Effect of PCC Material Properties on MEPDG Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) Performance Prediction

Abstract

This paper focuses on comprehensive sensitivity analyses of various rigid pavement scenarios. Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) sections designed for three traffic levels in each of five climate zones are evaluated in the sensitivity analyses. One-at-a-time (OAT) local sensitivity analysis was implemented using a design limit normalized sensitivity index (NSI) to provide both quantitative and qualitative sensitivity information. All portland cement concrete (PCC) material properties examined showed sensitivity to at least one rigid pavement performance measure. The highest ranked sensitive inputs for JPCP analysis include the PCC strength and stiffness properties and the curling and warping related properties. The findings of this study can provide some practical guidance in PCC material property selection for rigid pavement practitioners in using MEPDG.