DESIGN OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

V. VENKATA NARAYANA

COMPONENTS OF ROAD
ROAD WAY
FORMATION
CARRIAGEWAY

SHOULDER PAVEMENT
SUBGRADE
EMBANKMENT

G.L

PAVEMENTS
1.

Pavement : Pavement is a structure. It consists of superimposed layers of selected and processed materials. It is placed on a Sub grade It supports the applied traffic loads and distributes them to the soil foundation.

2. 3.

ESSENTIL REQUIEMENT OF PAVEMENTS 1) STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE

A PAVEMENT SHOULD BE
(i) STRONG enough to resist the stresses imposed on it and (ii) THICK enough to distribute the external loads on the earthen subgrade.

2) FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE
A PAVEMENT SHOULD HAVE
(i) Riding quality, (ii) Surface friction for skid resistance, (iii) Low noise and (iv) Good geometrics.

TYPES OF PAVEMENTS
1) 2) 3) 4)

FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS, RIGID PAVEMENTS, SEMI-RIGID PAVEMENTS, COMPOSITE PAVEMENTS.

1) FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS
1. 2. 3.

Consists THREE Layers. It has low FLEXURAL strength. Transfers the traffic loads by DISPERSION.

Wearing Course Binding Course BASE COURSE

SURFACE COURSE

SUB-BASE COURSE

SUB GRADE

1) FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

2) RIGID PAVEMENTS
1. 2.

These consist of only TWO Layers. Transfers the traffic loads by FLEXURE.

CC WEARING COURSE

SUB-BASE COURSE SUB GRADE

Sub-base may be

DLC/ PCC/ WMM/WBM

2) RIGID PAVEMENTS

3) SEMI-RIGID PAVEMENTS

Surface course is FLEXIBLE.

Base/ Sub-base is RIGID.

BITUMINOUS WEARING COURSE

RIGID BASE COURSE

SUB GRADE

Rigid Base may be DLC/ Lime-fly ash/ soil-cement concretes

4) COMPOSITE PAVEMENTS
These Pavements comprises of multiple, structural layers of different, heterogeneous, composition. Ex:: Brick sandwiched pavement, which consists CC pavement layers at bottom and top duly sandwiching brick layer.

DESIGN OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

Design of FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS involves the interplay of severable variables

Wheel Loads. Traffic. Climate. Terrain. Subgrade condition.

DESIGN OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

TWO CODES for DESIGN

Village Roads and Rural Roads ::
Traffic Less than 450 CVPD IRC:SP:20-2002 (Rural Road Manual)

Expressways, NH, SH, MDR

Traffic Greater than 450 CVPD (1 msa to 150 msa) IRC:37-2001 (Guide lines for the design of flexible pavements)

IRC:37-2001
GUIDELENES FOR THE DESIGN OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

This code uses mathematical modeling of the pavement structure using MULTIPLE LAYER ELASTIC theory

COMPONENTS OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS Essentially consists of

THREE Layers.
1) Surface Course::
i) Wearing Course ::
PC, SDBC, BC.

ii) Binding course::

BM, DBM,

2) Granular Base :: WBM, WMM, 3) Granular Sub-Base ::

SUBGRADE

FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS STRAINS/DEFORMATIONS and their REMEDIES

1. Pavement deformation BITUMINOUS layers.

within

BITUMINOUS COURSE

BASE COURSE SUB-BASE COURSE

SUB GRADE

1.

Controlled by meeting the MIX DESIGN requirements as per MORT&H Specifications.

STRAINS/DEFORMATIONS ------ REMEDIES

2. Horizontal Tensile strain at the bottom of BITUMINOUS layer.

BITUMINOUS COURSE

BASE COURSE SUB-BASE COURSE

SUB GRADE

2.

Controlled by selecting the THICKNESSES of Granular and Bituminous layers as per Design.

STRAINS/DEFORMATIONS ------ REMEDIES

3. Vertical compressive strain the top of the SUBGRADE.

BITUMINOUS COURSE

BASE COURSE SUB-BASE COURSE

SUB GRADE

3.

