The effect of compaction level on the performance of thin surfacedgranular pavements

摘要

There have been a number of high profile early rutting failures in New Zealand of thin surfacesgranular pavements where the pavements had not been subjected to traffic during construction. In all casesthe construction appeared to comply with the contract specifications. A research project was initiated thatinvestigated, at an accelerated pavement testing facility (CAPTIF), the effect of constructing the basecourseto a range of densities (88% to 95% of Maximum Dry Density). The stress distribution under a vibratoryroller was also modelled and compared with stress distribution from a standard 40 kN wheel. The conclusionof the research is when using conventional New Zealand construction techniques and specifications some postconstruction deformation of "greenfield" pavements appears to be inevitable. However, the rut depth should notapproach the levels (20 mm) that prompted the initiation of this research.