Why Resilient Modulus Is Proportional to the Square Root of Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS): A Qualitative Explanation

Authors

Edgar Daniel Rodriguez Velasquez, Universidad de Piura in Peru (UDEP)Follow
Vladik Kreinovich, The University of Texas at El PasoFollow

Publication Date

7-1-2023

Comments

Technical Report: UTEP-CS-23-38

Abstract

The strength of the pavement is determine by its resilient modulus, i.e., by its ability to withstand (practically) instantaneous stresses caused by the passing traffic. However, the resilient modulus is not easy to measure: its measurement requires a special expensive equipment that many labs do not have. So, instead of measuring it, practitioners often measure easier-to-measure Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) -- that describes the effect of a continuously applied force -- and estimate the resilient modulus based on the result of this measurement. An empirical formula shows that the resilient modulus is proportional to the square root of the Unconfined Compressive Strength. In this paper, we provide a possible explanation for this empirical dependence.