Analysis of Flexible Pavement Distresses on IRI Model

This paper comprehensively analyzed the several existing typical international roughness index (IRI) models, and evaluated three existing models that describe the relationship between the pavement age and IRI values for selection of a best one as initial model. For those highly correct variables to the establishment of IRI model, this paper explored the data combination and interpolation. Finally, this paper tested the established IRI prediction model using long term pavement performance (LTPP) data. In order to evaluate the effect of site factors and climate conditions on the established IRI model, this paper used LTPP data from three states: New Jersey, Washington DC/Virginia, and Maryland to check their effects. This paper has compared our IRI model with other existing models, and analyzed the relationship between the IRI model and distresses. The results have demonstrated that the distress characteristics identified in this paper are directly related to incremental changes in the IRI and have a significant effect on incremental changes in IRI with time.