Development of analytical/empirical performance parameters for the structural evaluation of asphalt pavements

A research program has been set up by the State Roads and Hydraulics Division (DWW) and the Delft University of Technology to develop a procedure that would predict the residual structural lives of pavement segments and would classify them rather simply. Other investigations in this field have already provided valuable results. The input of such a procedure should consist of falling weight deflection data. temperatures, layer thicknesses and traffic data. If the procedure would provide reliable classifications proper planning of structural maintenance budgets would be possible. In the study a discriminant analysis approach has been used in the development of the method. For reasons of availability of data the study has been confined to full depth asphalt pavements of the State Highway Network. Eventually the procedure will be extended for use on all flexible pavement types commonly used in the Netherlands.