Resilient Modulus Testing Using Conventional Geotechnical Triaxial Equipment

摘要

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive laboratory investigation program on the mechanical properties of an unbound aggregate used in pavement base courses. Repeated load triaxial tests were used to assess the influence of test conditions (specimen size, degree of saturation, pulse loading and loading sequence) on resilient modulus. A conventional triaxial setup, used by most geotechnical laboratories, was adapted for the testing of 100-mm-diameter and 200-mm-high specimens. The material response under a sinusoidal variation of load was compared with the AASHTO procedure on larger samples and different pulse loading. The test program showed that the resilient modulus obtained from the different loading sequences agreed well for given density and moisture content conditions. Conventional triaxial equipment can be used to determine the resilient modulus of unbound aggregates provided accurate displacement gauges are used in the middle-third of the specimen.