TYPES OF PAVEMENT

A. Rigid Pavement
- are made from cement concrete or
reinforced concrete slabs laid over a well
compacted layer of aggregates. Wheel
loads are transferred to sub-grade soil by
flexural strength of the pavement and the
pavement acts like a rigid plate.

B. Flexible Pavement
- a pavement layer comprising of a
mixture of aggregates and bitumen or Hot
Mix Asphalt, heated and mixed properly
and laid then compacted on a bed of
granular layer. It has negligible flexure
strength and hence undergo deformation
under the action of loads.
A. Rigid Pavement
1. Without dowels or tie bars
The critical section is at the edge of a contraction joint, it will crack
approximately 45° with the edges.

𝑊 𝑀𝑐
𝑓𝑏 =
𝐼
45°
𝑥 𝑡 𝑡
𝑥 𝑊𝑥
2
𝑓=
3
45° 2𝑥 𝑡
𝑥 12
2𝑥 3𝑊
𝑓=
𝑡2

3𝑊
𝑡=
𝑓

Tensile strength of concrete is its capacity to

resist cracking or breaking under tension.

𝑊 = wheel load in lb or kg
𝑡 = thickness of pavement at the edge and at the center
𝑓 = allowable tensile stress of concrete in psi or kg/cm2
A. Rigid Pavement
2. With dowels or tie bars
Purpose of dowel is to transmit the stresses due to the load from
the adjacent pavement.

a) At the edge of pavement

𝑊
3𝑊
2 𝑡=
45° 𝑓
𝑥 𝑡
𝑥
𝑊
3 2
45° 𝑡=
𝑥 𝑓
2𝑥
3𝑊
𝑡=
2𝑓

𝑊 = wheel load in lb or kg
𝑡 = thickness of pavement at the edge and at the center
𝑓 = allowable tensile stress of concrete in psi or kg/cm2
A. Rigid Pavement
2. With dowels or tie bars
Purpose of dowel is to transmit the stresses due to the load from
the adjacent pavement.

b) At the center of pavement

𝑊
3𝑊
4 𝑡=
45° 𝑓
𝑥 𝑡
𝑥
𝑊
3 4
45° 𝑡=
𝑥 𝑓
2𝑥
3𝑊
𝑡=
4𝑓

𝑊 = wheel load in lb or kg
𝑡 = thickness of pavement at the edge and at the center
𝑓 = allowable tensile stress of concrete in psi or kg/cm2
Problem 1.
Determine the thickness of a rigid pavement of the proposed Nagtahan Road to carry a maximum
wheel load of 60 kN. Neglect the effect of dowels. 𝑓′𝑐 = 20 MPa. Allowable tensile stress of concrete
pavement is 0.06𝑓′𝑐

Without dowels or tie bars,

3𝑊
𝑡=
𝑓

3 60 × 103
𝑡=
0.06 × 20

𝑡 = 387.298 mm
Problem 2.
A rigid pavement is to be used to carry a wheel load of 53.5 kN. Design the thickness at the edge and at the
center of the pavement. The allowable tensile stress of concrete is 1.38 MPa. Sufficient dowels are used across
the joints.
a) At the edge of pavement
3𝑊
𝑡=
2𝑓

3 53.5 × 103
𝑡=
2 1.38

𝑡 = 241.148 mm

b) At the center of pavement

3𝑊
𝑡=
4𝑓

3 53.5 × 103
𝑡=
4 1.38

𝑡 = 170.517 mm
Problem 3.
Find the safe static wheel load that a 360 mm thick rigid pavement could carry without any
dowel across the joints if the allowable tensile stress of concrete is 1.5 MPa.