Controlled by selecting the THICKNESSES of Granular and Bituminous layers as per Design.

PARAMETERS FOR DESIGN 1 DESIGN TRAFFIC .

Cumulative number of Standard Axles.

2 CBR value of Subgrade.

TRAFFIC
IRC:37 Considers traffic in terms of STANDARD AXLES to be carried by the pavement during the DESIGN LIFE. STANDARD AXLE = 8160 Kg DESIGN LIFE = Period in which the cumulative number of standard axles carried by the pavement. CVPD :: Commercial Vehicles Per Day
Vehicle having LADEN weight more than 3.00 mt.

TRAFFIC
For estimating the DESIGN TRAFFIC information required :: i. INTIAL TRAFFIC :: After construction (before the road is opened to traffic) in terms of CVPD. ii. TRAFFIC GROWRT RATE :: iii. DESIGN LIFE :: in number of years, iv. VEHICLE DAMAGE FACTOR :: v. DISTRIBUTION of commercial traffic over the carriageway.

i) INITIAL TRAFFIC

Only the number of commercials (W>3.0t) and The Axle- Loading of Commercial Vehicles are considered. The initial daily average traffic flow based 7 days X 24 hours classified counts.

ii) TRAFFIC GROWTH RATE

Traffic growth rate is estimated ::

By studying the past trends of traffic growth and By establishing economic models as per procedure out lined in IRC:108.

The code recommends average annual growth rate as 7.50 % .

In case adequate data is not available.

iii) DESIGN LIFE

Definition :: Design life of a pavement is the CUMULATIVE NUMBER of standard axles that can be carried before strengthening of pavement is necessary. DESIG LIFE for :: Express ways & Urban Roads. -- -- -- 20 yrs. National Highways & State Highways 15 yrs. Other category of roads -- -- 10 to 15 yrs.

iv) VEHICLE DAMAGE FACTOR

Definition :: It is an equivalent number of STANDARD AXLE per COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. STANDARD AXLE = 8160 kg It is a multiplier to convert COMMERCIAL VEHICLES of different axle loads and configuration to STANDAD AXLE :: COMMERCILA VEHICLE * VDF = STANDARD AXLE.

iv) VEHICLE DAMAGE FACTOR

Single Axle Load ::
Equivalency Equivalency Equivalency Equivalency

Equivalency Factor =(Axle Loan in kg/8160)4

Factor Factor Factor Factor of of of of 4540 kg 8160 kg 16320 kg 22680 kg

=(4540/8160)4=0.08 =(8160/8160)4=1.00 =(16320/8160)4=15.5 =(22680/8160)4=55.0

Tandem Axle Load ::

Equivalency Equivalency Equivalency Equivalency

Equivalency Factor =(Axle Loan in kg/14968)4

Factor Factor Factor Factor of of of of 8160 kg 14968 kg 22680 kg 36288 kg

=(8160/14968)4 =0.07 =(14968/14968)4=1.00 =(22680/14968)4=5.28 =(36288/14968)4=31.7

iv) VEHICLE DAMAGE FACTOR

iv) VEHICLE DAMAGE FACTOR

iv) VEHICLE DAMAGE FACTOR

Where sufficient information is not available & project size does not warrant axle load survey INDICATIVE VDF VALUES Initial traffic volume in terms number of CVPD 0 150 150 1500 More than 1500 Terrain Rolling/plain 1.50 3.50 4.50 Hilly 0.50 1.50 2.50

v) LANE DISTRIBUTION FACTOR

Distribution of commercial traffic by
LANE DIRECTION Necessary in arriving realistic total equivalent standard axle load used in design.

Types of Carriageways
Single Lane carriageway ( No median of divider), Dual lane carriageway ( With Median or Divider).

