Abstract:
The objective of this research is to analyze a failure of a DBST road section using a
Mechanistic - Empirical method. For this analysis, failure of A15- Trincomalee-Batticaloe road was
selected.This particular road section was rehabilitated recently by extending the width of the initial
road section from both the sides and soon, a large amount pot holes appeared in the newly
constructed areas.Empirical methods alone failed to identify the reason behind this failure and
therefore a Mechanistic - Empirical approach was used along with the KENLAYER software to
analyze the section. Mechanistic approach to pavement design seeks to explain phenomena only by
reference to physical causes. Thus it uses stresses, strains and deflections within a pavement structure
to analyze the loads and material properties of the pavement. This study would help future engineers
to identify the reason behind the failure of road sections. This will promote mechanistic softwares like
KENLAYER and increase the usage of it. These softwares will make life easy for road designers and
consultants and this may turn a new chapter in road designing of Sri Lanka.
Citation:
Mampearachchi, W.K., Marasinghe, D.L., Dahigamuwa, R.M.T.M., & Wanniarachchi, W.D.N.G. (2012). Failure analysis of a DBST road using mechanistic empirical method. In U. Nawagamuwa & N. de Silva (Eds.), Proceedings of the Civil Engineering Research for Industry Symposium 2012 (pp. 57-62). Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa.
