A state-of-the-art review on geosynthetics in low-volume asphalt roadway pavements

Abstract A majority of the applications to incorporate geosynthetics into pavements exist in low-volume asphalt roadways. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of geosynthetics in pavements for low-volume asphalt roadways. Within that realm, the use of geosynthetics is grouped into three categories for the purpose of this review. The categories are sub-pavement reinforcement, interlayer reinforcement, and other non-reinforcing applications; each has been found to incorporate geosynthetics into pavements with some degree of success. In this paper, selected case studies and major findings of each case study are summarized in the form of a table for each category. From this review, it is clear that geogrids are especially useful as sub-pavement reinforcement. Field experience suggests that geogrids installed into low-volume pavement sections at one-third depth from the top of an aggregate sub-base course have had very good success. Interlayer reinforcement with geosynthetics has been geared to reduce or retard reflective cracking in pavement overlays. This application has been found to be valuable; however, the benefits realized are circumstantial. Geosynthetics as interlayers should only be incorporated when a pavement’s main failure mode is fatigue or age cracking, and should be carefully prescribed based on economics. Other uses of geosynthetics in roadways have been focused on moisture transportation or mitigation of moisture movement. It was found that most of these geosynthetic applications are well developed and can be employed as needed by design engineers.