EFFECT OF REINFORCEMENT ON IMPROVE SURFACE PAVEMENT FOR WEAK SUBGRADE CONDITIONS

Abstract

A pavement structure consists of several layers for the primary purpose of transmitting and
distributing traffic loads to the subgrade. Rutting is one form of pavement distresses that may influence the
performance of road pavements. Soft subgrade soils are distinguished by their low undrianed shear strength and
high compressibility. The effect of geogrid and steel mesh to improve the performance pavement is
experimentally investigated and evaluated. To compare the experimental and analytical outputs, three
dimensions finite element throughout models using ABAQUS ver.6.12.3 software are developed to simulate and
analyze the relations between the cycling load and deformation of the suggested pavement modes. Based on the
results and the limitation of this study it is concluded that, using geogrid and steel mesh in pavement layers
leads to increases in load carrying capacity and decrease the permanent deformation in surface pavement for
(1000) cycles load by (27.3%) and (18.3%) respectively, as compared with unreinforced model. The results of
ABAQUS program are very close to results of laboratory tests.