Journal of Transportation Research

Journal of Transportation Research

Evaluation and presentation of an optimal solution for improving the subgrade and pavement of industrial areas (Case study: Shadabad Iron Market, Tehran)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Rezvan Babagoli 1
Mohammad Kashani Novin 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Science and Technology of Mazandaran, Behshahr, Iran.
2 Ph.D., Grad., of Transportation Engineering, Chief Executive Officer of Ara Tarh Royan company, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/tri.2026.566390.3417
Abstract
Industrial areas with heavy loads and special traffic conditions require strong and durable pavements. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the current situation and providing an optimal solution for improving the subgrade and pavement of the Shadabad Iron Market in Tehran (with an area of approximately 49 hectares). The study area, which includes Tavous and Baharan Boulevards, was examined in conjunction with the Tehran Technical and Engineering Consulting Organization. The research methodology included field visits, expert meetings, field tests (such as CBR and mapping), reviewing international experiences of concrete industrial pavements, and pavement design using AASHTO, PCA, and ACI methods. According to the field visit, numerous damages such as lizard skin cracks, potholes, sanding, and improper drainage were observed. Considering the static, dynamic, and impact loads resulting from industrial activities and heavy vehicle traffic, the use of rigid (concrete) pavements was identified as the superior option. In this regard, types of concrete pavements including roller compacted concrete (RCC), jointed concrete pavement (JPCP) and industrial concrete block (CBP) were investigated and compared. Pavement design was carried out considering traffic parameters, subgrade soil strength and environmental conditions and optimal thicknesses were calculated for each option. The results showed that roller compacted concrete pavement is recommended as the final option due to its reasonable initial cost, high durability and low maintenance requirement. Also, an economic comparison of the options was carried out based on life cycle analysis (LCCA) which confirmed the superiority of the concrete option in terms of long-term costs. This study can be used as a model for pavement improvement in other industrial areas of the country.
Keywords
Industrial pavement
roller-cast concrete
Shadabad Iron Market
pavement design
life cycle analysis
Subjects
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