Model Calibrations with Local APT Data and Implementation for Focused Solutions to NAFTA Problems

Project Description

With increased trade courtesy of the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA), state departments of transportation have refocused attention on the need to understand the impact of heavier axle loads and new axle configurations on state highway networks. These heavy loads and different vehicle configurations, such as super-single tires and tridem-axles, will have a major impact on the performance of highway networks and creates an urgent need for ways to predict any increased pavement damage and related economic effects.

TTI researchers evaluated existing laboratory test procedures for characterizing rutting resistance using cores with variable rut depths. Tests reviewed as part of the project include VESYS5, repeated shear, Hamburg wheel tracking, Hveem stability, asphalt pavement analyzer, resilient modulus, and dynamic modulus tests. The researchers also developed a procedure to calibrate performance models and an overlay tester-based fatigue cracking prediction approach to characterize fracture properties of asphalt mixes.

The project achieved significant progress in both laboratory characterization of pavement materials and associated pavement performance prediction. Findings from the project provide methods that can be incorporated into the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide and the Texas mechanistic-empirical asphalt pavement structural design program.

Project Publications

VESYS5 Rutting Model Calibrations with Local Accelerated Pavement Test Data and Associated Implementation 9-1502-01-2

Guidelines for Developing Input Parameters of Enhanced VESYS5 Program 9-1502-01-P5

Model Calibrations with Local APT Data and Implementation for Focused Solutions to NAFTA 9-1502-01-S

Input Parameters of Enhanced VESYS5 9-1502-01-4

Asphalt Pavement Performance Analysis Tool: TTI VESYS5W 9-1502-01-5

Development and Verification of the Overlay Tester Based Fatigue Cracking Prediction Approach 9-1502-01-8

Integrated Pavement Damage Analyzer (INTPAVE) Graphical User Interface Manual 9-1502-01-P13

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