Weak interface strong skeleton shrinkage resistant mix design for large cement stabilized base.

Semi-rigid base asphalt pavements suffer from reflective cracking caused by shrinkage of cement-stabilized materials. This study presents a "weak-interface, strong-skeleton" design for Filling-Type Large-Particle-Size Cement-Stabilized Crushed Stone (F-LSBC) using 19-26.5 mm coarse aggregates and fine aggregates below 2.36 mm. Through compaction-filling tests, mechanical strength evaluations, fatigue testing, and drying shrinkage measurements, we determined the optimal skeleton void ratio (∼43%), filler-to-coarse aggregate mass ratio (0.30), and cement dosage (5.27%). Although F-LSBC exhibits lower mechanical strength than conventional cement-stabilized macadam, it reduces cumulative drying shrinkage strain to 81% and the average shrinkage coefficient to 87% of control values. This design provides a practical, construction-friendly approach for crack-resistant pavement bases, offering a balanced trade-off between structural strength and shrinkage control for high-grade highway applications.