Researcher's Guide to the Long Term Pavement Performance Layer Thickness Data

Federal Highway Administration2004PDFTech ReportJiang, Y. JaneSelezneva, Olga I.Mladenovic, GoranUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Infrastructure Research and DevelopmentApplied Research Associates. ERES DivisionRichter, Cheryl AllenUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Infrastructure Research and DevelopmentUnited StatesAsphalt pavementsConcrete pavementsPavement performanceThicknessPavement layersSamplingAsphalt pavementsconcrete pavementsLTPPLong term pavement performanceLayer thicknessThickness variationSamplingFHWA-RD-03-040DTFH61-96-C-00003Richter, Cheryl AllenContracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR): Cheryl Allen Richter, HRDI Work was conducted as part of the LTPP Data Analysis Technical Support Contract.The accuracy of layer thickness data has a great impact on the outcome of practically all analyses of pavement performance. A large amount of data related to layer material type and thickness data have been collected as part of the Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program. The main purposes of this researcher's guide for the LTPP thickness data are to: 1. Explain to the LTPP data users what and where different types of layer material type and thickness data reside in the LTPP database, as well as the limitations of the data. 2. Present LTPP thickness within-section variability. 3. Summarize as-designed versus as-constructed layer thickness comparisons. 4. Provide guidelines to search for the most appropriate thickness information for different research purposes. Field sampling, materials testing, and other layer thickness data collection activities utilized by LTPP are discussed, along with the characterization of the within-section thickness variation and designed versus constructed thickness data variations for the LTPP sections. Findings from this study are applicable to pavement design reliability and construction quality assurance applications.96