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Title:

PROBABILISTIC MODELING OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

Accession Number:

00607737

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309050707

Abstract:

A number of uncertainties and random factors play a role in the deterioration process of pavements under the effect of traffic. A probabilistic approach can make allowance for the stochastic nature of this process and provide a better rationale for the design methods. An extension in this direction of the empirical design method derived from the AASHO road tests for flexible pavements with unbounded granular layers is presented. The probabilistic development addresses two aspects of the problem. First, the reliability assessment of a pavement section is obtained by considering the Shook and Finn design equation as a function of two random variables--the expected number of traffic loads and the California bearing ratio (CBR) of the subgrade soil. The formulation is a second-order, second-moment development of this equation. It requires knowledge of only the means and standard deviations of the random variables. This model compares favorably with a statistical analysis of the AASHO test results. A sensitivity analysis indicates that the CBR variability has a dramatic influence on the pavement reliability. The uncertainty on the expected traffic loads has little effect on the reliability for a large number of axle loads. Hence, the mean value of the expected traffic load is a sufficient estimate of this parameter. Second, an analytical model is formulated for the coefficients of equivalence of the (unbounded) granular materials of the base and subbase courses, using the theory of stochastic stress propagation in particulate media. It is shown that these coefficients are representative of the ability of the granular course to spread the applied load in a diffusion process. They are expressed as functions of the angle of internal friction of the material, and a modified formulation is derived for the equivalent thickness of the pavement.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1286, Design and Evaluation of Rigid and Flexible Pavements 1990. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

Monograph Accession #:

01411074

Authors:

Bourdeau, Philippe L

Pagination:

p. 184-191

Publication Date:

1990

Serial:

Transportation Research Record

Issue Number: 1286
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

ISBN:

0309050707

Features:

Figures (8) ; References (15) ; Tables (2)

Identifier Terms:

AASHO Road Test

Old TRIS Terms:

Subject Areas:

Data and Information Technology; Design; Freight Transportation; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Apr 30 1991 12:00AM

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