In-Service Performance Evaluation of Flexible Pavement with Lightweight Cellular Concrete Subbase

Abstract

The objective of engineers to improve the long-term performance of road infrastructure in changing global climate has led to the development of alternate materials for pavement construction. Lightweight cellular concrete (LCC) is a viable option for colder climates where pavements undergo several freeze-thaw cycles each year, resulting in faster deterioration of pavements. This is due to LCCs’ excellent freeze-thaw resistance, ease of placement, and potential sustainability benefits such as reduced use of virgin material and industrial by-products. However, there is a need to quantify these benefits and develop unified specifications for using LCC in the pavement structure. Therefore, this study examined the performance of flexible pavement sections that included a subbase layer, unbound granular materials for the control section, and three LCC densities (400, 475, and 600 kg/m3) for the LCC sections. Post-construction evaluation of pavement stiffness and roughness were evaluated using a Lightweight deflectometer and SurPro equipment. The results showed that LCC subbase thickness ≥ 250 mm produced over 22% smoother riding surfaces than unbound granular pavements while increasing pavement stiffness by up to 21%. Finally, this study recommends that LCC subbase thickness should not be thinner than 250 mm when using densities below 475 kg/m3 over weak subgrades.