Performance assessment of premix carpet for low-volume roads

Abstract

The paper presents the performance of premix carpet for low-volume roads in terms of structural capacity and functional properties. The structural capacity was evaluated using falling weight deflectometer (FWD). International roughness index (IRI) was used as a measure of the functional property. A total of 26 sections with a total road length of 110 km were selected for the study. At each test location, pavement composition was determined by excavating test pit along the edge of the shoulder. Subsequently, FWD test was conducted. Deflections were measured at 8 radial distances, ranging from 0 to 1500 mm. Deflection values ranged between 475 and 1129 μm below the loading plate and 30–224 μm at radial distance of 1500 mm. Using deflection readings, structural number (SN) and deflection bowl parameters including surface curvature index (SCI), base damage index (BDI), base curvature index (BCI) and AREA were calculated. Then, IRI was measured using Roughometer III device. IRI progression with time indicated that for a trigger value of 4.62 m/km, premix carpet roads would require maintenance after 41 months of service life. In addition, a good correlation between the deflection bowl parameters and IRI was observed. So, the limits of IRI were used to propose the recommended range of deflection bowl parameters. It was found that when the values of SCI, BDI and BCI increase to more than 313, 152 and 58, respectively, or AREA and SN reduce to less than 447 and 17, respectively, the pavement exhibits poor condition and would require rehabilitation.