Comparison of Resilient Modulus Values Used in Pavement Design

The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (M-E PDG) requires the resilient modulus of underlying materials for both new construction and rehabilitation projects. For the latter projects, the M-E PDG recommends using nondestructive test (NDT) methods such as the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) to characterize the in-situ resilient modulus of underlying materials. Considering that the performance models in the new guide were calibrated using resilient modulus data from laboratory tests, there is a need to convert the resilient modulus obtained from NDT tests to equivalent laboratory values for inputs to the M-E PDG program. In this project, Texas Transportation Institute researchers and engineers with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) conducted a cooperative effort to evaluate correction factors for overlay design based on the M-E PDG. To evaluate correction factors for base, mechanically stabilized subgrade and embankment materials used on Florida pavements, researchers reviewed available data and findings from earlier projects to compile information that can be used for this evaluation. In consultation with FDOT engineers, researchers also developed field and laboratory test plans to collect additional data to fill gaps in the available information as identified from the literature review. Based on these plans, field and laboratory tests were conducted to characterize material properties of in-service pavement sections. Field tests included FWD, portable seismic pavement analyzer (PSPA), dynamic cone penetrometer, and material sampling of asphalt concrete cores and underlying materials to measure the field moisture contents at the time of the tests. Laboratory tests included resilient modulus, dynamic modulus, dynamic shear rheometer, soil suction and extractions to characterize properties of asphalt concrete mixtures and underlying materials for evaluating correction factors and investigating the applicability of the PSPA for in-situ assessment of asphalt concrete layer modulus. Researchers analyzed the test data to determine correction factors and to evaluate the relationships between these factors and FWD backcalculated layer moduli. This report documents the efforts made to evaluate correction factors applicable to Florida pavement materials for flexible pavement overlay design based on the M-E PDG.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Report date: October 2010; Published: January 2011. Research Project Title: Comparison of Resilient Modulus Values Used in Pavement Design.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  Florida Department of Transportation

  Office of Research Management, 605 Suwannee Street
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399
• Authors:
  • Oh, Jeong Ho
  • Fernando, Emmanuel G
• Publication Date: 2011-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Edition: Technical Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 264p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt concrete; Modulus of resilience; Nondestructive tests; Overlays (Pavements); Pavement design; Properties of materials
• Identifier Terms: Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide
• Uncontrolled Terms: Layer moduli
• Geographic Terms: Florida
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01337290
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: BDL76-1
• Contract Numbers: BDL76
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 19 2011 7:17AM