Factors Influencing The Determination Of A Subgrade Resilient Modulus Value

This report describes a study jointly conducted by the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Department of Transportation to examine the factors influencing the determination of a subgrade resilient modulus value. The objectives of this study were to first, investigate the importance of several fundamental soil properties in determining a design subgrade resilient modulus value; and second, to define the actual relationship between back calculated and laboratory based resilient modulus values for typical cohesive subgrade soils in Wyoming. This study consisted of selecting nine test sites with cohesive subgrade soils in the state of Wyoming, conducting laboratory testing on subgrade cores obtained in 1992 and 1993, determining several fundamental soil properties on these cores, and using deflection data from these nine sites to determine resilient modulus values from three back calculation programs. The data analysis resulted in several important conclusions about factors that influence the selection of a design subgrade resilient modulus value.