Journal Published Online: 21 March 2014
Volume 37, Issue 3

Performance Assessment of Geosynthetics and Cement as Subgrade Stabilization Measures

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

Work in this paper presents the results of field testing on four instrumented roadway sections constructed on poor subgrade soils and stabilized with select fill, geosynthetics, or cement. Loading was applied using 1000 consecutive truck passes and profile surveying was performed to provide permanent deformation (rutting) data. Peak vertical stresses at the subgrade as well as moisture conditions were also monitored during testing. Results indicated that the deep undercut (31 in./790 mm) with select material backfill section produced the largest cumulative rut depths due to shallow incremental plastic strains induced during each axle pass. The use of a thin Aggregate Base Course (ABC) surface layer (3 in./75 mm) over the select material reduced the rate of rutting. The biaxial geogrid and the high strength geotextile showed a relatively equal performance in all aspects of the study. The cement stabilized section produced a slightly larger average rut depth than the geosynthetically-reinforced sections due to localized areas of pronounced cumulative rutting. However, there were several areas of the soil-cement test section that performed as well as the geosynthetically-reinforced sections.

Author Information

Cowell, Tim
Hayward Baker, Inc., Colfax, NC, US
Pyo, Sangchul
Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC, US
Gabr, Mohammed
Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC, US
Borden, Roy
Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC, US
Kim, K.
North Carolina Dept. of Transportation (NCDOT), Raleigh, NC, US
Pages: 16
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: GTJ20120206
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ20120206