TPG TEST 3

QUESTION 2

2.1 In pavement structure design, the term "material depth" refers to the thickness or depth of the
various layers that make up a pavement system. It is a critical factor in determining the structural
integrity and performance of the pavement.

2.2 Soil compaction or densification refers to the process by which the soil particles are packed
closer together, resulting in increased soil density and reduced pore space. This process typically
occurs due to external forces applied to the soil, such as the weight of heavy machinery, repeated
traffic loads, or natural consolidation over time. The mechanism leading to soil compaction involves
three primary factors: applied stress, water content, and soil composition.

2.3 Given the measured CBR values at 100 m intervals on the road centerline: 13%, 10%, 11%, 12%,
11%, 9%, 11%

Step 1: Arrange the measured CBR values in ascending order: 9%, 10%, 11%, 11%, 11%, 12%, 13%

Step 2: Determine the index corresponding to the desired reliability level: Reliability level = 90%
Index = (Total number of samples) * (Reliability level/100) Index = 7 * (90/100) = 6.3 (rounded to the
nearest whole number) = 6

Step 3: Determine the design CBR: Design CBR = CBR value at the index position Design CBR = CBR at
the 6th position = 12%

Therefore, the design CBR for the pavement structure is 12%.

To sketch the subgrade design, you would typically represent the different layers of the pavement
structure. However, since the provided information specifically mentions designing the subgrade, we
will focus on that.

The subgrade is the natural soil layer upon which the pavement structure is constructed. Its design
involves ensuring that the subgrade soil has the necessary strength and stability to support the
traffic loads.

When sketching the subgrade design, you can use a simple cross-sectional diagram to represent the
pavement layers and their thicknesses
2.4.1 The E80s value represents the number of standard 80-kN single axle loads that would cause an
equivalent amount of damage to the pavement over its design life. The formula to calculate E80s is:

E80s = (Axle Load) x (Number of Axles) x (Traffic Volume) x (Damage Coefficient)

Given the average daily traffic for the gravel road section:

1. 5-axle trucks: 50 trucks Axle Load: Assuming the same load distribution on all axles, the
average axle load can be calculated as follows: Average Axle Load = (70 kN + 100 kN) / 2 = 85
kN Number of Axles: 5 axles Traffic Volume: 50 trucks Damage Coefficient: 4.2

2. 2-axle trucks: 7 trucks Axle Load: Rear Axle Load = 100 kN Number of Axles: 2 axles Traffic
Volume: 7 trucks Damage Coefficient: 4.2

3. Passenger cars: 45 cars Axle Load: Assuming the same load distribution on all axles, the
average axle load can be calculated as follows: Average Axle Load = (4 kN + 2 kN) / 2 = 3 kN
Number of Axles: 2 axles (front and rear) Traffic Volume: 45 cars Damage Coefficient: 4.2

Now, let's calculate the E80s for each vehicle category:

1. E80s for 5-axle trucks: E80s = (85 kN) x (5 axles) x (50 trucks) x (4.2) E80s = 85 kN x 5 x 50 x
4.2 = 89,250 kN

2. E80s for 2-axle trucks: E80s = (100 kN) x (2 axles) x (7 trucks) x (4.2) E80s = 100 kN x 2 x 7 x
4.2 = 5,880 kN

3. E80s for passenger cars: E80s = (3 kN) x (2 axles) x (45 cars) x (4.2) E80s = 3 kN x 2 x 45 x 4.2 =
1,134 kN

Finally, to estimate the current E80s for the gravel road section, we sum up the E80s values for each
vehicle category:

Current E80s = E80s for 5-axle trucks + E80s for 2-axle trucks + E80s for passenger cars Current E80s
= 89,250 kN + 5,880 kN + 1,134 kN = 96,264 kN

Therefore, the estimated current E80s value for the gravel road section is 96,264 kN.

