Abstract
Resilient modulus of granular materials is significantly influenced by the degree of saturation. As in northern climates pavement materials may reach saturation and as their water content may significantly vary through the yearly cycle, this water sensitivity of the unbound layers becomes a major factor to quantify. Yet, few models are available to quantify the water sensitivity of resilient modulus of typical Canadian unbound granular materials used in pavement bases. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop, through resilient modulus testing, a generalised model quantifying this water sensitivity. Six gradation curves for three aggregate sources were used to measure the resilient modulus variations with water content. Data from previous studies have also been used to develop the model. A generalised model is proposed, which introduces a new parameter describing the water sensitivity of resilient modulus, which was found to be a function of stress and granular assemblies' volumetric and frictional properties.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the Ministry of Transportation of Quebec for their close cooperation in the experimental work and their financial contribution for the study. This research was also financed by FQRNT (Fonds Québécois de Recherche sur la Nature et les Technologies). Finally, the authors wish to thank the staff who contributed to this study.