Structural Deterioration Model for Rigid Airfield Pavements

Abstract

Corps of Engineers accelerated traffic tests were reanalyzed to develop a structural deterioration model for airfield pavements. Test‐back performance was measured in terms of structural condition index varying from zero to 100. This index is derived from the pavement‐condition index. Pavement performance is predicted in terms of a structural condition index from the pavement's layered elastic stresses, flexural strength, and number of traffic loads. This model was compared to other design criteria, unfailed test sections, and three failed airfield pavements and gave reasonable agreement. This model only accounts for damage from fatigue loading, and there are a number of other potential pavement‐distress modes that it does not include. Each of these distress modes needs to be evaluated separately.