Flexible Pavement Cross Section

Flexible Pavement Layers

• The surface course is responsible for providing surface characteristics like smoothness, friction, and drainage.
• The Binder Course's main function is to provide strength and durability to the pavement.
• The Base Course commonly uses aggregate materials like crushed stone or gravel.
• The primary function of the Subbase Course is to provide a layer of drainage and support to the overlying layers.

Tack Coat and Prime Coat

• A tack coat requires an application rate of 0.10 to 0.20 liter/m2 for bonding using cutback asphalt or asphalt emulsion.
• The function of the Prime Coat is to create a bond between the existing pavement surface and the new overlay.

Rigid Pavement

• Key design components of Rigid Pavement include the slab thickness, joint spacing, and slab geometry.

Jointed Reinforced Concrete Pavement (JRCP)

• Typical components of JRCP include the concrete slab, reinforcement (e.g., rebar), and joints (e.g., transverse and longitudinal joints).

Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP)

• The main purpose of CRCP longitudinal reinforcement is to resist cracking and increase the pavement's durability.
• CRCP has a more closely spaced crack pattern compared to Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP), which has a wider crack spacing.

Composite Pavements

• The Base Course plays a significant role in Composite Pavements by providing a layer of drainage and support to the overlying layers.

Stress Distribution

• Vertical stress distribution is crucial in Flexible Pavements, as it affects the pavement's performance and lifespan.

Test your knowledge on the typical cross-section of a flexible pavement, including the surface course, binder course, and base course. Learn about the materials used, purposes served, and functions of each layer in the pavement structure.