1 Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Transport and Logistics Engineering, College of Transportation and Logistics Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
2 Xinjiang Vocational University of Transportation, Urumqi 830017, China
3 Xinjiang Transportation Planning, Survey and Design Research Institute Co., Ltd., Urumqi 830006, China
4 Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Safety and Health of Transportation Infrastructure in Alpine and High-altitude Mountainous Areas, Urumqi 830006, China
5 Xinjiang Road and Bridge Construction Group Co., Ltd., Urumqi 830049, China
6 College of Highway Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
To address reflective cracking and arching issues in road surfaces in Xinjiang, an investigation was conducted on the gradation design methodology and road performance characteristics of an oversized cement-treated gravel base (LCGB-50). Using the stepwise filling method and the variable-i (passing percentage decreasing coefficient) approach, the optimal coarse-to-fine aggregate ratio was selected based on 7-day mechanical strength, and a reasonable gradation range was determined for skeleton-dense cement-stabilised gravel with oversized particles. The dry compacted coarse aggregate porosity (VCADRF) method was applied for computational validation of the gradation design. The mechanical performance and frost resistance of LCGB-50 were verified through long-term strength tests and freeze-thaw cycle experiments. Finally, the serviceability of the material was evaluated using data collected from field trial sections and long-term environmental monitoring points. The results indicate that when the i-value is set to 0.70 with a coarse-to-fine aggregate ratio of 60∶40, the 7-day unconfined compressive strength and splitting tensile strength reach optimal values of 9.78 MPa and 0.91 MPa, respectively. The VCADRF test results show an error margin within 5%, confirming that a strongly interlocked, skeleton-dense structure is formed in the cement-stabilised gravel. Cores extracted from test sections remain intact, with 7-day compressive strengths exceeding 8 MPa, thereby meeting the design strength requirements and demonstrating high strength and uniform compaction. Monitoring data reveals that within a temperature range of -20 ℃ to 40 ℃, LCGB-50 exhibits superior strain recovery capability, which is 14% higher than that of conventional gradation sections. The occurrence of reflective cracking is reduced by approximately 57%. These findings demonstrate that the coarse-graded cement-stabilised gravel base possesses enhanced adaptability to temperature and stress variations, with reduced deformation fluctuation, indicating a clear performance advantage in mitigating the development of reflective cracking.
XIA Jia-peng, WANG Hua-tao, WANG Bin, DENG Wei, MA Bing, LIU Jie, JI Xiao-ping.
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Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(24): 10569-10581 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2507307
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