Calibration of National Rigid Pavement Performance Models for the Pavement Mechanistic–Empirical Design Guide

AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design, software developed from the AASHTO Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG), uses performance data extracted primarily from the long-term pavement performance database to calibrate the performance prediction models for rigid pavements. In this study, factorial designs were generated as a subset of the national rigid pavement database for calibration of the MEPDG rigid pavement performance models. Three separate factorial designs were included for each rigid pavement performance model for (a) jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP) transverse cracking, (b) JPCP faulting (doweled and undoweled), and (c) continuously reinforced concrete pavement punchouts. Experimental design variables for each model were selected to provide the broadest possible representation of key design, construction, and environmental features. The three performance models were then calibrated with the developed factorial matrices. The results were presented along with the calibration procedure. A validation of the calibrated models was then conducted with sites not included in the factorial matrices. An evaluation compared design slab thicknesses required to meet specified performance criteria determined with these and other previously established calibration coefficients. Finally, conclusions and recommendations based on the experiences gained conducting this study are provided.