CE-603-C Advance Pavement Design - Jun 2025 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aExplain the concept of Equivalent Single Wheel Load (ESWL). How is ESWL determined using Equal Vertical Stress criterion.
   How to answer

   • Define Equivalent Single Wheel Load (ESWL)
   • Explain need for dual wheel load conversion
   • Describe Equal Vertical Stress criterion and procedure
   • Explain determination using depth vs load plot / Boyd and Foster method
2. 7 Marks
   bHow is Subgrade strength assessed for design of flexible pavements? Briefly explain the test procedure.
   How to answer

   • State role of subgrade strength in flexible pavement design
   • List methods: CBR, plate bearing, triaxial
   • Outline CBR test procedure and conditions
   • Interpretation for design
3. 7 Marks
   aExplain how climatic variation affects pavement design and performance.
   How to answer

   • Identify climatic factors: temperature, rainfall, frost
   • Explain effect on subgrade moisture and strength
   • Explain effect on bituminous and concrete pavements
   • Link to design and performance measures
4. 7 Marks
   bWhat are the factors influencing stresses on rigid pavement? List the assumptions in Westergaard's analysis of rigid pavement.
   How to answer

   • List factors: wheel load, tyre pressure, temperature, subgrade, joints
   • Explain wheel load, warping, friction stresses
   • State Westergaard assumptions: slab, subgrade, contact
   • Note limitations of assumptions
5. 7 Marks
   aOutline the IRC recommendations for determining the thickness of CC pavement.
   How to answer

   • State IRC approach for CC pavement thickness
   • Outline traffic, subgrade, strength inputs
   • Describe fatigue and erosion checks
   • Mention joint spacing and thickness selection
6. 7 Marks
   bConsider the following data with respect to the design of flexible pavement: Design wheel load $= 4200 \text{ kg}$ Tyre pressure $= 6.0 \text{ kg/cm}^2$ Elastic modulus $= 150 \text{ kg/cm}^2$ Permissible deflection $= 0.25 \text{ cm}$ (take $\pi^{1/2} = 1.77, \pi^{-1/2} = 0.564,$ $1/\pi = 0.318$ and $\pi^2 = 9.87$) The total thickness of flexible pavement for a single layer elastic theory will be nearly?
   How to answer

   • Compute contact radius from wheel load and tyre pressure
   • Apply single layer elastic theory deflection formula
   • Substitute E, permissible deflection and constants
   • Solve for total thickness h
7. 7 Marks
   aState the limitations of CBR method of pavement design and also enlist the different tests on road aggregates.
   How to answer

   • State principle and limitations of CBR method
   • Discuss empirical nature, traffic and subgrade issues
   • Enlist aggregate tests: crushing, abrasion, impact, soundness
   • Brief purpose of each test
8. 7 Marks
   bDiscuss about the various types of Pavement joints.
   How to answer

   • Define need for joints in rigid pavement
   • Describe expansion, contraction, warping, construction joints
   • Explain longitudinal and transverse joints
   • Mention filler and load transfer details
9. 7 Marks
   aExplain the steps of design of flexible pavement overlay using BBD data.
   How to answer

   • Define overlay and BBD survey principle
   • Explain deflection measurement and correction
   • Describe characteristic deflection and design chart
   • Determine overlay thickness steps
10. 7 Marks
    bA highway concrete pavements $25 \text{ cm}$ thick with transverse joints at $12 \text{ m}$ interval and longitudinal joints at $3.6 \text{m}$ interval. The modulus of subgrade reaction is $2.8 \text{ kg/cm}^3$. Determine the warping stress at interior, edge and corner regions taking the following data: Temperature differential for day conditions $= 0.50 \text{ C/cm}$ slab thickness, Radius of loaded area $= 15 \text{ cm}$, Thermal coefficient of concrete $= 10 \times 10^{-6} /^{\circ}C$, Modulus of elasticity of concrete $= 3 \times 10^5 \text{ kg/cm}^2$, Poisson's Ratio $= 0.15$.
    How to answer

    • Compute radius of relative stiffness l from k, E, h, mu
    • Compute Lx/l and Ly/l ratios
    • Obtain Bradbury warping coefficients Cx, Cy
    • Calculate interior, edge, corner warping stresses
11. 7 Marks
    aDifferentiate between joint filler and sealing compound. Name the few sealing compounds and their characteristics.
    How to answer

    • Define joint filler vs sealing compound
    • Differentiate by function, placement, properties
    • Name sealing compounds: bitumen, rubber, silicone
    • List characteristics: adhesion, elasticity, durability
12. 7 Marks
    bWhat are the structural and functional requirements of flexible and rigid pavements?
    How to answer

    • Define structural requirements: load, fatigue, deformation
    • Define functional requirements: skid, comfort, drainage
    • Contrast needs for flexible vs rigid pavements
    • Summarize layer and surface criteria
13. 7 Marks
    aDiscuss the AASHTO method of pavement design.
    How to answer

    • State background and serviceability concept of AASHTO
    • Outline traffic, reliability, soil inputs
    • Describe thickness design equations/charts
    • Mention advantages and limitations
14. 7 Marks
    bDescribe briefly the thermal stresses developed in Concrete slab due to seasonal variation of temperature.
    How to answer

    • Define seasonal temperature gradient in slab
    • Explain warping and restraint mechanism
    • Give warping stress formulas for interior/edge/corner
    • Describe day vs night effects
15. 7 Marks
    aExplain the factors to be considered in design of pavements.
    How to answer

    • List factors: traffic, subgrade, climate, materials, drainage
    • Explain wheel load, repetitions, tyre pressure
    • Discuss environment and construction aspects
    • Relate to thickness and service life
16. 7 Marks
    bWhy is it necessary to consider Lateral Distribution Factor (LDF) in the estimation of traffic loads in pavement design? Substantiate the answer with neat sketches.
    How to answer

    • Define Lateral Distribution Factor and wheel wander
    • Explain why traffic not concentrated in one line
    • Show sketches of transverse distribution across lanes
    • Link LDF to design traffic and thickness