Effect of the MEPDG Hierarchal Levels on the Predicted Performance of a Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement

Abstract

The primary objective of this research effort is to investigate the impact of using different means of establishing each input (typical value, correlated value or measured value) on pavement design. First, a comparison was made of the design thickness obtained by using the 1993 AASHTO Design Guide with that using the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) developed under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 1-40 (ver. 1.0). It was shown that there can be a considerable difference in design thickness obtained using the 1993 AASHTO Design Guide compared to that of the MEPDG. The MEPDG was then used to determine the slab thickness while defining the input parameters using different input levels for a field test section. Finally, several parameters identified as critical inputs by other researchers based on the results of sensitivity analyses, were evaluated individually by determining the effect of different levels of input for one parameter at a time. The results of the study showed that the use of different levels of input can change the design thickness for this particular section of roadway by up to 51 mm (2 in).