CALIBRATED MECHANISTIC STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS PROCEDURES FOR PAVEMENTS. VOLUME I - FINAL REPORT; VOLUME II - APPENDICES

The major tasks of this project were the selection of mechanistic analysis procedures, the consideration and further development of distress models, and the conduct of pilot calibration and verification studies. The structural models and available computer codes for mechanistic analysis are adequate for supporting the development and initial implementation of AASHTO mechanistic-empirical thickness design procedures for flexible and rigid pavements. Mechanistic based pavement distress prediction models are the weak link in the mechanistic-empirical design approach. Extensive field calibration and verification are required to establish reliable distress prediction models. Useable pavement transfer functions (distress models) are available for some pavement distresses (asphalt concrete fatigue and subgrade rutting; concrete fatigue related cracking and faulting of doweled joints). Extensive calibration/verification activities should be considered as continuing and essential by any agency utilizing mechanistic-empirical pavement thickness design procedures. Mechanistic-empirical pavement design is "A REALITY". Some State highway agencies are already using this approach. It is recommended that AASHTO continue to support the development and initial implementation of mechanistic-empirical procedures for the thickness design of new flexible and rigid pavements. The selected structural analysis models and available transfer functions are adequate to support these initial development and implementation activities.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was conducted for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) under NCHRP Project 1-26.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  205 North Mathews Avenue
  Urbana, IL  United States  61801-2352
• Authors:
  • Thompson, M R
  • Barenberg, E J
  • Carpenter, S H
  • Darter, M I
  • Dempsey, B J
  • Ioannides, A M
• Publication Date: 1990-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 793 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calibration; Design methods; Fatigue (Mechanics); Faulting; Flexible pavements; Mathematical prediction; Mechanistic design; Pavement cracking; Pavement design; Pavement distress; Pavement joints; Rigid pavements; Rutting; Structural models; Thickness; Transfer functions
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00765990
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 22 1999 12:00AM