Influence of Moisture Content on Tropical Slope Soils

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the influence of subgrade moisture variation on the structural performance of a road section, through deflectometric data, in dry and post-rainy periods. For the sections analyzed, it was found that the rainy period resulted in increased by 4.53% of the subgrade moisture, causing variations of up to 25.60% in deflection data in mixed section. For the embankment and cut sections, the influence of moisture was negligible, given the efficiency of the drainage system. It was also possible to observe that, when the ground and pavement elevations are relatively equal, the water table directly affects the subgrade, preventing accurate analysis of the rainy period with relation to deflection. Thus, it is evident the need to implement drainage devices that allow the reduction of the impact of moisture variation on the structural performance of a pavement, enabling the maintenance of its service life.