Review of the New Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide - a Material Characterization Perspective

Review of the New Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide - a Material Characterization Perspective PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 19

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Book Description
Characterization of pavement materials in the three hierarchical design levels of the proposed mechanistic-empirical pavement design (MEPD) guide involves application of the dynamic modulus technique for asphalt concrete and the resilient modulus for unbound materials. This approach, if adequately implemented, is expected to improve the road design processes. The advance design level recommends using actual laboratory test data of the dynamic and resilient modulus determined under simulated environmental and traffic loading conditions. To circumvent the need for conducting the mechanical test in lower design levels, predictive equations and correlations established with physical properties are used to estimate the mechanistic properties needed as input to the design software. This paper examines the simplifications incorporated in the model using results of dynamic and resilient modulus tests performed at the National Research Council Canada (NRC). For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E211426.

Review of the New Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide - a Material Characterization Perspective

Review of the New Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide - a Material Characterization Perspective PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 19

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Book Description
Characterization of pavement materials in the three hierarchical design levels of the proposed mechanistic-empirical pavement design (MEPD) guide involves application of the dynamic modulus technique for asphalt concrete and the resilient modulus for unbound materials. This approach, if adequately implemented, is expected to improve the road design processes. The advance design level recommends using actual laboratory test data of the dynamic and resilient modulus determined under simulated environmental and traffic loading conditions. To circumvent the need for conducting the mechanical test in lower design levels, predictive equations and correlations established with physical properties are used to estimate the mechanistic properties needed as input to the design software. This paper examines the simplifications incorporated in the model using results of dynamic and resilient modulus tests performed at the National Research Council Canada (NRC). For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E211426.

Asphalt Materials Characterization in Support of Implementation of the Proposed Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide

Asphalt Materials Characterization in Support of Implementation of the Proposed Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Pavements, Asphalt concrete
Languages : en
Pages : 45

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Book Description
The proposed Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) procedure is an improved methodology for pavement design and evaluation of paving materials. Since this new procedure depends heavily on the characterization of the fundamental engineering properties of paving materials, a thorough material characterization of mixes used in Virginia is needed to use the MEPDG to design new and rehabilitated flexible pavements. The primary objective of this project was to perform a full hot-mix asphalt (HMA) characterization in accordance with the procedure established by the proposed MEPDG to support its implementation in Virginia. This objective was achieved by testing a sample of surface, intermediate, and base mixes. The project examined the dynamic modulus, the main HMA material property required by the MEPDG, as well as creep compliance and tensile strength, which are needed to predict thermal cracking. In addition, resilient modulus tests, which are not required by the MEPDG, were also performed on the different mixes to investigate possible correlations between this test and the dynamic modulus. Loose samples for 11 mixes (4 base, 4 intermediate, and 3 surface mixes) were collected from different plants across Virginia. Representative samples underwent testing for maximum theoretical specific gravity, asphalt content using the ignition oven method, and gradation of the reclaimed aggregate. Specimens for the various tests were then prepared using the Superpave gyratory compactor with a target voids in total mix (VTM) of 7% ± 1% (after coring and/or cutting). The investigation confirmed that the dynamic modulus test is an effective test for determining the mechanical behavior of HMA at different temperatures and loading frequencies. The test results showed that the dynamic modulus is sensitive to the mix constituents (aggregate type, asphalt content, percentage of recycled asphalt pavement, etc.) and that even mixes of the same type (SM-9.5A, IM-19.0A, and BM 25.0) had different measured dynamic modulus values because they had different constituents. The level 2 dynamic modulus prediction equation reasonably estimated the measured dynamic modulus; however, it did not capture some of the differences between the mixes captured by the measured data. Unfortunately, the indirect tension strength and creep tests needed for the low-temperature cracking model did not produce very repeatable results; this could be due to the type of extensometers used for the test. Based on the results of the investigation, it is recommended that the Virginia Department of Transportation use level 1 input data to characterize the dynamic modulus of the HMA for projects of significant impact. The dynamic modulus test is easy to perform and gives a full characterization of the asphalt mixture. Level 2 data (based on the default prediction equation) could be used for smaller projects pending further investigation of the revised prediction equation incorporated in the new MEPDG software/guide. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is recommended to quantify the effect of changing the dynamic modulus on the asphalt pavement design. Since low-temperature cracking is not a widespread problem in Virginia, use of level 2 or 3 indirect tensile creep and strength data is recommended at this stage.

Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide

Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide PDF Author: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Publisher: AASHTO
ISBN: 156051423X
Category : Pavements
Languages : en
Pages : 218

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Characterization of Unbound Materials for Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG)

Characterization of Unbound Materials for Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) PDF Author: Jeyakaran Thavathurairaja
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Implementation Plan for the New Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide

Implementation Plan for the New Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide PDF Author: Y. Richard Kim
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Pavements
Languages : en
Pages : 690

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Book Description


Characterization of Unbound Pavement Materials from Virginia Sources for Use in the New Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Procedure

Characterization of Unbound Pavement Materials from Virginia Sources for Use in the New Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Procedure PDF Author: M. Shabbir Hossain
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aggregates (Building materials)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The implementation of mechanistic-empirical pavement design requires mechanistic characterization of pavement layer materials. The subgrade and base materials are used as unbound, and their characterization for Virginia sources was considered in this study as a supplement to a previous study by the Virginia Transportation Research Council. Resilient modulus tests were performed in accordance with AASHTO T 307 on fine and coarse soils along with base aggregates used in Virginia. The degree of saturation as determined by moisture content and density has shown significant influence on the resilient behavior of these unbound materials. The resilient modulus values, or k-values, are presented as reference for use by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The results of other tests were analyzed for correlation with the results of the resilient modulus test to determine their use in estimating resilient modulus values. The results of the triaxial compression test, referred to as the quick shear test in AASHTO T 307, correlated favorably with the resilient modulus. Although the complexity of such a test is similar to that of the resilient modulus test for cohesionless coarse soil and base aggregate, fine cohesive soil can be tested with a simpler triaxial test: the unconfined compression test. In this study, a model was developed to estimate the resilient modulus of fine soil from the initial tangent modulus produced on a stress-strain diagram from an unconfined compression test. The following recommendations are made to VDOT's Materials Division: (1) implement the use of the resilient modulus test for pavement design along with the implementation of the MEPDG; (2) use the universal constitutive model recommended by the MEPDG to generate the k-values needed as input to MEPDG Level 1 design/analysis for resilient modulus calculation; (3) develop a database of resilient modulus values (or k-values), which could be used in MEPDG design/analysis if a reasonable material match were to be found; (4) use the initial tangent modulus from an unconfined compression test to predict the resilient modulus values of fine soils for MEPDG Level 2 input and the 1993 AASHTO design; and (5) continue to collect data for the unconfined compression test and update the prediction model for fine soil in collaboration with the Virginia Transportation Research Council. Implementing these recommendations would support and expedite the implementation efforts under way by VDOT to initiate the statewide use of the MEPDG. The use of the MEPDG is expected to improve VDOT's pavement design capability and should allow VDOT to design pavements with a longer service life and fewer maintenance needs and to predict maintenance and rehabilitation needs more accurately over the life of the pavement.

Analysis of the Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide Performance Predictions

Analysis of the Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide Performance Predictions PDF Author: Stacey D. Diefenderfer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Binders (Materials)
Languages : en
Pages : 44

