ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This paper addresses the rutting of a section of gravel surfaced roadway constructed in a 5 m cut section. Subsequent to its construction in 1999/2000, this roadway exhibited large and deep ruts under traffic resulting in mitigative treatments consisting of the installation of perforated pipes, replacement of wet material with large rock boulders, and the use of woven geotextiles. However, these treatments proved unsuccessful resulting in the eventual closure of the roadway. A geotechnical investigation undertaken in 2004 showed that groundwater movement was primarily responsible for the severe rutting of the roadbed. The site conditions were improved in 2005 by installing a deep trench drain encapsulated in a woven geotextile and impermeable membrane composite within one of the existing roadway ditches. Overall, this case study illustrates the value of a proper geotechnical investigation and that the use of geotextiles without proper diagnosis of the problem does not always lead to success.
