INTERNATIONALEngineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN International Journal of Civil JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

G AND 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, TECHNOLOGY (IJCIET) Issue 2, July- December (2012), IAEME
ISSN 0976 6308 (Print) ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), pp. 347-352 IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ijciet.asp Journal Impact Factor (2012): 3.1861 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com

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PERFORMANCE OBSERVATIONS FOR GEOTEXTILE REINFORCED FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ON SWELLING SUBGRADE: A CASE OF SURAT, INDIA
Ravin M. Tailor1, Prof. M. D. Desai2, Prof. N. C. Shah3 Assistant Professor1, Professor3, Civil Engineering Department, Ex Professor2, Applied Mechanics Department, S.V. National Institute of Technology, Ichchhanath, Surat, Gujarat, India Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

ABSTRACT Roads are vital to link our communities and sustain the economy and quality of life in society. Roads constructed over the expansive soil observed with high maintenance expenditure inspite of high capital cost. The expansive soils are one of the most problematic materials that are widely encountered in significant land areas in several parts of the world. The Surat region in India have majority of top soil as black cotton soil. The black cotton soil has characteristics of shrinking on drying and heaving on wetting. This soil being expansive creates several types of damages to pavement structures, and in some cases the pavement may even become unserviceable. The normal climate condition of Surat region shows short wet and long dry period which aggravate the problem of swelling and shrinkage. The flexible pavements over expansive soil are suggested with 1.0 thick layer of CNS soil as per IRC 37: 2001. Sometimes various ground improvement techniques are applied for better performance of swelling subgrade, which finally increases the const of construction. To provide economical solution along with feasible application Geotextile used as reinforcement material for flexible pavement. It is provided below the pavement components to act against the heaving of the swelling soil at the same time it helps as drainage layer also. Field study is undertaken to observe the effect of Geotextile in flexible pavement performance and 2 specific boundary conditions are created for observations. Observations shows about 50 % reduction in shrinkage effect for paved road reinforced with Geotextile subjected to drying and wetting cycles. Key Words: Expansive soil, Geotextile, Flexible Pavement Performance

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), IAEME

1. INTRODUCTION Roads are vital to link our communities and sustain the economy and quality of life in society. Roads constructed over the expansive soil observed with high maintenance expenditure inspite of high capital cost. As per Austroads (2002) (1) construction and maintenance works on pavements in Australia and New Zealand cost three billion per year, or approximately half of the total annual road expenditure. These are because many roads in this region are failing prematurely due to the expansion of reactive soils underneath the roadway, causing safety issues and increases road maintenance costs. Expansive soils are one of the most problematic materials that are widely encountered in significant land areas in several parts of the world e.g. parts of Africa, Australia, India, United States and Canada. In these countries expansive soil is having great impact on the construction and maintenance costs of highways. The South West region of India is covered by top soil as black cotton soil. Surat is highly developing city situated at South Gujarat region in India having majority of black cotton expansive soil as top layer. To understand the phenomenon of expansion of swelling soil and to provide economical solution along with feasible application utilising various strength of Geotextiles study started at the SVNIT campus, Surat, Gujarat, India. Geotextile is provided below the pavement components to act against the heaving of the swelling soil at the same time it helps as drainage layer also. Field study is undertaken to observe the effect of Geotextile in flexible pavement performance and 2 specific boundary conditions are created for observations. Observations summarized shows about 50 % reductions in shrinkage effect for paved road reinforced with Geotextile compared to road without Geotextile. 2. EXPANSIVE SOILS Expansive soils are clayey soils, mudstones or shales that are characterized by their potential for volume change on drying and/or wetting. Usually the clay content is relatively high and the clay mineral montmorillonite dominates. They are characterized by their high strength when dry; very low strength when wet; wide and deep shrinkage cracks in the dry season; high plasticity and very poor trafficability when welled. Whenever insufficient attention is given to the deleterious properties of expansive soils, the results will be premature pavement failure evidenced by undulations, cracks, potholes and heave. Methods were developed for the identification and classification of expansive soils both locally and worldwide. In India IS: 1498-1970 (2) describe the methods to identify the expansive soil. There are three basic particle size components of naturally occurring soil: sand, silt and clay. Plastic clays termed as expansive soils or active soils exhibit volume change when subjected to moisture variations (He-Ping Yang et al, 2007) (3). Swelling or expansive clay soils are those that contain swelling clay minerals (such as montmorillonite and smectite) and can often be scientifically referred to as Vertosols. Vertosols are soils that contain clay minerals which, because of their natural physiochemical properties, posses a net negative electrical charge imbalance that attracts the positive pole of dipolar water molecules and cations (Snethen, 1980) (4). In addition, expansive soils have high degree of shrink-swell reversibility with change in moisture content. Petry and Little (2002) (5) discuss the history of clays and their engineering significance, dating back to papers written in the early 1930s. The effects on buildings constructed on reactive soils with inadequate footings can be dramatic (Smith R, 2004) (6). Road subgrades can be viewed as the footings/ foundations for road pavements, and if these footings are not adequate, structural damage can occur.