Without dowels or tie bars,

3𝑊
𝑡=
𝑓

3𝑊
360 =
1.5

𝑊 = 64.8 kN
B. Flexible Pavement

𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒

𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒
B. Flexible Pavement

𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒

45° 45°
𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒
B. Flexible Pavement

𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒

45° 45°
𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒
B. Flexible Pavement

𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑟
𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒
𝑟
𝑡1
𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐴1
𝑡
𝑓1 𝑡2
45° 45°
𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒
𝐴
𝑡+𝑟 2 𝑟2
=
𝑓 𝐴 𝜋𝑟 2

2
𝐴 𝑊
𝑡+𝑟 = 𝑓=
𝜋 𝐴
𝑟 = radius of the contact area of the tires
2
1𝑊
𝑡1 = thickness of pavement 𝑡+𝑟 =
𝜋𝑓
𝑡2 = thickness of base
𝑓1 = base bearing value 𝑊 𝑊
𝑡 = 0.564 −𝑟 𝑡1 = 0.564 −𝑟
𝑓 = subgrade bearing value 𝑓 𝑓1
 Problem 4.
Compute the thickness of a flexible pavement for a wheel load of 50 kN, if the allowable bearing pressure on the
base of the pavement is 0.15 MPa and the equivalent radius of the contact area of the tires is equal to 165 mm.

𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑟
𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒
𝑟 𝑊
𝑡1 𝑡1 = 0.564 −𝑟
𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐴1 𝑓1
𝑡
𝑓1 𝑡2
45° 45° 50 × 103
𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑡1 = 0.564 − 165
𝐴 0.15

𝑓
𝑡1 = 160.626 mm
𝑟 = radius of the contact area of the tires
𝑡1 = thickness of pavement
𝑡2 = thickness of base
𝑓1 = base bearing value
𝑓 = subgrade bearing value
Problem 5.
A flexible pavement carries a static wheel load of 53.5 kN. The circular contact area of the tire is 85806 𝑚𝑚2 and the
transmitted load is distributed across a wide area of the subgrade at an angle of 45°. The subgrade bearing value is 0.14 MPa,
while that of the base is 0.41 MPa. Design the thickness of pavement and that of the base.

𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑟 𝑊 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2
𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑡1 = 0.564 −𝑟
𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓1
85806 = 𝜋𝑟 2
𝑟
𝑡1 𝑟 = 165.266 mm
53.5 × 103
𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐴1 𝑡1 = 0.564 − 165.266
𝑡 0.41
𝑓1 𝑡2
45° 45° 𝑡1 = 38.468 mm
𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒
𝐴

𝑓 𝑊 𝑡2 = 183.386 − 38.468
𝑡 = 0.564 −𝑟
𝑓
𝑟 = radius of the contact area of the tires 𝑡2 = 144.918 mm
𝑡1 = thickness of pavement
53.5 × 103
𝑡2 = thickness of base 𝑡 = 0.564 − 165.266
0.14
𝑓1 = base bearing value
𝑓 = subgrade bearing value 𝑡 = 183.386 mm
 Problem 6.
A flexible pavement having a thickness of 46 mm carries a static wheel load of W. The circular contact are of time has an
equivalent radius of 150 mm. If the load W is assumed to be transmitted across a wide area of subgrade at an angle of 45°,
compute the value of wheel load W if the bearing stress of the base is 0.42 MPa.

𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑟
𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒
𝑟
𝑡1 𝑊
𝑡1 = 0.564 −𝑟
𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑓1
𝐴1
𝑡
𝑓1 𝑡2
45° 45° 𝑊
𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 46 = 0.564 − 150
𝐴 0.42

𝑓
𝑊 = 50.723 kN
𝑟 = radius of the contact area of the tires
𝑡1 = thickness of pavement
𝑡2 = thickness of base
𝑓1 = base bearing value
𝑓 = subgrade bearing value
Problem 7.
A sheet asphalt mixture is to be made using the following percentages by weight of the total mix.

Material Specific Gravity Percent by Weight

Sand 2.68 80%
Filler 2.70 12%
Asphalt Cement 1.01 8%

A compacted test specimen weighing 11.18 N in air was found to weigh 6.33 N when suspended in
water.
a) Compute the absolute specific gravity of the composite aggregates.
b) Compute the bulk specific gravity.
c) Compute the porosity
Problem 7.
A sheet asphalt mixture is to be made using the following percentages by weight of the total mix. a) Compute the absolute specific gravity of the composite
aggregates.
Material Specific Gravity Percent by Weight
Sand 2.68 80% b) Compute the bulk specific gravity.
Filler 2.70 12% c) Compute the porosity
Asphalt Cement 1.01 8%
A compacted test specimen weighing 11.18 N in air was found to weigh 6.33 N when suspended in
water.
a) Compute the absolute specific gravity of the composite aggregates.

