Use of Locally Available Soils on Subbase and Base Layers of Flexible Pavements

Abstract

Lateritic soils are very abundant in the region of the Federal District of Brazil. If this material could be used in low-volume roads, it would be possible to avoid some environmental problems. Alternative techniques were developed for the use of nonconventional materials as subbase and base layers of flexible pavements. To analyze the technical and economical viability of using local soils, two experimental highways were constructed. Each highway was divided into three sections with different materials in the subbase and base layers, such as fine lateritic soil, fine lateritic soil stabilized with lime, and a mixture of fine lateritic soil and crushed rock. The compaction characteristics were evaluated in laboratory tests. From the time the segments were constructed (in 1998 and 2000) until 2001, the stress–strain behavior of the paving structures was evaluated by in situ tests, such as the plate-bearing, Benkelman beam, and falling weight deflectometer tests. From the results, conclusions were drawn about which of the chosen materials showed the best performance in mechanical behavior.

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