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), IAEME July

3. STUDY AREA OBSERVATIONS The research started based on the theme to provide effective solution against the moisture variation and differential swelling / shrinking of expansive soil in the area. There was planning of road construction at SVNIT campus near the observed site. The flexible road was proposed connecting transportation lab to workshop building on the back side of Civil Engineering Department. This site was selected for the further research work. Fig. 1 shows the aerial view of the site as observed in Google web page. The study by Jigisha (2008) (7) f shows the average soaked CBR for typical South Gujarat undisturbed or compacted soil as 2.0 %. The study also describes some ambiguity in results due to uneven moisture distribution within the soaked test specimen. Also study carried out by Yogendra (2008) (8) shows the similar type of observation for the South Gujarat region soil. Table 1 shows the Geotechnical Properties of Black cotton soil as observed by Yogendra (2008) (8) ).

Study Area

Geotextile

Fig 1: Location of road joining T. E. Lab to Workshop, SVNIT

Fig 2: Crust composition along with laid geotextile at site, SVNIT Campus, Surat.

Table (1): Geotechnical Properties of Black Cotton Soil Property Grain Size Values 1 12 87 55 27 15.50 21.75 70

Atterbergs Limit Compaction Test Swelling Test

Gravel (%) Sand (%) Silt + Clay (%) Liquid Limit (%) Plasticity Index (%) MDD (kN/cu.m) OMC (%) Free Swell Index (%)

4. GEOTEXTILE REINFORCED FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ON EXPANSIVE EOTEXTILE SUBGRADE Fig. 2 shows the proposed crust composition for road. The proposed road is studied for its design and planning was done for the observation of the expansive subgrade behaviour. After taking necessary approval from authority it was decided to provide the Geotextile GARWARE made GWF le GWF-52-240 PP Grey Multi 240 Twill 5 M, just below the 240 subbase layer for further observation. Thick black line in Figure 7 indicates the geotextile layer as provided in the road construction.

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), IAEME

The geotextile was laid in such a manner that 2 boundary conditions can be created for the site. 1) Road with both side covered ground (length between Transportation Engineering Lab and Water Resources Engineering Lab) 2) Road with one side covered and one side open ground (length along WRE lab & after WRE lab). 5. OBSERVATIONS The following observations were started after finishing of the pavement construction upto grouting layer. 1) Visual observation for cracks and other changes, 2) Ground profile reading to get amount of change in soil thickness with change in moisture content (i.e. change in season). The visual observation shows that in some of the portion the Top Surface was deteriorated because of non-availability of appropriate Bituminous Layer. In general the area with Geotextile shows less undulation. The leveling exercise carried out after pavement construction in Month of January 2011 to get the initial Ground Level RL. After one year during December 2011 further the ground level are surveyed. The survey data for January 2011 and December 2011 are summarized and changes in ground level are presented Table 2 below. Table (2) Summary of Difference in Ground Level at Geotextile Reinforced Flexible Pavement behind CED, SVNIT Campus, Surat. Avg. Area Location Level Location Level Location Level Avg. Diff. Description Diff. Diff. Diff. Diff. For (M) (M) (M) @ Chainage Area (M) (M) Without Right 0 0.215 Centre 0 0.180 Left 0 0.175 0.190 Geotextile Right 2 0.150 Centre 2 0.150 Left 2 0.145 0.148 Bothside Right 4 0.150 Centre 4 0.135 Left 4 0.150 0.145 building Right 6 0.145 Centre 6 0.130 Left 6 0.140 0.138 0.140 Right 8 0.130 Centre 8 0.130 Left 8 0.135 0.132 Right 10 0.120 Centre 10 0.115 Left 10 0.115 0.117 Right 12 0.100 Centre 12 0.115 Left 12 0.105 0.107 With Right 14 0.105 Centre 14 0.100 Left 14 0.090 0.098 Geotextile Right 16 0.085 Centre 16 0.090 Left 16 0.070 0.082 0.082 Bothside Right 18 0.050 Centre 18 0.105 Left 18 0.080 0.078 building Right 20 0.060 Centre 20 0.075 Left 20 0.075 0.070 With Right 22 0.040 Centre 22 0.070 Left 22 0.085 0.065 Geotextile Right 24 0.040 Centre 24 0.050 Left 24 0.050 0.047 Rightside Right 26 0.020 Centre 26 0.030 Left 26 -0.060 -0.003 0.028 Building Right 28 0.045 Centre 28 0.040 Left 28 0.020 0.035 Right 30 0.050 Centre 30 0.010 Left 30 0.000 0.020 Right 32 0.030 Centre 32 0.010 Left 32 -0.020 0.007 Without Right 34 0.030 Centre 34 0.000 Left 34 -0.040 -0.003 Geotextile Right 36 0.030 Centre 36 0.000 Left 36 -0.045 -0.005 0.004 Rightside Right 38 0.045 Centre 38 -0.025 Left 38 -0.040 -0.007
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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), IAEME

