Implementation of mechanistic-empirical pavement analysis in the State of Qatar

Abstract

The State of Qatar is experiencing tremendous growth in infrastructure including road network and highways. The current methods used in design of asphalt pavements in the State of Qatar are empirical and might not be suitable for the design of long-lasting pavements. Given the significant increase in traffic, road authorities in the State of Qatar have been considering the use of mechanistic-empirical methods in the design and analysis of asphalt pavements. This study documents the results of a study in which the mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (M-E PDG) software was used in the design of asphalt pavements with input parameters that were carefully selected to reresent local materials and climatic conditions. The selection of material properties was based primarily on specifications and design guides in the State of Qatar and on published literature about these materials. The mechanistic-empirical method was also used to assess the benefits of adopting the concepts of perpetual pavement design and also to compare the performance of pavement structures in which various bitumen grades, granular bases and chemically stabilised sub-base were used. A life-cycle cost analysis was carried out to determine the design with the highest net present value among the various options investigated. It is expected that the outcomes of this study would promote the use of mechanistic-empirical methods in the State of Qatar and the region. Inevitably, this will require significant efforts to calibrate material and damage prediction models used in the M-E PDG for more accurate representation of material properties and measured pavements performance.

Comparison of Mechanistic-Empirical and Traditional Rigid Pavement Design Methods: Afyon-Emirdağ Trial Section

“…Seviye 3'teki tasarım girdileri ise M-E tasarım kataloğunda önerilen standart tasarım verileridir. Seviye 3'teki veriler daha çoğunlukla ABD ve Kanada'da dışında yerel kalibrasyonun henüz tamamlanmadığı ülkelerde genel olarak tercih edilmektedir [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]33]. Ülkemizde henüz kalibrasyon çalışması olmadığı için bu çalışma kapsamında Seviye 3 tasarım verileri kullanılmıştır.…”

“…M-E tasarımın daha gerçekçi sonuçlar verebilmesi adına gerçekleştirilen yerel kalibrasyon çalışmaları, tasarımın ilk olarak geliştirildiği ve 2004 yılından itibaren eyaletler bazında kullanımına başlanan ABD'de halen devam etmekte olup, saha ölçümleri ile tasarım çıktıları karşılaştırılmakta ve elde edilen bulgular uluslararası literatürde sunulmaktadır [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Ayrıca tasarımın ortaya çıktığı ABD ve Kanada haricinde, Arjantin [14], Katar [15], Peru [16], Mısır [17], İran [18], Hindistan [19], Çin [20], Şili [21], Lübnan [22], Suudi Arabistan [23], Kore [24] ve İtalya [25] gibi diğer ülkelerde de M-E üstyapı tasarıma yönelik çalışmalara başlanılmış olup, yerel kalibrasyonuna yönelik çalışmalar devam etmektedir. Ülkemizde ise M-E tasarımına geçiş için yapılan ilk çalışma Öztürk vd.…”

Data Collection for Implementation of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) in Izmir, Turkey

“…To implement and use the MEPDG in Egypt, pavement distresses prediction models were developed for the non-freezing zone and design data was extracted from the LTPP database [10]. The material properties and specifications were determined from the Qatar Highway Design Manual (QHDM), climate data of Needles Airport in California were adapted, and the default traffic design inputs (Level 3) were used to conduct the sensitivity analysis in the State of Qatar [11]. In China, the local material properties was collected and default (Level 3) axle load distribution and climate data were used in local calibration of the thermal cracking model [12].…”

Evaluation of Short-Term Aging Protocol for Asphalt Mixtures

“…The State of Qatar is investing heavily in infrastructure and construction projects and almost 95% of these investments are spent in developing road transport infrastructures [1]. About $14 billion have been announced for the development and improvement of the road network and infrastructure by the year 2019 [2]. Most roads are built using asphalt mixtures in Qatar.…”