Mechanistic-empirical (ME) based pavement design procedures are being used by some DOTs to determine the adequacy of layer thicknesses in new and existing AC and PCC pavements and to verify pavement designs with expected material properties, traffic loading, and climatic conditions. Similarly, the influences of weather related factors and construction practices on pavement response and performance have not been sufficiently examined. Harsh weather conditions and/or improper construction techniques may lead to the development of premature functional and structural types of distress that may ultimately affect pavement serviceability. Thus, the need exists to review and verify ME design methods, along with accompanying climatic models, and to document construction processes for perpetual AC pavements, long-lasting PCC pavements, as well as for several types of rehabilitation applied to existing rigid pavement. This includes an investigation of the influence of the mechanical properties of individual material layers on pavement response and performance. Guidelines have been developed under NCHRP Project 1-37A for designing and analyzing AC and PCC pavement structures. All states will be urged to implement these guidelines which rely largely upon ME techniques for calculating response and performance using projected load, material, and environmental conditions. As with most analytical procedures, actual measured results will likely disagree to some extent with predictions because of inherent localized variations in material properties, construction techniques, climatic conditions, traffic loading, etc. Consequently, state DOTs need to validate the 1-37A guidelines for their areas and make necessary adjustments to the guidelines for accurate predictions of response and performance. States containing diverse materials, different levels of construction expertise or more than one climatic zone may need to perform multiple calibrations. These calibrations entail the comparison of measured and calculated strains, deflections, and pressures for response, and the comparison of measured and calculated distress. Once these data become available, appropriate adjustments can be made to the 1-37A guidelines.

The primary objectives of the proposed research are to: (1)Monitor the new perpetual AC and long-lasting PCC pavements in Ohio, the rehabilitated PCC pavements in New York State, and other existing instrumented pavements in both states. (2)Verify ME design procedures for all pavements in the study. (3) Calibrate ME procedures presented in the NCHRP 1-37A AASHTO Pavement Guide for Ohio and New York State. Develop calibration factors for the distress models in the NCHRP 1-37A software. (4) Controlled testing of perpetual pavement systems.

The project will include the following tasks: Group A - Ohio: A1. Data collection, field sampling, and pavement surveys will be performed on US Routes 23, 30, 33, and 50 and on Interstate 77 in Ohio using SHRP protocols. A2. Strain histories will be reconstructed by conducting nondestructive testing on US 30 in Wayne County, Ohio to validate ME design procedures. A3. Forensic investigations will be performed on test sections that fail. A4. Laboratory tests will be performed on samples collected in forensic investigations. A5. Annual reports summarizing all data and analyses of environmental data will be provided. A6. A data summary and an environmental data analysis related to pavement distress will be generated. A7. Input parameters for the Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model used in NCHRP 1-37A will be determined. Results from the model will be compared with actual field data. A8. Replacement SPS-2 test sections on the SHRP test road on US 23 in Delaware County will be instrumented and monitored. Group B - New York State: B1. Instrumentation installed on Interstate 86 in New York State will be monitored. Sensors will be installed on new test sections and monitored for six years. B2. Construction practices will be reviewed. B3. Data collection, field sampling, and pavement surveys will be performed on I 86 and I 490 in New York State using SHRP protocols for six years. B4. Strain histories on test sections will be reconstructed to calibrate ME design procedures. B5. Forensic investigations of test sections will be performed to document causes of premature failure. B6. Laboratory testing will be used to characterize all materials used in the reconstruction of I 86. B7. Annual reports summarizing data and environmental data analysis will be provided. B8. A data summary and an environmental data analysis related to pavement distress will be generated. Group C - General: C1. Construction, Testing, and Monitoring of Perpetual Pavement Sections at the Accelerated Pavement Load Facility C2. Database Update, Data Summary, and Environmental Data Analysis C3. Verification and Calibration of Mechanistic/Empirical Design Procedures C4 Verification of Models to Predict AC Temperature and Expected Stiffness and Review of the Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model (EICM) C5 National Conference on Perpetual Pavement

starting the reconciliation process.