| A model for predicting flexible pavement performance was developed from AASHO Road Test data. The pavement condition indicator selected for quantifying performance is pavement surface roughness which was found to be highly correlated with pavement serviceability as perceived by the road user. In the development of the model, pavement performance was initially defined as the history of a pavement condition indicator(s) over time or with increasing axle load applications. Consequently, the performance model developed predicts the trend in pavement surface roughness with cumulative axle load applications.;Since strain basins provide more information on the pavement response under load than just the maximum pavement response, indices determined from an evaluation of subgrade compressive and asphalt tensile strain basins were evaluated for their utility as performance predictors. The results obtained strongly indicate that strain basin indices are important predictors of the performance of AASHO flexible pavement sections. In addition, a sensitivity analysis of the performance model showed that service life predictions are sensitive to asphalt concrete thickness, initial Present Serviceability Index, asphalt concrete modulus, and subgrade material parameters. The influence of the stress sensitivity of unbound pavement materials on predicted performance is also significant. |
