4. Evaluation of Soil Strength for Pavements
The evaluation of soil strength is crucial for the effective design and durability of pavement systems, where subgrade soil serves as the foundational layer. Factors such as moisture content, soil type, compaction, and stress history play significant roles in soil strength. This chapter discusses the methods for assessing soil strength, including both field and laboratory tests, along with their implications for pavement design. Additionally, it addresses how seasonal factors and enhancement techniques can optimize subgrade performance.
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What we have learnt
- Soil strength is essential for determining the thickness and type of pavement structure.
- Moisture content, soil type, and compaction level significantly affect soil strength.
- Both field and laboratory methods are important for evaluating soil strength before pavement design.
Key Concepts
- -- California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
- A measure of the strength of subgrade soil, expressed as a percentage of the resistance that soil provides compared to standard crushed stone.
- -- Resilient Modulus (MR)
- A key parameter that represents the elastic response of soil under repeated loading, essential for mechanistic-empirical pavement design.
- -- Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS)
- The maximum axial load a cohesive soil can sustain without lateral support, assessed during the unconfined compression test.
- -- Compaction
- A method to increase soil density and strength by mechanically reducing air voids in the soil mass.
- -- Chemical Stabilization
- The process of enhancing the strength and stability of soil by incorporating additives like lime, cement, or fly ash.
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