Laboratory testing of static and dynamic deformation characteristics of small scale model of pavement subgrade

Abstract

Interaction system vehicle-pavement represents actual problem in terms of structural, life service and environmental requirements. Experimental measurements with real vehicles and pavements are time consuming and bring high complexity of the inputs, relations and other boundary conditions which need to be identified to achieve reliable outputs. Inevitable uncertainties related to the real structure can be controlled when scale models with identified boundary conditions are prepared. Determination of the characteristics of the individual components of the vehicle-pavement interaction system at controlled conditions is then possible. The subgrade is an important part of the pavement structure. A laboratory and numerical simulations based on the static and dynamic testing methods were used to determine the deformation parameters of the subgrade. A viscoelastic mass was selected as a subgrade for the small scale model of the pavement. Its characteristic allows the simulation of the dynamic effects of the vehicle on pavement structure. A short-time dynamic loading of the subgrade occurs when the vehicle moves on the pavement. Therefore, the response of the subgrade should be also characterized with the dynamic parameters. The results obtained by the experimental observations in-lab will be used for the evaluation of the traffic effect on the pavement structure and surrounding objects such as buildings.