Incorporating local calibrations into M-E rigid design tables based on the AASHTO M-E design procedure

Abstract

The paper describes the development of an agency-specific rigid design procedure using the AASHTO M-E design procedure. Furthermore, this local design procedure can include local calibrations of the mechanistic-empirical models used in the AASHTO M-E procedure. The local procedure restricts the user to pre-determined design input parameters, but in these restrictions provides the agency with the opportunity to closely investigate and design for local issues in pavement design. These parameters can include special climate files (or considerations), design cross-sections unique to an agency, traffic load spectra based on weigh-in-motion data, and special inputs related to local concretes. Furthermore, the localization of the AASHTO M-E procedure allows the agency the opportunity to develop an alternative to the AASHTO reliability analysis. The final local procedure can be implemented in whatever software the agency chooses. The final procedure is then beneficial in many aspects: 1) It provides a simplified design scheme that provides pavement engineers with near instantaneous design results, 2) The design results take advantage of the AASHTO M-E models yet include local calibrations and agency design considerations, and 3) The agency design procedure is under the control of the agency and can be modified, localized, upgraded, etc. at the discretion of the agency.