A comparative study on rutting behavior of unbound and cement stabilized base layers in flexible pavements

Abstract

Rutting distress, a phenomenon characterized by formation of ruts in high-stress areas of flexible pavements, necessitates material enhancements due to increased vehicular loads resulting from national and international trade via highways, highlighting the need for revised prediction methods utilizing laboratory tests with standardized protocols to evaluate asphalt mixtures before field application. While pavement construction consumes substantial non-renewable resources, there's an increasing emphasis on sustainability over initial costs in government decision-making, underscoring the importance of sustainable development to reduce investments and preserve natural resources. Notably, cement-treated bases are effective in extending the fatigue life and reducing cracking in flexible pavements. Various testing devices, such as the Georgia loaded-wheel tester, French wheel tracking tester, Hamburg wheel-tracking device, and asphalt pavement analyser, assess asphalt mixture properties, but mainly target bound bituminous layers. This study's primary goal is to compare the rutting performance of two pavement sections using a novel device called the 'Roller compactor cum rut analyser' (RCRA), capable of compacting and analysing all layers of flexible pavement. By applying the RCRA model, the research demonstrates that the section with cement-stabilized layers displays enhanced resistance to rutting and deformation, providing valuable insights for the construction of durable road infrastructure.