Use of repeated load CBR test to characterize pavement granular materials

Determination of resilient modulus involves the use of sophisticated cyclic triaxial apparatus. In this investigation, it is attempted to evaluate an identical modulus through repeated load California Bearing Ratio test. A pavement granular material normally used as a granular base course in Indian highways was tested at three moisture contents, for resilient modulus test. In addition, a repeated load CBR test was carried out in which the samples were subjected to repeated loading and unloading cycles. The slope of the last reloading curve was used to determine the modulus value of the repeated load CBR test. It was seen that the modulus value from repeated load CBR test was similar in magnitude to the average value of the resilient modulus suggesting that repeated load CBR test may be adopted to obtain realistic values of resilient modulus.