Use of geosynthetics for the strengthening of road pavement structure in Lithuania

Abstract

Last decade in Lithuania asphalt reinforcement with geosynthetics was often used for reconstruction of road pavement structures. The initial asphalt reinforcement with geosynthetics was carried out in 1996, during reconstruction of road pavement works in main road which is IXB TEN corridor. In this case a nonwoven geotextile was used. After it, several years nonwoven geotextile was widely used for asphalt reinforcement. But, after the latter research of these reconstructed road sections and some experimental tests, inefficiency of asphalt reinforcement with nonwoven geotextiles was determined. So, after it, the use of woven geogrids became more and more intensive. In 1998 Lithuanian Road Administration adopted the temporary regulations on Using Geotextiles and Geogrids for Road Construction, which are still being used by road designers and suppliers of geosynthetics. The regulations are based on the German experience and their specifications for the use of geotextiles on roads. However, when adapting these regulations no experimental research was carried out or evaluation of their suitability to Lithuanian conditions. The paper deals with the performance of road pavement structure strengthening with geosynthetics in Lithuania national roads and city streets. There are presented research studies including performance of geotextiles separation function in road pavement structure and geotextile damage from transport loads; rehabilitation of asphalt pavements with new layer of asphalt and geogrid; performance of road pavement structure life time with reinforced and unreinforced pavement structure layers with geosynthetics.