EFFECT OF VARIABILITY AND CENTRAL TENDENCY IN PERFORMANCE-RELATED SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONCRETE PAVEMENTS

Abstract

Performance-related specifications (PRS) for the acceptance of newly constructed jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP) have been developed over the past decade. A PRS is a construction specification that describes the target levels of key materials and construction acceptance quality characteristics (AQC’s) that have been found to correlate with key pavement performance indicators (distresses and smoothness). These AQC’s (e.g., initial smoothness, thickness, strength, air content, and percent consolidation around dowels) are amenable to acceptance testing at the time of construction. PRS also provide rational methods for contract price adjustment based on the difference between the as-designed (target) and as-constructed life cycle costs (LCC’s) of the pavements. PRS employ distress and smoothness prediction models to accurately relate the AQC’s to future pavement performance and associated LCC. This paper shows a complete sensitivity of the central tendency (mean) and variability (standard deviation) of key AQC’s related to PRS developed for JPCP. The analysis is conducted using data from a recently completed PRS project in Indiana (I-465) and an ongoing PRS project in Florida (I-295). Specifically, this analysis demonstrates the influence of AQC quality on pay factor (an indicator of pavement performance). This information is particularly beneficial to contractors because it helps identify the key AQC’s (and quality level for each) on which they should focus to ensure that 1) the provided quality satisfies the highway agency and 2) the incentive payment is maximized. This work shows the critical factors and variations of those factors that can lead to improved quality pavement and lower LCC.