Geocomposite system for roads and bridges and construction method

Abstract

A geocomposite system for increasing the service life of roads, bridges, or the like, includes a geocomposite layer having a geomembrane disposed between two geotextile backings, a structural layer for supporting the geocomposite layer, and a base layer formed on top of the geocomposite layer. The geomembrane is impermeable and the geotextile backings are sufficiently porous to provide a wicking action of moisture or liquid laterally along the geomembrane and out of the geocomposite system to prevent moisture or liquid damage. The geomembrane prevents the intrusion of liquids including deicing salts into the structural layers of roads, bridges, or the like abating deterioration in the structural layers such as corrosion of reinforcing steel. The geocomposite layer is bonded to and conforms to the structural layer, thus reducing reflective, shrinkage and fatigue cracking and increasing the structural capacity of the road or bridge. Preferably, the geomembrane is an extruded polyvinylchloride web and the geotextile backings are fabricated of a mat of non-woven polyester fibers. The geotextile backings are heat coupled to the geomembrane, preferably using a calendaring process. The geocomposite layer is also bonded to the base layer. In the related method, the geocomposite system is constructed by fabricating the geocomposite layer, applying a tack coat to the structural layer, placing the geocomposite layer with the geotextile backing down on the prepared structural layer, rolling the geocomposite to provide conformity with the structural layer, applying a tack coat to the other geotextile backing and forming and bonding the base layer on the geocomposite layer.

1 . A geocomposite system for a road or the like, comprising: 
 a geocomposite layer including an impermeable geomembrane disposed between first and second geotextile backings;    a structural layer for supporting said geocomposite layer; and    a base layer formed on top of said geocomposite layer,    whereby the service life is extended through said geocomposite layer by increasing the structural capacity and providing protection against moisture or liquid damage.    
     
     
         2 . The geocomposite system of    claim 1   , wherein said geocomposite layer is bonded to said structural layer by said first geotextile backing and to said base layer by said second geotextile backing and substantially conforms to said structural layer, 
 whereby reflective, shrinkage and fatigue cracking are minimized.    
     
     
         3 . The geocomposite system of    claim 2   , wherein said first and second geotextile backings have sufficient porosity to provide wicking action of liquids laterally along said geomembrane out of said geocomposite system.  
     
     
         4 . The geocomposite system of    claim 3   , wherein said geomembrane is a plastic or rubber web and has a thickness in the range of between 30 and 100 millimeters.  
     
     
         5 . The geocomposite system of    claim 4   , wherein said geomembrane has a thickness of substantially 80 millimeters.  
     
     
         6 . The geocomposite system of    claim 4   , wherein said plastic web is a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, very flexible polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, low density linear polyethylene, ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, chlorosuphonated polyethylene and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The geocomposite system of    claim 4   , wherein said plastic web is polyvinylchloride.  
     
     
         8 . The geocomposite system of    claim 1   , wherein said first and second geotextile backings are heat coupled to opposite sides of said geomembrane.  
     
     
         9 . The pavement system of    claim 8   , wherein each of said geotextile backings are fabricated of a mat of non-woven polyester or polypropylene fibers.  
     
     
         10 . The geocomposite system of    claim 8   , wherein said geotextile is a mat of non-woven polyester fibers.  
     
     
         11 . A geocomposite system for a bridge or the like, including a deck having an upper surface for supporting the geocomposite system comprising: 
 a geocomposite layer including an impermeable geomembrane disposed between first and second geotextile backings;    a structural layer on the bridge deck for supporting said geocomposite layer; and    a base layer formed on top of said geocomposite layer,    whereby the service life of the bridge is extended through said geocomposite layer by increasing the structural capacity and providing protection from moisture or corrosion damage.    
     
     
         12 . The geocomposite system of    claim 11   , wherein said geomembrane is a plastic or rubber web; and 
 said first and second geotextile backings have sufficient porosity to provide wicking action for liquids laterally along said geomembrane and out of said geocomposite system.    
     
     
         13 . The geocomposite system of    claim 12   , wherein said structural layer is reinforced concrete; and 
 said base layer includes a hot-mix asphalt wear surface.    
     
     
         14 . The geocomposite system of    claim 12   , wherein said first and second geotextile backings are heat coupled to said geomembrane.  
     
     
         15 . A method of constructing a geocomposite system for roads, bridges, or the like having a structural layer, and a base layer, comprising the steps of: 
 fabricating a geocomposite layer including an impermeable geomembrane disposed between first and second geotextile backings;    preparing the structural layer to receive said geocomposite layer;    placing said geocomposite layer with the first geotextile backing in engagement with the structural layer;    preparing said second geotextile backing of said geocomposite to receive said base layer; and    forming said base layer on said geocomposite layer in engagement with said second geotextile backing,    whereby the service life of the road, bridge or the like is extended through said geocomposite layer by increasing the structural capacity and providing protection against moisture, liquid damage or deicing solutions.    
     
     
         16 . The method of constructing a geocomposite system of    claim 15    wherein the step of forming said geocomposite layer includes heat coupling said first and second geotextile backings to opposing sides of said geomembrane and substantially conforming to said structural layer, 
 whereby reflective, shrinkage and fatigue cracking are minimized.  
 
     
     
         17 . The method of constructing a geocomposite system of    claim 16   , wherein the step of heat coupling includes calendaring said first and second geotextile backings by applying roller pressure to said opposing sides.  
     
     
         18 . The method of constructing a geocomposite system of    claim 15   , wherein the step of preparing the structural layer includes applying a tack coat on said structural layer for bonding said geocomposite layer.  
     
     
         19 . The method of constructing a geocomposite system of    claim 18   , further comprising the step of applying a sufficient force to said geocomposite layer to substantially conform the same including said first geotextile backing to the structural layer, whereby loads are absorbed and transferred more efficiently through the geocomposite layer to the structural layer and said backing is coupled to said structural layer.  
     
     
         20 . The method of constructing a geocomposite system of    claim 19   , wherein the step of applying a force includes rolling said geocomposite layer with a roller.  
     
     
         21 . The method of constructing a geocomposite system of    claim 18   , wherein the step of preparing said second geotextile backing of said geocomposite layer to bond to the base layer includes applying a tack coat to said second geotextile backing.  
     
     
         22 . A method of constructing a geocomposite system for roads, bridges, or the like having a structural layer and a base layer comprising the steps of: 
 fabricating a geocomposite layer including a geomembrane sufficient to support the base layer disposed between first and second geotextile backings, said base layer including an upper portion capable of removal and replacement;    bonding said first geotextile backing of said geocomposite to the structural layer;    forming and bonding said base layer to said second geotextile backing of said geocomposite; and    wherein said upper portion of said base layer may be removed and replaced without disturbing the bonds between said structural layer, said geocomposite layer, and said base layer.    
     
     
         23 . The method of constructing a geocomposite system of    claim 22    wherein said upper portion of said base layer forms a wear surface having a thickness of at least substantially one and a half inches.