Types of Lanes
Single - Lane (only in single carriageway) Two Lane, Three Lane (only in dual carriageway) Four Lane

v) LANE DISTRIBUTION FACTOR

SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY ROAD
SNo Number of Lanes Width L.D.F. (%)

1 2 3

Single Lane Two Lane Four Lane

3.75 m 7.00 m 14.0 /15.0

100 75 40

DUAL CARRIAGEWAY ROAD 1 2 3 Two Lane Three Lane Four Lane 7.0 + 7.0 10.5 + 10.5 14.0 + 14.0 75 60 40

Estimation of TRAFFIC

Suppose TRAFFIC in the year of CENSUS is (CVPD) - - - - - - - TRAFFIC after ONE year (CVPD) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TRAFFIC after TWO years (CVPD) -TRAFFIC after THREE years (CVPD) - - -

P(1+ r)

P(1 + r )(1 + r ) = P(1 + r )2

P(1+ r)(1+ r)(1+ r) = P(1+ r)3

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TRAFFIC after x years (CVPD) - - -

P(1+r)( 1+r)( 1+r)x =P(1+r)x = A

Estimation of TRAFFIC
Suppose TRAFFIC in the year of COMPLETION is (CVPD) - - - - - -

TOTAL number of vehicles in FIRST year (CVPD) -- - TOTAL number of vehicles in SECOND year (CVPD) TOTAL number of vehicles in THIRD year (CVPD) === === === === === === === === === === TOTAL number of vehicles in n th year (CVPD) CUMULATIVE TRAFFIC for

365 * A

365* A* (1+ r)

365* A* (1 + r)2
365 * A * (1 + r ) ( n 1)
365 * A * ( 1 + r ) n 1 r

n years (CVPD)

(By adding the TRAFFIC from FIRST to n th year)

TRAFFIC
For estimating the DESIGN TRAFFIC information required :: i. ii. INTIAL TRAFFIC :: -------------------- A CVPD TRAFFIC GROWRT RATE :: --------- r %

iii. DESIGN LIFE :: ----------------------- n years iv. VEHICLE DAMAGE FACTOR ::------- F v. LANE DISTRIBUTION FACTOR ::--- D

Estimation of TRAFFIC

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STANDARD AXLES TO BE CATERED IN THE DESIGN ARE IN TERMS OF msa (Millian Standard Axles)

N =

365 * ( 1 + r ) n 1 r * 1000000

]* A * D * F

A = Initial Traffic, r = Growth Rate, D = Lane distribution factor, n = Design life in years F = Vehicle Damage Factor.

CBR of SUBGRADE (foundation)

Definition ::
It is the top 500 mm of FORMATION and is FOUNDATION to the pavement. It should be well copacted.

Density ::
The DRY DENSITY not less than 1.75 gm/cc.

Strength ::
The STRENGTH of subgrade is assesed in terms of CBR ( California Bearing Ratioo). Maximum = 10 % and Minimum = 2 % The CBR should be found on remoulded samples in the lab at the weakest condition under the road after construction.

PAVEMENT THICKNSS AND COMPOSITION

Pavement Thickness Design CHARTS :: These charts are used to obtain TOTAL thickness of Pavement. From CBR and Traffic in msa.

Pavement Thickness Design CHARTS

These CHARTS are used to obtain the total thickness of pavement from the TRAFFIC and CBR. TRAFFIC :: Traffic is assessed in terms of cumulative number of standard axles to be carried over the design life. Unit = msa (million standard axles) Range ::
1 to 10 msa Fig.1, 10 to 150 msa Fig.2.

CBR :: The CBR of SUBGRADE , Minimum = 2 %, Maximum = 10 % For CBR less than 2 %, Capping layer 150 mm thickness of material with 10% CBR should be provided, and consider CBR as 2% for design.

Chart 1 : Traffic 1-10 msa: CBR 2-10 %

Chart 2 : Traffic 10-150 msa: CBR 2-10 %

PAVEMENT THICKNSS AND COMPOSITION

Pavement Thickness Design CHARTS :: These charts are used to obtain TOTAL thickness of Pavement. Pavement Composition :: Sub-base course, Base course, Bituminous Surfacing
Binder Course, Wearing course.

Pavement Design CATALOGUE :: These charts are used to obtain the MINIMUM THICKNESS and COMPOSITION of pavement layers.

