Research Projects

India's road network, the second-largest globally, is vital for economic growth, spanning 6.671 million kilometers. However, urban roads face critical challenges such as poor drainage, urban flooding, and groundwater depletion due to impermeable pavement layers. Conventional systems exacerbate these issues, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Permeable pavements offer a promising alternative by improving stormwater management, recharging groundwater, and mitigating urban flooding. They have been successfully implemented in low- and high-volume road applications. However, their adoption in India is limited due to structural stability concerns, especially under high traffic loads. This project proposes integrating geosynthetics such as geogrids, geocells, geotextiles, and geomembranes into permeable pavements to overcome these limitations. Geosynthetics can significantly enhance structural stability, improve load distribution, and ensure durability while maintaining the hydraulic efficiency of permeable pavements. Scientific objectives Investigate the structural and hydraulic performance of permeable pavements incorporating geosynthetics for low- and high-volume roads. Evaluate infiltration capacity, clogging behavior, and drainage efficiency under varying traffic and environmental conditions. Develop and calibrate mechanistic-empirical pavement design guidelines (MEPDG) tailored for permeable pavements. Determine and validate layer coefficients and integrate them into standards such as IRCSP 59 (2019) and AASHTO (1993). Conduct full-scale laboratory testing and long-term evaluations to establish specifications for reliable implementation. Hypothesis and Methods The research hypothesizes that geosynthetics enhance permeable pavement performance, making them viable for high-volume roads. Key experiments include full-scale testing of structural stability, hydraulic behavior assessments, and validation of performance metrics such as modulus improvement factor (MIF) and traffic benefit ratio (TBR). The study will also develop calibrated MEPDG models for real-world applications. Significance This project aims to bridge the knowledge gap in permeable pavement design by providing comprehensive guidelines and performance validation for Indian conditions. The outcomes will advance fundamental understanding of geosynthetic applications and establish practical solutions for urban flooding, sustainable water management, and resilient infrastructure development. By addressing critical infrastructure challenges, this research supports India's vision for sustainable and climate-resilient urban development, ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability.