Introduction to pavement design
A highway pavement is a structure consisting of superimposed layers of processed materials
above the natural soil sub-grade, whose primary function is to distribute the applied vehicle
loads to the sub-grade. The pavement structure should be able to provide a surface of
acceptable riding quality, adequate skid resistance, favorable light reflecting characteristics,
and low noise pollution. The ultimate aim is to ensure that the transmitted stresses due to
wheel load are sufficiently reduced, so that they will not exceed bearing capacity of the sub-
grade. This chapter gives an overview of pavement types, layers, and their functions, and
pavement failures. Improper design of pavements leads to early failure of pavements affecting
the riding quality.
Requirements of a pavement
An ideal pavement should meet the following requirements:
• Sufficient thickness to distribute the wheel load stresses to a safe value on the sub-grade
soil,
• Structurally strong to withstand all types of stresses imposed upon it,
• Adequate coefficient of friction to prevent skidding of vehicles,
• Smooth surface to provide comfort to road users even at high speed, • Produce
least noise from moving vehicles,
• Dust proof surface so that traffic safety is not impaired by reducing visibility, • Impervious
surface, so that sub-grade soil is well protected, and
• Long design life with low maintenance cost.
Soil Engineering for Highway Design
The basic characteristics of a soil may be described in terms of its origin, formation,
grain size, and shape.
I. SOIL CHARACTERISTICS
1.Origin and Formation of Soils
2. Surface Texture
∙ fine-textured soils-soils consisting mainly of silts and clays with very small particle sizes.
∙ coarse-textured soils-soils consisting mainly of sands and gravel with much larger particles
.
Distribution of particle size in soils - The distribution of particle size in soils can be determined by
conducting Sieve Analysis and Sedimentation Analysis
A) Sieve analysis – It involves several layers of sieves with different grades of sieve
opening sizes.
B) Sedimentation Analysis - Measure the relative amounts of of particles of different sizes
present in the soil sample based on the fact that large, heavy particles will settle most
rapidly in water; while small, light particles will settle most slowly.
II. PROPERTIES OF SOILS-influence their behavior when subjected to external loads
1. Phase Relations-Soil is considered 3 phase system consist of air, water, and solids.
A. Porosity-the ratio of the volume of voids to the total volume of the soil.
B. Void Ratio-the ratio of the volume of voids to the volume of solids.
C. Moisture Content-quantity of water in a soil mass.
D. Degree of Saturation-percentage of void space occupied by water.
E. Dry Density-density of the soil with the water removed.
F. Submerged Density-density of the soil when submerged in water and is the
difference between the saturated density and the density of water.
2. Atterberg Limits-The water content levels at which the soil changes from one state to
the other mare the Atterberg limits.
a. Shrinkage Limit (SL)- When a saturated soil is slowly dried, the volume shrinks,
but the soil continues to contain moisture
b. Plastic Limit (PL)- the moisture content at which the soil crumbles when it is rolled
down to a diameter of one-eighth of an inch.
c. Liquid Limit (LL)- the moisture content at which the soil will flow and close a
groove of one-half inch within it after the standard LL equipment has been
dropped 25 times.
III. CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS FOR HIGHWAY USE-Soil classification is a method by which
soils are systematically categorized according to their probable engineering characteristics.
1. AASHTO Soil Classification System-based on the Public Roads Classification
System that was developed from the results of extensive research conducted by the
Bureau of Public Roads, now known as the Federal Highway Administration.
2. Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)- The original USCS system was
developed during World War II for use in airfield construction.
IV. SOIL SURVEYS FOR HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION- Soil surveys for highway construction
entail the investigation of the soil characteristics on the highway route and the identification of
suitable soils for use as subbase and fill materials.
1. Geophysical Methods of Soil Exploration-Soil profiles can also be obtained from one of
two geophysical methods of soil exploration known as the resistivity and seismic
methods.
a. Resistivity Method- is based on the difference in electrical conductivity or resistivity
of different types of soils.
b. Seismic Method- is used to identify the location of rock profiles or dense
strata underlying softer materials.
V. SOIL COMPACTION- When soil is to be used as embankment or subbase material in
highway construction, it is essential that the material be placed in uniform layers and
compacted to a high density.
Computational Analysis of Pavement Design
Thickness of Rigid Pavement WITHOUT dowels or tie bars
Thickness of Rigid Pavement WITH Dowels
or Tie bars
Thickness of Flexible Pavement
