Bearing capacity development on low volume roads (a 15-year case study)

Abstract

This paper presents a 15-year study (1989-2004) of the actual bearing capacity development on a number of low volume road sections in Denmark. The project was started up in 1989 as part of the implementation of a PMS project and, apart from various deterioration technical aspects; the purpose was to study and uncover the actual bearing capacity development and to develop deterioration models for the bearing capacity of low volume roads in Denmark. The basis on which the mentioned test sections were selected will be mentioned in the paper as well as how they were divided into sections of 10x10 metres, how current and comprehensive analyses were made of materials and soil conditions. Furthermore, it will be discussed, how daily measurements and registrations were made of meteorological data, sounding of the groundwater level (which is high on some sections) and how an artificial lowering of the groundwater level influenced both negatively and positively on the road deterioration. Finally, results will be presented from selected sections where the bearing capacity has developed as expected, but in some cases also in a rather surprising way.

KEY WORDS: bearing capacity, PMS (Pavement Management System), FWD (Falling
Weight deflectometer), design, deterioration, distress, models, groundwater, condition; GPR
(Ground Penetration Radar), RoSy (RoSy Road Systems), residual life (based on Danish
design criteria).