Deflection characteristics of Unbound Base Course During a Large Scale Model Experiment

Abstract

This paper evaluates de deflections (measured at the surface and/or at the top of the subgrade) of unbound pavement materials under cyclic loading. Deflections of three base course materials (Bakel Red Quartzite, Bakel Black Quartzite and Diack Basalt) were investigated using a large-scale model experiment (LSME). The LSME is a prototype-scale pavement test apparatus where cyclic loading is applied and deflections are measured. The LSME replicates field conditions and accounts for scale effects. The LSME results showed that the total, plastic and net plastic deflections of a pavement increase progressively as the number of loading cycles increases. The total deflection decreases as the thickness of the base layer increases. Plastics deflections at the top of the subgrade decrease progressively as the thickness of the base layer is increased. The elastic deflections of the surface and of the base layer decrease gradually with the increasing loading cycles. The elastic deflection at the top of the subgrade decreases with increasing thickness of the base layer. So, rutting can be limited by limiting the elastic deflection at the top of the subgrade. However, this criterion does not account for the rutting caused by the unbound base layers and that of the asphalt concrete.