Mechanistic-Empirical Data Collection Approach for Rigid Pavements: Fid-Bau Portal

Mechanistic-Empirical Data Collection Approach for Rigid Pavements

C. I. Medina-Chavez / M. Won

This report summarizes the tasks performed for TxDOT Research Project 0-5445 Project Level Performance Database for Rigid Pavements in Texas. Other pavement databases have been evaluated and their successes and failures have been considered for the preparation of this database. It is intended that the information obtained for this study is fully useful for the validation and calibration of a mechanistic-empirical (M-E) model. A database structure has been proposed and data collection efforts have followed a methodology that will ensure the quality of the data. To address the M-E component, researchers reviewed the continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) design logic adopted in the mechanistic empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG) and performed sensitivity analysis. In the MEPDG, two design criteria were selected for CRCP performanceIRI and punchouts. Because only punchouts were included in IRI prediction, punchouts represent the only structural distress analyzed in MEPDG. Top-down cracking was adopted as the only mechanism for punchouts. Experience in Texas and Illinois indicate that there might be punchouts mechanisms other than top-down cracking. Sensitivity analysis was performed for key input variables to evaluate the reasonableness of the outputs from MEPDG. The results indicated that zero-stress temperature, and the percent and depth of the longitudinal steel, have substantial effects on punchouts.