Pavement Fatigue Degradation Phenomenon Assessment Based on Multi-load FWD Data and Stochastic Process Evaluation

Abstract

On the example of the road pavement of a semi-rigid structure, this paper presents the concept of the parameters estimation of the experimental section tested after 30 years of use. In the context of the lack of technical history data of the analyzed road section, the resultant (conventional multilayer system, which is pavement and its subgrade) stiffness was analyzed in relation to the moment it was built. The analysis was performed using the concept of multilevel loadings, with the use of FWD-type equipment. The considerations are related to the slope coefficients of linear regression obtained on the basis of a research program in the range of the loads up to 90 kN. There were compared the differences between slope of the regression function for the force-deflection relation between the results of the deflection measurements of the test section after 30 years of use and the slope coefficients for the pavement structure parameters estimated on the basis of both expert judgments and computer simulations, as well as the back forecast. For the forecast, the properties of the stochastic process determined by the Poisson distribution were used.