Journal Published Online: 30 July 2019
Volume 48, Issue 1

Effect of Moisture on Full-Scale Pavement Distress

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

The effect of moisture is fundamental in determining pavement responses. It becomes more important in tropical regions where high precipitation rates and high variability in water table levels are present. The results indicate that when comparing the quantitative performance of pavement sections that are subjected to near saturation conditions, the bearing capacity of the pavement structure can be as low as 5 % of that associated to the same structure but with optimum water content. The damage in the saturated pavement sections is greatly accelerated because of pumping of fines from the subgrade and the subbase. All the pavement layers are affected by loading (decrease or increase in layer moduli) but to a different degree depending on the moisture conditions. Furthermore, the effect of moisture is greater in the cohesive soils and contaminated granular materials. Finally, the relatively stiffer layers (i.e., hot mix asphalt and cement-treated base layers) are the ones that are more susceptible to a higher deterioration rate, particularly under saturated or near saturated conditions.

Author Information

Camacho-Garita, Edgar
National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (LanammeUCR), University of Costa Rica, Ciudad de la Investigación, San José, Costa Rica
Aguiar-Moya, J. P.
National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (LanammeUCR), University of Costa Rica, Ciudad de la Investigación, San José, Costa Rica
Ávila-Esquivel, T.
National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (LanammeUCR), University of Costa Rica, Ciudad de la Investigación, San José, Costa Rica
Loría-Salazar, L. G.
National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (LanammeUCR), University of Costa Rica, Ciudad de la Investigación, San José, Costa Rica
Pages: 12
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JTE20180902
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE20180902