Model tests on bearing capacity characteristics of geocell gravel base and rigid pavement

To further understand the deformation properties and failure mechanism of geocell gravel base beneath concrete pavement, a model test is designed to study the system focusing on the load-displacement curve under static load and the failure mechanism under dynamic load based on the previous work. The working conditions are simulated when the soil under the base is emptied and a large amount of test data are obtained. The results indicate that this approach can greatly improve the overall mechanical properties of the road, strengthen the joint operation ability of pavement and effectively spread the upper loads. Then the failure load of rigid pavement will increase, and the performance of numerous voids beneath concrete slabs will be guaranteed to avoid such cases as the staggered platform and mud pump as well. The geocell gravel base is similar to a semi-rigid base, which provides a new way for the structural optimization researches on long-life rigid pavement.