Test Methods for Evaluation of Benefits of Geosynthetic Reinforcements for Flexible Pavement Design – A Critical Appraisal for Indian Scenario Rao Guda Venkatappa1, Krishna Kolli Mohan2, Prashant Amit3, Dixit Anil4 1Visiting Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, India, (Corresponding author) 2Consultant and Director, Geosynapse Private Limited, IIEC IIT Gandhinagar, India 3Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, India 4Managing Director, Landmark Material Testing and Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Jaipur, India Online Published on 24 January, 2024. Abstract The Indian roadway construction has been in a golden period in the present decade. To optimize the cost of projects, Geosynthetics are widely used to save quantity of conventional flexible pavement materials and enhance the life of pavements. The cost optimization is majorly obtained by using Geosynthetic reinforcement products in granular layers in new pavement construction. In overlays, the asphalt reinforcement is in use to enhance the life of pavement by delaying the reflective cracking. For proper design and application of reinforcement materials in pavement sections, the design parameters that define the performance benefits in the overall system need to be obtained from proper testing. The basic material testing of Geosynthetic is carried out routinely in a few laboratories for quality control, but performance tests are not widely adapted in the country. However, the need and application of these materials are at a rush. The present performance test methods adapted in projects till now appear to be generally not as per specified protocols. This paper summarises test methods to quantify the benefits of reinforcements for each type of application and elaborates the important aspects not discussed directly in the relevant Indian Guidelines/Manuals. A general discussion on the present practice of test methods, analysis and design of reinforcements for flexible pavement along with recommendations is brought forth. Top Keywords Traffic Benefit Ratio, Modulus Improvement Factor, Base Course Reduction, Layer Coefficient Ratio, Cyclic plate load test, Full-scale traffic tests, Mechanistic-Empirical Design Method. Top |