Modelling of Fly Ash Stabilized Base Layers

Abstract

In South Africa and developing countries, the base or sub-base layer serves as the main structural element or bearing capacity of the pavement. As a result, more focus is placed on the base or sub-base for accurate designing of pavement structure. Yet, flexible pavement still experience failures; these failures are generally caused by various factors, such as: soil expansion, inadequate soil stabilization, inappropriate use of materials in the base courses and inadequacy in design. Consequently, the roads need regular maintenance and rehabilitation which increases the operational cost of the roads. However, with appropriate method of soil stabilization and the use of finite element based software, the design and construction of flexible pavement can be enhanced. This paper attempts to validate the optimization of Cement enhanced Class-F Fly ash usage, as the base layer stabilizer in South African flexible pavement, using ABAQUS model. The validation results are discussed in this paper.