MECHANISTIC-EMPIRICAL FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT DESIGN: AN OVERVIEW

Activities associated with the development of the revised AASHTO Guide for the Design of Pavement Structures (1986 edition) prompted the AASHTO Joint Task Force on Pavements (JTFOP) recommendation to immediately initiate research with the objective of developing mechanistic pavement analysis and design procedures suitable for use in future versions of the AASHTO guide. The mechanistic-empirical (M-E) principles and concepts stated in the AASHTO guide were included in the NCHRP 1-26 (Calibrated Mechanistic Structural Analysis Procedures for Pavements) project statement. It was not the purpose of NCHRP Project 1-26 to devote significant effort to develop new technology but to assess, evaluate, and apply available M-E technology. Thus, the proposed processes and procedures were based on the best demonstrated available technology. NCHRP Project 1-26 has been completed and the comprehensive reports are available. M-E flexible pavement design is a reality. Some state highway agencies (Kentucky and Illinois) hav...