Pavement Structural Evaluation at Network Level Using Falling-Weight Deflectometer

Structural evaluation provides valuable information about the expected behavior and response of pavements and can be used at the network level of pavement management to prioritize projects. A deflection test, such as the Falling Weight Deflectometer, can be used to identify the beginning and end of management sections and group pavement sections with similar structural capacities. However, due to the expense of data collection and analysis, and need for improved analysis methods agencies may be hesitant to perform structural capacity testing at the network level. Recently, the Structural Condition Index (SCI) was developed for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) as a screening tool at the network level to discriminate between pavements that need structural reinforcement from those that do not. For the successful implementation of the SCI concept at the network level, one of the critical issues is the accuracy of the index in accessing the structural and deterioration conditions of the pavements. This paper evaluates the accuracy of the SCI and also discusses how to improve the SCI and its algorithm for low volume roads (i.e. farm-to-market road). A case study illustrates that the SCI v1 underestimates the existing structural condition and results in an overestimated treatments in the pavement maintenance and rehabilitation. In this and previous studies, the SCI has only been evaluated for Asphalt Concrete Pavements (ACP) and thin surfaced treated pavements. Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavements have not been addressed.