Cross-section of a road showing its component parts & their function.




Sub-Grade:-
                                   I.        The sub-grade is generally consider to be the soil over which the highway is constructed.
                                 II.         It provided support to the pavement from below.
                              III.        The main function of sub-grade is that due to lack of sub-grade strength results in many defects in pavement.











Base & Sub-Base:-
·       In Flexible Pavement:
                               I.        To improve the load bearing capacity by distributing the load through finite thickness.
                            II.        To dissipated the destructive wheel load to prevent shear and consolidation of deformation.
·       In Rigid Pavement:
                            I.        Preventing pumping out of soil slurry through joints and cracks.
                         II.        Protection of Sub-Grade against frost action.












Wearing/Surface Course:-
               I.        To provide smooth riding surface.
            II.        To resist pressures exerted by tire.
          III.        To take wear and tear.
          IV.        To prevent infiltration of rain water into the pavement and sub-grade.