GRANULAR SUB-BASE COURSE (GSB)

GRADATION ::
The Sub-base materials should conform to the Grading (Grain size distribution)of Clause 401 of MORT&H.

The material passing 425 micron sieve should have LIQUIE LIMIT not more than 25 %, PLASTICITY INDEX not more than 6 %. The CBR Values Traffic up to 2 msa min CBR = 20 %, Traffic exceeding 2 msa CBR = 30 %.

GRANULAR SUB-BASE COURSE (GSB)

Construction :: The GSB should be extended over entire width of formation. When CBR Value of GSB is less than 2 %, a capping layer of 150 mm thickness of material with 10 % CBR is provided. MINIMUM THICKNESS ::
Traffic less than 10 msa Minimum = 150 mm Traffic more than 10 msa Minimum = 200 mm

GRANULAR BASE COURSE

MATERIAL :: The unbound granular base comprises of any one of the following.
WBM Water Bound Macadam or WMM Wet Mix Macadam.

THICKNESS ::
WMM Traffic Traffic WMM Traffic Traffic up to 2 msa Min = 225 mm. exceeding 2 msa Min = 250 mm. up to 2 msa Min = 225 mm exceeding 2 msa Min = 300 mm

BITUMINOUS SURFACINGS
The Bituminous Surfacing consists of
Wearing Course ony or Binder Course + Weaing Courses

WEARING COURSE Wearing courses are

::

commonly

used

Surface Dressing (SD), Open-graded premix carpet (OGPC), Mix seal surfacing (MS), Semidense Bituminous Concrete (SDBC), Bituminous Concretd (BC).

BITUMINOUS SURFACINGS BINDER COURSE :: commonly used Binder courses are

Bituminous Macadam (BM) , Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM).

BITUMINOUS MACADAM ::
For traffic less than 5 msa .

DENSE BITUMINOUS MACADAM ::

For traffic more than 5 msa .

BITUMINOUS SURFACINGS
SELECTION :: The choice of appropriate type of wearing courses depend on
Desine traffic, Type of Base course, Type of Binder Course, Rainfall of the area.

NOTE :: The thickness of

Surface dressing, Open graded premix carpet and Mixseal surfacing

Will not be counted in designing the total thickness of pavement.

PAVEMENT DESIGN CATALOGUE

Based on the results of Analysis of Pavement Structure Specification requirement. Plate 1 Used to design for the traffic upto 10 msa 1, 2, 3, 5, 10. Plate 2
Used to design for the traffic upto 150 msa 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 150.

CBR 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. For intermediate traffic ranges, the pavement layer thickness will be interpolated linearly.

LINEAR INTERPOLATION
y = y1 + ( y 2 y1) * x x1

y = y1 + ( y 2 y1) *

x x1
y2

x y = y1 ( y 2 y1) * x1
y1

x
x1

First Ordinate = y1 Second Ordinate = y2 Distance between y1 & y2 = x1

PAVEMENT DESIGN CATALOGUE

PLATE-1 ::
DRECOMMENDED DESIGN FOR TRAFFIC RANGE 1-10 msa, for CBR of 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8% and 9% &10%.

PLATE-2 ::
DRECOMMENDED DESIGN FOR TRAFFIC RANGE 10-150 msa, for CBR of 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% and 10%.

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Chart 2 : Traffic 10-150 msa: CBR 2-10 %

635

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References
IRC : 37-2001 Guidelines for the desing of Flexible Pavements. MORT&H Specifications for Road and Bridge works ( Fourth Revision). Principles and practices of Highway Engineering.
L.R. Kadiyali.

Some sites in Internet.

acknowledgements
NAC :: National Academy of Construction. Sri F.C.S. Peter, D.G., NAC Sri S. Jaswant Kumar, C.E.(D&P), R&B Dept. Sri A. B. V. Subba Reddy, NAC, Hyderabad. Master V. Shraman,

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

-- V. VENKATA NARAYANA Dy. Executive Engineer (R&B), 9440818440, 07799139399 vvn.randb@gmail.com

THANK YOU

V. VENKATA NARAYANA