Vejbede

Vejbede is a Danish term used in civil engineering to denote the roadbed, the foundation of a roadway. The roadbed comprises the layers that support the pavement and transfer loads to the underlying subgrade. It extends from the subgrade to the pavement's base layer and includes drainage provisions to remove water and reduce frost damage.

The design aims to provide structural capacity, surface stability, and durability under traffic and weather. Typical considerations include load-spreading, drainage performance, frost protection, and material quality. In many systems, the roadbed includes subgrade, subbase, and base course, with additional stabilisation or geosynthetics where required.

Construction involves preparing the subgrade, placing and compacting each layer to specified densities, and ensuring proper moisture control. Materials range from native soils to granular aggregates, sometimes stabilised with cement, lime, or cementitious binders. Drainage components, such as pipes and drainage trenches, are installed to prevent water accumulation.

Maintenance focuses on preventing and correcting settlement, pumping of fine materials, and frost-related damage. When problems arise, layers may be excavated, reinforced, or rebuilt, and drainage pathways restored. Proper compaction, moisture management, and timely repairs extend roadbed service life.

In English-language sources, the term is typically translated as roadbed. See also road construction, pavement, subgrade.