DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEM FOR THE EVALUATION OF PAVEMENTS IN INDIANA
Abstract
Pavements represent a major portion of the huge national investment in highway networks. In order to optimally manage the national investment in pavements and keep track of their status and performance, many state highway departments are developing Pavement Management Systems, PMS. Pavement Condition evaluation is a vital component of any pavement management system. Evaluation is the main source of information for determining the status and rehabilitation needs of the pavement sections within the highway network. The objective of this research study was to develop procedures and techniques for conducting pavement condition surveys (using the Roadmeter, Dynaflect and skid tester) to collect pavement condition information needed as input to a statewide comprehensive pavement evaluation system. To achieve the objective of the study, two main experiments were designed to collect and analyze data from in-service pavements in Indiana. Each of the two experiments included the four primary pavement types--asphalt, overlay, jointed concrete and continuously reinforced concrete pavements. Both experiments were concerned with examining the three pavement properties involved in the evaluation process: serviceability, structural adequacy and skid resistance as measured by the Roadmeter, Dynaflect and skid tester, respectively. The first experiment aimed at examining the seasonal changes in pavement properties. Deflection data collected on a seasonal basis showed that seasonal changes have appreciable effects on the deflections of asphalt, overlay and jointed concrete pavements. Regression correlations were developed for predicting maximum spring deflection of asphalt pavements from summer and fall measurements. The analysis of roughness data showed that the seasonal effects on the measured roughness were minor for all the four pavement types included in the study. Simple and easy-to-use PSI models were developed for predicting the panel rating of pavement serviceability from Roadmeter roughness measurements. Significant differences were found between the fall and spring skid numbers with the spring values being higher for both asphalt and concrete surfaces. An investigation was made to examine the change in the expected service life of the designed asphalt overlay as a function of the error in estimating the representative deflection at different levels of traffic volumes. The second experiment was concerned with examining the variability of pavement properties along highway contract sections. Deflection variability studies indicated that pavement deflections vary significantly from location to location within the same contract. Therefore, for the soil conditions included in this study, and for the length of contract sections in Indiana it was determined that Dynaflect tests should cover the entire length of the contract under evaluation. Recommendations were made relative to the optimal Dynaflect testing intensity on each pavement type. The roughness data showed that one pass of the Roadmeter would provide an accurate roughness indication. It was also found that roughness variation between the two lanes on two-lane highways was generally nonsignificant. Skid variability studies indicated that the friction measurements must cover the entire length of the contract being evaluated. Based on the estimated components of skid resistance variability; correlations were developed between the testing intensity and the accuracy of the measurements. Finally, a discussion of the framework of a comprehensive evaluation system and its interrelated activities involved in the evaluation process is presented.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Civil engineering
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