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Thickness Design of Rigid Pavement

The document outlines the thickness design of rigid pavements, focusing on determining the concrete slab thickness necessary to support projected traffic loads. It details the AASHTO design method, which considers factors such as pavement performance, subgrade and subbase strength, traffic, concrete properties, drainage, and reliability. Additionally, it discusses the effective modulus of subgrade reaction and its dependence on various factors, including seasonal effects and material types.

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15 views9 pages

Thickness Design of Rigid Pavement

The document outlines the thickness design of rigid pavements, focusing on determining the concrete slab thickness necessary to support projected traffic loads. It details the AASHTO design method, which considers factors such as pavement performance, subgrade and subbase strength, traffic, concrete properties, drainage, and reliability. Additionally, it discusses the effective modulus of subgrade reaction and its dependence on various factors, including seasonal effects and material types.

Uploaded by

scorpion65g
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Thickness design of rigid pavement

The main objective in rigid pavement design is to determine the thickness

of the concrete slab that will be adequate to carry the projected traffic

load for the design period.

AASHTO Design Method


The factors considered in the AASHTO procedure for the design of rigid

pavements are

• Pavement performance
• Subgrade strength
• Subbase strength
• Traffic
• Concrete properties
• Drainage
• Reliability

Pavement Performance: Pavement performance is considered in the

same way as for flexible pavement. The initial serviceability index (Pi)

may be taken as 4.5 (4.2-5.0) , and the terminal serviceability index may

also be selected by the designer (2.5-3.0).

Subbase Strength: The using is either graded granular materials or

stabilized materials for the subbase layer. Subbase thickness is usually not

less than 6 in. and should be extended 1 to 3 ft outside the edge of the

pavement structure.
Subgrade Strength: The strength of the subgrade is given in terms of the

modulus of subgrade reaction k, which is defined as the load in lb/in2 on a

loaded area, divided by the deformation in inches.

The determination of an effective modulus of subgrade reaction, which

depends on

(1) the seasonal effect on the resilient modulus of the subgrade,

(2) the type and thickness of the subbase material used,

(3) the effect of potential erosion of the subbase,

(4) whether bedrock lies within 10 ft of the subgrade surface.

The seasonal effect on the resilient modulus of the subgrade is similar to

that used in flexible pavement design, its used during a 12-month period.

Since different types of subbase materials have different strengths, the

type of material used is an important input in the determination of the

effective modulus of subgrade reaction.

In estimating the composite modulus of subgrade reaction, the subbase

material is defined in terms of its elastic modulus ESB. It is also necessary

to consider the combination of material types and the required

thicknesses because this serves as a basis for determining the cost-

effectiveness of the pavement.


The effective k value also depends on the potential erosion of the

subbase material, by using a factor for the loss of support (LS) in

determining the effective k value. This factor is used to reduce the

effective modulus of subgrade reaction.

The presence of bedrock, within a depth of 10 ft of the subgrade surface

and extending over a significant length along the highway alignment,

may result in an increase of the overall modulus of subgrade reaction.


Chart for Estimating Composite Modulus of Subgrade Reaction, K∞,
Assuming a Semi-Infinite Subgrade Depth
Chart to Modify Modulus of Subgrade Reaction to Consider Effects of Rigid Foundation Near
Surface (within 10 ft)
Chart for Estimating Relative Damage to Rigid Pavements Based on Slab
Thickness and Underlying Support
Correction of Effective Modulus of Subgrade Reaction for Potential Loss of
Subbase Support

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