Journal Published Online: 20 March 2008
Volume 31, Issue 5

Soil Stiffness Evaluation for Compaction Control of Cohesionless Embankments

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

Mechanistic pavement design procedures based on elastic layer theory require characterization of pavement layer materials including subgrade soil. This paper discusses the subgrade stiffness measurements obtained from a new compaction roller for compaction control on highway embankment projects in Kansas. Three test sections were compacted using a single, smooth steel drum intelligent compaction (IC) roller that compacts and simultaneously, measures stiffness values of the compacted soil. Traditional compaction control measurements such as, density, in-situ moisture content, stiffness measurements using a soil stiffness gage, surface deflection tests using the light falling weight deflectometer (LFWD) and falling weight deflectometer (FWD), and penetration tests using a dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP), were also done. The results show that the IC roller was able to identify the locations of lower soil stiffness in the spatial direction. Thus, an IC roller can be used in proof rolling. IC roller stiffness showed sensitivity to the field moisture content indicating that moisture control during compaction is critical. No universal correlation was observed among the IC roller stiffness, soil gage stiffness, back-calculated subgrade moduli from the LFWD and FWD deflection data, and the California bearing ratio obtained from DCP tests. The discrepancy seems to arise from the fact that different pieces of equipment were capturing response from different volumes of soil on the same test section.

Author Information

Rahman, Farhana
Dept. of Civil Engg., 2118 Fiedler Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Hossain, Mustaque
Dept. of Civil Engg., 2118 Fiedler Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Hunt, Morris
Materials & Research, Kansas Dept. of Transportation, Topeka, KS
Romanoschi, Stefan
Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engg., University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
Pages: 10
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: GTJ100971
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ100971