# Flexible Base Thickening

Flexible base thickening can be used to improve the structural capacity of low to moderate volume highways.

- Canonical URL: https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/maintenance-and-rehabilitation/rehabilitation/flexible-base-thickening/
- Last updated: 2018-09-21
- Review: reviewed by licensed professional engineers on the previous Pavement Interactive site, where reviewers were not recorded by name

Flexible base thickening can be used to improve the structural capacity of low to moderate volume highways. This technique can be used where there are low levels of existing structural damage, the existing base is uniform and the subgrade offers good (>15ksi) support. The new base material should be of equal or higher quality than the existing base; where this is not the case it is essential that the new material be thoroughly blended with the existing base. Evaluation of the new base material should include determining relative moisture susceptibility. When the materials are blended, cutting into the [subgrade](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/design/design-parameters/subgrade/) must be avoided.