APPLICATION OF EMPIRICAL AND MECHANISTIC-EMPIRICAL PAVEMENT DESIGN PROCEDURES TO MN/ROAD CONCRETE PAVEMENT TEST SECTIONS

摘要: Current pavement design procedures are based principally on empirical approaches. The current trend toward developing more mechanistic-empirical type methods led Minnesota to develop the Road Research Project (Mn/ROAD), a long-term testing facility. project consists of 40 heavily instrumented test sections, 14 which jointed plain concrete (JPC) designs. Mn/ROAD researchers determine predicted lives sections by applying and as-built data three currently accepted methods: Department Transportation's rigid guidelines; American Association State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide for Design Pavement Structures 1993; Portland Cement (PCA) Thickness Concrete Street Pavements (1984). analysis began with determining applicable parameter values each respective method. Applying parameters resulted in widely varied predictions life. For 1993 AASHTO method, reliability levels 50% 95% were applied comparison. An experimental procedure converting PCA method fatigue erosion results CESALs (concrete equivalent single axle loads) demonstrated unsuitability. Validation presented will occur as cells reach their terminal serviceability.