Development, calibration, and validation of performance prediction models for the Texas M-E flexible pavement design system.
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2010-08-01
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Alternative Title:Project title: Develop test procedures to characterize material response behavior and transfer functions for TxDOT M-E design
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Edition:Technical report; Sept. 2008-Aug. 2009.
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Abstract:This study was intended to recommend future directions for the development of TxDOT’s Mechanistic-Empirical
(TexME) design system. For stress predictions, a multi-layer linear elastic system was evaluated and its validity was
verified by comparing the measured tensile strains under accelerated pavement (ALF) loading with the computed
values. After reviewing all existing pavement performance models, the VESYS model was recommended for predicting
flexible pavement layer rutting and an Overlay Tester-based fatigue cracking model was proposed, which includes both
crack initiation and propagation models.
For hot-mix asphalt (HMA) rutting predictions, the dynamic modulus test and repeated load test are proposed to
provide material properties. The proposed HMA rutting model was calibrated using the rutting data from the NCAT
test track and the Texas LTPP-SPS 5 test sections. The proposed fatigue cracking models were calibrated with
performance data from NCAT. Resilient modulus and permanent deformation testing is recommended for base and
subgrade materials and future research efforts are required to improve the repeatability of the permanent deformation
test. For stabilized bases the traditional fatigue models are recommended and calibration factors were proposed based
on existing accelerated pavement test data.
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the adequacy of the LoadGage program to compute allowable axle
load limits for thin pavements. On sections trafficked to failure, very good results were obtained when moisture
correction factors were applied to the laboratory measured engineering properties. Implementation should proceed by
incorporating the proposed models and default material properties into a design software package, upgrading the
available repeated load equipment, performing additional calibration, and developing additional default values for a
w ider range of Texas materials.
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