EVALUATION OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT DESIGN METHODOLOGY BASED UPON FIELD OBSERVATIONS AT PSU TEST TRACK

Field observations as related to distress and performance of test flexible pavements under accelerated traffic loading at the Pennsylvania Test Track Facility have been presented and correlated with the corresponding value as predicted by the FHWA computer program (VESYS IIM) Fight flexible pavement test sections carrying about 1.5 million 18 kip equivalent axle loadings were evaluated. On each section, rut depth, cracking and present serviceability index (PSI) were measured at periodic intervals. An account was made of the environmental and traffic conditions throughout the test period and samples of materials used in the facility were tested in the laboratory to determine the properties necessary for input to the VESYS Computer Code. Using the VESY IIM program estimates of the extent of fatigue cracking damage, rut depth, and PSI were computed and compared with the measured performance data. Results indicate that it is possible to predict the relative magnitudes of these distress and performance indicators. In this paper an attempt is made to point out reasons for deviations between measured and predicted values. Suggestions are made concerning the eventual use of mechanistic structural subsystem for the analysis and design of flexible pavement systems. /Auther/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Volume I of proceedings of 4th International Conference on Structural Design of Asphalt Pavements, Ann Arbor, Michigan, August 22-26, 1977.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  Department of Civil Engineering
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109
• Authors:
  • Sharma, M G
  • Kenis, W J
  • Larson, T D
  • Gramling, W L
• Conference:
  • Volume I of proceedings of 4th International Conference on Structural Design of Asphalt Pavements, Ann Arbor, Michigan, August 22-26, 1977.
• Publication Date: 1977-1

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 158-174

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Defects; Flexible pavements; Forecasting; High occupancy vehicles; Pavement cracking; Pavement design; Pavement distress; Pavements; Ruts (Pavements); Serviceability; Tension tests; Test tracks; Testing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rut; Serviceability Index
• Old TRIS Terms: Tensile test
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00170213
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 14 1978 12:00AM