CBR value - road aggregate thickness correlation

After a long search I’ve finally found a direct correlation between CBR and gravel thickness for unpaved gravel roads.

I’ve discovered that often wind farms are built in areas with a low (<5%) to very low CBR.

Somehow empirically, we’ve started with a standard 20 cm layer of gravel. We’ve learned the hard way that often this is not enough.

I’ve also seen that several competitors in their EPC projects opt for a double layer subbase+base with values such as 20 +20 cm, or even 30+20. Even if it may look expensive, this solution is probably cheaper on the long run, above all in wind farms in rainy areas and poor drainage where the road can be easily washed away.

I’ve also commented in another post why I think that national norm methods such as AASHTO are not applicable for wind farms (basically, because traffic is very low).

Therefore, I’ve been searching for a direct relationship between CBR, axle load and gravel thickness and I’ve found this:

According to the nomogram for instance with an axle load of 10 Tonnes and a CBR of 2%, you would need about 35 cm.

If you are based in Europe, you will probably want to use a more common value of 12 Tonnes axle loads.

The picture has been taken from a document made by Terram (a geotextile producer).

Please note that I don't know the source, but the numbers that it generates appears reasonable.

You can download it here.

Geotextile vs Geogrid: which is the best solution?

This is a debate we are living each time we have to build internal roads on soils with a low (<5) to very low (<2) CBR.

Basically when the others alternatives (mainly soil substitution and soil improvement) are not feasible we are adopting two different solution, either a strong geotextile with reinforcement and separation properties or a geogrid (coupled with a thin geotextile used as a filter if necessary).

Presently both of them are working well, but only after many years we will know which one works best. I'm hearing very different opinion on the subject, so there is not an universal consensus.

As geotextile, both woven and nonwoven alternatives seem reasonable. Both of them provides separation of the aggregate from the subgrade and have high tensile strength and modulus, adding reinforcement to the foundation soil. Right now the woven solution is widely preferred.

As woven geotextile we have used the US250 from US Fabric, with the following properties:

PROPERTYTEST METHODENGLISHMETRIC
Tensile StrengthASTM D-4632250 lbs1,112 N
Elongation @ BreakASTM D-463215%15%
Mullen BurstASTM D-3786450 psi3,102 kPa
Puncture StrengthASTM D-4833100 lbs445 N
CBR PunctureASTM D-6241900 lbs4,005 N

And as nonwoven, something like the US Fabric US 160NW  looks like the best option:

PROPERTYTEST METHODENGLISHMETRIC
Weight - TypicalASTM D-52616.0 oz/sy203 g/sm
Tensile StrengthASTM D-4632160 lbs711 N
Elongation @ BreakASTM D-463250%50%
Mullen BurstASTM D-3786305 psi2,103 kPa
Puncture StrengthASTM D-483390 lbs400 N
CBR PunctureASTM D-6241410 lbs1,824 N

Regarding geogrid, it has been used in several wind farms all around Europe. I had a meeting with the representative from Tensar, and their product looks interesting.

It is a triangular net, providing support to the stone aggregate. It works equally well in every direction.

We have used it in Spain, and it have been used in several other projects in UK and Romania.