Performance Evaluation of Unpaved Roads Stabilized with Composite Geosynthetic Made of Recycled Plastic Geogrid and Nonwoven Geotextile

This paper presents recent findings from an ongoing research study to evaluate the effectiveness of a geosynthetic made from recycled plastic for stabilizing unpaved roads. In the state of Iowa, USA, two full-scale test sections were constructed: one stabilized with a newly developed composite geosynthetic, and the other serving as a control. This innovative geocomposite combines a geogrid made from recycled plastic and a nonwoven geotextile. Following construction, these unpaved test sections were exposed to real traffic loads that included trucks and implements of husbandry (farm equipment). The performance of reinforced unpaved roads was assessed using Lightweight Deflectometer (LWD) tests and field California Bearing Ratio (CBR) data collected using a clegg impact soil tester (CIST). The results indicated that unpaved roads stabilized with the geocomposite significantly reduced permanent deformation during the evaluation period. These findings suggest good potential of the geocomposite for enhancing unpaved road performance, pending further validation through continuous monitoring and evaluation of the test sections over longer periods.