Pavement Investigation and Design

Our Focus

Pavement Investigation & Design to Austroads / TfNSW / Rail Specifications

Pavement investigation and design for transportation infrastructure such as roads and railroads is an important aspect of civil engineering that ensures the safety and longevity of the pavement.

In New South Wales, Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) and the rail specifications provide guidance on the investigation and design of pavements for transportation infrastructure.

The investigation process typically includes a site visit to collect information on the soil and subgrade conditions, as well as the traffic loads and climate conditions of the area. This information is then used to determine the most appropriate pavement design and construction method for the site. The investigation also includes the assessment of the existing pavement condition, if any, and the evaluation of the expected traffic loads and environmental conditions.

The design process uses the information gathered during the investigation to determine the type of pavement, the thickness and type of materials, the drainage and the structural design. The design also takes into consideration the specific requirements of TfNSW and the rail specifications, such as the load carrying capacity, durability, and the environmental sustainability. The standards provide guidance on the materials, construction methods, and the quality control and assurance for the pavement design.

Material Assessment

Material Assessments include:

  • Unconfined Compressive Strength
  • Lime Demand
  • Concrete Flexural Strength

Subgrade Assessment

material testing sieve

Subgrade Assessments include:

  • California Bearing Ratio
  • Plate Load Testing
  • Sieve Analysis
  • Nuclear Density Gauge

Design Recommendations

Pavement design

Design recommendations include:

  • Layer thicknesses
  • Stabilisation by additives (lime, flyash, cement)
Specialist Capability

Plate Load Test

Hunter Civilab’s Plate Load Test can quickly and easily determine the bearing capacity of soils and deflection of soils.

The test is performed by systematically applying 6-8 equal load steps to the static plate, and calculating the pressure settling lines and deflection modules of the first load (Ev1), and the second load (Ev2) – ultimately represented in NM/m2.

The test is performed in-situ, gives instant results, and has the added benefit of being non-destructive – with no drilling or sampling. Our Plate Load Tests are performed in accordance with DIN 18134:2012-04.

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Contact our specialised team for more information about our services.

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