The structural characteristics of manhole installations in pavements

Carefully monitored field observations revealed that the pavement material around a manhole can fail within a few months of installation. Consequently, field experiments involving the use of a falling weight deflectometer were carried out to study the\+i\ in situ\-i\ behaviour of manholes and the immediately surrounding pavement. In addition, theoretical analysis was used to provide some guidance as to how improved designs may be evolved to provide longer lives. (Original abstract - amended)