100
𝐺=
80 12 8
+ +
2.68 2.70 1.01 ▪ Absolute specific gravity of composite aggregates

𝐺 = 2.37 100
𝐺=
𝑃𝑠 𝑃𝑓 𝑃𝑎
+ +
𝐺𝑠 𝐺𝑓 𝐺𝑎
𝐺 = absolute specific gravity of composite aggregates
𝐺𝑠 = specific gravity of sand
𝐺𝑓 = specific gravity of filler
𝐺𝑎 = specific gravity of asphalt cement
𝑃𝑠 = percentage weight of sand
𝑃𝑓 = percentage weight of filler
𝑃𝑎 = percentage weight of asphalt cement
Problem 7.
A sheet asphalt mixture is to be made using the following percentages by weight of the total mix. a) Compute the absolute specific gravity of the composite
aggregates.
Material Specific Gravity Percent by Weight
Sand 2.68 80% b) Compute the bulk specific gravity.
Filler 2.70 12% c) Compute the porosity
Asphalt Cement 1.01 8%
A compacted test specimen weighing 11.18 N in air was found to weigh 6.33 N when suspended in
water.
a) Compute the absolute specific gravity of the composite aggregates.

100
𝐺=
80 12 8
+ +
2.68 2.70 1.01
𝐺 = 2.37 ▪ Bulk specific gravity (apparent specific gravity)
𝑤𝑎
𝑑=
b) Compute the bulk specific gravity. 𝑤𝑎 − 𝑤𝑤

11.18 𝑑 = bulk specific gravity or apparent specific gravity of

𝑑= the bituminous mixture
11.18 − 6.33
𝑑 = 2.31 𝑤𝑎 = weight of specimen in air
𝑤𝑤 = weight of specimen in water
Problem 7.
A sheet asphalt mixture is to be made using the following percentages by weight of the total mix. a) Compute the absolute specific gravity of the composite
aggregates.
Material Specific Gravity Percent by Weight
Sand 2.68 80% b) Compute the bulk specific gravity.
Filler 2.70 12% c) Compute the porosity
Asphalt Cement 1.01 8%
A compacted test specimen weighing 11.18 N in air was found to weigh 6.33 N when suspended in
water.
a) Compute the absolute specific gravity of the composite aggregates.

100
𝐺=
80 12 8
+ +
2.68 2.70 1.01
𝐺 = 2.37 ▪ Porosity

𝐺−𝑑
b) Compute the bulk specific gravity. 𝑛=
𝐺
11.18 𝑛 = porosity
𝑑=
11.18 − 6.33 𝐺 = absolute specific gravity of composite aggregates
𝑑 = 2.31 𝑑 = bulk specific gravity or apparent specific gravity of the
bituminous mixture
c) Compute the porosity
2.37 − 2.31
𝑛= × 100
2.37
𝑛 = 2.53%
Problem 8.

Compute the percentage of voids filled with asphalt if the maximum sp. gr. of paving

mixture Gmm = 2.535. Bulk sp. gr. of compacted mix Gmb=2.442. Percentage weight of

asphalt cement is 5.3 while that of fine aggregates and coarse aggregates are 47.3 and 47.4

respectively . The bulk sp. gr. of aggregates Gsb = 2.703 and the effective specific gravity of

aggregate Gse = 2.761.

Problem 8.
Compute the percentage of voids filled with asphalt if the maximum sp. gr. of paving mixture Gmm = 2.535. Bulk sp. gr. of compacted mix Gmb=2.442.
Percentage weight of asphalt cement is 5.3 while that of fine aggregates and coarse aggregates are 47.3 and 47.4 respectively . The bulk sp. gr. of aggregates
Gsb = 2.703 and the effective specific gravity of aggregate Gse = 2.761.

