SCANDINAVIAN AND US RESEARCH AND DESIGN EXPERIENCE WITH GEOSYNTHETIC REINFORCED FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

摘要

Scandinavian and United States research groups have been individually and jointly pursuing research in the field of geosynthetic reinforcement of the unbound aggregate base layer of paved and unpaved roadways for over the past 5 years. This work has involved the construction and monitoring of experimental test sections both in the field and in large-scale laboratory facilities. Monitoring has involved assessment of long-term pavement performance and both dynamic and long-term measurement of key stress and strain response parameters through permanent instrumentation contained in the pavement cross-section. Test section construction and monitoring work has allowed for a demonstration of the benefits provided by geosynthetic reinforcement products and has helped explain and quantify the mechanisms responsible for reinforcement. Results from experimental test programs have been used to develop finite element response models and damage laws for reinforced pavement design. One such mechanistic-empirical model has been used to develop a design model for reinforced flexible pavements that accounts for many of the pavement design variables believed to have the greatest influence on reinforcement benefit. Recent joint work between researchers in the United States and Norway for a project principally funded by the US Federal Highway Administration is focused on the development of a mechanistic-empirical design methodology that will be compatible with the US 2002 pavement design guide currently under development. The purpose of this paper is to summarize previous research and design experience amongst Scandinavian and US research groups and to illustrate recently developed and proposed design methods for this application.