Contribution to the mechanistic-empirical roughness prediction in asphalt pavements

Abstract

The guarantee of traffic conditions with safety and comfort is one of the primary aims during a road structure design. Thus, this study aims to contribute to the roughness prediction, represented by the International Roughness Index (IRI), by developing models that describe the functional performance of Brazilian pavements. With monitoring actions carried out in sites located in Santa Maria/RS and Rio de Janeiro/RJ, the paper sought to evaluate the IRI's evolution. The mechanistic methodology was inserted to the study's scope by predicting the IRI evolution using the average fatigue damage, which was calculated with FlexPAVETM software. The procedure enabled the development of a mechanistic-empirical model, based on the initial IRI obtained after the end of the construction process and the computationally asphalt layers calculated damage. The developed model was also validated with other sites within the Brazilian territory, which results in significant practical applicability.

KEYWORDS:

• Roughness
• performance prediction
• mechanistic analysis
• S-VECD
• FlexPAVE^TM

Acknowledgements

The authors would also like to thank all the institutions that form the Asphalt Technology Network, especially the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), the University of São Paulo (USP), and the CCR Nova Dutra Concession, which, through the ANP/PETROBRAS, made available the information regarding the experimental sites used in the validation phase of the rouguhness prediction models this study developed.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This study was conducted with the support of: ANP – National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels/PETROBRAS (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.), Brazil, associated with the investment of resources from the RD&I Clauses; Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel – Brazil (CAPES) of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).