Question 1 (AASHTO METHOD)

Given the flexible pavement structure below, answer the following questions.

SN1 = 3.4; a1 = 0.38

SN2 = 4.3; a2 = 0.14; m2 = 1.0
SN3 = 6.0; a3 = 0.07; m3 = 1.0
Reliability = 95%
So = 0.45
ΔPSI = 2
ESALs = 15 x 106
Subgrade MR = 5ksi

a) Determine the design layer thicknesses for D1, D2 and D3

SN = a1D1 + a2D2m2 + a3D3m3

SN1 = a1D1
D1 = SN1/ a1 = 3.4/0.38 = 8.95 in ≈ 9 in #

SN2 = a1D1 + a2D2m2

D2 = (SN2 - a1D1)/ a2m2 = (4.3 – 0.38(9))/ 0.14(1) = 6.286 in ≈ 6.5 in #

SN3 = a1D1 + a2D2m2 + a3D3m3

D3 = (SN3 - a1D1 - a2D2m2)/ a3m3 = (6 – 0.38(9) – 0.14(6.5)(1.0))/ 0.07(1.0) = 23.86 in ≈ 24 in #

b) Compute the D1 if a full depth perpetual pavement were to be constructed?

SN = a1D1 + a2D2m2 + a3D3m3

SN = 0.38(9) + 0.14(6.5)(1.0) + 0.07(24)(1.0)
SN = 6.01

Full depth perpetual pavement

D1 = SN/ a1 = 6.01/0.38 = 15.82 in ≈ 16 in #
Question 2 (AASHTO Method)
Design a flexible pavement for an urban interstate highway using AASHTO 1993 guide
procedure to carry a design ESAL of 4 x 106. For the drainage quality, it is estimated that it
takes about a week for water to be drained from within the pavement and the pavement structure
will be exposed to moisture level approaching saturation for 27% of the time. The following
additional information is available:
Resilience modulus of asphalt concrete at 68°F = 450,000 lb/in2
CBR value of base course material = 100, MR = 31,000 lb/in2
CBR value of subbase course material = 22, MR = 13,500 lb/in2
CBR value of subgrade material = 8

Determine an appropriate pavement structure. State all assumptions made and attach the related
design charts together with you answer sheets.

Solution:

Determine the structure number (SN) based on the provided nomograph

Prior to determining the SN, define the reliability level, standard deviation, resilient of each
layer, and design serviceability loss
➢ Reliability level (R)
Functional classification Urban Rural
Interstate and other freeways 85-99.9 80-99.9
Other principal arterials 80-99 75-95
Collectors 80-95 75-95
Local 50-80 50-80

Reliability level (R) = 95%

➢ Standard Deviation (So)

Pavement type Standard Deviation (So)
Flexible pavement 0.40-0.50
Rigid pavement 0.30-0.40

Standard Deviation (So) = 0.45

 ➢ Resilient Modulus, MR

MR of base course to determine SN1 = 31 x 103

MR of subbase course to determine SN2 = 13.5 x 103
MR of subgrade course to determine SN3 = 8 x 1500 = 12 x 103

➢ Design serviceability loss, ΔPSI

Initial serviceability index (Pi) = 4.5

Terminal serviceability index (Pt) = 2.5

ΔPSI = 4.5 – 2.5 = 2.0

➢ Structural Layer Coefficient (a1, a2, and a3)

a1 = 0.44

a2 = 0.14
 a3 = 0.10

➢ Drainage quality, mi
Quality of drainage Water removed within (Time required to
drain the base layer to 50% saturation)
Excellent 2 hours
Good 1 day
Fair 1 week
Poor 1 month
Very poor Water will not drain

% of time pavement structure is exposed to moisture levels approaching

Quality of saturation
Drainage
Less than 1% 1 – 5% 5 – 25% Greater than 25%
Excellent 1.40 – 1.35 1.35 – 1.30 1.30 – 1.20 1.20
Good 1.35 – 1.25 1.25 – 1.15 1.15 – 1.00 1.00
Fair 1.25 – 1.15 1.15 – 1.05 1.00 – 0.80 0.80
Poor 1.15 – 1.05 1.05 – 0.80 0.80 – 0.60 0.60
Very poor 1.05 – 0.95 0.95 – 0.75 0.75 – 0.40 0.40
 ➢ Therefore:

SN1 = 2.7
SN2 = 3.7
SN3 = 3.9

m2 / m3 = 0.80

a1 = 0.44
a2 = 0.14
a3 = 0.10

➢ Determine the design layer thicknesses for D1, D2 and D3

SN = a1D1 + a2D2m2 + a3D3m3

SN1 = a1D1
D1 = SN1/ a1 = 2.7/0.44 = 6.14 in ≈ 6.5 in #

SN2 = a1D1 + a2D2m2

D2 = (SN2 - a1D1)/ a2m2 = (3.7 – 0.44(6.5))/ 0.14(0.8) = 7.5 in #

SN3 = a1D1 + a2D2m2 + a3D3m3

D3 = (SN3 - a1D1 - a2D2m2)/ a3m3 = (3.9 – 0.44(6.5) – 0.14(8)(0.8))/ 0.1(0.8) = 1.8 in ≈ 2 in #

➢ Check with AASHTO recommended minimum thickness of highway layers

Traffic ESALs Minimum thickness (in)

Asphalt concrete Aggregate base
Less than 50, 000 1.0 (or surface treatment) 4
50,001 – 150,000 2 4
150,001 – 500,000 2.5 4
500,001 – 2,000,000 3 6
2,000,001- 7,000,000 3.5 6
Greater than 7,000,000 4 6

Therefore:
D1 = 6.5 in > 3.5 in OK!
D2 = 7.5 in > 6 in OK!