Feature
Optimal use of marginal materials in accordance with Spain's PG-3 standard
Authors
Álvaro Parrilla Alcaide Roads Directorate, Spain
Áurea Perucho Martínez Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory with the Center for Studies and Experimentation in Public Works (CEDEX), Spain
Both of whom are certified civil engineers with Spain's Development Ministry - Members of World Road Association TC 4.4 on Earthworks and Unpaved Roads
Illustrations © Authors
Before 2002, when excavation materials obtained mainly from road construction cuts displayed subpar geotechnical performance, as intended in former Spanish Standard PG-3 (1975). These materials had previously been rejected and replaced by higher-quality materials generated from external quarries. Even though such materials are capable of providing satisfactory overall performance when used as fill, they often had to be discarded.