Implementation of the Florida Cracking Model into the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design

Top-down cracking has been found to be a predominant mode of distresses of asphalt pavements in Florida. Therefore, it is important to accommodate top-down cracking in the design of asphalt mixtures and pavement structures. After a multi-year study on top-down cracking supported by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the University of Florida has developed a top-down cracking model based on the HMA fracture mechanics. This report presents the implementation of the Florida cracking model into a mechanistic-empirical (ME) flexible pavement design framework. Based on the energy ratio (ER) concept, a new ME pavement design tool for top-down cracking has been developed. In the Level 3 ME design, a series of material models were developed for estimation of the time-dependent material properties. With incorporation of the material properties models, the design tool is capable of performing pavement thickness design as well as pavement life prediction for top-down cracking in Florida. The thickness design is optimized for different traffic levels, mixture types, and binder selections. The AC thickness optimization is an automated process. This design tool has been packed into an interactive Windows-based software, making it convenient to use for pavement design engineers.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Florida, Gainesville

  Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, P.O. Box 116580
  Gainesville, FL  United States  32611-6580

  Florida Department of Transportation

  Structures Research Center, 605 Suwannee Street
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Birgisson, Bjorn
  • Wang, Jianlin
  • Roque, Reynaldo
• Publication Date: 2006-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 103p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Flexible pavements; Hot mix asphalt; Mechanistic design; Pavement design; Pavement distress; Pavement performance; Thickness
• Identifier Terms: Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide
• Uncontrolled Terms: Energy ratio; Top down cracking (Pavements)
• Geographic Terms: Florida
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01053605
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UF #0003932
• Contract Numbers: BD-545, RPWO 20
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 26 2007 7:35PM