Structural capacity evaluation of lightweight cellular concrete for flexible pavement subbase

Abstract

The structural capacity of using lightweight cellular concrete (LCC) as subbase layer in the flexible pavement structure was investigated. Three different densities of LCC’s mechanical properties were examined. It was determined that LCC has adequate compressive strength for pavement application for all considered densities. It was also found that it exhibited higher stiffness than granular material. Failure criteria analysis found that the LCC sections could allow twice the traffic loadings than the granular material in terms of fatigue cracking at the surface layer for similar thickness. For rutting, it could allow between seven to twenty-four times more traffic. The LCC could reduce subbase thickness by up to 60% to bear the similar traffic loads as the granular material. Although the analysis indicates LCC's benefits as a potential pavement material, it is recommended that further assessment of life cycle costing and environmental impact be performed to further explore its benefits.