
M.N.Nagabhushana, Senior Principal Scientist, Co-ordinator (PD&R), Pavement Engineering Area, CSIR-CRRI, New Delhi
Introduction

Characteristics of Pavement Layers
- Wearing course or surface course takes the stresses at top to protect the lower layers and hence shall be superior- Bituminous and/or cement concrete layer/s used
- Base course must possess high resistance to deformation in order to withstand high pressure imposed upon it by providing added stiffness and resistance to fatigue
- Sub-base is normally used as a drainage layer to keep the structure free of excessive moisture.
- The purpose of the lower layers is to even provide a working platform and regulate the surface on which upper layers are built.
Though, flexible pavements can mean just granular layers, the present demands are for those with a bituminous surfacing, whether thick or thin. Hence, it is pertinent to review the bituminous technologies particularly, since the otherwise lower granular layers have relatively lesser options and thereby have only specific roles.
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