Janani Iyer
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
The optimization of road pavement thickness plays a crucial role in ensuring structural durability, cost efficiency, and long-term performance of highway infrastructure. This study focuses on utilizing the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) pavement design standards to develop an optimized approach for determining appropriate pavement thickness. The AASHTO 1993 design method, widely adopted by engineering agencies until 2019, serves as the foundation for analysis. Factors such as traffic loading, subgrade strength, material properties, and environmental conditions are considered. Statistical modeling and sensitivity analysis are performed to evaluate the influence of these parameters on pavement thickness. The results demonstrate that optimized thickness design, aligned with AASHTO guidelines, can lead to significant cost savings while maintaining desired pavement performance. Limitations of the study are addressed, and recommendations for future research are suggested.
Keywords Pavement thickness optimization, AASHTO standards, pavement design, structural capacity, subgrade strength, traffic loading.
REFERENCES
Zhang, Y., & Luo, R. (2010). Optimization of flexible pavement design using AASHTO 1993 guide. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2154(1), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.3141/2154-13
Al-Qadi, I. L., Elseifi, M. A., & Carpenter, S. H. (2011). Reconsideration of AASHTO pavement design method. International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 12(2), 121–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2010.530847
Andrei, D., Witczak, M. W., & El-Basyouny, M. (2010). Evaluation of mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide inputs for flexible pavement design. Journal of the Transportation Research Forum, 49(4), 101–119.
Mazari, M., & Rodriguez-Ruiz, J. (2015). Sensitivity analysis of AASHTO 93 pavement design inputs using Monte Carlo simulation. Procedia Engineering, 123, 372–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2015.10.054
Islam, M. R., & Buttlar, W. G. (2013). Finite-element modeling approach for AASHTO-based pavement design. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 139(6), 596–604. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)TE.1943-5436.0000539
Kumar, P., & Das, A. (2012). Mechanistic design of flexible pavement considering dynamic response of pavement layers. International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology, 5(6), 359–366.
Roshani, H., & Roshani, M. M. (2016). Flexible pavement optimization using AASHTO and evolutionary computation methods. Construction and Building Materials, 125, 547–554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.078
Thube, D. T. (2014). Optimization of pavement thickness using genetic algorithm and AASHTO standards. International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 6(3), 154–160.
Shenoy, A., & John, M. (2011). Revised AASHTO-based flexible pavement thickness design for tropical climates. Indian Highways, 39(5), 29–37.
Ahmed, S., & George, K. P. (2017). Impact of subgrade strength variability on AASHTO-based flexible pavement thickness design. Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology, 4(3), 179–195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40515-017-0033-1
Gharavi, H., & Hassani, A. (2018). Sensitivity analysis and optimization of flexible pavement thickness design based on AASHTO. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part B: Pavements, 144(3), 04018027. https://doi.org/10.1061/JPEODX.0000043
Diefenderfer, B. K., & Apeagyei, A. K. (2013). Comparison of performance predictions between AASHTO 1993 and MEPDG. Virginia Transportation Research Council Report VTRC 13-R10.
