Definition of Payment Layers

Surface Course (25mm - 50mm)

Surface course or wearing course is the top most layer of flexible pavement which has direct contact with the vehicular
loads. Since it is directly in contact with traffic, good quality aggregates and high dense bitumen or asphalt is
recommended for the construction of surface course

Binder Course (50 - 100 mm)

Binder course is also constructed using aggregates and bitumen but with less quality than materials used for surface
course. In general, its thickness is about 50 to 100 mm.
To save money, binder course and surface course can be constructed monotonically using good quality materials with
100 to 150 mm thickness. The function of binder course is to transfer the loads coming from surface course to the base
course

Base Course ( 100mm - 300mm)

The base course is important layer of pavement structure and it distributes the loads from top layers to the underneath
Subbase and sub-grade layers.
. It provides structural support for the pavement surface.
It is constructed with hard and durable aggregates
The thickness of base course must be great enough to reduce the load capacity on sub-grade and Subbase courses.

Subbase Course ( 100mm - 300mm)

The Sub-base course is provided beneath the base course and it also functions as same as base course. If the sub-grade
soil is strong and stiff, then there is no need to sub-base course.
Granular aggregates are used to construct sub-base course. If sub-grade is weak minimum 100 mm thick sub-base
course should be provided.
Pitrun is typicaly used in local construction

Subgrade Course ( 150mm - 300mm)

the bottom most layer which is nothing but natural soil layer compacted up to required depth generally about 150 to
300 mm
This layer is termed as foundation for the pavement system.

A pavement must be sloped to keep water from ponding on the surface.

Figure 1: Pavement cross section

Figure 2: Typical Drain Cross Section

Figure 3
Figure 4

Figure 5: Typical Retaining Wall

Figure 6: Typical Concrete Block Retaining Wall