UTC 2022 Funding - Cycle 1 Research Projects

Project No.: CY1-TTI-02
Title: Multifunctional Geosynthetic-based Stabilization to Increase Coastal Infrastructure Resilience
Performing Institution: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Principal Investigator: Puneet Bhaskar, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Start and Anticipated Completion Dates: 09/01/2023-08/31/2024
Project Description: Coastal communities of Texas and Louisiana primarily rely on road infrastructure for their transportation and access to goods and services. Due to surges in extreme rainfall and storm events because of changing weather patterns, coastal infrastructure is at pressing risk. The aggressive infiltration of water in the pavement due to frequent flooding declines its functional and structural performance gradually. Geosynthetics have been extensively used in pavement structures to enhance their bearing capacity and stiffness. Most of the commonly used geosynthetics do not help with subsurface drainage under pavements. A novel geotextile with special hydrophilic and hygroscopic wicking fibers is gaining popularity due to its multiple functions, including separation, reinforcement, gravity drainage, and capillary drainage through wicking action. Because of its versatility, it can potentially serve as a unified drainage and reinforcing element in a pavement.

This project aims to assess wicking geotextile as a resilient and sustainable adoption in coastal pavement infrastructure vulnerable to the impacts of changing weather patterns. The objectives of this research study are: (1) To understand the efficacy of wicking geotextile reinforcement in pavement infrastructure under extreme climate conditions; (2) To compare the overall performance of wicking geotextile with conventional geotextile reinforcement in coastal pavements.
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