Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 57-18. Practices Related to the Use of Geosynthetics and Pavement Foundations

BACKGROUND - In recent years, the geosynthetic industry has introduced new products and techniques, intended to improve pavement performance and longevity. However, it is unclear how geosynthetic solutions (emerging and established) are being implemented in practice by state departments of transportation (state DOTs). A synthesis documenting current practices in the use of geosynthetics for pavement foundations can help state DOTs achieve durable pavement foundations and improve asset performance. OBJECTIVE - The objective of this synthesis is to document current state DOT practices for the use of geosynthetics (e.g., geotextiles, geogrids, geocells, and geocomposites) for pavement foundations. This synthesis will encompass practices throughout the planning, design, construction, and maintenance/rehabilitation stages. Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to): (1) Criteria, procedures, guidelines and manuals for selecting and using geosynthetics in different contexts; (2) Design tools (e.g., software or analytical models) and inputs (e.g., geosynthetic properties or soil-geosynthetic interaction properties) used to model pavement foundations with geosynthetics; (3) Uses of geosynthetics during construction, including when they are needed. Differences between evaluating geosynthetics for use in construction and in design. (4) Experience gained and lessons learned from incorporating geosynthetics in pavement foundations; (5) Define material characteristics of geosynthetics; (6) Workflow on development and maintenance of specifications related to geosynthetics; (7) Pilot projects for using geosynthetics; (8) Quality assurance (QA) processes of pavement foundations built with geosynthetics; (9) Methods and gaps in quantifying the benefits of geosynthetics; (10) Practices to track condition and performance of pavement foundations using geosynthetics; and (11) Maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities on pavement with geosynthetics, including recycling and reclamation of pavement foundations using geosynthetics. Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5995

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $65,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 20-05, Topic 57-18

• Sponsor Organizations:

  State Departments of Transportation (participating member states of American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO))

  American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001
• Project Managers:

  Li, Zhiye

• Performing Organizations:

  Advanced Transportation Geotechnics Solutions, LLC

  Champaign, IL  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Tutumluer, Erol

• Start Date: 20260601
• Expected Completion Date: 20270531
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Geosynthetics; Pavement base course; Pavement maintenance; Pavement subgrade; Paving
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01972839
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 20-05, Topic 57-18
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Nov 25 2025 4:37PM