AASHTO Design Equation

(Rigid Pavements)
 Pavement Performance
Initial
Construction

 Wt 
p t  4.5   4.5  1.5   
  
4.5

p
terminal serviceability
pt

Wt
Rigid Performance

1.62  107
18  1.0 
 D  18.46

18  0.875  D  1
7.35
 Design Equation

 4.5  p t 
log10  
log10 W18  7.35log10  D  1  0.06   4.5  1.5 
1.62  107
1.0 
 D  1
8.46

1966
 Design Equation

 4.5  p t 
log10  
  
log10 W18  7.35log10  D  1  0.06 
4.5 1.5
1.62 107
1.0 
 
8.46
D  1

Concrete Tensile Strength (psi)  

 
 f t   D  1.132  
0.75

  4.22  0.32p t  log10  

 0.75 18.42  
1972
  690 
 D  4  
 E c k  
 
Concrete elastic modulus (psi)
Effective modulus of subgrade reaction (psi/in)
 Design Equation

 4.5  p t 
log10  
  
log10 W18  ZR S0  7.35log10  D  1  0.06 
4.5 1.5
1.62 107
1.0 
 
8.46
D  1

Concrete MOR (psi)  Drainage Coefficient 

 
 Sc  Cd   D  1.132  
0.75

1993   4.22  0.32p t  log10  

 215.6 3  J   0.75 18.42  
  D  4  
 E c k  
 
Joint Load Transfer Coefficient
 Drainage Coefficient, Cd

Percentage of Time Material Approaches Saturation

Quality
< 1% 1-5% 5-25% > 25%
Excellent 1.25-1.20 1.20-1.15 1.15-1.10 1.10
Good 1.20-1.15 1.15-1.10 1.10-1.00 1.00
Fair 1.15-1.10 1.10-1.00 1.00-0.90 0.90
Poor 1.10-1.00 1.00-0.90 0.90-0.80 0.80
Very Poor 1.00-0.90 0.90-0.80 0.80-0.70 0.70
 Load Transfer Coefficient, J

Asphalt Shoulders Tied PCC Shoulders

No No
Dowels Dowels
Dowels Dowels
JPCP
3.2 3.8 - 4.4 2.5 - 3.1 3.6 - 4.2
JRCP
CRCP 2.9 - 3.2 2.3 - 2.9
 Standard Deviation, So

Source Flexible Rigid

AASHO Road Test Sn 0.35 0.25

AASHO Road Test So 0.45 0.35

Typical Range for So 0.40 – 0.50 0.35 – 0.40

 Design Equation

 4.5  p t 
log10  
  
log10 W18  ZR S0  7.35log10  D  1  0.06 
4.5 1.5
1.62 107
1.0 
 
8.46
D  1
 
 
 Sc  Cd   D  1.132  
0.75

1993   4.22  0.32p t  log10  

 215.63  J   0.75 18.42  
  D  4  
 E c k  
 
Effective modulus of subgrade reaction (psi/in)
 Calculating k
1. Assume a trial slab thickness, D
2. Determine seasonal values for MR and ESB
3. Convert MR and ESB to composite k values
4. Adjust k values for shallow bedrock (if needed)
5. Convert k values to damage factors (uf)
6. Calculate an average damage factor (uavg)
7. Convert uavg into a year-round keff value
8. Adjust keff for loss of support over time
Burmister’s Solution

Flexible Plate

28
Burmister’s Solution

1.18

Rigid Plate

29
Plate Load Test

2a = 30"
Burmister’s Solution

1.18qa
wo  F2
E2

q E2
k 
w o 1.18aF2
 2 6

4
 2

1 3
 Design Equation

 4.5  p t 
log10  
  
log10 W18  ZR S0  7.35log10  D  1  0.06 
4.5 1.5
1.62 107
1.0 
 
8.46
D  1
 
 
 Sc  Cd   D  1.132  
0.75

1993   4.22  0.32p t  log10  

 215.63  J   0.75 18.42  
  D  4  
 E c k  
 
 Design Equation
1
W18   4.22  0.32p t 
 0.75 18.42 
 D  4 
 Ec k 

 4.22  0.32p t 
1  0.75 18.42 
 D  
W18  4 E k 
c 
Convert k to Damage Factor

b
 0.75 18.42 
ui  D  
 4 E k
c i 


b  4.22  0.32  p t
Convert Damage Factor to k

Ec
k eff  4
 18.42 
 0.75 1b 
 D   u  

b  4.22  0.32  p t
Simplified Version

Let E c  5 10 psi and p t  2.5

6

0.25 3.42
ui  D 0.75
 0.39  k i  
 
Equation in the textbook is wrong

4
D  u 
0.75 0.292

k eff  
 0.39 
2

1
1

2
 Loss of Support, LS

Foundation LS
Cement Treated Granular Base 0–1
Cement Aggregate Mixture 0–1
Asphalt Treated Base 0–1
Bituminous Stabilized Mixtures 0–1
Lime Stabilized Soil 1–3
Unbound Granular Materials 1–3
Natural Subgrade Materials 2–3
2

1
 Design Equation

 4.5  p t 
log10  
  
log10 W18  ZR S0  7.35log10  D  1  0.06 
4.5 1.5
1.62 107
1.0 
 
8.46
D  1
 
 
 Sc  Cd   D  1.132  
0.75

1993   4.22  0.32p t  log10  

 215.63  J   0.75 18.42  
  D  4  
 E c k  
 
Procedure Using Equation
Assume a trial slab thickness, D

Calculate k = f(D,MR,Esb,Dsb,Dsg,LS)


Calculate W18 = f(D,k,ZR,So,pt,Sc,Ec,J)

No 
W18 = W18

Yes

STOP
 2

5
4
1 3
 7 11

10

8
Procedure Using Nomograph
Assume a trial slab thickness, D

Calculate k = f(D,MR,Esb,Dsb,Dsg,LS)

Find D = f(W18,k,ZR,So,pt,Sc,Ec,J)

No
D = Dtrial

Yes

STOP