The document discusses different types of pavements. It describes flexible pavements as having multiple layers that distribute loads through aggregate interlock. Rigid pavements distribute loads through the beam strength of concrete slabs. Flexible pavements are composed of surface, base, and sub-base layers over a subgrade, while rigid pavements typically only require a concrete surface layer. Both pavement types are designed to reduce loads from vehicles to prevent damage to the subgrade. The document compares advantages and disadvantages of flexible and rigid pavements.
2. What is a Pavement?
A multi layer system that distributes the vehicular loads over a
larger area
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3. What is a Pavement?
OR
Highway pavement is a structure
consisting of superimposed layers of
selected and processed materials whose
primary function is to distribute the
applied vehicle load to the sub grade.
OR
It can also be defined as “structure
which separates the tires of vehicles
from the under lying foundation.”
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4. What is a Pavement?
Pavement is the upper part of roadway,
airport or parking area structure
It includes all layers resting on the
original ground
– It consists of all structural elements or
layers, including shoulders
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5. 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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6. Requirements of pavement structure
Sufficient thickness to spread loading to a pressure
intensity tolerable by subgade
Sufficiently strong to carry imposed stress due to
traffic load
Sufficient thickness to prevent the effect of frost
susceptible subgade
Pavement material should be impervious to
penetration of surface water which could weaken
subgade and subsequently pavement
Pavement mat. shd be non-frost susceptible
Pavement surface shd. be skid resistant
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Pavements Comparison
Flexible pavements:
• Deep foundations / multi layer construction
• Energy consumption due to transportation of materials
• Increasing cost of asphalt due to high oil prices
Rigid pavements
• Single layer
• Generally last longer
• May require asphalt topping due to noise / comfort
issues
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Pavements Comparison
• Heavy vehicles consume less fuel on rigid
pavements
• Rigid pavements more economic when
considering environmental / life-cycle costing
15. Flexible Pavement
“A flexible pavement is a
structure that maintains
intimate contact with and
distributes load to the sub
grade and depends on
aggregate interlock, particle
friction and cohesion for
stability”
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16. OR
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 psi
OR
Pavement which reflects deformation of
sub grade & the subsequent layers on to
the surface” i.e.; load is transmitted from
grain to grain through contact points of
granular material, i.e. in a compressive
way.
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FlexiblePavement
17. Flexible Pavement
Flexible pavements
Elastic
Three main layers
Surfacing
Wearing course
Base course
Road base
Sub base
Supported by Sub-grade
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19. Structure of Flexible
Pavement
In order to take maximum advantage of
this property, material layers are usually
arranged in order of descending load
bearing capacity with the highest load
bearing capacity material (and most
expensive) on the top and the lowest
load bearing capacity material (and least
expensive) at the bottom.
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20. 20
– Surface Course: This is the top layer
and the layer that comes in contact with
traffic.
– Base Course: This is the layer directly
below the surface course and generally
consists of aggregates (either stabilized
or un-stabilized).
– Sub-base Course: This is the layer (or
layers) under the base layer. A sub-
base is not always needed.
Structure of Flexible Pavement
21. 21
– Sub-grade Course: The "sub-grade" is
the material upon which the pavement
structure is placed. Although there is a
tendency to look at pavement
performance in terms of pavement
structure and mix design alone. The sub-
grade can often be the overriding factor in
pavement performance.
Structure of Flexible Pavement
22. Surface Course
The surface course is the layer in contact
with traffic loads and normally contains
the highest quality materials. It provides
characteristics such as friction,
smoothness, noise control, rut and
shoving resistance and drainage.
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23. Base Course
The base course is immediately beneath the surface
course. It provides additional load distribution and
contributes to drainage and frost resistance. Base courses
are usually constructed out of:
Aggregates: Base courses are most typically constructed
from durable aggregates that will not be damaged by
moisture or frost action. Aggregates can be either
stabilized or un-stabilized.
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25. Sub-base Course
The sub-base course is between the base course
and the sub-grade. It functions primarily as
structural support but it can also:
Minimize the intrusion of fines from the sub-grade
into the pavement structure.
Improves drainage.
Minimize frost action damage.
Provides a working platform for construction.
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26. Sub-base Course
The sub-base generally consists of lower quality
materials than the base course but better than the sub-
grade soils.
A sub-base course is not always needed or used.
For example, a pavement constructed over a high
quality, stiff sub-grade may not need the additional
features offered by a sub-base course so it may be
omitted from design.
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27. Sub-grade
• Sub-grades be composed of a wide
range of materials although some are
much better than others. This
subsection discusses a few of the
aspects of sub-grade materials that
make them either desirable or
undesirable and the typical tests used
to characterize sub-grades.
