REPORT: Full-Scale Trafficking of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Road Sections

Full-scale trafficking tests have been recognized as necessary to fully characterize the complex soil-geosynthetic-aggregate interaction that is expected to produce a quantifiable benefit to a road system. The benefit – if and when it exists – must be quantifiable and clearly defined in terms of the tested road structural components. To this end, the construction of full-scale trafficking test sections must be done in such a way as to minimize variations in the strength, depth and consistency of the subgrade, compacted aggregate, and paved surface (when used). Further, the loading condition and the performance measurements must relate directly to generally recognized road design methods. This paper presents a detailed description of a trafficking facility, the test set-up, and an example of test results.