TxDOT Research Library - TxDOT Research Project

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Implementation of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Unbound Base Courses

What Was the Need?

As part of TxDOT Project 0-4829, the Center for Transportation Research (CTR) developed a new testing device and initiated a monitoring program to evaluate the performance of geosynthetics used as reinforcement for certain pavements. Geosynthetics are products (such as fabrics or grids) used to stabilize terrain, which is helpful when constructing roads on certain types of Texas soil. This implementation project gave researchers and TxDOT an opportunity to use the new testing device and procedures in the field, ensuring they performed as needed, as well as monitor 32 experimental pavement sections constructed on FM2 (in the Bryan District) that used geosynthetics.

What's the Solution?

"Overall, it was found that geosynthetic stabilization significantly improved field performance of the test sections under environmental loads resulting from expansive clay subgrades. The percentage of longitudinal cracks was found to be significantly lower in test sections stabilized using geosynthetics as compared to control (nonstabilized) sections... Findings from experimental and field performance monitoring of this project were then used to provide TxDOT with recommendations for refinement of TxDOT DMS-6240. Two alternative refinement scenarios were recommended." --Report 5-4829-03-1

Project Number

5-4829-03

Status

Completed

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