Enhancement of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide for Roadway Design, and Construction in the State of Wyoming

2019PDFTech ReportMPC 19-380Alternatives analysisAsphaltAsphalt concrete pavementsCalibrationCostsDynamic penetration testMechanistic-empirical pavement designModulus of resiliencePavement distressPavement performanceSoil penetration testSubgrade (Pavements)ThicknessUnited StatesWyomingMountain Plains ConsortiumNg, KamBrhanemeskel, Melake AKsaibati, KhaledMountain Plains ConsortiumWyoming. Department of TransportationUS Transportation CollectionTo facilitate the implementation of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) in Wyoming, this research investigated the relationships between subgrade resilient modulus (Mr) and the dynamic cone penetration (DCP) and the standard penetration test (SPT) 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 (AC) 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.83