Road Structure Profiling for Load-Bearing Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing road construction methods face challenges in increasing load-bearing capacity, particularly in areas with high traffic loads, where traditional repair methods are either uneconomical or inefficient, and often result in excess material and increased transport costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the removal of existing road layers, profiling the soil to create arch-like elevations, and applying a bonded layer with a varying height to increase load-bearing capacity, which can be compacted and reinforced with supporting foundations and drainage, allowing for material recycling and efficient use of resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional repair methods are used to increase load-bearing capacity, then the road structure can be reinforced, but the construction costs increase significantly due to complete reconstruction requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidconstruction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the road structure into functional zones: bonded layers are applied only in the tension zone (trench areas) where they are most needed for structural reinforcement, while the compression zone uses unbonded granular material. This segmented approach reduces material usage and construction costs while maintaining load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bonded layer is strategically placed only in specific locations (trench areas and tension zones) rather than uniformly across the entire road structure. This local application of bonding material optimizes structural reinforcement where it is most effective while reducing overall material consumption and construction costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If deep installation is used to repair overload damage, then the load-bearing capacity increases, but the scope of work and material usage increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The road structure is segmented into bonded and unbonded zones, with bonded material placed only in the tension zone and trench areas. This segmentation reduces the total quantity of bonding material required compared to uniform deep installation, while still achieving the necessary load-bearing capacity enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes existing stable subgrade material and recycles it for use in the compression zone and as filling material, reducing the need for importing new materials. This approach minimizes material usage while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform thickness layers are applied over the entire road surface, then the construction process is simplified, but the load-bearing capacity in high-traffic areas is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniform thickness layers, the invention applies bonded layers with variable thickness and distribution - thicker in tension zones and trench areas, thinner or absent in compression zones. This non-uniform approach enhances load-bearing capacity in high-traffic areas while maintaining construction feasibility through clear zoning guidelines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Loss of substance

If existing asphalt materials are removed and transported to mixing plants for processing, then the materials can be reused, but the transport and processing costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial recyclingVSAvoidtransport and processing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables on-site recycling of existing asphalt and granular materials by processing them directly at the construction location using mobile crushing and screening equipment. This self-service approach eliminates or reduces the need for transporting materials to centralized mixing plants, significantly reducing transport and processing costs while maintaining material recycling benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3101176B1Method for generating a road structure and road construction device
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 R WAYS GMBH ING FUR FLUGHAFENPLANUNG
  • EP3101176B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP3101176B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2e
  • EP3101176B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3e

AI summary

A method for producing a road structure (1, 50) comprises the following steps: a. removing soil or one or more layers of an existing road structure; b. profiling the soil or a layer (2, 41) with an excavator, bulldozer, grader, or milling machine such that at least one arch-like elevation (8a, 8b; 43a-43d) is created; c. applying a bonded layer (15; 45) with a flat top surface to the profiled layer (2, 41). In addition, there is also a road construction machine.