Performance of Full‐Scale Pavements Under Accelerated Loading

Abstract

This paper describes the performance of two pavement sections at the FHWA's Pavement Testing Facility. The sections are classified as thin and thick flexible pavements and were designed according to the new AASHTO design guide. The accelerated loading facility (ALF) was used to load the test pavements. The functional and structural performances of the test sections were evaluated at various stages of the loading history. Roughness, rutting, and cracking were the indicators of functional performance. In situ tensile strains at the bottom of the asphalt layer, pavement surface deflections, and deflections under FWD loading were used for the structural performance evaluation. Pavement temperature, moisture content, and environmental data were also collected. The variation in both functional and structural performance indicators were monitored as a function of 18‐kip‐equivalent single‐axle loads. Performance indicators such as slope variance and present serviceability index were evaluated and monitored as a function of number of load repetitions. The in situ strains, measured by strain gages, were compared to theoretical strains throughout the loading periods. Finally, the actual performance life of the pavement was compared to the design life predicted by the AASHTO design guide.