The effect of increased initial smoothness on pavement performance

The objective of the paper is to present a methodology for quantifying the relationship between an increase in initial smoothness and the expected increase in pavement life-span for asphalt concrete pavements. The procedure takes into account the influence of initial smoothness on subsequent pavement roughness, as well as the influence of the initial smoothness and other distresses that may trigger the need for pavement rehabilitation. This is a novel approach that recognizes that not all pavements fail because of excessive roughness, and that there are other factors influencing the performance of asphalt concrete pavements and determining their life-span. The procedure takes into account the occurrence of six key pavement distresses that can trigger pavement rehabilitation, including roughness, rutting, ravelling, transverse cracking, and fatigue cracking. The procedure yields a calibrated transfer function converting the change in initial smoothness into the change in pavement life-span. The results obtained for asphalt concrete pavements on Ontario freeways indicate that the improvement in initial smoothness, attributed to the introduction of smoothness specifications, was about 25 percent. This improvement has increased pavement life-span by about two years when considering roughness failure only, and by less than one year when considering all failure modes.

• Authors:
  • Hajek, J J
  • Kazmierowski, T J
  • Hein, D K
• Conference:
  • Symposium on Pavement Surface Characteristics [of Roads and Airports], 5th, 2004, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 10p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bituminous pavements; Cracking; Deterioration; Durability; Fatigue (Mechanics); Pavement performance; Roughness; Rutting
• Geographic Terms: Ontario, Canada
• ATRI Terms: Bituminous pavement; Cracking; Deterioration; Durability; Material fatigue; Pavement performance; Roughness; Rutting
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01389567
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 23 2012 3:35AM