Evaluation of the Effects of Canadian Climatic Conditions on Pavement Performance using the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide

• Author / Creator

  Saha, Jhuma

• This thesis attempts to explore the implementation of the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) in Canada, specifically in Alberta. In order to achieve this goal, quality of Canadian climate data files used for the MEPDG and its effects on flexible pavement performance were evaluated. Results showed that temperature and precipitation data used in the MEPDG are close to Environment Canada data. This study demonstrated that asphalt concrete rutting, total rutting and longitudinal cracking were sensitive to Canadian climate. However, alligator cracking, transverse cracking and International Roughness Index (IRI) were found less sensitive to climatic factors.
  In addition, this study compared Alberta Transportation Pavement Design (ATPD) method and the MEPDG. Comparison results revealed that pavement performance (IRI) is quite close (< 8% difference) using these two methods. According to the MEPDG, pavement designed by the ATPD method underestimates pavement thickness at poor subgrade and high traffic conditions.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide
  • AASHTO 1993
  • Canadian Climatic Conditions

• Graduation date

  Fall 2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R33G8N

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.