Glossary
Dimensioning of road pavements

Pavement structure

A set of superimposed layers of materials resting on the pavement subgrade, designed to distribute the stresses caused by vehicle traffic over the natural ground without causing damage. From top to bottom, we generally find :

• the surface layer ;

• the base layer ;

• foundation layer.

Pavement support platform

Surface of earthworked and levelled soil, possibly treated, formed by the subgrade or earthwork and on which the pavement structure rests.

Shape layer

Transition element built up from the earthwork base to achieve the geometric, hydraulic and thermal characteristics assumed in the pavement design and sizing calculations....