Monte Carlo Simulation Approach to Mechanistic-Empirical Analysis of Flexible Pavement

The mechanistic-empirical study of pavement performance requires that immediate pavement responses due to tire loading be mechanistically computed for pavement structures, and the long-term pavement performance be related to the computed pavement responses. The problem becomes very complicated when variability is considered for loading, pavement and environmental conditions. A Monte Carlo simulation based mechanistic-empirical pavement analysis procedure was verified in this study. The complex tire-pavement interaction was more realistically handled and computed using finite element models and measured tire-pavement contact stress data. The computation time problem involved in pavement response computations was resolved by using a quick solution method that relates critical pavement responses to tire loading and pavement structural conditions. In the Monte Carlo simulation, different truck classes were drawn from the truck population empirically based on actual traffic volume data. Axle load spectra were characterized by actual axle load data collected at a weigh-in-motion site. Results from a survey of truck configurations were used to describe the distribution of truck tire pressure. Pavement structural parameters and relationships between material moduli and environment conditions were obtained from the LTPP data. The distress models developed in NCHRP Project 1-37A were employed to predict pavement performance. The simulation study estimates the effects of increased tire pressure and steering axle load on a typical pavement structure for 2 million truck passes. The Monte Carlo simulation method and models used in this study show a feasible approach to the development of flexible pavement design and analysis procedures.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Wang, Feng
  • Machemehl, Randy B
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 87th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2008-1-13 to 2008-1-17
• Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 22p
• Monograph Title: TRB 87th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Flexible pavements; Mechanistic design; Monte Carlo method; Pavement design; Pavement management systems; Pavement performance; Rolling contact; Tire pressure; Traffic volume; Weigh in motion
• Identifier Terms: Long-Term Pavement Performance Program
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01090271
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 08-0362
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 21 2008 8:15AM