Predicting equations for determining layer elastic moduli by using Deflection Basin Parameters (DBPs) from Falling Weight Deflectometer

ABSTRACT

This paper presents models that correlate deflection basin parameters (DBP) with seed moduli, which are the input of the backcalculation processes. The models were obtained by means of statistical analyses of a set of DBPs for different pavement structures. The proposed equations showed potential and increased accuracy in the estimation of seed moduli, since these are derived from DBP-based models that consider the deflection basin geometry. To evaluate the effectiveness of the models, they were applied to pavements located in five regions of Brazil, and a good approximation between the values of the seed and backcalculated moduli was observed. Therefore, there was less computational effort in the backcalculation process, since the closeness between the values of the moduli reduced the amount of iterations required. In pavements with different structures and boundary conditions, the methodology can be used to achieve more refined results.

KEYWORDS:

• Backcalculation
• deflection basin parameters (DBPs)
• seed moduli
• resilient moduli

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).