2.4.2 Given the average daily traffic for the gravel road section:

1. 5-axle trucks: 50 trucks Axle Load: Assuming the same load distribution on all axles, the
average axle load can be calculated as follows: Average Axle Load = (70 kN + 100 kN) / 2 = 85
kN Number of Axles: 5 axles Traffic Volume: 50 trucks per day Damage Coefficient: Assuming
a constant damage coefficient of 4.2

2. 2-axle trucks: 7 trucks Axle Load: Rear Axle Load = 100 kN Number of Axles: 2 axles Traffic
Volume: 7 trucks per day Damage Coefficient: Assuming a constant damage coefficient of
4.2

3. Passenger cars: 45 cars Axle Load: Assuming the same load distribution on all axles, the
average axle load can be calculated as follows: Average Axle Load = (4 kN + 2 kN) / 2 = 3 kN
Number of Axles: 2 axles (front and rear) Traffic Volume: 45 cars per day Damage
Coefficient: Assuming a constant damage coefficient of 4.2

Now, let's calculate the E80s for each vehicle category:

 1. E80s for 5-axle trucks: E80s = (85 kN) x (5 axles) x (50 trucks per day) x (4.2) E80s = 85 kN x 5
x 50 x 4.2 = 89,250 kN

2. E80s for 2-axle trucks: E80s = (100 kN) x (2 axles) x (7 trucks per day) x (4.2) E80s = 100 kN x
2 x 7 x 4.2 = 5,880 kN

3. E80s for passenger cars: E80s = (3 kN) x (2 axles) x (45 cars per day) x (4.2) E80s = 3 kN x 2 x
45 x 4.2 = 1,134 kN

Now, we can calculate the cumulative E80s over 5 years:

Cumulative E80s = (E80s for 5-axle trucks + E80s for 2-axle trucks + E80s for passenger cars) x
(Number of years)

Cumulative E80s = (89,250 kN + 5,880 kN + 1,134 kN) x (5 years)

Cumulative E80s = 96,264 kN x 5

Cumulative E80s = 481,320 kN

Therefore, the estimated cumulative E80s over a 5-year period for the given average daily traffic is
481,320 kN.

2.5

2.6 To design the pavement structure for the gravel road upgrade, we will use the TRH 4 (Technical
Recommendations for Highways) procedure, considering the given information. The design process
involves selecting appropriate pavement layers, determining their thicknesses, and checking the
design against Table 19 of TRH4 to ensure compliance.

Here are the steps and design tables used in the pavement structure design:

Step 1: Determine the cumulative traffic over the selected Service Design Period (SDP) in E80s:
Cumulative Traffic = 1.998 x 10^6 E80s

Step 2: Identify the road category: Road Category = B

Step 3: Determine the design CBR: Design CBR = 8%

Step 4: Select the appropriate pavement layers and thicknesses using Design Table C.2 of TRH4:

Design Table C.2: Design of a Roadway - Typical Pavement Structures for Road Category B

|------------------------|-------------------------|--------------------------|

Layer Material Thickness (mm)

Wearing Course Asphalt Concrete 40 - 50

Base G4 200 - 300

Subbase G5 200 - 300

Subgrade G7 --

Based on the available design table, the pavement structure for Road Category B would consist of a
Wearing Course, Base, Subbase, and Subgrade.

Step 5: Determine the thicknesses for each layer based on the cumulative traffic and design CBR
using Design Table C.4 of TRH4:

Design Table C.4: Thickness Design Chart for Asphalt Concrete with CBR = 8% (Design Traffic > 1 x
10^6 E80s)

|-------------------------|------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------| | Layer | Cumulative |

CBR | Thickness(mm) | Thickness(mm) |

Traffic Range 1 Range 2

Wearing Course 1.998 x 10^6 -- 40 - 50 40 - 50

Base 1.998 x 10^6 8% 250 - 300 300 - 400

Subbase 1.998 x 10^6 8% 250 - 300 300 - 400

Subgrade 1.998 x 10^6 -- -- --

Based on the available design table, the thickness ranges for each layer are as follows:

Wearing Course: 40 - 50 mm Base: 250 - 300 mm Subbase: