Moisture conditions associated with pavements in South Africa
| dc.contributor.author | Haupt, Frank Johannes | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2015-01-26T07:05:43Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2015-01-26T07:05:43Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2015-01-26 | |
| dc.description.abstract | A variety of geotechnical and pavement engineering problems require that one know whit the eventual moisture conditions under a covered area will be, as considerable savings may result from preventive design measures. The historical development of the theory describing soil water movement is summarized and the factors affecting the establishment of the moisture regime in pavements are discussed. & comprehensive literature survey, firstly to determine the state of the knowledge concerning pavement moisture conditions and secondly to accumulate the greater part of available moisture prediction techniques, was carried out and the salient features are highlighted. It was decided to evaluate these models' prediction accuracies when applied to local conditions and for this all available local moisture information was gathered. The most common methods available to measure soil water potential are briefly discussed and recommendations regarding routine measurements put forward. None of the models tested were found to be applicable without modifications and consequently an exhaustive statistical analysis of the local data was undertaken in order to develop more accurate empirical prediction techniques for local conditions. This analysis included multiple stepwise linear regressions, the transformation and combination of certain predictors, linear regressions for certain ranges of values, non-linear regressions and linear regressions on only selected parameters. Conclusions about general moisture trends have also been drawn. The influence of climate and compactive effort on the empirical prediction models were evaluated and recommendations put forward as to how these influences may be accounted for in design. A method is proposed for calculating a probable maximum (or minimum) moisture content for design purposes. The term "characteristic maximum (or minimum) moisture content" is defined as that moisture content above (or below) which only a certain percentage of actual moisture content values will fall. The application of this concept in pavement and geotechnical engineering is explained. Relationships between other soil engineering parameters are also given. A provisional rational method, incorporating soil suction, is also proposed for completeness1 sake. This method is intended, at least initially, to serve as a check on the empirical method, but with time it is bound to be refined to a more accurate | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10539/16742 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_ZA |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Pavements | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Moisture | |
| dc.title | Moisture conditions associated with pavements in South Africa | en_ZA |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_ZA |