The difference between roadbed, roadbed, embankment and cutting

The difference between roadbed, roadbed, embankment and cutting

There are many people who cannot distinguish between roadbeds, roadbeds, embankments and cuttings. How are these 4 different? Below we will explain the following in detail. From now on, these four definitions will no longer be confused.

First, let's understand the roadbed. We can regard the subgrade as a composite. Below the pavement structure, it is the subgrade that bears the load from the road. Roadbeds, embankments, and cuttings can be collectively referred to as roadbeds.

Then we come to understand the road bed. The roadbed is a part of the roadbed. The roadbed is from top to bottom, and the top part of 0.8m or 1.2m is the roadbed. Beyond this range we cannot call it a road bed. The subgrade within 0.8m above the light, medium and heavy traffic road is the roadbed. The subgrade within 1.2m above the extra-heavy and extremely heavy traffic highway is the roadbed.

Finally, let's distinguish between embankments and cuttings. Simply put, filling is called embankment, and excavation is called cutting. Let's use an analogy to deepen our understanding. We can understand embankment like embankment, the embankment is to be filled up to become higher. We can call the embankment when it becomes higher. Road cutting, the word "cut" has a cut above it and a soil below it. We understand it as excavation, this place is excavated, we call it a cutting. Cut embankments and road cuttings can also be collectively referred to as roadbeds. The 0.8m or 1.2m above the embankment and the cutting can be collectively referred to as the road bed.

Using the above method to distinguish, the roadbed, roadbed, embankment, and cutting will no longer be confused. The detailed explanation of these four terms can be found in the Specification for Design of Highway Subgrade (JTG D30-2015).