1984•Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research BoardRequires access
EFFECT OF SEASON OF YEAR ON PAVEMENT RESPONSE
Roy F Bibbens, C A Bell, R G Hicks
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Abstract
The effect of season of year on pavement response in terms of changes in subgrade resilient modulus should be known for effective pavement design and management. To measure changes in modulus, deflection, subgrade moisture content, and subgrade soil suction were monitored at two locations in the Oregon Cascade Range. Changes in deflection were measured with a Dynaflect, Benkelman beam, and falling weight deflectometer. Changes in suction and moisture content were measured with resistivity cells installed in the subgrade. Frost tubes were also installed to record any frost penetration into the subgrade. Each site was monitored at least six times during 1981, mostly during the spring (the season of lowest subgrade strength). The collected data were used to develop a method for predicting subgrade modulus from suction and moisture content and for estimating subgrade modulus from surface deflection. The results indicate that measuring suction, moisture content, and deflection can result in reasonable estimates of subgrade modulus, with deflection measurements from the falling weight deflectometer being the quickest and most reliable.