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Book Description
The Guide for Mechanistic-Empirical Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures (MEPDG) is an improved methodology for pavement design and the evaluation of paving materials. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is expecting to transition to using the MEPDG methodology in the near future. The purpose of this research was to support this implementation effort. A catalog of mixture properties from 11 asphalt mixtures (3 surface mixtures, 4 intermediate mixtures, and 4 base mixtures) was compiled along with the associated asphalt binder properties to provide input values. The predicted fatigue and rutting distresses were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the MEPDG software to differences in the mixture properties and to assess the future needs for implementation of the MEPDG. Two pavement sections were modeled: one on a primary roadway and one on an interstate roadway. The MEPDG was used with the default calibration factors. Pavement distress data were compiled for the interstate and primary route corresponding to the modeled sections and were compared to the MEPDG-predicted distresses. Predicted distress quantities for fatigue cracking and rutting were compared to the calculated distress model predictive errors to determine if there were significant differences between material property input levels. There were differences between all rutting and fatigue predictions using Level 1, 2, and 3 asphalt material inputs, although not statistically significant. Various combinations of Level 3 inputs showed expected trends in rutting predictions when increased binder grades were used, but the differences were not statistically significant when the calibration model error was considered. Pavement condition data indicated that fatigue distress predictions were approximately comparable to the pavement condition data for the interstate pavement structure, but fatigue was over-predicted for the primary route structure. Fatigue model predictive errors were greater than the distress predictions for all predictions. Based on the findings of this study, further refinement or calibration of the predictive models is necessary before the benefits associated with their use can be realized. A local calibration process should be performed to provide calibration and verification of the predictive models so that they may accurately predict the conditions of Virginia roadways. Until then, implementation using Level 3 inputs is recommended. If the models are modified, additional evaluation will be necessary to determine if the other recommendations of this study are impacted. Further studies should be performed using Level 1 and Level 2 input properties of additional asphalt mixtures to validate the trends seen in the Level 3 input predictions and isolate the effects of binder grade changes on the predicted distresses. Further, additional asphalt mixture and binder properties should be collected to populate fully a catalog for VDOT's future implementation use. The implementation of these recommendations and use of the MEPDG are expected to provide VDOT with a more efficient and effective means for pavement design and analysis. The use of optimal pavement designs will provide economic benefits in terms of initial construction and lifetime maintenance costs.

Characterization of Material Properties for Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design in Wyoming

Characterization of Material Properties for Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design in Wyoming PDF Author: University of Wyoming. Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Pavements
Languages : en
Pages : 101

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Book Description
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) recently transitioned from the empirical AASHTO Design for Design of Pavement Structures to the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) as their standard pavement design procedure. A comprehensive field and laboratory test program was conducted in Wyoming to characterize the properties of unbound soil materials. The field test program included falling weight deflectometer (FWD), dynamic cone penetration (DCP), standard penetration test (SPT), soil sampling and pavement distress survey. The laboratory test program included standard soil classification tests, R-value test, standard Proctor compaction test, and resilient modulus (Mr) test in accordance with a protocol by modifying the AASHTO T-307 procedure. All test data was stored and managed by an electronic WYOming MEPDG Database (WYOMEP). Using the FWD data, in-place resilient modulus (MR) of each pavement layer was back-calculated using MODCOMP6 and EVERCALC. For MEPDD Level 2 input, correlation studies were performed to adjust back-calculated modulus to laboratory-derived modulus, calibrate constitutive models, develop relationships between resilient modulus and other soil properties, and develop Mr design tables. Furthermore, tables of unbound soil properties were established for MEPDG Level 3 input. Finally, seven pavement designs were evaluated and compared to achieve the target threshold values and reliability level. The design comparisons and resulting outcomes or predicted distresses for a range of new pavement and rehabilitation designs were presented. The outcomes of these trial examples were used to provide revisions to the 2012 WYDOT MEPDG User Guide.

Case Study

Case Study PDF Author: Elias Habib
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dissertations, Academic
Languages : en
Pages : 86

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Book Description


Guide for the Local Calibration of the Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide

Guide for the Local Calibration of the Mechanistic-empirical Pavement Design Guide PDF Author:
Publisher: AASHTO
ISBN: 1560514493
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
This guide provides guidance to calibrate the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) software to local conditions, policies, and materials. It provides the highway community with a state-of-the-practice tool for the design of new and rehabilitated pavement structures, based on mechanistic-empirical (M-E) principles. The design procedure calculates pavement responses (stresses, strains, and deflections) and uses those responses to compute incremental damage over time. The procedure empirically relates the cumulative damage to observed pavement distresses.