A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO THE FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT DESIGN PROBLEM

Abstract

STUDY WAS CONDUCTED TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE TEXAS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT A RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE FOR THE DESIGN OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS USING AASHO ROAD TEST RESULTS. THE DEVELOPED PROCEDURE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT BOTH PHYSICAL AND COST VARIABLES, AND PROVIDES A MEANS FOR MAKING DESIGN DECISIONS BASED ON PROBABLE OVERALL COSTS RATHER THAN ON INITIAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS. THE FOLLOWING COST VARIABLES ARE CONSIDERED: INITIAL CNSTRUCTION, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, PERIODIC SEAL COATING, OVERLAY CONSTRUCTION, USER COSTS DUE TO TRAFFIC DELAYS DURING OVERLAY CONSTRUCTION, AND SALVAGE VALUE. A COMPUTER PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE DESIGN EQUATIONS IN THE SEARCH FOR THE LEAST-COST DESIGN. A FLEXIBLE COMPUTER PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED WHICH INCLUDES NEW FINDINGS IN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT RESEARCH THAT CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO THE PROGRAM WITH A MINIMUM OF EFFORT.