RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DAMAGE OF ASPHALT MIXTURE LAYER AND COMPRESSIVE STRAIN OF GRANULAR BASE ON HEAVY TRAFFIC ROUTES

Abstract

 Road managers are required to manage pavements efficiently under budget constraints. One of the management strategies for asphalt pavements is to use the granular base layer semi-permanently and to replace the asphalt layer repeatedly. In order to realize such management, it is important to keep the load on the granular base layer below a certain level, and the vertical compressive strain on the top surface of the granular base layer is considered as an indicator to grasp this load. In this study, we conducted excavation surveys at three different locations along the same national highway, and verified the relationship between the compressive strain of the base and the degree of damage to the asphalt and granular base layers. The results showed that the degree of damage to the asphalt layer tended to be greater at locations where the compressive strain was greater. On the other hand, there was no difference in the density of the granular base layer, but the bearing capacity below the granular base layer tended to be smaller at locations where the compressive strain was greater.