Development of Best Practice Implementation Guide for Geosynthetics in Low-Volume Pavements

About the project:

While the use of geosynthetic materials in roadway construction has become an established practice nationwide, VDOT currently has no design or construction guidelines governing their use. The qualitative benefits of using geotextile fabrics for subgrade stabilization and subbase separation have been known for many years, but none of the prevailing design methodologies (Vaswani method, AASHTO 1993, or MEPDG pavement design procedures) quantify these benefits. The objective of this study is to explore the benefits of the use of geosynthetics in pavement design and construction by completing a synthesis of current practice and economic analysis to quantify potential cost savings. Two existing Virginia pavements containing geosynthetics will be tested and analyzed to assess the benefits.

Project Team

Co-Principal Investigators