16.6 PREPARATION OF SUBGRADE AND CONSTRUCTION
OF BASE AND SUBBASE LAYERS
The subgrade can consist of relatively high-quality materials such as sand and gravel or poor-quality
materials such as silt and clay. The pavement structure is designed to protect the subgrade from
excessive deformation. However, the subgrade may need improvement before pavement construction
begins. The improvement is done with compaction and/or stabilization.
Compaction can be measured by the nuclear density test, using a sand cone or a water balloon, or
by testing samples recovered with cylinders. Density of the subgrade is specified as a percentage of
Proctor or modified Proctor density or as a percentage of density of a control strip. The laboratory
test data on optimum moisture content and maximum dry density are used.
Low density in subgrade can be due to the following factors:
1. Inadequate weight of rollers
2. Unsatisfactory roller patterns
3. Improper moisture content
4. Incorrect laboratory density due to wrong compactive effort and/or use of nonrepresentative
samples
5. Poor testing, because of uncalibrated equipment or untrained personnel
The following tests could be run for characterizing the subgrade for performance.
1. California bearing ratio (CBR)
2. Plate bearing test
3. Unconfined compression test
4. Resilient modulus
Subbase and base materials generally consist of higher quality materials, such as clean, wellgraded
aggregates with fractured faces. Mixing is generally done in a portable pugmill, with close
control on water content. Subbase and base materials are placed using a grader, spreader, or paver.
Compaction of the subbase and base can be accomplished using a static and/or vibratory steel-wheel
roller as well as rubber-tired rollers. Potential problems with the base and subbase include low
density, segregation, grade control, and gradation of aggregates.