MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	Enhancement of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide for Roadway Design, and Construction in the State of Wyoming
Authors:	Kam Ng, Melake Brhanemeskel, and Khaled Ksaibati
University:	University of Wyoming
Publication Date:	Mar 2019
Report #:	MPC-19-380
Project #:	MPC-471
TRID #:	01707770
Keywords:	alternatives analysis, asphalt concrete pavements, calibration, costs, dynamic penetration test, mechanistic-empirical pavement design, modulus of resilience, pavement distress, pavement performance, soil penetration test, subgrade (pavements), thickness

Abstract

To facilitate the implementation of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide in Wyoming, this research investigated the relationships between subgrade resilient modulus (Mr) and the dynamic cone penetration and the standard penetration test results, selected three best subgrade Mr predictive models based on Mr and distress estimations, and determined the sensitivity of design parameters on pavement distresses. To enhance the prediction of pavement performance distresses, 11 subgrade Mr predictive models were evaluated, and three best models were identified and selected. All pavement distresses were found to be sensitive to asphalt concrete thickness and most distresses were found to be non-sensitive to asphalt concrete grade, base thickness, and base Mr. Finally, pavement design comparisons were made between the WYDOT 2012 user design guide and the recommended design guide based on locally calibrated properties. The average overall cost per square yard of the pavement structure designed using the WYDOT 2012 user design guide was found to be 21% higher than that based on the recommended design guide.

How to Cite

Ng, Kam, Melake Brhanemeskel, and Khaled Ksaibati. Enhancement of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide for Roadway Design, and Construction in the State of Wyoming, MPC-19-380. North Dakota State University - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, Fargo: Mountain-Plains Consortium, 2019.