Development of Deflection Parameters to Evaluate the Structural Capacity of Flexible Pavements at the Network Level: Case Study for the State of Texas

Abstract

Pavement deflection has been used widely as a nondestructive technique to evaluate the structural capacity of pavements at both network and project levels. Various transportation agencies use several evaluation methods to evaluate the integrity of the pavement layers. Most of these up-to-date developed indices are exclusively based on either central deflections or one deflection point along FWD deflection bowl. However, no standardized method that utilizes the full FWD deflection bowl is available. This study aims to introduce new comprehensive pavement layer deflection and deflection bowl area parameters that are based on the entire FWD deflection bowl rather than one single deflection point and to relate the developed parameters to the field measured distress data. Thirty-five different pavement sections in the State of Texas were utilized in the study. Two comprehensive deflection parameters and a ranking scale were developed that may be utilized for the overall pavement structural condition evaluation.