Identifier

etd-11112009-164423

Degree

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This thesis documents and summarizes research and background information carried on geogrid reinforced base course in pavement design. Research was experimental carried through Repeated Load Triaxial (RLT) tests at the Louisiana Transportation Research Center. The experimental tests were performed to observe the benefit of the geogrid as well as to differentiate between geogrid location, geometry and tensile modulus of the various geogrid. Experiments were also carried to further describe the Shakedown Theory and its use for characterization of base course materials. The experimental results showed that there was a benefit in placing the geogrid within the aggregate specimen. There were also noticeable differences in performance resulting from the geogrid placement location in the specimen as well as the different tensile strength of the geogrid. The results followed the intuitive expectation the stiffer the geogrid, the lesser the plastic deformation. Geometry had a noticeable effect as well when comparing the bi-axial (BX) geogrid and the tri-axial (TX) geogrid. The experimental results also showed that less deformation was obtained under cyclic loading for geogrid reinforced bases versus unreinforced bases. The results also supported that a change in moisture will yield different permanent strain values in repeated load tests. The same reinforcement trend obtained at optimum moisture content was also transferred for the moisture effect tests. The higher frequency tests with increased number of cycles also produced the same trend. The geogrid with the higher tensile modulus and the new geometry gave the best results.

Date

2009

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Abu-Farsakh, Murad

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.703

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