PPRC14 SPE 3.31: Improved ME Design Algorithms and Reliability Approach

The objective of this project is to improve the ability/reliability of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and national Mechanistic-Empirical (M-E) procedures to predict pavement distresses. Update/add algorithms for asphalt fatigue cracking, thermal reflection cracking, top-down cracking, full-depth reclamation and raveling. Address asphalt recovery between truck loadings, and the interaction of truck traffic loading and temperature for asphalt surfaced pavement. Address upcoming changes in American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) test methods for asphalt fatigue cracking and translation of data from repeated shear to the new Asphalt Material Performance Tester (AMPT) equipment. Improve roughness progression algorithms for asphalt and concrete. Update calibration of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) models for jointed plain concrete (JPC) transverse cracking and faulting using new condition survey data. Complete study investigating range of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values.