A pavement is the top most surface of a road that bears the load of traffic, most often vehicular and should not be confused with a footpath. Now often this leads to confusion depending on the British or American style of English. Here, we’re referring to the surface in road construction. A paved road is also called the surface course, and can be made from a number of materials such as asphalt, Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), concrete, and other mixed materials. The material choice for this layer in pavement design is an important design component for the pavement engineering designer because it carries and distributes the load of the traffic to the layers underneath it such as the subgrade, base grade, drainage layer and interconnected layers of reinforcement. The pavement design process includes consideration for the type of loads (repetitive, infrequent, etc) that it will be under, subgrade strength, sub-base layer, reinforcement techniques, soil mechanics, and other factors.
While potholes are a common occurrence on many roads, it comes at a very heavy economic cost to countries. A well-designed and well-constructed pavement reduces vehicle operating costs, decreases maintenance, and increases road safety. In this blog, we will focus on the construction of road pavement, its design principles, and updated methods used for pavement design.
In road construction, the type of pavement selected plays a critical role in determining the overall performance, longevity, and maintenance needs of the road. Pavements are engineered to withstand the weight of traffic loads, the effects of environmental conditions, and the stresses placed on the road surface over time. While there are various methods and materials used for constructing paved roads, they generally fall into three main categories: flexible pavements, rigid pavements, and composite pavements. Each type has distinct characteristics that make it suitable for specific applications, depending on factors such as soil conditions, traffic volume, climate, and budget considerations. Understanding these types and their benefits is essential for choosing the most appropriate pavement system for any road construction project.
Road pavement is a composite structure comprising several layers, and each layer has a different function. These layers are primarily responsible for the two aspects of the road pavement: stability and water resistance. Asphalt binds them together and prevents the road from bad weather and water infiltration. Explaining these factors is vital in understanding the whole layout and operation of a road.
The road pavement design process is a multilateral approach that carefully considers different variables. These variables can significantly affect pavement performance, durability, and long-term maintenance costs.
Pavement design involves identifying the appropriate amount of materials and level of thickness required to create a durable and functional roadway. Several methods are used to accomplish this, each with its own specific benefits and drawbacks.
It is crucial to use durable and stable materials while constructing road pavements as the demands on road infrastructure is increasing. Geosynthetic materials, including geogrids, geotextiles and geocells, have emerged as key components in modern pavement design.
Geosynthetics have been proven beneficial in construction of not only road pavements but many such infrastructural applications. Strata Geosystems have taken a leading role in advancing our application of geosynthetics products to achieve low cost and sustainable foundations. We are known globally for our innovative approach of using geosynthetic materials, offering a range of products that meet the diverse needs of modern road infrastructure projects. Our solutions are specifically designed to enhance performance, sustainability, and cost-efficiency. We have a comprehensive range of geosynthetic products to address specific challenges in pavement construction. These products include:
StrataGrid Uniaxial (SGU) by Strata Geosystems is a high-strength geogrid used in soil reinforcement and erosion control in pavement construction. Made from high-tenacity polyester yarn woven into a stable grid, these uniaxial geogrids provide vertical and horizontal reinforcement, making it ideal for highway embankments, retaining walls, and areas with weak subgrades. Its UV-stabilized coating ensures durability in harsh weather, offering a lifespan of over 100 years.
StrataGrid Biaxial (SGB) is used to improve pavement durability by providing reinforcement in both longitudinal and transverse directions, ideal for high-traffic areas. With strengths ranging from 20 kN/m to 150 kN/m, it optimizes pavement base layers and reduces maintenance costs, promoting faster construction and sustainability.
StrataWeb is a geocell product that forms a three-dimensional honeycomb structure, providing additional confinement to soils and preventing erosion. Made from durable HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), these geocells are highly effective in stabilising slopes, embankments, and soft ground conditions. This product is particularly beneficial in areas prone to erosion, offering a sustainable solution for soil stabilisation and improving the overall durability of the pavement structure.
