Example question - Roads II - 2014-2015

1. Describe the functions of the surface layer, base layer, subbase layer and subgrade.
2. Give an overview of the process steps for realizing a road constructing project.
3. Describe the different types of pavements and the selection criteria for its usage, with the
advantages and disadvantages for each type.
4. Explain the test to characterize the relationship "density - moisture content - compaction" for
subgrade soils. Which tests are used to determine the stiffness and strength of soils ?
5. What is frost susceptibility ? Which parameter is crucial for the frost susceptibility of a subgrade
soil ? Which tests are used to define that parameter ? What can be done to reduce the freeze-thaw
problem ?
6. Which test is most commonly used in situ to determine the bearing capacity of a subgrade soil ? In
case of an insufficient test result, which subgrade soil stabilization techniques are there ?
7. Which granular materials are used for subbase and base layers ? Which tests are commonly used
to characterize the mechanical and physical properties of aggregates ?
8. Describe the influence of confinement on the mechanical behaviour of unbound granular
(sub)base materials. Which other factors influence the mechanical characteristics ?
9. What are the main functions of the subbase ? Which subbase layer types exist according to the
SB250 ? Which a posteriori controls are performed on subbase layers ?
10. What are the functions of the base layer ? Which types of base layers exist according to the
SB250 ? Which types are preferred for roads with little, medium or heavy traffic ? Which a
posteriori controls are performed on base layers ?
11. Which types of layers are possible in an asphalt pavement and what are its functions ?
12. What different types of bitumen and bituminous products are used in road construction ? Can you
describe the bitumen production processes ?
13. Which parameters define the visco-elastic behaviour of bitumen ? Which tests are important for
the bitumen classification ? Why is polymer modification important ?
14. Describe the constituents of an asphalt mix. What are the different types of aggregate skeletons ?
Indicate similarities and differences between SMA and ZOA. Why and when is SMA chosen?
15. How can asphalt be recycled and what are the advantages and disadvantages? What are the asphalt
types used in surface layers according to the SB250 ? Discuss the asphalt mixtures typology
according to the SB250.
16. Which tests are used to determine the general functional requirements of asphalt mixtures and
layers ? Why is the percentage of voids and the moisture susceptibility important ? How does the
registration process of an asphalt mixture look like, and why is this registration important ?
17. Which theory is used to determine the structural design thickness of an asphalt pavement ? How is
the bond between the different bituminous layers realized and how can it be tested ? Which
parameters influence the sensitivity of change in tensile strain at the bottom of the asphalt
pavement ?
18. Discuss the discontinuous asphalt mix production system. How does the addition of RAP occur ?
What techniques can be used to produce warm mix asphalt ? What are the benefits of warm mix
asphalt ?
19. Discuss the asphalt paver operation. How is the compaction of the asphalt mix realized ? What is
important when multiple layers are placed ? Which quality control needs to be done a priori,
during the construction and a posteriori ?
20. What are the constituents of a concrete mix ? Which types of concrete pavements are there ?
Discuss the importance of the water content of concrete.
21. How can you influence the workability of a concrete mix ? What is the importance of the air
content and how to change it? What are the possible causes of scaling of concrete roads?
22. What determines the skid resistance of concrete roads? Discuss the relationship between skid
resistance, noise and particle size distribution.
23. What materials are used in concrete roads? Discuss the use of admixtures in concrete roads.
24. Discuss the structural design principle of a concrete pavement and its substructure. Which stresses
are most important in plain concrete pavements ?
25. Compare the old and current concept of jointed plain concrete. Which type of joints are there in
concrete pavements ?
26. What is the principle of continuously reinforced concrete ? How do you determine the
reinforcement ratio of continuously reinforced concrete ? How does the reinforcement plan looks
like ?
27. What is the importance of the asphalt intermediate layer beneath a CRCP ? How to determine the
active length of CRCP ? Which solutions exist to cope with these terminal movements ?
28. What is active crack control in CRCP ? What are the advantages ?
29. What is two-layered CRCP ? What are the advantages ? What is the horizontal cracking
phenomenon ?
30. Why applying concrete for roundabouts ? How to construct roundabouts in CRCP ? Can you draw
a layout plan of a roundabout with its approach legs ?
31. Discuss the different phases in slipform concrete paving. How to obtain a good evenness ? Which
types of surface treatments are there ? Why is the protection of the concrete against drying out
important ?
32. Which a posteriori control tests for concrete pavements are done according to the SB250 ? Why is
the measurement of the air content important ?
33. What is the importance of skid resistance ? Which parameters influence the skid resistance ? How
is it measured ? How can the texture depth be measured ?
34. Specify the difference between the various cracks occurring in asphalt. How can these problems
be avoided or solved ?
35. Specify the different types of rutting, the causes and possible solutions. Discuss corrugations,
ravelling, delamination and potholes. How can these problems be avoided or solved ?
36. Discuss the possible cracking in concrete pavements. Provide typical damage symptoms in slabs
of concrete roads. How can these problems be avoided or solved ?
37. Discuss punch-out, blowup, faulting, spalling and alkali-silica reaction. How can these problems
be avoided or solved ?
38. Which auscultation methods exist to determine the thickness and type of road structure ? Which
methods exist to measure the longitudinal and transversal evenness ? How are the evenness
coefficients calculated ?
39. Which methods exist to measure the skid resistance ? Why is skid resistance important ? How can
the texture depth be measured ?
40. How can the bearing capacity of an existing pavement be measured ? Which device is used to
measure this in a dynamic way ? Which types of noise measurements exist ?
41. Can you describe the PMS approach in Flanders ?
42. Define the continuous equivalent sound pressure level. What is road traffic noise ? Which
measures can you take to reduce the road traffic noise pollution ? What is PERS ?
43. Why are water permeable pavements used ? Describe the permeable paving concept. Which
measurement techniques exist to measure the permeability ?
44. Describe the principle of photocatalytic air purifying pavements. What is the benefit ? Which
parameters play an important role ?
45. What is the principle of HEAL ? What are the benefits for the asphalt pavement ?