Mechanistic approach to predict service life of flexible pavements subjected to heavy traffic loads

Operation of specialty trucks with heavy axle and wheel loads can result in significant loss of service life of pavements. This study aimed to propose a mechanistic framework for the characterisation of the remaining service life (RSL) of pavements with heavy truck traffic operations. A field testing plan was devised to collect relevant information on traffic and pavement structural properties in ten heavily trafficked roadways in Texas. Portable Weight-in-Motion devices and Non-Destructive Testing were deployed to collect site-specific axle load spectra and pavement layer configurations, respectively. Furthermore, a novel methodology was developed for the mechanistic quantification of the loss of pavement life due to the recent changes in traffic characteristics, considering demanding loading conditions and environmental effects. The results underscored the importance of roadway type and its role in damage assessment procedures. Further comparison of the analysed results, using the developed framework, with field measurement records also showed sound agreements.