Consideration of highway subgrade characteristics in the implementation of road projects

Implementation of road projects under state programs for highway development, road safety improvement, and transportation safety requires high-quality design of road structures, particularly subgrade and pavement layers. Under these conditions, demands increase for both design solutions and the reliability of initial data, especially regarding geotechnical conditions, which form the basis for the durability, safety, and economic efficiency of road structures amid rising construction costs.

To assess the impact of accounting for subgrade soil characteristics on road projects involving repair, major repair, and reconstruction, the following were analyzed: soil data obtained during geotechnical investigations; discrepancies between calculated and actual soil relative humidity (per Eq. 3.5 of GOST R 71404-2024); and road structures designed using both calculated and actual relative humidity values. The analysis revealed the distribution of subgrade soil types across Novosibirsk Region and identified key properties requiring special measures for soil replacement or reinforcement. Significant differences were found between calculated relative humidity values based on standard tables and those derived from actual field data in geotechnical reports.

Based on the study results, it is recommended that regional soil characteristics be classified as a critical risk factor directly affecting road project implementation. Therefore, it is advised to incorporate requirements for defining regional soil properties into technical specifications for road project development.

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