Evaluation of a Predicted Dynamic Modulus for Florida Mixtures

The new 2002 AASHTO guide for the design of pavement structures is based on mechanistic principles and requires the dynamic modulus as input to compute stress, strain, and rutting and cracking damage in flexible pavements. The 2002 AASHTO guide has three different levels of analysis; the level used depends on the importance of the pavement structure in question. Dynamic modulus testing is required for Level 1 pavement analysis, whereas no laboratory test data are required for Level 2 and Level 3 pavement analysis. Instead, a predictive dynamic modulus equation is used to generate input values. It is of significant importance to state agencies to understand how well the dynamic modulus for locally available materials compares with the predicted dynamic modulus. This paper presents the results of a study by the Florida Department of Transportation and the University of Florida that focused on the evaluation of the dynamic modulus predictive equation used in the new AASHTO 2002 guide for mixtures typical to Florida. The resulting research program consisted of dynamic modulus testing of 28 mixtures common to Florida. Results showed that on average the predictive modulus equation used in the new AASHTO 2002 flexible pavement design guide appeared to work well for Florida mixtures when used with a multiplier to account for the uniqueness of local mixtures. Results of the study also identified optimal viscosity–temperature relationships that result in the closest correspondence between measured and predicted dynamic modulus values.