
Load Distribution in Flexible Pavements ........................................................................................................... 7
Rigid Pavements ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Load Distribution in Rigid Pavements ................................................................................................................ 8
Pavements Comparison ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Reference .......................................................................................................................................................... 10

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 Types of Pavement

Introduction

Roads are defined as "land transportation infrastructure that plays a significant role in economic

development, social culture, the growth of tourism areas, defense, and security to support national

development." The primary function of pavement, despite the fact that it is described as a structure built

of layers of processed materials above a sub-grade of natural dirt, is to distribute applied vehicle loads to

the sub-grade. The two main categories of pavement structure are flexible pavement and stiff pavement.

In Indonesia, stiff pavement is used more frequently than flexible pavement. Instead of hard pavement,

which is preferred in the majority of developed nations. based on an analysis of how much more frequently

flexible pavement than rigid pavement is used.

The pavement structure should be able to provide an acceptable riding quality, satisfactory skid resistance,

favorable light-reflecting characteristics, and low noise. The aim is to ensure that the transmitted wheel

loads are sufficiently reduced, so that they do not exceed the capacity of all the layers of pavement

including the subgrade.

A pavement is expected to meet the following requirements:

• Sufficient thickness to distribute the wheel-induced stresses to a reduced value on the subgrade soil.

• Structurally adequate to keep the cracking and deformation within tolerable limits.

• Structurally strong to withstand all types of stresses imposed upon it.

• Adequate coefficient of friction to prevent skidding of vehicles.

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 Types of Pavement

• Smooth surface to provide comfort to road users even at the expected speed.

• Produces least noise from moving vehicles.

• Dust and waterproof surface for avoiding reduced visibility.

• Drains water laterally or vertically without washing layer particles.

• Long service life with a desirable level of comfort considering the economy

Functions of the Pavement

▪ Reduce and distribute the traffic loading so as not to damage the subgrade

▪ Provide vehicle access between two points under all-weather conditions

▪ Provide safe, smooth and comfortable ride to road users without undue delays and excessive wear &

tear

▪ Meet environmental and aesthetics requirement

▪ Limited noise and air pollution

▪ Reasonable economy

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 Types of Pavement

Two types of pavements are generally recognized: Flexible Pavements and Rigid Pavements, as shown in

Figure 1.

Figure 1. Flexible and Rigid Pavements

Flexible Pavements

It is a structure which distributes the traffic loading stresses to the soil (sub grade) at a magnitude that will

not shear or distort the soil i.e., from 150 psi to 3 psiAsphalt concrete is typically used as the top layer of

flexible pavement. This three-layer pavement is typically installed over subgrade soil, a strong soil. From

top to bottom, those three levels are: the surface layer, which serves as the wearable course layer; the base

course layer; and the subbase course layer. Because the pavement structures can bend or flex when

subjected to traffic loads, these pavements are known as flexible pavements. Because the first layer of a

flexible pavement system is not strong enough to disperse the weight of the wheels across a vast area,

further layers of material are necessary. A crushed aggregate foundation layer is typically present beneath

the asphalt layer. Depending on the subgrade strength, a subbase layer may also be employed beneath the

base layer.

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 Types of Pavement

Flexible pavements Component

Three main layers

• Surfacing

– Wearing course

– Base course

• Road base

• Sub base

• Supported by Sub-grade

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Load Distribution in Flexible Pavements

Each layer receives the loads from the above layer, spreads them out, then passes on these loads to the

next layer below. Thus, the further down in the pavement structure a particular layer is, the less load (in

terms of force per unit area) it must carry.

Rigid Pavements

Portland cement concrete (PCC) surface courses, either reinforced or unreinforced, are used to create rigid

pavements. immediately on the subgrade was the layer of the concrete slab. In rigid pavement, the base or

subbase course layer is optional and has no structural value. As a result, the rigid pavement is composed

of a concrete slab as the top layer, a subbase or base layer (optional), and subgrade dirt. Reinforcing steel

can be used in these pavements to reduce heat cracking or even get rid of joints. Different ways are used

by each of these pavement types to transfer weight over the subgrade.

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 Types of Pavement

Load Distribution in Rigid Pavements

A rigid pavement structure is typically composed of a PCC surface course built on top of either, the

subgrade, an underlying base course. Because of its relative rigidity, the pavement structure distributes

loads over a wide area with only one, or at most two, structural layers.

Pavements Comparison

Flexible pavements:

o Deep foundations / multi-layer construction

o Energy consumption due to transportation of materials

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o Increasing cost of asphalt due to high oil prices

Rigid pavements

o Single layer

o Generally last longer

o May require asphalt topping due to noise / comfort issues

Conclusion

In summary, a variety of variables, including traffic volume, climatic conditions, and budget, influence

the decision between stiff and flexible pavement. Flexible pavements are more cost-effective and

adaptable to various soil conditions, while rigid pavements are appropriate for large traffic loads and high-

speed roadways. The components of both rigid and flexible pavements—concrete slabs for rigid

pavements and various layers of asphalt and aggregates for flexible pavements—play a significant effect

in how well they operate. Both types of pavements have different loading systems, with rigid pavements

being more stressed due to their rigidity than flexible pavements, which distributes load transfer more

evenly. To achieve best performance lifespan, the choice of pavement type should ultimately be based on

a detailed analysis of site-specific variables.

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Reference

– Pagotto, C., Legret, M., & Le Cloirec, P. (2000). Comparison of the hydraulic behaviour and the quality of

highway runoff water according to the type of pavement. Water Research, 34(18), 4446-445.

– Mohod, M. V., & Kadam, K. N. (2016). A comparative study on rigid and flexible pavement: A review. IOSR

Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE), 13(3), 84-88.

– Davids, W. G., Turkiyyah, G. M., & Mahoney, J. P. (1998). EverFE: Rigid pavement three-dimensional finite

element analysis tool. Transportation Research Record, 1629(1), 41-49.

– Hall, K. T., Correa, C. E., & Simpson, A. L. (2003). Performance of rigid pavement rehabilitation treatments

in the long-term pavement performance SPS-6 experiment. Transportation research record, 1823(1), 64-72.

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