Construction and Instrumentation of Full-Scale Geogrid Reinforced Pavement Test Sections

摘要

A study is being conducted on full-scale pavement test sections to assess geogrid base reinforcement in flexible pavements representative of major highways. This report documents the construction and instrumentation of those test sections. The design of the test sections was based on a pavement design life of 3 106 equivalent single axle loads. There are two asphalt concrete and two base course thicknesses. One test section at each asphalt and base thickness was constructed with geogrid reinforcement and one without geogrid. The geogrid is located at the base course/subgrade interface. Test sections are instrumented to measure stress, strain, moisture, and temperature. They were constructed in the Frost Effects Research Facility with moisture and temperature control. The subgrade soil is AASHTO A-4 (USCS ML), and the as- built subgrade modulus values, determined by falling weight deflectometer, ranged from approximately 55.2 to 75.8 MPa (8-11 ksi). A concrete floor (simulating natural bedrock) is 2.44 m (8 ft) below the pavement surface. Analyses of results generated by this project will provide evaluation of geogrid reinforcement and will serve as the basis for the development of pavement models compatible with NCHRP 1-37A, Guide for Mechanistic-Empirical Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures (available from http://www.trb.org/mepdg/).