StrataTex HSR is a geotextile product that serves as a separation layer in pavement construction. It prevents fine soil particles from migrating into the aggregate base, preserving the structural integrity of the pavement layers. This geotextile is made from high-quality polypropylene or polyester fibers, which provide excellent filtration and drainage properties. This product enhances the drainage of water from the pavement structure, reducing the risk of water damage and increasing the longevity of the pavement. StrataTex HSR is ideal for use in both new construction and rehabilitation projects, ensuring that pavements remain stable and perform well over time.
Location: Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Client: Emami Developers, Kolkata
Product used: StrataWeb® 330-100
Application: Concrete road construction
Construction of internal township road with StrataWeb® geocells for Emami
Emami Developers initiated a large residential township project near Jhansi, featuring around 20 km of internal roads. The initial plan for conventional concrete roads was found to be too costly. Strata Geosystems proposed using StrataWeb 330-100 geocells filled with M20 concrete. This solution reduced costs and increased the roads’ lifespan. The geocells provided a durable, low-maintenance structure that minimized surface cracking and improved pavement quality. The use of StrataWeb® resulted in cost-effective, durable roads with a high-quality finish. They prevented cracking and provided a flexible yet sturdy pavement surface, demonstrating the effectiveness of StrataWeb® in road construction.
Strata Geosystems not only focuses on the technical performance of pavements but also emphasizes sustainability and cost-efficiency. These case studies illustrate how Strata Geosystems’ geosynthetic products, like StrataWeb and StrataGrid, provide innovative and cost-effective solutions for diverse pavement construction challenges. By choosing us for your next project, you can benefit from durable, sustainable, and high-performance pavement solutions that stand the test of time. To learn more about how Strata Geosystems can enhance your pavement projects, contact us or visit our website today.
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Director, President – Glen Raven Technical Fabrics
Strata/Glen Raven tenure: 10 years/28 years
Total industry experience: 35 years
MBA – Wake Forest University
Directs the strategic direction of Glen Raven’s automotive, protective apparel, military, geogrid, outdoor and logistic businesses.
Director, General Manager, Strata Inc.
Strata/Strata Inc. tenure: 3 years/14 years
Total industry experience: 25 years
MBA – Georgia State University
Led the integration of Strata Inc. business operations into the headquarters of GRTF and transition from USA based to India based manufacturing.
Director
Strata tenure: 17 years
Total industry experience: 47 years
CA – ICA
Played a key role in the establishment of Strata’s India operations. Provides vision for product innovation and leveraging new technology trends.
Global Technical Sales Director
Strata tenure: 7 years
Total industry experience: 32 years
Civil & Geotechnical Engineer (First class)
Provides highly technical and innovative civil engineering solutions in India and around the world. Responsible for the design and execution of large-scale geotechnical projects around the world including Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and South America.
CTO – Chief Technology Officer
Strata tenure: 9 years
Total industry experience: 48 years
BTech (Hons), MTech (Civil) Both IIT Bombay, DMS (Bombay University), FIE, FIGS, Chartered Engineer
Streamlines the designs of Geosynthetics and has brought innovation in geogrid and geocell design application.
COO – Projects and Sales
Strata tenure: 13 years
Total industry experience: 24 years
MBA – University of Gujarat
Leads the monetization of products and solutions while ensuring highest execution quality and project profitability.
COO – Technical Textiles
Strata tenure: 13 years
Total industry experience: 33 years
BE (Mechanical) – Nagpur University
Drives excellence in process design, product features and cost effectiveness in production.
CFO – Chief Financial Officer
Strata tenure: 8 years
Total industry experience: 35 years
CA – ICA, ICWA – ICWAI
Leads the finance, accounting, taxation, commercial, legal and IT functions and assisting on all strategic and operational matters.
CDO – Chief Development Officer
Strata tenure: 10 years
Total industry experience: 13 years
MBA – ISB, Hyderabad
Leads diversification of the product portfolio, monetizing the new products and ensuring successful sustained financial growth of the company top line.
CEO – Chief Executive Officer
Strata tenure: 14 years
Total industry experience: 42 years
B Tech (Chemical) – IIT Delhi
Leads day-to-day business operations of the company with focus on capacity expansion, product and process improvement.
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