Framework for Hybrid Performance-Based Quality Assurance for Flexible Airfield Pavements

Abstract

It is common practice to adopt prescription specifications and performance-related specifications in airfield pavement construction. Limited studies have been reported in the literature on quality assurance procedures for flexible airfield pavements, their shortcomings, and efforts for their enhancement. This paper tackles these issues and presents a hybrid performance-based quality assurance framework for flexible airfield pavements. The proposed framework employs a classical performance-related (volumetrics-based) laboratory testing protocol, shadowed by performance testing and associated mechanistic-empirical analysis for performance prediction. The framework is illustrated through a case study involving a recently constructed airfield pavement. Performance tests consist of Hamburg Wheel Track Testing (HWTT) and complex modulus, E*, testing. In addition, dynamic modulus mastercurves are used in mechanistic-empirical performance prediction models to predict asphalt rutting at the end of the pavement’s design service life. Acceptance criteria and pay adjustments are developed based on volumetrics, performance test results, and mechanistic-empirical rut prediction results, and are compared to determine the overall pay adjustments for the project.