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36. Rigid Pavement
Rigid pavements are those, which contain
sufficient beam strength to be able to bridge
over the localized sub-grade failures and
areas of in adequate support.
OR
Load is transmitted through beam action of
slab in rigid pavements.
OR
Rigid pavements are those, which reduces
the stress concentration and distributes the
reduced stresses uniformly to the area under
the slab.
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37. Rigid Pavement
Rigidity – does not deform under stress
Concrete – air entrained increases resistance
to frost damage and de-icing salt corrosion
Reinforcement – may be bars or mesh.
Continuous rigid pavements have heavy
reinforcement
Joints – used in non-continuous pavements to
allow for thermal movement. Includes a ‘filler’
and surface sealant
Rigid pavements – laid as single layer by
‘concrete paver’
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42. Rigid Pavements
Because of its relative rigidity, the
pavement structure distributes loads over
a wide area with only one, or at most
two, structural layers.
There are other types of surfaces also
i.e.; reinforced, continuously reinforced
etc.
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43. Structure of Rigid Pavement
Surface course. This is the top layer, which consists
of the PCC slab, reinforced or continuously reinforced
slabs .
Base course. This is the layer directly below the PCC
layer and generally consists of aggregate or stabilized
sub-grade.
Sub-base course. This is the layer (or layers) under
the base layer. A sub-base is not always needed and
therefore may often be omitted.
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44. 44
Surface Course
• The surface course is the layer in contact with
traffic loads and is made of PCC or RCC. It
provides characteristics such as friction,
smoothness, noise control and drainage. In
addition, it serves as a waterproofing layer to the
underlying base, sub-base and sub-grade.
• The surface course can vary in thickness but is
usually between 150 mm (6 inches for light
loading) and 300 mm (12 inches for heavy loads
and high traffic). Figure shows a 300 mm (12 inch)
surface course.
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Base Course
• The base course is immediately beneath the
surface course. It provides
• Additional load distribution,
• Contributes to drainage and frost resistance,
• Uniform support to the pavement and
• A stable platform for construction equipment. Bases also
help and prevent sub grade soil movement due to slab
pumping. Base courses are usually constructed out of:
– Aggregates base. A simple base course of
crushed aggregates has been a common option
since the early 1900s and is still appropriate in
many situations.
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– Stabilized aggregate or soil. Stabilizing agents
are used to bind otherwise loose particles to
one another, providing strength and
cohesion. Cement treated bases (CTB s) can be
built to as much as 20 - 25 percent of the surface
course strength.
– Dense-graded HMA. In situations where high
base stiffness is desired base courses can be
constructed using a dense-graded HMA layer.
– Permeable HMA. In certain situations where high
base stiffness and excellent drainage is desired,
base courses can be constructed using an open
graded HMA.
Base Course
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Sub-base Course
• The sub-base course is the portion of the pavement
structure between the base course and the sub-grade.
It functions primarily as structural support but it can
also:
– Minimize the intrusion of fines from the sub-grade into the
pavement structure.
– Improves drainage.
– Minimizes frost action damage.
– Provides a working platform for construction.
• The sub-base generally consists of lower quality
materials than the base course but better than the sub-
grade soils. Appropriate materials are aggregates and
high quality structural fill.
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Pavements Comparison
Flexible pavements:
• Deep foundations / multi layer construction
• Energy consumption due to transportation of materials
• Increasing cost of asphalt due to high oil prices
Rigid pavements
• Single layer
• Generally last longer
• May require asphalt topping due to noise / comfort
issues
Heavy vehicles cause greater deflection on flexible pavements rather than on rigid pavements. When the pavement deflects or moves, it absorbs a portion of the vehicle energy that otherwise would be available to propel the vehicle forward.
Concrete’s rigid design reduces the pavement’s deflection and corresponding fuel consumption. Also smoothness of concrete pavements is less affected by seasonal changes, which could also contribute to lower fuel consumption.
Heavy vehicles cause greater deflection on flexible pavements rather than on rigid pavements. When the pavement deflects or moves, it absorbs a portion of the vehicle energy that otherwise would be available to propel the vehicle forward.
Concrete’s rigid design reduces the pavement’s deflection and corresponding fuel consumption. Also smoothness of concrete pavements is less affected by seasonal changes, which could also contribute to lower fuel consumption.
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Heavy vehicles cause greater deflection on flexible pavements rather than on rigid pavements. When the pavement deflects or moves, it absorbs a portion of the vehicle energy that otherwise would be available to propel the vehicle forward.
Concrete’s rigid design reduces the pavement’s deflection and corresponding fuel consumption. Also smoothness of concrete pavements is less affected by seasonal changes, which could also contribute to lower fuel consumption.