Geosynthetic-stabilized flexible pavements: Solution derivation and mechanistic-empirical analysis

Abstract Geosynthetics have been widely applied in flexible pavements for decades. However, the mechanistic-empirical analytical approach for geosynthetic-stabilized flexible pavements based on the elastic solution derived from the layered elastic theory has not been established. In this study, the solution for a typical three-layer geosynthetic-stabilized flexible pavement was derived according to the layered elastic theory. In the derivation, lateral restraint and tensioned membrane effect of geosynthetics quantified in terms of layer permanent deformations were considered at the interface as a continuity condition. The derived solution was then incorporated into the mechanistic-empirical approach for the calculation of pavement rutting and fatigue cracking. The result indicates that the solution derived in this study is capable of analyzing the geosynthetic-stabilized three-layer flexible pavement. The pavement elastic responses calculated using the solution obtained in this study are in line with those by the previously established solutions in the literature. The rut depths estimated using the proposed solution reasonably match those measured in the previous study. For rut reduction, the geosynthetic placed underneath the base layer is more effective. For the tensile strain relief at the bottom of the asphalt layer, the geosynthetic placed at the bottom of the asphalt shows more benefit.