Requirements and performance of trenches in pavements for broad-band expansion

Abstract

Fast broadband Internet technology is becoming increasingly important in today's knowledge and information society. In this context, laying broadband infrastructure along existing roads offers numerous advantages. Specifically for rapid broadband expansion in rural areas, scientific support was provided for a construction method for laying ducts in the road shoulder using a narrow-slot cutter. Measurements with the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) on the roadway and bearing capacity measurements with the Light-Weight Deflectometer (LWD) on the road shoulder were carried out on several test sections before and after the installation. In addition, the backfill material was examined and the drainage situation in the slurry trench was assessed. The results show that with a careful and mechanically coordinated construction method as well as sufficient compaction of the backfill material after slot construction, no influences on the residual service life of the bound layers of the road surface are to be expected.