Analytical Redesign Approach for Flexible Pavement Using Non-Destructive Tests

Resumé

The present paper presents the methodology and the results of an analytical redesign approach for a new typical flexible pavement of a four-lane dual carriageway highway within a Public Private Partnership (PPP) concession system. Prior to the construction of the pavement, a trial section was constructed taking into account the outcome of an analytical pavement design procedure. On the surface of the pavement, Non Destructive Testing (NDT) was carried out using the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD). In respect to the measured deflections, a back-analysis was applied, in order to assess the modulus values of the AC, the unbound layers and the subgrade. A strain response analysis was undertaken and the calculated critical strains using the in situ collected data were evaluated. Following the results of the analytical redesign procedure, it was concluded that the in situ characteristics of the materials differ from the material input data used for the mechanistic pavement design. Taking advantage of the calculated in situ characteristics it may be possible to achieve more reliable results in terms of a rational analytical pavement design approach.