PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF THE ILLINOIS INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM

Abstract

The Illinois Interstate highway system consists primarily of CRCP and JRCP. These pavements were constructed mostly between 1957 and 1980. Extensive pavement design, traffic and performance data were obtained from 3400 one-directional miles of Interstate highway. The average ESALs application rate has increased by an annual compounded growth rate of 7 percent, far more than expected. Survival curves showing the percent of total length overlaid as a function of age and ESALs were developed for each pavement type and design. The average life span until 50 percent of the sections were rehabilitated was 23 years, after earring about triple the design ESALs over that time period. Durability cracking ("D" cracking) of PCC aggregates severely affects CRCP performance, shortening the average life by five years or more. The average life of JRCP was shortened only by about one year by "D" cracking. Overall, 8 in CRCP performed equally as well as 10 in JRCP, however, non "D" cracked 8 in CRCP performed better than 10 in JRCP. Overall, even though there have been a variety of specific design, materials and construction problems, the Illinois CRCP and JRCP have performed very well in carrying far more than their design traffic.