base course
Quick Summary
In civil engineering, a base course is the bottom layer of material used in constructing a pavement. Pavements are durable surfaces for roads, airstrips, or similar areas, designed to transfer loads to the sub-base and underlying soil.12
There are two main types of pavements:
* Flexible pavements are typically made of sand and gravel or crushed stone mixed with a binder like asphalt. They are designed to absorb shock due to their plasticity.2
* Rigid pavements are constructed from concrete, which is a mix of aggregate and Portland cement, often reinforced with steel.2
The base course's thickness varies depending on the expected traffic load and the quality of the natural ground beneath it. Its purpose is to supplement the strength, stiffness, and durability of the natural formation.3
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
