Seasonal Variation of Resilient Modulus of Subgrade Soils

Abstract

Results of a study to evaluate the seasonal variation of the resilient modulus of granular soils for flexible‐pavement design are presented. The field temperature and moisture content underneath the pavement were monitored at two sites using soil moisture‐temperature cells over a period of one year. A new laboratory testing procedure and system was used to test reconstituted soil specimens under monitored ranges of temperatures, moisture contents, dry densities, and stress conditions. These laboratory data allowed the development of multiple regression equations to determine resilient moduli under Rhode Island environmental conditions. In addition, a theoretical model was developed to predict resilient moduli due to the change of temperature and moisture conditions.