flexible pavement

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June 26, 2026

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Flexible pavement is a durable road surfacing primarily composed of sand and gravel or crushed stone. This material is mixed with a binder, such as asphalt, tar, or asphaltic oil, giving it plasticity to absorb shock. Unlike rigid pavements made of concrete, flexible pavements have a base course of broken stone pieces, either compacted or bound with bitumen. The top layer, or wearing course, directly contacts vehicles, providing a smooth and grippy surface while protecting the layers beneath from water. Flexible pavements are chosen based on factors like lifetime cost, riding quality, and maintenance needs.12

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road
Pavement
Pavements are called either flexible or rigid, according to their relative flexural stiffness. Flexible pavements (see figure, left) have base courses of broken stone pieces either compacted into place in the style of McAdam or glued together with bitumen to form asphalt. In order to maintain workability, the stones…
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Pavements are called either flexible or rigid, according to their relative flexural stiffness. Flexible pavements (see figure, left) have base courses of broken stone pieces either compacted into place in the style of McAdam or glued together with bitumen to form asphalt. In order to maintain workability, the stones…
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airport
Runway pavements
Flexible pavements are constructed of several thicknesses of asphalt or bituminous concrete layers overlying a base of granular material on a prepared subgrade. They spread the concentrated aircraft wheel loads throughout their depth until the load at the base of the pavement is less than…
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Flexible pavements are constructed of several thicknesses of asphalt or bituminous concrete layers overlying a base of granular material on a prepared subgrade. They spread the concentrated aircraft wheel loads throughout their depth until the load at the base of the pavement is less than…
Read More