A SIMPLIFIED METHOD FOR GEOGRID-REINFORCED UNPAVED ROADS WITH TWO GEOGRID LAYERS

Fernando Valencia
1

Introduction Since there is no information available in the literature related to the design of geogrid-reinforced unpaved roads with multiple geogrid layers to the best of the writers knowledge, the following document presents an approach to model such situation for unpaved roads using a modified version of Giroud & Han model. Background In order to establish the effect of a cyclic load applied on a geogrid-reinforced unpaved road with two layers of geogrid it is necessary to consider two important issues: Compressive strength and stiffness improvement Permanent deformation reduction (rutting reduction)

Since there are no field tests reported in the literature for geogrid-reinforced unpaved roads with multiple geogrid layers, the results from the study carried by Nazzal et al. [1] which considers the use of geogrid in one or two layers for crushed limestone reinforcement will be used in this document as a reference. According to Nazzal et al [1], there is an improvement on the compressive strength and stiffness of a granular layer reinforced with geogrids, with a significant reduction in the permanent deformation when subjected to multiple triaxial cycles. Such improvement was found to be a function of the geogrid location, type, and number of layers. For a specific geogrid type, the highest improvement was achieved when using two geogrid layers. For the case of one layer, the best performance was achieved when the geogrid layer was located at the upper third level of the height of the sample. The results of the cyclic triaxial tests also showed that the geogrid reinforcement did not have a significant effect on the resilient behavior of the granular layer samples.

Technical Manager, Ormiga Geomallas Tensar, Colombia. E-mail: fvalencia.ormiga@gmail.com

Giroud & Han, and Leng & Gabr Models In Giroud & Han model [2] as well as in Leng and Gabr model [3], the thickness of the granular layer for subgrade stabilization with or without geogrid is obtained through the following generic equation: = 1 tan 1

where tanN = angle of stress distribution. This angle is obtained by using the following equation: 1 1+ = tan tan

If Giroud & Han equation is written in the generic form, the equations for tan1 and k are the following ones: tan = 1.152 + 0.235 k=
.

0.762 1.159

As it can be seen, the initial tangent angle tan1 is a function of the resilient modulus ratio RE which is limited to 5. Since there is no significant effect on the resilient behavior of a granular layer reinforced with one or two geogrid layers according to the tests carried by Nazzal et al.[1], a modification of the angle of stress distribution is not justified. On the other hand, the equation for the estimation of k was obtained from statistical analysis carried on field and laboratory tests using single layers of BX1100 and BX1200 geogrids, thus, it is difficult to justify a modification on such equations unless field and laboratory test data using two or more layers are available. Observing these limitations, and regarding the fact that the improvement observed in a granular layer reinforced with geogrids can be quantified in terms of the reduction of the permanent deformation after cyclic loading, a modification on the bearing capacity modification coefficient m is proposed on this document.

Permanent Deformation Reduction The results obtained by Nazzal et al.[1] are presented to identify the improvements achieved in permanent deformation reduction by introducing a second geogrid layer in the granular material layer. The types of geogrids considered are BX1100, BX1200, and BX 1500 (type II, type IV, and type V respectively). The following figures show the reduction achieved in permanent deformation:

From the figures shown the following estimations were carried: Permanent strain reduction in percentage comparing the use of one layer vs two layers after a certain number of cycles:
BX1100 Geogrid (Type II): N = 1000 cycles (29% reduction) N = 10000 cycles (27% reduction) BX1200 Geogrid (Type IV): N = 1000 cycles (34% reduction) N = 10000 cycles (34% reduction) BX1500 Geogrid (Type V): N = 1000 cycles (41% reduction) N = 10000 cycles (36% reduction)

From the information presented above it can be seen that a higher reduction can be achieved by using geogrids with a higher aperture stability modulus. Since the performance in the field can vary due to compaction density, material grading, maximum particle sizes, and the percentage of fine particles into the granular layer, a reduction of 20% of the permanent strain is set for BX1100 geogrids, 30% for BX1200 geogrids, and 35% for BX1500 geogrids. For other geogrids, such as TX140 and TX160, values of 25% and 30% are set in this document regarding the aperture stability modulus as a reference value.

Bearing Capacity Mobilization Coefficient In Giroud & Han model the bearing capacity mobilization coefficient is defined by the following equation: m= 1 0.9

where s = rut depth (s fS); fS = allowable rut depth. Regarding the previous section, the following expression is proposed to introduce the effect of a second geogrid layer into the granular layer: = 1+

Where k = permanent deformation reduction factor (k 1); k = 0 corresponds to the case of a single geogrid layer; se = effective rut depth. The values of k are given as follows: Geogrid Type BX1100 BX1200 TX140 TX160 BX1500 k 0.20 0.30 0.25 0.30 0.35

With this new expression, the bearing capacity mobilization ratio is redefined by means of the following equation: m= 1 0.9

With this expression it is possible to establish the reduction in thickness by using a second layer of geogrid. Further research from field and laboratory tests will be required to establish a more reliable approach.

References 1. Nazzal, M.; Farsakh, M.A.; and Mohammad, L. Laboratory Characterization of Reinforced Crushed Limestone under Monotonic and Cyclic Loading. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 19, No.9, 772-783, 2007. 2. Giroud, J.P; and Han, J. Design Method for Geogrid-Reinforced Unpaved Roads: I and II. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 130, No.8, 2004. 3. Leng, J.; and Gabr, M. Deformation-Resistance Model for Geogrid-Reinforced Unpaved Road. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No.1975, pp.146-154, 2006.