Study of the Influence of Groundwater Table in Mechanical Behavior of a Full-Scale Pavement Structure Modeled in a Test-Pit

Abstract

Abstract:The mechanical characteristics of road pavement layers are influenced by moisture conditions. Drying and wetting change the moisture content of the materials used in pavement structures, consequently affecting the mechanical response. An experimental program was conducted to evaluate elastic deformations of a road pavement structure utilizing repetitive rigid plate load tests in a model test-pit facility. A typical Brazilian pavement (a multilayer system composed of a concrete asphalt and coarse base, and subbase) was simulated in this test-pit with devices for measuring humidity (TDR (time domain reflectometry)) and suction (tensiometers) installed every 20.0 cm along the profile. A pair of displacement transducers was attached on the surface of the pavement structure to record deformations due to dynamic loads. Two levels of groundwater table were analyzed, verifying that the pavement structure displacement increases with groundwater table growth. The structural response was evaluated and compared in physical and numerical models, and the results confirmed that the higher groundwater levels caused the greatest pavement displacements.