MORE | Fall 2019

Proposed Enhancements to Pavement ME Design: Improved Consideration of the Influence of Subgrade Soils Susceptible to Shrink/Swell on Pavement Performance

A hypothesis has been put forward that the seasonal variation in moisture demands of vegetation growing in the vicinity of the pavement has adverse effects on the subgrade through shrink/swell of expansive clays leading to pavement distress. The shrink/swell cycle is predominantly driven by suction pressures either from the soils or nearby vegetation. The soil’s suction potential has impacts on volumetric changes, which may lead to pavement distress. This research makes an effort at understanding the effect of vegetation on soil suction pressures causing pavement distress, quantifying the magnitude of distress and incorporating the findings into the design of the pavement structure.