Evaluation and sensitivity of pavement-subgrade systems

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The health of a country's road network is of considerable importance to its economy. In most of the industrialized world, the network is fairly well established, thus emphasis has shifted toward monitoring, maintaining and improving the existing infrastructure. Pavements deteriorate gradually over time due to repetitive traffic loading and environmental factors such as moisture and freeze-thaw cycles. Given the increase in traffic volume and wheel loads, it has become increasingly important to develop: materials that can better resist damage associated with the traffic and climatic conditions; and new design and maintenance tools that aid in monitoring the road infrastructure and developing cost effect solutions with respect to maintenance strategies and rehabilitation. The new mechanistic-empirical approach for pavement analysis and design requires more accurate estimates of the material response under the action of simulated traffic loading, taking into account variations in moisture and temperature conditions.