APPLICATION OF STATISTICAL METHODS TO THE DESIGN OF PAVEMENT SYSTEMS

This paper describes some of the applications of statistical or probabilistic methods to the design and analysis of pavement structures and discusses the theory on which they are founded. The major purpose for applying probabilistic methods to design of pavement systems is to help the engineer optimize design. The technology of statistical or probabilistic methods enables the engineer to directly consider the effect of many of the variabilities and uncertainties associated with the design, construction, and in-service life of pavements in the design process. Design adequacy or reliability or, conversely, the probability of distress can therefore be assessd to a much greater degree than without these concepts, and hence more optimal designs can be provided. Basic variabilities and uncertainties involved in the design, construction, and in-servie life of pavements are described and shown to have significant effects on performance. Theory to estimate the probable fracture distress and the loss of serviceability of portland cement and concrete pavement due to repeated traffic loadings is presented and illustrated. A relationship between estimated probability of traffic-associated fracture distress and measured slab cracking is developed. The application of these techniques to design is illustrated by several examples. Some of the methods described have been implemented and have been shown to be practical and useful. /Author/

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1976/575/575-004.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=APPLICATION+OF+STATISTICAL+METHODS+TO+THE+DESIGN+OF+PAVEMENT+SYSTEMS&author=M.+Darter&publication_year=1976
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Mechanics of Earth Masses and Layered Systems.Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Darter, M I
• Conference:
  • 54th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia
  • Date: 1975-1-13 to 1975-1-17
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 39-55
• Monograph Title: Role of probability and statistics in the structural analysis of pavements
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 575
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accelerated tests; Concrete pavements; Defects; Durability; Pavement cracking; Pavement design; Pavement distress; Pavement layers; Pavement performance; Pavements; Paving; Portland cement; Probability theory; Repeated loads; Service life; Statistical analysis; Traffic
• Uncontrolled Terms: Pavement structure
• Old TRIS Terms: Pavement life
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00139551
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309024897
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Sep 16 1976 12:00AM