Análisis comparativo del costo - beneficio generado por la inclusión de bases estabilizadas con cemento o con emulsión asfáltica en la estructura de pavimentos flexibles.

Abstract

Faced with the need of building cheaper pavement structures, especially at places where high – quality stone materials are scarce, granular layers stabilization is the most viable alternative, since it allows to optimize each one of the structure layers’ thicknesses, considerably reducing transportation costs. Specifically for flexible pavements, it also allows a reduction of asphalt concrete thickness. In this study, a cost – benefit analysis is developed between two granular base stabilization alternatives: cement stabilization and asphalt emulsion stabilization for flexible pavements construction, looking for the optimal percentages of the two stabilizing agents according to resistance, design, stresses, and displacements criteria. Minimum resistance criteria of stabilized granular bases are based on NEVI – 12 regulations, and pavement design alternatives follow AASHTO – 93 method indications. Both verifications must be fulfilled for the pavement construction to be viable. The budget produced by the construction of every pavement design was determined. Furthermore, through the modeling of each pavement alternative using KENLAYER software, stresses and vertical displacements were found. Finally, a cost – benefit analysis for each choice was established, the results of which determined that the most viable alternative, in terms of structural performance and construction budget, is a flexible pavement with a granular base course stabilized with 6% of asphalt emulsion.