building

With Geotextile Rightside building

Without Geotextile Rightside building

Right 40 Right 42 Right 44 Right 46 Right 48 Right 50 Right 52 Right 54 Right 56 Right 58 Right 60 Right 62 Right 64 Right 66 Right 68 Right 70 Right 75 Right 80 Right 85 Right 90 - x.xxx

0.060 0.025 0.055 0.055 0.005 -0.025 0.025 -0.010 0.005 0.015 -0.020 0.020 0.025 0.040 0.010 0.015 0.020 0.050 0.075 0.060

Centre 40 Centre 42 Centre 44 Centre 46 Centre 48 Centre 50 Centre 52 Centre 54 Centre 56 Centre 58 Centre 60 Centre 62 Centre 64 Centre 66 Centre 68 Centre 70 Centre 75 Centre 80 Centre 85 Centre 90

-0.025 0.005 0.025 0.010 0.000 0.005 0.015 0.025 0.020 0.035 0.000 0.030 0.025 0.005 0.045 0.045 0.060 0.080 0.120 0.065

Left 40 Left 42 Left 44 Left 46 Left 48 Left 50 Left 52 Left 54 Left 56 Left 58 Left 60 Left 62 Left 64 Left 66 Left 68 Left 70 Left 75 Left 80 Left 85 Left 90

-0.035 -0.025 -0.030 -0.020 0.010 0.000 0.015 0.005 0.000 0.025 0.025 0.030 0.035 0.050 0.045 0.055 0.095 0.065 0.130 0.100

0.000 0.002 0.017 0.015 0.005 -0.007 0.018 0.007 0.008 0.025 0.002 0.027 0.028 0.032 0.033 0.038 0.058 0.065 0.108 0.075

0.018

0.063

Shows Heaving

6. CONCLUSION The study area observed with subgrade as saturated clay. The typical road construction with structures on both sides and structure on one side observed during study. The textile was laid on subgrade in January 2010. The December 2011 observations of elevation on road with nominal traffic shows: 1) The introduction of geotextile fabric in sector of walls on both sides shows 40% reduction in shrinkage of fill & subgrade. 2) Wall on right & free surface on left, Chainage 54 90 m. The performance in December 2011 shows 43 mm average reduction of settlement of surface in fabric reinforced zone. (Reduction of about 60 % with reference to no reinforcement zone) 3) In middle sector with wall on right & free water access to left typical ingress of water can be seen to centre of road by December 2011. The left end shows ultimate heave where as right end shows settlement with little movement at centre in zone. In reinforced sector of this road overall performance shows settlement (- heave, + settlement) of 37 to 19 mm. 4) In general, though not accurate trend shows shrinkage effect leading to settlement indicate drastic reduction of 50 % or more. 7. REFERENCES 1. Austroads Pavement Strategy 2001-2004, (2002), Austroads, Austroads Incorporated, Sydney, NSW. 2. IS: 1498, (1970), Classification and Identification of Soils for General Engineering Purposes, BIS, New Delhi

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), IAEME

3. Yang H. P., Zheng. J. and Zhang. R., (2007), Addressing Expansive Soils, Institute of Special Soils, pg 64-69 4. Snethen. D. R., (1980), Expansive Soils in Highway Subgrades, U.S Department of Transportation, United States of America 5. Petry. T. M. & Little. D. N., (2002), Review of Stabilisation of Clays and Expansive Soils in Pavements and Lightly Loaded Structures - History, Practice, and Future, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, Nov/Dec 2002, pp. 447-460. 6. Smith. R. L., (2004), Achieving the Goal of Management of Reactive Clays, Australian Institute of Building Surveyors Conference, Australia 7. Vashi Jigisha, (2008), Review of Geotechnical Parameter: CBR and Modulus of Subgrade Reaction (k) for Rigid Pavements, M. Tech (SMFE) dissertation, Applied Mechanics Dept., SVNIT, Surat, India 8. Tandel Yogendra, (2008), Utilization of Copper Slag to Improve Geotechnical Properties of Soil, M.Tech (SMFE) dissertation, Applied Mechanics Dept., SVNIT, Surat, India.

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