ABSTRACT
A pavement is a longitudinal structure whose primary purpose is to provide a traffic
surface of acceptable riding quality (Section 14.4.1), adequate skid resistance (Section
12.5), favourable light-reflectance (Chapter 24), and low noise-generation (Section 32.2).
The latter three constraints are handled solely by the pavement surface and are discussed
at length in Section 12.5. This chapter concentrates on the structural strength and stiffness
needed to support the pavement surface and maintain riding quality, remembering that
much of this strength and stiffness will depend on the control of moisture entry into the
pavement (Chapter 9, particularly Section 9.4). The pavement — with suitable
maintenance (Chapter 26) — must fulfil the above purpose over its entire intended life
whilst subjected to the continual influence of weather and traffic loading.
