Experimental simulation demonstrates reduced swell-shrink deformation in geosynthetic-reinforced subgrades, highlighting durable stabilization for thin pavements.
Key Points
To investigate cyclic swell–shrink pavement behavior under simulated seasonal moisture variations and determine how geosynthetics and layer thickness mitigate subgrade deformation.
Evaluated two pavement models with prepared subgrade thicknesses of 250 mm and 500 mm over an expansive subgrade.
Applied nine cyclic uplift loading–unloading stages via a circular plate to simulate differential swell–shrink movements up to 12.5 mm of heave.
Installed a 200 kN/m woven polyester geotextile or a 200 kN/m biaxial polyester geogrid at the subgrade interface.
Geosynthetic reinforcement restricted upward movement and redistributed swelling stresses across the pavement foundation.
Resilience against swell pressure improved most notably in the 250 mm subgrade section, increasing by 17%–18% during cycle one and reaching 20%–28% after repeated cycles.