▪ Percentage of voids filled with asphalt ▪ Percentage of voids in mineral aggregates

𝑉𝑀𝐴 − 𝑉𝐴 𝐺𝑚𝑏 𝑃𝑠
𝑉𝐹𝐴 = × 100 𝑉𝑀𝐴 = 100 −
𝑉𝑀𝐴 𝐺𝑠𝑏
𝑉𝐹𝐴 = percentage of voids filled with asphalt 𝑉𝑀𝐴 = percentage of voids in mineral aggregates
𝑉𝐴 = percentage of air voids 𝐺𝑚𝑏 = maximum specific gravity of compacted mix
𝑉𝑀𝐴 = percentage of voids in mineral aggregates 𝐺𝑠𝑏 = bulk specific gravity of aggregates
𝑃𝑠 = sum of percentage weight of fine and coarse aggregates
2.442(47.3 + 47.4)
𝑉𝑀𝐴 = 100 −
2.703
▪ Air voids in a pavement mixture
𝑉𝑀𝐴 = 14.44 %
𝐺𝑚𝑚 − 𝐺𝑚𝑏
𝑉𝐴 = × 100
𝐺𝑚𝑚
2.535 − 2.442
𝑉𝐴 = × 100 𝑉𝐴 = air voids
2.535
𝐺𝑚𝑚 = maximum specific gravity of paving mixture
𝑉𝐴 = 3.67 %
𝐺𝑚𝑏 = maximum specific gravity of compacted mix
14.44 − 3.67
𝑉𝐹𝐴 = × 100
14.44
𝑉𝐹𝐴 = 74.58 %
Problem 9.
Compute the effective asphalt content of a paving mixture which are as follows:
Materials Bulk Sp. Gr. Sp. Gr. % of weight
Asphalt Cement 1.03 5.3
Fine Aggregates 2.689 47.3
Coarse Aggregates 2.716 47.4

Max. sp. gr. of paving mixture = 2.535.

Problem 9. ▪ Bulk specific gravity of total aggregate
Compute the effective asphalt content of a paving mixture which are as follows: 𝑃1 + 𝑃2
𝐺𝑠𝑏 =
Materials Bulk Sp. Gr. Sp. Gr. % of weight 𝑃1 𝑃2
+
𝑑1 𝑑2
Asphalt Cement 1.03 5.3
𝐺𝑠𝑏 = bulk specific gravity of aggregates
Fine Aggregates 2.689 47.3
𝑃1 = percentage weight of coarse aggregate
Coarse Aggregates 2.716 47.4
𝑃2 = percentage weight of fine aggregate
Max. sp. gr. of paving mixture = 2.535.
▪ Asphalt absorption 𝑑1 = bulk specific gravity of coarse aggregate
▪ Effective asphalt content
𝐺𝑠𝑒 − 𝐺𝑠𝑏 𝑑2 = bulk specific gravity of fine aggregate
𝑃𝑏𝑎 𝑃𝑠 𝑃𝑏𝑎 = 𝐺𝑎 × 100
𝑃𝑏𝑒 = 𝑃𝑏 − 𝐺𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑠𝑏
100
𝑃𝑏𝑎 = asphalt absorption
𝑃𝑏𝑒 = effective asphalt content
𝐺𝑠𝑒 = effective specific gravity of aggregates
𝑃𝑏 = percentage weight of asphalt cement
𝐺𝑠𝑏 = bulk specific gravity of aggregates
𝑃𝑠 = sum of percentage weight of fine and coarse aggregates
𝐺𝑎 = specific gravity of asphalt cement
𝑃𝑏𝑎 = asphalt absorption
▪ Effective specific gravity of aggregate
100 − 5.3 2.761 − 2.702
𝐺𝑠𝑒 = 𝑃𝑏𝑎 = 100 1.03 𝑃𝑚𝑚 − 𝑃𝑏
100 5.3 2.761 2.702 𝐺𝑠𝑒 =
− 𝑃𝑚𝑚 𝑃𝑏
2.535 1.03 −
𝑃𝑏𝑎 = 0.81% 𝐺𝑚𝑚 𝐺𝑏
𝐺𝑠𝑒 = 2.761
𝐺𝑠𝑒 = effective specific gravity of aggregates
0.81(47.3 + 47.4) 𝑃𝑚𝑚 = total loose mixture
47.3 + 47.4 𝑃𝑏𝑒 = 5.3 −
100
𝐺𝑠𝑏 =
47.3 47.4 𝑃𝑏 = percentage weight of asphalt cement
+ 𝑃𝑏𝑒 = 4.53%
2.689 2.716 𝐺𝑚𝑚 = maximum specific gravity of paving mixture
𝐺𝑠𝑏 = 2.702 𝐺𝑏 = specific gravity of asphalt cement