Concrete Pavement Design Analysis Using AASHTOWare Pavement Mechanistic-Empirical Design Software

Local calibration of pavement performance models embedded in the AASHTOWare Pavement Mechanistic-Empirical Design (PMED) software may be needed to implement this design methodology. A recent survey showed that, despite local calibration, several state highway agencies in the U.S. are using the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide for Design of Pavement Structures (1993 version) and the PMED software for comparative design of jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP). This paper describes the recalibration process of the JPCP distress models in the PMED software and comparative designs obtained by the PMED software and 1993 AASHTO design guide. The results show that the calibration/recalibration process depends on the availability of measured performance data. Not all global coefficients must be changed in the calibration/recalibration process. The 1993 AASHTO design guide yielded higher JPCP slab thickness for projects with high truck traffic than the PMED software when no friction is assumed between the slab and a cementitious base. An assumption of full friction will have a discernible effect on the slab thickness obtained from PMED.